On Tuesday, the House of Delegates took up the Senate’s bill (SB 1005) that would have increased the tax on cigarettes by 45-cents a pack, revenue-generating measure to help balance the upcoming fiscal year’s budget. After much debate and discussion about whether or not to include other tobacco products, as well as whether or not to even increase the tax at all, the House voted 44-55 to defeat the bill.
This sent legislators back to the drawing board on figuring out how to solve the ongoing budget impasse.
Today both houses passed their own version of the state budget sending them to each other for consideration when they reconvene on Tuesday. The Senate version, SB 1002, helps close the current year’s (FY 2016) budget gap. The bill takes $32 million from the Rainy Day Fund and redirects $31 million from various funds to close the FY 2016 gap.
The House version, HB 101, contains $200 million in cuts and takes $143 million from the Rainy Day Fund, with no new revenues. Governor Tomblin would likely veto it if it passes both houses.
Both the Senate and House have adjourned for the holiday weekend. Tune into next week’s Budget Beat a recap of week #3 of the Special Session!
The WVCBP is excited to partner with the Covenant House to begin a monthly series of Lunch and Learn events, beginning June 8, 2016 from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm (BYOL). We are working together to continue our missions of educating and advocating for shared prosperity for families throughout West Virginia.
The mission and vision of our organizations fosters a holistic progress for our most vulnerable populations through Covenant House’s direct services and the Center’s policy analysis and research. We look forward to hosting these Lunch and Learn events together and offering networking, resources, and rich learning experiences that will move us together toward a shared, prosperous future.
Bring your lunch and join us! For more information, email Tara.
The WVCBP is proud to release its 2015 Annual Report.
It was a great year for us with the addition of two new staff, sustainable funding from regional and national foundations and record-setting outreach in the state’s media markets.
Thank you for your support and readership!
Read the full report.
