CHARLESTON, W.Va. – There was a common thread among Monongalia County delegates who each voted to approve a state budget plan that increases the tobacco tax.
They shared that on WAJR’s “Morgantown AM” a day after house members overwhelmingly voted together.
“We avoided a government shutdown. I really didn’t think that was ever going to happen because the republicans didn’t want it and the democrats didn’t want it. But, it was very tense because of that,” said Delegate Barbara Evans Fleischauer.
“I think this was a scrimmage. Basically, yes it was tough times. It was something that had to be done to get this budget passed because the last thing we’d want to do is have a government shutdown,” Delegate Joe Statler added.
Delegate Brian Kurcaba said the budget bill and an increased tobacco tax were two of the toughest things he had to decide on in the state legislature.
“We were basically put into a corner. The governor said he would veto anything that didn’t have a revenue measure in it, and he already did it once. I think playing chicken with the governor and playing chicken with the senate was a bad idea. It just wasn’t worth the risk of going into a full state shutdown.”
The House of Delegates passed the budget bill (SB1013) Monday with bipartisan support 84-15. The spending plan includes a 65-cent increase in the tobacco tax which was approved in a separate bill (SB1012) on a 63-35 vote.
Delegate Cindy Frich went into the vote indicating she’d compromise. And she did, joining 42 other Republicans and 12 Democrats.
“I’m going to have to hold my nose if I vote for this 65-cent tax. I liked 45 cents. I thought it was the sweet spot,” Frich said.
Contractors, state employees and countless others watched as the budgeting process stalled in Charleston over more than 3 weeks after the regular legislative session ended.
Governor Tomblin promised as part of his budget proposal $15 million would be put toward Public Employees Insurance Agency.
Delegates like Fleischauer said the commitment to decrease premiums for retirees from 12 percent to 6 percent made it easier for her to approve the tobacco tax increase.
“Sixty-five cents was a 35 cent drop in what I wanted in terms of helping adults to quit (smoking) and keeping young people from starting. Research has shown it’s a real deterrent. But, I wasn’t going to agree without something being taken care of for PEIA.”
The state budget approved in the House and returned to the Senate includes taking $70 million from the Rainy Day Fund. The 65 cent tobacco tax increase per pack of cigarettes could generate $100 million in revenue.
Statler told WAJR there was too much uncertainty for people for far too long.
“I don’t think people realize that if the government was shut down, a lot of those road projects would probably come to a halt for a while.”
Delegate Bill Flanigan, chosen to fill the remainder of a term left from former Delegate Amanda Pasdon’s resignation, did not vote Monday.