Phaninc Exchange|West Virginia Republican governor signs budget, vows to bring back lawmakers for fixes

2025-04-30 10:32:31source:CAI Communitycategory:Finance

CHARLESTON,Phaninc Exchange W.Va. (AP) — West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice signed a budget of just under $5 billion Thursday after criticizing lawmakers for approving it in the waning hours of the 60-day session with less money for some critically needed programs.

Justice was especially concerned about lower-than-expected funding for the Department of Human Services. He said he’ll likely call lawmakers back in special session as soon as next month so it can be adjusted by the end of the fiscal year in June.

“Why in the world did we do this?” Justice, a Republican, said during his weekly media briefing earlier Thursday.

Justice’s proposed a general revenue budget of $5.265 billion in January. He said some money that was cut from Human Services also meant that matching federal funding is gone, too. He said the legislative cuts could hurt some of the state’s most vulnerable residents, including foster children and disabled people.

“I am here to tell you, when we call them back, this will be front and center,” he said. “It’s going to take time to figure this out. Please tell me why we didn’t take the time to listen to the people who are the real experts. The real expects are the people that have been in our revenue department.”

READ MORE West Virginia governor vies for Manchin’s US Senate seat, while moonlighting as girls hoops coachWest Virginia Legislature ends session with pay raises, tax cut and failure of social issue billsPotential $465M federal clawback raises concerns about West Virginia schools

Justice also wants the GOP-dominated Legislature to address other items he proposed in January that were ignored — a tax break for families using day care for their children and reducing the property tax burden for low-income senior citizens.

The legislative session was marked by budget disputes and controversial social issue bills that advanced but ultimately didn’t go anywhere. The session ended Saturday, when some lawmakers conferenced behind closed doors to agree on the budget.

The governor said he rejected specific appropriations to certain colleges and universities “to the exclusion of others.” He also nixed a $300,000 appropriation for a Cabell County facility that provides job opportunities and training for the developmentally disabled. Justice said the Department of Human Services believes the funding should be better used in another manner.

The budget process was thrown into chaos last week when lawmakers learned Justice’s office was in negotiations with the federal government over a potential $465 million COVID-19 funding clawback.

More:Finance

Recommend

Highlights from Trump’s interview with Time magazine

NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trumpwas on the verge of backing a 16-week federal abortion banearlier this y

6 teenagers go on trial for their alleged role in the 2020 beheading of a French teacher

PARIS (AP) — Six teenagers go on trial Monday in Paris for their alleged roles in the beheading of a

32 things we learned in NFL Week 12: Playoff chase shaping up to be wild

The 32 things we learned from Week 12 of the 2023 NFL season:1. Get ready for a wild sprint over the