MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Two delegates from mon County plan to propose a change to the DOH funding formulas to districts during this legislative session.
Delegates John Williams (D) and Joe Statler (R) believe the current formula does not recognize growth and increased traffic in Mon County specifically. Because of that they say Mon County is short-changed.
Williams proposed a change that sailed through the house by a 97 to 1 vote two years ago, but was vetoed by Governor justice.
“The formula would take into account road miles in a district, it also takes into account truck miles in a district,” Williams said,” To more intelligently appropriate those funds.”
Statler was a member of the House of Delegates in 2015 when lawmaker conducted an audit of the DOH allocation plan. The audit was an attempt to open dialog with DOH officials about ways to make the formula more fact and condition-based.
“One of the weaknesses the audit showed was that there was no rhyme or reason to how the money is distributed across the state,” Statler said,” So, I will tell you the DOH adamantly defended that saying that they use a formula. I don’t believe, if it’s being used that it’s being used correctly.”
Statler says the formula should be a process rather than an arbitrary allocation each year.
“The DOH needs to put more emphasis on the formula and start putting more money into counties that have higher traffic use,” Statler said.
Working the measure through the legislature is of particular concern to Delegate Williams.
“I think the fact that it was vetoed gives some people some heart burn to putting in time on an issue they’re worried might be vetoed again,” Williams said,” Their inclination might be to focus on other issues.”
According to Statler, part of the process is to build a strong coalition during the session to send a message when and if the bill would make it to the governor’s desk.
“You have to do a lot of hall lobbying, go down through and talk to members from other areas and let them know what you need to build a strong coalition,” Statler said,” It doesn’t matter what side of the aisle you’re on.”