Opinion

Governor exercised prudence in cutting budget

An editorial from  The Register-Herald

BECKLEY, W.Va. — Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin approved the state budget last week, but not before exercising his power of the veto to slash $67 million from the Legislature’s budget for the next year.

Among those cuts was $100,000 that was intended to go to Meadow Bridge schools in Fayette County to create “isolation schools.” School systems like the one in Fayette County were to receive the extra money under a program that recognized that some schools in some areas are difficult to gain access to.

While the governor’s office disputes whether the money was ever there to veto in the first place, it’s not much comfort to Fayette County.

“We’ll just continue to look at how we can continue to improve school facilities in Fayette County,” said Superintendent Keith Butcher.

By cutting the $67 million in spending, Tomblin effectively reduced the amount of money that will be taken from the state’s $922 million Rainy Day fund from $147.5 million to around $100 million.

This is, quite simply, a prudent course of action by a public official who has always shown a deep understanding of finances and potential risks.

“Without a tax increase or other revenue source, and absent the action I am making today, (the budget) will drop the Rainy Day Fund below the recommended threshold of 15 percent (of general revenue) down to 11.5 percent in three fiscal years,” Tomblin said in a statement.

We think that’s the right course…

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