Blog – Page 159

Department of Health and Human Resources Gives Update on Opioid Epidemic

House Committee

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January 11, 2019

The House Committee for Substance Abuse met to formally begin their work for the 84^th legislative session.

In Friday’s meeting, legislators heard progress of their programs and statistics on how the opioid epidemic is affecting West Virginia.

Bob Hansen, director of the Office of Drug Control Policy, touched on many subjects during the presentation, but also highlighted the drug overdose deaths.

“The opioid crisis in West Virginia is a health crisis, a social services crisis, and an economic crisis,” Hansen said.

West Virginia is losing $8.8 billion a year as a result of this crisis, according to statistics from the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources.

Research also shows that those at highest risk for drug abuse are men between the ages of 35 and 54, have a high school diploma or less education, unmarried, and working blue-collar jobs.

West Virginia also is one of a few states that has substance use waivers, as well as the first state to have a neonatal syndrome waiver.

Prevention is an important emphasis in this plan and a $2,260,000 SAMHSA grant awarded to the DHHR will help with their prevention cause.

Senate Judiciary Committee Updated on State Revenue

Senate Committee

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January 11, 2019

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West Virginia set a record with $184.9 million in budget surplus in the 2018 fiscal year and revenue projections are projected to increase by 2.05 percent in the upcoming fiscal year, Revenue Secretary Dave Hardy told legislators Thursday.

In Thursday’s meeting of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Hardy and Mike Cook, director of the State Budget Office, presented updated revenue projections.

Hardy forecasted the 2019-2020 revenue projection to increase by 2.05 percent.

“That’s a very conservative revenue estimate,” Hardy said. “It’s a good revenue estimate. Even though times are good, we’re not trying to go out there and overestimate next year’s revenue.”

Hardy said the state set a record with $184.9 million budget surplus in 2018 which can now be used throughout the state.

“It’s great for everyone,” Hardy said. “The administration and the Legislature now has some money to work with.”

Hardy also addressed the committee about issues discovered in October surrounding the Louis A. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Hardy said the Department of Revenue purposed a supplemental one-time infusion of funds to get the VA hospital “back on its feet.”

Cook addressed the committee with a six-year plan and said that the 2019 general revenue is $185.9 million above the estimate established in Dec. of 2018.

Cook said that because of an increase in general revenue, the state now has one of the best Rainy-Day Funds in the country.

The committee also introduced the following bills and motioned to report them to the full Senate:

Senate Bill 24, relating to local boards of health.
Senate Bill 28, removing hotel occupancy tax limit collected for medical care and emergency services.
Senate Bill 36, allowing adjustment of gross income for calculating personal income liability for certain retirees.
Senate Bill 106, alleviating double taxation on foreign income at state level.
Senate Bill 10, relating to Second Chance Driver’s License Program.
Senate Bill 27, removing restrictions on where certain traditional lottery games may be played.

Senate Bill 13, which changes the distribution of racetrack video lottery net terminal income, excess net terminal income, and excess lottery fund, was laid over.

House Finance Committee Examines Fiscal Forecast, Discusses State’s Economic Strength

House Committee

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January 11, 2019

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The House Committee on Finance met at 2 p.m. Thursday afternoon to discuss the current economic state of West Virginia, the projected economic growth that the state will see, and possible implications that may come with Governor Justice’s proposal to deduct Social Security taxes.

The West Virginia Department of Revenue provided the data that drove the presentation given during the committee. Mark R. Muchow, the Deputy Revenue Secretary for the West Virginia Department of Revenue, presented and interpreted the figures.

The West Virginia Department of Revenue reported accelerated growth since late 2016. General revenues are also projected to grow 13.5 percent in the first half of 2019.

Economic projections are calculated when taking the figures from Justice’s revenue proposal into consideration, and the data generated takes these policies into account.

State road fund collections are expected up exceed estimates, and have already increased 20 percent since the 2017 fiscal year. Lottery revenues also will continue to increase from the prior year, and the construction sector is expected to boom.

“2018 is one of the best years we’ve seen in a decade or so,” Muchow said on the current state of the West Virginia economy. “We’re going to continue to see a lot of growth in construction and leisure and hospitality.”

