A Gazette editorial from the Charleston Gazette-Mail
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Tonight, when Gov. Tomblin delivers his final State of the State address to the Legislature, both he and lawmakers face a crisis. A budget shortfall of around $350 million is projected for next year, and there’s no easy way to find enough money for a required balanced budget.
Over the past few years, in an attempt to attract more business to West Virginia, corporate taxes were lowered by nearly $200 million. Removing the sales tax on food wiped out $170 million more. Then the coal industry declined and natural gas prices dropped, erasing more state revenue. All this forced the state to slash spending repeatedly.
Senate President Bill Cole, R-Mercer, running for governor, has declared that no tax increases will be allowed, but instead state services will be cut. Does he intend to lay off state troopers? — or reduce coal mine safety inspections? — or eliminate school lunches for children? — or stop paving decrepit roads? — or halt pollution controls? — or stop Promise Scholarships for college? — or stop hiring public school teachers? — or what?
Education offers the most reliable path for West Virginia to rise from the bottom ranks. Slashing it should be unthinkable.
“I fear we’re in a downward curve,” Cole said. Senate Minority Leader Jeff Kessler, D- Marshall, also running for governor, added: “I think you’re going to see this session overwhelmingly dominated by money or the lack thereof.”