W.Va. lawmakers agree on budget compromise

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) – Senate and House leaders in West Virginia agreed Thursday to a budget compromise for spending more than $21 billion of state taxpayer money.

Among the biggest things to affect West Virginians is a 5 percent income tax cut, fully funding the HOPE Scholarship for the next year and the first quarter of the next, and $2 billion in highway funding.

The decision didn’t come without a lengthy debate. The House Finance chair said the earlier-than-normal timing of the passage will give the governor time to deal with line-item vetoes, while also calling the budget passed by the Legislature a responsible use of taxpayer dollars.

The budget will make its way to Gov. Patrick Morrisey’s desk for any modifications and eventual approval.