CHARLESTON, W.Va. — As lawmakers await the call for a special session to deal with a shortfall in the 2017 budget, this year’s state revenues continue to free fall, with a gaping budget hole of $218.7 million.
Revenue numbers were $72.2 million below estimates in April.
While energy sector severance taxes continue to plummet, it was April’s personal income tax line item that revealed just how bad the state of West Virginia’s economy is.
“Historically, it’s our biggest month because of the income tax,” said Deputy Secretary of Revenue Mark Muchow. Instead, revenue estimates for personal income were off more than $44 million, and $65 million for the year so far…