On Sunday, the West Virginia State Senate approved Governor Earl Ray Tomblin's revised budget calling for 65 cent per pack tobacco tax increase; the margin was 27 in favor and 4 against.
The tax revenues expected to be raised by the tobacco tax are estimated at $100 million, which will considerably lessen the $182 million that would have come from the State's rainy day fund.
Local Senator Robert Karnes was one of the four Senators voting against the budget. Webster's other Senator, Greg Boso, was absent and did not vote on this critically important legislation.
On Monday, the West Virginia House of Delegates followed suit and passed the budget by a large margin. Local Delegate Dana Lynch voted for the revised budget bill. After further consideration by the Senate due to minor changes made by the House, it is highly likely the Governor will sign the budget averting a state government shutdown on July 1.
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