W.Va. Lawmakers Pass Budget Relying on Reserves

West Virginia lawmakers have passed a budget that dips into millions of dollars in reserves and gives public employees raises.
 
The Senate voted 25-9 and the House of Delegates voted 77-18 Friday to pass next year’s budget. The bill would take $147 million from the state’s $922 million Rainy Day Fund to cover a projected shortfall.
 
The plan includes $1,000 across-the-board raises for teachers, 2-percent raises for school service personnel and $504 raises for public employees.
 
House lawmakers, who face re-election this year, opposed increasing the cigarette or sales taxes.

The budget adds $5 million for a Medicaid program that offers seniors in-home care. It also strips $9 million from the attorney general’s consumer protection program.
 
Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin will now consider line-by-line vetoes in the spending plan.