Tag: Line Item Vetoes

Gov. Tomblin Restores Some Social Services Funding Cuts

Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin has announced he’s restoring funding to some West Virginia social services programs that he previously cut.

Tomblin wrote to state Senate President Jeff Kessler and House Speaker Tim Miley on Wednesday that the restored funding includes $150,000 for an in-home family education program, $80,000 for child abuse prevention and $30,000 for a domestic violence legal services fund.

Tomblin chose to cut several other social services programs in a line-item veto in March. Tomblin said he had received numerous requests to reconsider the reductions.

“Today’s announcement is a direct response to grassroots organizing.  It would not have been possible without the unified voice of families, religious leaders, community groups, and legislators from both parties all across the state coming together,” said Stephen Smith of the Our Children, Our Future Campaign in a news release.

“This is a first step, but only that.  We cannot call this a victory when there are still 80 people who will lose their jobs if the remainder of these cuts are allowed to go through,” he added.
 
Tomblin said Revenue Secretary Robert Kiss and Department of Health and Human Resources Secretary Karen Bowling recommended the three funding restorations. The governor said restored funds will be used to ensure the programs maintain current funding levels in the next fiscal year.

Gov. Tomblin Cuts or Vetoes Nearly $67 Million in Budget

The budget bill signed Thursday by Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin makes line item vetoes and cuts totaling nearly $67 million. Programs affected include those for seniors, children, libraries, State Police, higher education workforce development, and the newly formed Sexual Assault Forensic Examination Commission.

In a letter to Secretary of State Natalie Tennant dated Wednesday, March 19, Tomblin outlined 42 objections to the budget that was passed by the legislature last week.

Some of the major cuts Tomblin has proposed are:

  • Senior Citizens Centers and Programs from $2,284,750 down to $1,000,000
  • Sexual Assault Forensic Examination Commission from $150,000 down to $100,000
  • Libraries – Special Projects from $768,250 down to $0
  •  Domestic Violence Legal Services Fund from $400,000 down to $370,000
  • In-Home Family Education from $1,000,000 down to $750,000
  • 21st Century Innovation Zones from $466,144 down to $266,144
  • Local Economic Development Assistance from $4,688,940 down to $1,850,000

A detailed look at all of the cuts and line item vetoes can be found below:

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