CHARLESTON, W.Va. — It appears the state Senate will be deliberative in putting together its budget plan to address a projected $500 million revenue hole next fiscal year.
Senate Finance Committee Chair Mike Hall (R-Putnam) said Tuesday on MetroNews “Talkline” the Republican members of the Senate want to weigh out the “full impact” of potential budget cuts. House of Delegates leaders have said they hope to have a counter spending plan to that of Gov. Jim Justice for consideration in about two weeks. Hall said the Senate won’t get there that fast.
According to Hall, there is currently no appetite among Senate Republicans for the $450 million in tax increases proposed by Justice. Instead, Hall and others are working from the projected $4 billion in revenue for next fiscal year and from there determining priorities in spending.
Justice has proposed approximately $27 million in cuts. He also produced an alternative list of cuts of $450 million that included closing colleges and universities and eliminating programs. Hall said Tuesday there are other ways to cut the budget.
“They’re easier than some of things on that list. You can get to about $250 million in, I wouldn’t necessarily call them all cuts, but I would say rollbacks and different revenue things you can do that aren’t tax increases,” Hall said.
Senate Majority Leader Ryan Ferns (R-Ohio) said Tuesday on “Talkline” state residents want to see “controlled government spending.”
“This is the revenue that we’re generating and then prioritize. What services can we afford to cover based on the revenue we are currently generating,” Ferns said.
Sen. Mike Romano (D-Harrison) said he would recommend broad-based tax increases like bringing back part of the food tax or increasing the sales tax. But Romano also supports an income tax cut for the middle class to put money into the economy.
“It’s got to be a combination of some tax increases and some drastic cuts but at the same time nobody asked the Democrats what they want to do. The Republicans are driving this train,” Romano said Tuesday on “Talkline.”
Gov. Justice tweeted a message Tuesday afternoon against budget cuts beyond his proposal.
“Can’t keep kicking the can in Charleston. More cuts will cripple WV. It’s time to #SaveOurState! The #SOS Budget means JOBS & HOPE.”
Can't keep kicking the can in Charleston. More cuts will cripple WV. It's time to #SaveOurState! The #SOS Budget means JOBS & HOPE. #wvgov pic.twitter.com/nN3iBynchC
— Governor Jim Justice (@WVGovernor) February 14, 2017