CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Since he began his term Jan. 16, Governor Jim Justice has sent an important message to his cabinet secretaries: cut spending where possible.
On Wednesday, two agency secretaries announced they were cutting spending from each of their respective agencies as lawmakers continue to discuss solutions for fixing the state’s budget problems, including a projected budget deficit of almost $500 million for the upcoming fiscal year.
Bill Crouch, secretary for the Department of Health and Human Services, said the department will not be moving forward with plans to buy a new computing system.
The Integrated Eligibility System would have been used to track people’s qualifications in agency programs and services. According to agency officials, it would have replaced three outdated systems.
However, the lowest bid for the contract was $477 million, a cost the DHHR would have to pay over the next 10 years.
“During these difficult financial times, DHHR understands that business needs to be conducted in fiscally responsible way,” Crouch said in a statement. “We are considering our options to narrow the scope of the project.”
In addition, the West Virginia State Tax Department announced Wednesday it will end mailing copies of 1099-G and 1099-INT statements to taxpayers.
A 1099-G form is used by taxpayers who itemize deductions on their federal return, and the 1099-INT is used to note additional income one has received.
Tax Commissioner Dale Steager said the effort will save the department $80,000 in mailing costs.
“With budgetary constraints as they are, we strive to find ways to serve taxpayers in an efficient, cost-effective manner,” Steager said in a statement.
The department said people can now download the statements from its website. If someone needs the form and lacks internet access, they can call the agency’s form hotline and leave their contact information so a form can be mailed to their address.