Gov. Tomblin Story Archives - West Virginia Public Broadcasting

Spokesman: West Virginia Governor Will Veto Entire Budget

A spokesman says Democratic Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin will veto the Republican-led Legislature’s entire budget.

Spokesman Chris Stadelman said Friday that Tomblin will work with lawmakers on a plan that doesn’t mortgage West Virginia’s future.

Without a budget, the government shuts down July 1.

Tomblin has said he wouldn’t approve a plan dependent on one-time patches not addressing long-term problems. He offered several tax increase ideas.

GOP lawmakers passed a plan Thursday to cover a $270 million gap without raising taxes. It sweeps $245 million in one-time cash, including $183 million from reserves.

Both political parties traded expected election-year blame.

Tomblin called lawmakers into session May 16. It lasted 13 days and cost taxpayers $455,000. Lawmakers didn’t pass a budget in the allotted 60-plus-days starting in January.

Lawmakers return June 12.

Ground-to-Air Fireworks Now Available in West Virginia

West Virginians will have access to a greater variety of fireworks under a law that debuts this week.

The law that goes into effect Wednesday allows for the use of some aerial fireworks. Those can be sold by businesses licensed by the state fire marshal and include rockets and artillery shells. Customers must be 18 and have a valid state identification.

In the past, residents had to travel out-of-state to obtain such fireworks.

Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin signed a bill into law earlier this year expanding the type of fireworks allowed.

Municipalities can regulate the use of consumer fireworks within their boundaries.

Governor Not Calling for Additional Budget Cuts

Gov. Tomblin is telling state agencies to keep their budgets on par with this year’s spending plans.

The Charleston Daily Mail reports Revenue Secretary Bob Kiss last week sent instructions to agency heads on submitting 2016 budget requests. The 2015 fiscal year started in July.

After two years of 7.5 percent reductions, Kiss’ correspondence said additional funding would be considered only in rare cases.

Last week, the Department of Revenue announced general revenue fell $17.4 million short in July.

The shortfall was partly due to one-time revenue transfers carried over from June. Deputy Revenue Secretary Mark Muchow also pointed to sluggish sales and personal income tax growth as problematic.