CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The Republican majority in the House of Delegates used a procedural move Friday to keep Democrats from proposing an amendment that would take money from the state’s Rainy Day Fund and other areas of the budget to plug the $120 million hole in PEIA, the health insurance plan for state workers.
In light of the proposal, the Republican majority decided to postpone a vote on a supplemental budget bill from Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin. The bill shifts $52 million in the current state budget so the state can keep paying its bills on time in light of a pending $350 million revenue shortfall. The governor’s office has previously said the bills need to pass by the end of the month.
House Speaker Tim Armstead (R-Kanawha) said the Democrats were playing political games with the state budget by trying to hijack the bill dealing with the current crisis in exchange for the PEIA issue which won’t take effect until July 1.
Armstead said legislative leaders are working with the governor on a PEIA solution. Gov. Tomblin has proposed a 45-cent tobacco tax increase to help with the current PEIA cuts. The tax increase has had a lukewarm response from some Republicans.
Del. Isaac Sponaugle (D-Pendleton) had a proposed amendment ready to go for Friday’s floor session on the PEIA issue and objected when Republicans moved to postpone the vote on the budget-related bill. The Republican majority was able to push the bill back until Monday for consideration where it will once again on second reading.