CHARLESTON State senators see an opportunity to overhaul the state budget under a new governor.
Two state senators believe the time is right to reassess and reshape West Virginia's budget to better serve residents, especially with the election of Attorney General Patrick Morrisey as governor.
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Eric Tarr of Putnam County and reelected Senator Patricia Rucker of Jefferson County voiced support for reviewing government services and streamlining operations to make them more efficient and responsive.
Tarr noted that Morrisey’s election provides an opportunity to reassess what services the government should provide and how to align them with the state’s needs. He said that Morrisey would likely focus on adjusting state government to ensure it operates more effectively.
Rucker agreed, pointing out the need for government to better respond to constituents’ needs. She mentioned that, for a small state like West Virginia, it is important for government operations to run smoothly and deliver the best possible services.
Morrisey, during a recent gubernatorial debate, said auditing the state’s finances would be a priority in his administration. He highlighted plans to review all state agencies and programs to evaluate their cost structures and performance, aiming for greater efficiency and political accountability.
During his election night victory speech, Morrisey promised to "fight to lift up your standard of living" while maintaining conservative values in West Virginia.
While governors have previously launched efforts to review state spending, such as forming Blue Ribbon panels to set priorities, their success has been debated. Tarr believes there are areas within the current budget where cuts can be made. He pointed to the Justice administration’s focus on specific priorities, which he said left other areas neglected and ripe for correction.
Rucker acknowledged that real budget "rightsizing" has not occurred despite Republican control of the legislature. She cited the COVID-19 pandemic as a major obstacle but said now is the time to act with a Republican governor and legislature working together.
Regarding the state’s revenue collections, which are trailing estimates by about $15 million after the first four months of the fiscal year, Tarr said he was not overly concerned. He pointed out that tax cuts and refunds have been returned to residents, including a billion-dollar reduction in taxes, which he believes is a positive development for the state.
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