One major reason for the state’s above average growth in the construction sector is the effect the pipeline industry has had on the state’s economy.

Muchow’s major concern for the state in terms of economic standing was the continuing decline of the manufacturing sector.

“The manufacturing sector continues to underperform,” Muchow said. “This impacts locations in the state that once relied on manufacturing—such as Huntington and Charleston.”

Despite the manufacturing sector falling short, the state is estimated to grow their revenues by at least 1.9 percent. By 2020, they hope to increase revenue by at least 2 percent.

Muchow cited that the biggest state expenditure to the state would not be the $50 million it would cost under Justice’s plan to cut taxes for Social Security recipients, but the $150 million it would cost to dedicate enough money to PEIA to provide a satisfactory cushion for state workers for the next few years.

“We appear to be on the upswing overall. Pipeline business is growing, energy is increasing, and our health sector is continuing to improve as well.”

The House Finance Committee will meet at 9am Jan. 11 in 460-M to hear the West Virginia Attorney General’s Budget Presentation, as well as a budget presentation from the West Virginia Lottery.

Vetoed Bill Reemerges to Make Its Way Back Into Discussion

House Floor Session

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January 10, 2019

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The House Committee on Health and Human Resources met briefly Thursday to discuss a bill establishing universal forms and deadlines when submitting prior authorizations electronically.

The committee met Thursday afternoon for introductions and housekeeping items on its agenda. The committee also discussed an originating bill that had been passed in the 83^rd Legislature but vetoed by the governor.

Last year, the Legislature passed Senate Bill 442 dealing with prior authorization.

In his veto message, Gov. Jim Justice said, “Enrolled Community Substitute for Senate Bill 442 is concerning because it voids current contracts governing prior authorization response times would be ruled as unconstitutional.”

Senate Judiciary Committee Makes Headway on Infrastructure Legislation

Senate Committee

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January 10, 2019

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The Senate Judiciary Committee convened today to discuss two bills in regards to rules on Infrastructure.

Senate Bill 177 amends current legislation by requiring a sunset provision, and by updating an energy efficiency standard for commercial buildings from the 2000 edition to the 2010 edition of the International Property Maintenance Code. Kenneth E. Tyree, West Virginia State Fire Marshall, was brought in to discuss the West Virginia’s current building codes.

Senate Bill 190 is a Division of Highways (DOH) rule relating to new employment procedures. The bill provides a new pay plan for the DOH that allows salary and hourly classified employees to be compensated for hours worked after the accumulation of 40 hours.

The Committee amended the bill to define Premium as time and a half when employees work in excessive of 40 hours per week.

Both bills were passed by the Committee unanimously to be delivered to the full Senate for consideration.

The Committee is adjourned until next Monday, Jan. 14.

West Virginia Employment Rate Projected to Rise by 2.2 Percent

House Committee

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January 10, 2019

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The Senate Committee on Finance convened for a Budget Presentation 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 10.

Mark Muchow, deputy secretary of revenue, updated committee members on the past fiscal year and presented a forecast for the approaching months.

Muchow said that since 2016, the state’s economy has seen growth which can be accounted to major pipeline investments, the Governor’s Road to Prosperity Program, a general revenue growth of 1.5 percent in the first part of the 2019 fiscal year and a 20% total increase in coal production since 2016.

As the national employment rate is predicted to rise by 4.9 percent, Muchow said that the state’s employment rate will rise by 2.2 percent despite above average employment growth in the construction sector. Muchow said that demographics continue to hinder WV’s workforce.

In addition to a rise in WV’s employment, Muchow said that wages within the state will approach the national average following a decline in 2018.

In the presentation Muchow also said that personal income taxes will see an average annual growth of 9.1 percent from 2018-2024 while consumers sales tax will experience an average annual growth of 3.5 percent from 2018-2024.

Muchow’s final baseline forecast predicted a good fiscal year for 2019 which could see a slowdown in economic growth and a possible recession in 2020 following a slowdown in the state’s oil and natural gas industries.

Despite a possible recession, Muchow said that the state grew 3-4 percent in coal production while production in surrounding states declined. Muchow said a surge in state exports, such as coal, help money build up and improve economic growth.

