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Friday Recap: New Budget Plans & Tax Reform

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On The Legislature Today, Gov. Jim Justice has sent lawmakers a second budget plan this session and now plans to sweep $120 million in one time monies to balance the 2017 budget.

Lawmakers also got their first look at the $610 million deficit that would be created by the Senate’s current tax reform bill that would repeal the personal income tax and replace it with an expanded consumer sales tax. 

State Journal Managing Editor Ann Ali and MetroNews Statewide Correspondent Brad McElhinney recap the week’s budget news.

In the Senate, Democratic members attempt to keep requirements in place for construction and extraction businesses to bond employee wages and benefits. 

In the House, members vote again to increase penalties for certain drug crimes, this time for manufacturing or selling drugs in the presence of a minor.