CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin this weekend released the following statement regarding Fiscal Year 2017 budget negotiations:
“As part of the ongoing budget negotiations, many members of the Legislature have expressed a desire to assist PEIA recipients in avoiding greater increases in their premiums. I agree with their concern, and if the Legislature passes my proposed tobacco tax, I plan to amend the special session call to include two additional pieces of legislation.
“One would provide $15 million in additional general revenue funds that would be directed to PEIA. The second would be a supplemental appropriation that allocates that $15 million by using $5 million to reduce the PEIA premium increase for retirees from 12 percent to 6 percent, with an additional $10 million allocated to PEIA to help reduce benefit cuts or premium increases that may be necessary in Fiscal Year 2018.
“These additional measures, if passed, would help strengthen the financial stability of our PEIA system and help our teachers, state employees and retirees in meeting their premiums.”
