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Senate Bill 250 has passed both chambers and heads next to Gov. Patrick Morrisey. It appropriates $21.5 billion in revenue collections and spending authority.
It also provides for a 5% personal income tax cut and a 3% average pay raise for state employees.
“Funding for higher education was also maintained at the Senate’s position, restoring the 2% cuts suggested by the governor and ensuring that higher education funding formula is fully implemented for the first time,” said Sen. Jason Barrett, R-Berkeley and chairman of the Finance Committee.
“Funding for the arts has been fully restored in the Division of Arts, Culture and History. The HOPE Scholarship is funded for a total of $297 million. Medicaid is funded roughly $28 million higher than current year levels,” Barrett said.
As part of the general revenue surplus section of the budget, the Office of Flood Resiliency is funded at $5 million.
The two Democrats in the Senate released a joint statement acknowledging some aspects of the budget they are pleased with, but said “the bad things are more numerous.”
“The House of Delegates funded Flood Resiliency at $25 million, instead of $5 million,” said Sens. Mike Woelfel, D-Cabell, and Joey Garcia, D-Marion.
They had also hoped to increase funding for child care and change reimbursements to child care facilities, raise teachers to a base salary of $50,000 and help people cope with rising energy costs.
“They prioritized funding the HOPE scholarship and a 5% tax break that will go mostly to the wealthy donor class, while failing to increase any funding for public education,” the two said.