CHARLESTON, W.Va. — State Senate President Mitch Carmichael said Friday the Senate would back Gov. Jim Justice if he proposes significant cuts to the state budget.
“Yes, this Senate will stand with him on the difficult decisions,” Carmichael (R-Jackson) said during an appearance on MetroNews “Talkline.”
The projected budget deficit for next fiscal year is believed to be around the $500 million mark not counting a significant hole in the current budget that will require some moves by the governor and the legislature in the weeks ahead.
After talking with Justice, Carmichael said he expects significant cuts to be proposed. Carmichael said the Senate would not be weak-kneed.
“We’re going to be strong. We are going to do the things that you have to do to bring our expenditures in line with our revenue. We cannot continue this path of making everyone happy and putting it off to future generations,” Carmichael said.
Carmichael has appointed a select committee on tax reform. He wants budget cuts to be balanced with what he calls real tax reform, a fundamental restructuring of the tax code.
“That can change our long-term structure and the manner in which we tax our people. We have to get us on a pro-growth perspective,” Carmichael said.
The legislature’s 60-day session begins Feb. 8.