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Officials say it's not as bleak as it sounds
Story by Jack Kane
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CHARLESTON -- West Virginia may have a $100 million budget deficit by the end of this fiscal year. Right now, there's a $16 million budget shortfall.
Despite that fact, Gov. Joe Manchin said things are under control.
"We're in good enough shape and we're paying our bills," he said. "We're not behind the curve. We're not considering raising anybody's taxes to pay for government. We're going to live within our means the same as everybody's living within their means. We're not adding a bunch of new programs. Nobody adds more expenses when they can't afford what they have. So, we're watching things very carefully."
Deputy Revenue Secretary Mark Muchow said the governor's efficiencies are paying off and there is unspent revenue from the past two budget years that could fill any gap.
"We still have about $168 million in unappropriated surplus from the last two years," he said. "Plus, we have federal stimulus funds that were intended to fill in budget gaps in fiscal years '09, 110 and '11."
Muchow said the state's "rainy day fund" of more than $500 million would be used only as a last resort. |
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