The Joint Standing Committee on Finance convened during the interim period. Larry Pack, Cabinet Secretary of the Department of Revenue, Mark Muchow, Deputy Secretary of the Department of Revenue, and Michael Cook, State Budget Director, reviewed the fiscal year 2024 budget and fiscal year 2025 budget matters.
Muchow noted that the state’s six-year revenue surpluses are likely coming to an end. “It’s unusual to have huge revenue surpluses like we’ve had in recent years,” Muchow said. “Various factors contributed to these surpluses, including efforts to keep the budget flat. Over time, our revenues will align more closely with spending, and we won’t see $400 million or $500 million surpluses every year.”
Regarding the additional five percent personal income tax cut requested by Governor Justices, further discussions are required. The upcoming special session, which will address other funding matters including childcare, has not yet been scheduled.
Cynthia Persily, Division of Human Services Cabinet Secretary, reported that the $23 million needed to fund the Child Care Assistance program for the next ten months is being sourced from surplus dollars in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. While current funding projections are adequate, Persily expressed concern about the uncertainty of future funding.
In the May special session, the Legislature passed a bill allocating over $5 million to the Department of Health and more than $183 million to the Department of Health Services. This bill allows department secretaries to transfer money from new reserve funds to other line items. Persily stated these funds will be utilized during the last quarter of the current fiscal year.
The Joint Committee on Health heard presentations from Senior Advisor Jeremiah Samples Senior Advisor, President of the First Foundation, Jonathan Board, and Dr. Steven Llyod, Executive Director, Office of Drug Control Policy. Samples stated that West Viriginia must reassess all substance use disorder strategies and expenditures through the prism of what is impacting real people in our society.
The Office of Drug Control Policy goals are:
- Reduce fatal and nonfatal overdoses by improving access and integration of early intervention and treatment for substance use disorder in our patient and residential facilities and in the community.
- Provide criminal justice-involved and civil child abuse and neglect involved persons access to evaluation and effective treatment for SUD.
- Ensure equitable access to the full continuum of care for individuals with substance use disorder who are in recovery, including entry into treatment or transition out of treatment and into the workforce with continued support.
The West Virginia First Foundation was created to manage the opioid settlement by expanding the availability of treatment, support prevention strategies, support SUD avoidance and awareness, curtail the sale and distribution of opioid and other illicit drugs, decrease over supply of licit and illicit opioids, and support recovery. The Foundation’s mission statement is empowering West Virginians to prevent substance use disorder, support recovery, and save lives. One comment made during the presentation pointed out that West Virginia unfortunately has been the leader in the opioid/substance use disorder crisis, but now is the time for West Virginia to be the leader in recovery and healing.
September has arrived and with it the last celebrations and gatherings of summer. As we observe Labor Day, let us take a moment to recognize and celebrate the incredible dedication
and hard work of men and women who make our state a better place every day! To all the unsung heroes who work tirelessly behind the scenes, thank you for your unwavering commitment and hard work. Your efforts do not go unnoticed, and we are grateful for everything you do to keep our communities thriving.
“A dream doesn’t become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work.”
(Colin Powell)
I look forward to hearing from people in the district and hope to see you out and about enjoying all the great things our area has to offer. I can be contacted at lori.dittman@ wvhouse.gov or 304-701-8600.
