June 14th, 2016 by WCBC Radio
Legislators are attempting to close out the 17-day special session this afternoon with final passage of the 2016-17 state budget bill, establishment of a special fund to help offset PEIA premium increases for retirees and public employees, and a $2.1 million appropriation to help the Boone County School Board meet June payroll pending.
The Senate on Tuesday morning made technical amendments and concurred in House amendments to the $4.187 billion state budget (SB1013), passing it on a 23-7 vote. It is awaiting a final passage vote in the House.
The House will also take up a bill to put up to a total of $15 million a year into a special reserve fund intended to help offset employee and retiree premium increases for PEIA health insurance.
Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin promised to add the bill to the special session agenda once the Legislature approved his proposal for a tobacco tax increase (SB1012), to raise $98 million to help close a $270 million gap in the 2016-17 budget. That bill passed the Legislature on Monday.
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