MORGANTOWN, W.V.a — After a state worker furlough bill was passed in the House of Delegates, Monongalia Delegate believes it is urgent to get this bill through the Senate now.
“It’s unclear whether state employees would have continued employment after a government shutdown,” said Fleichauer. “State employees should not be used as a political football. As we approach this shutdown, this lack of a compromise is not a fault of the state employees who are loyal and service us well.”
State Senate President Mitch Carmichael says he’s not interested in the Senate taking up the furlough bill.
Carmichael called it “an admission” that lawmakers will not be able to pass a state budget during this Special Session before the state of new fiscal year on July 1.
The furlough bill is meant to provide security for employees in the event of a government shutdown. Also to protect state employee benefits such as vacation, health care and retirement.
In case the state budget would not be in place by July 1, there would be a government shutdown. If a shutdown happens, state employees are at risk of losing their job and benefits.
Fleichauer said she heard Bill Cole, senate president, say that they would not pass this bill until the last minute. Fleichauer was disappointed.
“I’m disappointed that he said that because it seems to me that we need to pass this bill and make it very clear to state employees that their continued service is not jeopardized,” said Fleichauer.
Some employees that are not allowed to be furloughed include state police and hospital workers. The House Judiciary Committee amendment so that they would guarantee these workers would still get back pay.
Fleichauer said that these workers were the force to pass this bill.
“You can imagine all of the people who have family who are not well that are concerned about do they have hospitalization after July 1?” said Fleichauer. “There shouldn’t be much debate about it, I think we need to pass this.”
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