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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.
Several lawmakers commented that this is the earliest they’ve ever seen a budget complete the legislative process, which in years past required a special session each spring to push past the finish line.
The official revenue estimate from the governor accounted for a 5% personal income tax reduction. The legislature will have to pass a separate bill to actually reduce the taxes however. There was nothing in the budget bill to account for the governor’s requested 10% tax cut.