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West Virginia Lawmakers Back for Budget, But Standoff Looms
By: Associated Press
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CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) – West Virginia lawmakers are back at the Capitol to hash out a budget, though they’re unlikely to bridge the gap between the House plan to tap reserves and a Senate version raising taxes.
The Republican-led Legislature returned Monday to negotiate a 2017 budget with a $466 million gap. Lawmakers wrapped their 60-day session Saturday. The budget session ends Tuesday.
The House budget relies on $32 million from Rainy Day Fund reserves, $17 million in extra cuts and $72 million from agency accounts.
Democratic Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin says he’ll veto a budget tapping reserves.
Senators would raise $115 million through higher tobacco taxes and $20 million by eliminating greyhound racing subsidies.
The House didn’t approve those revenues and others.
Without progress, Tomblin said he’d bring lawmakers back later this spring.