Threat of State Government Shutdown Increases

The West Virginia Legislature has one mandatory duty each year, and that is to pass a state budget (which by law must be a balanced budget).  Everything else the Legislature does is optional.

During its regular 60 day session, the Republican controlled Legislature failed to submit and/or pass a state budget.  Now the Legislature has been called back into special session to pass a budget.

At a cost of at least $35,000.00 per day in special session, the Legislature has already squandered seven days without passing a budget.  And based on a vote today to defeat an increase in the tobacco tax, the likelihood of passing a budget anytime soon diminishes and the likelihood of a state government shutdown on July 1 increases.

Governor Earl Ray Tomblin proposed filling the $270 million budget shortfall with a combination of tax increases, budget cuts, and a small dip into the State's rainy day fund.  The only realistic tax increase that might be passed was a 45 cent increase in the tobacco tax (which was estimated to raise about $70 million annually).

The Senate narrowly passed the Governor's tobacco tax increase with all but one Republican actually supporting the tax increase and all but one Democrat opposing it.  Today, the House defeated the tobacco tax 44 votes for and 55 votes against.  All but one Democrat opposed the tax along with about 20 Republicans.  The 44 favorable votes came from all Republicans except for one Democrat supporting it.

If people think Congress in Washington, D.C. is in gridlock, they need to take a close look at the West Virginia Legislature.  Republicans, who hold a slim majority in the State Senate and a super majority in the State House, have failed to pass or even propose a budget during the regular session and now in this costly special session. 

Republicans have a majority but cannot get their members to agree because of the far right, Tea Party wing who will not go along with any tax increases even to the point of shutting down state government.

Across the aisle, Democrats are holding out for larger tax increases than what Democratic Governor Tomblin proposed for the special session (and that is why they voted against the 45 cent tobacco tax increase).

So, voters need to ask these questions of the Legislature:

Republicans, you have a majority and can pass a budget if you get your members together; why are you unable to do so?

Democrats, you want higher taxes than even your own party leader the Governor proposes; how do you think that will play out this Fall?

While both parties continue to point fingers at each other, no budget is being passed and the threat of a state government shutdown on July 1 increases every day the Legislature burns over $35,000.00 per day squabbling.