CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Gov. Jim Justice might be excited that a bill he’s backing to reorganize the state Division of Tourism is on the verge of passing through the state Senate.
Justice might be less excited about what is attached to it.
Senator Charles Trump, a Republican from Morgan County, on Thursday proposed an amendment requiring that bonds be issued by Jan. 1, 2018, for improvements to Cacapon and Beech Fork State Park.
If the bonds haven’t been issued and sold — and if a contract for one or both projects hasn’t been entered into by the state — then all the spending authority in the Division of Tourism would come to a halt and the money would revert to the state’s general fund.
Surprise!
The back story is, five years ago the Legislature passed a law that authorized the sale of bonds for improvements to Cacapon, which is in Trump’s district, and Beech Fork, which is in Wayne and Cabell counties.
“It’s an important project for the state and the counties in which they’re located,” Trump said today.
Then-Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin signed the bill, but decided not to actually move forward on issuing the bonds because of the state’s declining financial picture.
“So, my amendment today simply puts in code language that if the bonds aren’t sold by Jan. 1, then all tourism spending authority in West Virginia evaporates and goes to general revenue,” Trump said. “There couldn’t be another dollar spent on tourism in West Virginia unless those bonds have been sold and those projects proceed.”
Oh, just that.
Trump’s amendment passed overwhelmingly — Yea 27, Nay 6, 1 Absent — after senators of both parties stood and spoke out either for Cacapon or Beech Fork, depending on what part of the state they represented.
“Overwhelming support,” Trump said. “People know how important the project at Cacapon State Park is. It’s probably one of the top economic projects in this whole state.”
Senator Robert Plymale, D-Wayne, was among those who spoke in support of Beech Fork’s improvements.
“I do feel that from the Beech Fork standpoint and representing that area, we were promised that for a number of years, and it’s time to fulfill that promise,” Plymale said.
Senator Mike Woelfel, D-Cabell, also said it’s time to move forward on improvements to Beech Fork.
“Beech Fork State Park is a jewel, waiting to be developed,” Woelfel said. “Let’s get this moving. I hope this is something we can get behind.”
The bill was passed on second reading and will be up for passage in the Senate on third reading Friday.
Senator Craig Blair, R-Berkeley, stood and asked that the amendment be mailed to Governor Justice.
That was kind of a joke and Blair quickly thought better of it, asking that his motion be rescinded.
Trump was guessing that Justice will be happy. Justice’s campaign promises to improve tourism specifically mentioned Cacapon: “Right now, Cacapon State Park has an expansion plan in place but needs financing to make it happen. There is a role for the private sector to step up.”
Trump said, “He took out a half page ad in the Morgan Messenger and said he supported that expansion, so I’m hoping that he’ll like that amendment is in his bill and he’ll proceed to get it done.”