An editorial from The Exponent Telegram
CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — It’s been almost two weeks since the end of the state’s regular legislative session, which was followed by a three-day special session tacked on by Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin in an attempt to come up with a compromise budget for fiscal year 2017. But still we have no budget agreement.
The misconception is that state leaders have until June 30 to pass a balanced budget that will take effect July 1.
However, that simply isn’t the case.
With the enrollment period starting April 2 for the Public Employees Insurance Agency, the PEIA Finance Board must make a decision about benefits to be offered and the need to increase employee co-pays, deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums to keep the health insurance plan solvent.
PEIA board members and state legislators have known about the pending insurance funding gap for more than a year…
