Post by Logan on Feb 7, 2017 3:43:09 GMT -6
Legislative finance leaders say budget cuts alone may not work
A majority of legislators want to “right-size” state government through budget cuts this session, but the House and Senate finance chairmen conceded Friday it may be impossible to close a potential $500 million-plus deficit though cuts alone.
Senate Finance Chairman Mike Hall, R-Putnam, told the West Virginia Legislative Lookahead Friday that spending for two-thirds of the state’s $4.1 billion general revenue budget is spelled out in state law, and can’t be changed without passing new laws.
“Out of $1.3 billion, I don’t think you can find $600 million easily,” Hall said of making spending cuts on the remaining one-third of the budget.
House Finance Chairman Eric Nelson, R-Kanawha, said legislators are awaiting Gov. Jim Justice’s budget proposals on Wednesday, but said the sentiment is for cuts before new tax increases.
See more at: www.wvgazettemail.com/news-politics/20170203/legislative-finance-leaders-say-budget-cuts-alone-may-not-work
A majority of legislators want to “right-size” state government through budget cuts this session, but the House and Senate finance chairmen conceded Friday it may be impossible to close a potential $500 million-plus deficit though cuts alone.
Senate Finance Chairman Mike Hall, R-Putnam, told the West Virginia Legislative Lookahead Friday that spending for two-thirds of the state’s $4.1 billion general revenue budget is spelled out in state law, and can’t be changed without passing new laws.
“Out of $1.3 billion, I don’t think you can find $600 million easily,” Hall said of making spending cuts on the remaining one-third of the budget.
House Finance Chairman Eric Nelson, R-Kanawha, said legislators are awaiting Gov. Jim Justice’s budget proposals on Wednesday, but said the sentiment is for cuts before new tax increases.
See more at: www.wvgazettemail.com/news-politics/20170203/legislative-finance-leaders-say-budget-cuts-alone-may-not-work