CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Legislators moved more than $1 million from racing purses Wednesday to fund social services programs that aid domestic violence victims and children, as well as in-home education.
An amendment tacked on to a budget bill in the House of Delegates passed unanimously, as did the budget bill which restored funds to Medicaid. The bill passed the Senate easily, as well.
Senate President Jeff Kessler, D-Marshall, said communications he’s had with the Governor’s Office indicate that Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin will accept the changes to the budget and sign the new legislation.
“Based on some additional revenue estimates they have, and moving some other money around, they think we can make it work,” Kessler said.
Tomblin used his power of line item veto to reduce that funding by $1.06 million because it drew extra money from the state’s Rainy Day Fund, which was at about $900 million. Tomblin said he wanted to preserve the state’s bond rating …
