CHARLESTON, W.Va. — After two days of a special session to work out a budget deal, the state Legislature recessed until May 15, expressing hope that leaders could work out a deal before rank-and-file legislators return to the Capitol.
The House of Delegates and the Governor’s Office, largely on opposite sides of the budget debate, both put out press releases Friday evening expressing optimism.
The House’s headline was “House leadership optimistic break will foster budget compromise, prevent waste of money.”
The governor’s headline was “Justice applauds Senate’s approval of bipartisan deal.”
Friday afternoon, two days into the special session, the state Senate voted 32-1 to pass a revenue bill that would balance the state budget by raising some taxes, including the state sales tax, while decreasing the state income tax six months later.
Just a few minutes later, the House of Delegates voted 59-34 to kill the bill on first reading.
Both the House and Senate voted to recess for 10 days, with hopes that leaders could work out a deal in the meantime.
The Republican majority in the Senate extolled the bill not only for balancing the budget in the coming fiscal year but for lowering the personal income tax over time.
Republicans in the House contend too many other taxes have to be raised to do that — including a one-percent increase in the state sales tax.
The majority in the House actually voted down two revenue bills during the two-day special session — one originating in the House and then the one that was passed over by the Senate.
“We have said repeatedly and clearly we thought calling a special session to push a tax increase plan that had no support in the House was a mistake by the Governor,” House Speaker Tim Armstead, R-Kanawha, stated in the release distributed by the House.
“After rejecting this plan again tonight, and reaching an agreement with the Senate to adjourn for 10 days, I am confident we can now get everyone to the table and work on a realistic plan that has a chance of passing this Legislature.”
Gov. Jim Justice had a news conference about 6 p.m. Friday to say he was pleased the Senate passed a revenue bill and that he thinks reaching a full deal on the budget remains possible.
The release later distributed by his office did not mention the House of Delegates.
“The bipartisan plan that passed out of the Senate will put us on a pathway to prosperity. It means we don’t have to make cuts that would cripple our state and we can lower taxes for working West Virginians,” Justice stated in the release.
“I want to thank Senate President Carmichael and Minority Leader Prezioso for their work to get this done. It’s proof that both sides can work together to do what’s best for the people of West Virginia.”