CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - Recent editorials from West Virginia newspapers:
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May 25
The Charleston Gazette on the legislature’s failures:
A glaring example of political failure is being displayed under the state Capitol dome.
So far, West Virginia taxpayers have been forced to cough up a quarter-million dollars for a special legislative session, because Republicans who took control of lawmaking couldn’t obey the state Constitution and provide enough revenue to support the state government.
They were supposed to meet this obligation in the regular 2016 session, which ended more than two months ago. Now, they still can’t obey the Constitution, and the special session is costing taxpayers $35,000 a day. Meanwhile, the possible specter of massive government furloughs looms.
The GOP is pulling West Virginia into a debacle. Senate Minority Leader Jeff Kessler was correct when he observed that the lunatics have gained control of the asylum. The regular session was squandered on attacking gays and cheerleading for guns, while the task of funding the government was ignored.
In Monday’s action, the Senate Finance Committee suggested grabbing $135 million from a crucial reserve - the state’s Rainy Day emergency fund - to fill half of a $270 million hole in next year’s budget.
It would be a capitulation if lawmakers say the only way they can support the state government is to bleed its precious reserves that are needed for crises.
“I’m not so sure the ink will be dry before the governor vetoes it,” Kessler commented.
However, Gov. Tomblin could be forced to accept this travesty, if his only other option is a near-collapse of the government.
“July 1 is down the road,” Senate Finance Chairman Mike Hall said. That’s the date when massive layoffs of state employees could start.
Current legislators aren’t to blame for the state’s budget shortage. It happened because previous lawmakers - when the Legislature was under Democratic control - wiped out $300 million in business taxes. This was followed by a downturn in coal and natural gas revenue. However, current legislators are to blame for the wasted time, energy and money going on for the past two years. They are obligated to fund the necessary functions of state government. So far, lawmakers are failing this duty by passing even modest tax proposals to replace those that have been cut.
All West Virginians should pay intense attention to the expensive mess occurring at the Statehouse.
Online:
https://www.wvgazettemail.com/
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May 25
The Journal on higher education’s sustainability:
Job One after West Virginia legislators adopt a new budget should be keeping this year’s fiasco from occurring again. Taking a critical, comprehensive look at state spending should be the first step in that task.
House of Delegates Minority Leader Tim Miley is spearheading a bipartisan campaign to begin the process by examining higher education in West Virginia.
Higher education funding covers both two-year community and technical colleges and four-year universities and colleges. They receive an enormous amount of money from various sources, including state and federal funding.
Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin’s initial budget request for higher education during fiscal 2017 was $2.52 billion - up substantially from the $2.04 billion actually spent during FY 2015 but much less than the $3.03 billion budgeted for this year. That latter amount will not all be available for spending, however, because of midyear reductions ordered by the governor.
A quick glance at the budget figures - the wild fluctuation over the three-year period - seems to indicate higher education may be a logical target for more spending discipline.
That has been suggested by some lawmakers, who wonder whether the state can afford all the programs offered at public colleges and universities - or even whether some of the institutions themselves should be closed.
Miley has not suggested anything so drastic. But he is asking for a study on “the sustainability of the state’s current higher education system.” He put that request in a letter to House Speaker Tim Armstead and state Senate President Bill Cole.
Miley sought a resolution calling for such an examination earlier this year, during the Legislature’s 60-day regular session. It was not introduced in time to be acted upon, however.
Fifty-two of the House’s 100 members, both Republicans and Democrats, signed on as sponsors of the resolution. That number includes Eastern Panhandle lawmakers Paul Espinosa and Larry Faircloth.
Miley’s idea would have been a good one at any time. Now, however, with legislators scraping for every dollar they can find to balance the state’s budget, it is especially attractive.
Online:
https://www.journal-news.net/
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May 25
Parkersburg News and Sentinel on health care:
West Virginia lawmakers have plenty of reasons to be worried about the state’s budget for the next several years. There are many factors contributing to the deficit. One of those factors is the “free” health care so many in Washington, D.C. were thrilled to foist upon us.
Of course, nothing is free. Someone has to pay for everything. In this case, a large portion of the $1 billion West Virginia spends on Medicaid, since its massive expansion under Obamacare, is covered by the federal government. Or, to be more correct, by taxpayers who send their money to the federal government.
But that 100 percent federal funding ends in January. Mountain State lawmakers know they will have to come up with an extra 5 percent match for the Medicaid expansion that will tack on approximately $14 million to next year’s budget. It gets worse.
Each year after that, West Virginia’s share of the burden for all this “free” health care increases, until by 2020 the estimate is an extra $50 million pulled from state coffers. Do not lose sight of the fact that from a taxpayer’s perspective the money is coming out of our wallets whether it is funneled through the federal or state government; but a sharper pinch on the state budget has more chance of affecting West Virginia residents directly in the form of cuts to other programs and agencies.
When those cuts take effect, and more and more West Virginians struggle under a strained economy, there will likely be more folks in the Mountain State who must sign on for insurance coverage under Medicaid. The burden on taxpayers will increase, the budget will be even more difficult to balance … the downward cycle will continue.
Remember, states like West Virginia were exactly the kinds of populations Obamacare proponents said they were going to help. Legislators and other officials now charged with trying to figure out how to pay for all that kindness may be wondering, with friends like that, who needs enemies?
Online:
https://www.newsandsentinel.com/
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