House of Delegates Meets Briefly to Introduce Bills for Committee Work

House Floor Session

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January 10, 2019

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The House of Delegates convened at 11 a.m. on Jan. 10 for the second day of the 84th West Virginia Legislative Session.

The House has introduced 208 bills so far – 179 bills on Wednesday and 29 bills on Thursday.

Noteworthy bills introduced this session include House Bill 2021, a bill relating to the relocation of closure of state higher education institutions and proposed requirement for the Legislative Oversight Commission on Education Accountability (LOCEA) to conduct studies regarding the effectiveness of a higher education institutions’ economic, educational, and communitarian impacts.

Other bills referred to committees this week include House Bill 2128, which allows the option for state employees to take paid leave to attend parent-teacher conferences. Another bill, House Bill 2028, limits the way lines are laid on state right-of-ways.

These House Committees are meeting today:

House Committee on Senior, Children, and Family Issues will meet at 1 p.m. today, Jan. 10 in 215-E, to discuss organizational motions.
House Finance Committee will meet at 2 p.m. today, Jan. 10 in 460M to discuss Governor Jim Justice’s Revenue Presentation.
House Committee on Energy will meet at 2p.m. today, Jan. 10, in 418M to discuss organizational motions.
House Committee on Health and Human Services will meet at 2p.m. today, Jan. 10, in 215-E to discuss organizational motions and a bill regarding prior authorization.
House Committee on Prevention and Treatment of Substance Abuse will meet at 3:30p.m. today, Jan. 10, in 215-E. The agenda will be posted.

These House Committees are meeting tomorrow, Jan. 11, before the 11a.m. House floor session:

House Committee on Education will meet at 9a.m. tomorrow, Jan. 11, in 434M. The agenda will be posted.
House Committee on Finance will meet at 9a.m. tomorrow, Jan. 11, in 460M. They will discuss the state budget and the West Virginia Lottery will give a presentation regarding state financial matters.
House Judiciary Committee will meet at 9:45 a.m. tomorrow, Jan. 11, in 410M. The agenda will be posted.
House Government Organization Committee will meet at 9 a.m. tomorrow, Jan. 11, in 215-E. The agenda will be posted.

The House will reconvene Friday at 11a.m. in the House Chamber.

Tuskegee Airmen Honored During Senate Session

Senate Floor Session

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January 10, 2019

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The Senate unanimously voted yes on Senate Resolution 6 which honor Clifford E. Brooks, member of the Tuskegee Airmen in World War II, for his service during the war. Brooks was recently honored in Keyser, West Virginia.

The Senate introduced SB 151-251.

Senate Bill 155 Authorizing correctional officers to retire after 25 years.

Senate Bill 234 Requiring schools to provide elective courses on religion.

Senate Bill 237 Improving ability of law enforcement to locate and return missing persons.

The following committees will meet today:

The Senate Energy, Industry & Mining Committee will meet at 1 p.m. in 208W.

The Senate Education Committee will meetat 1 p.m. in 451M.

The Senate Health & Human Resources Committee will meet at2 p.m. 451M.

The Senate Government Organization Committee will meet at 2 p.m. in 208W.

The Senate Judiciary Committee will meet at3 p.m. 208W.

The Senate Finance Committee will meet at 3 p.m. in 451M.

TheSenate is adjourned until 11 a.m. tomorrow, Jan. 11.

Governor Justice’s Budget Proposal

House Committee

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January 10, 2019

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Revenue Secretary Presents Governor’s Proposed Budget to House Finance

Secretary of Revenue Dave Hardy and Mike Cook, director of the State Budget Office, presented legislators with Gov. Jim Justice’s proposed budget in Monday’s House Finance Committee meeting.

The 2018 fiscal year ended with a General Revenue surplus of $36.1 million, with $18 million transferred to the Rainy Day fund.

The Medicaid program ended 2018 with a healthy cash balance in the state’s matching share. Fiscal year revenues for 2019 revenues are $185.9 million above estimate at the end of December 2018. The 2019 fiscal year lottery revenues are running about 16 percent ahead of estimates.

General revenue cash flow for the 2019 fiscal year is strong because of punctually for paying bills, Cook told legislators. The governor also recommended a 5 percent pay raise for all state employees. This amounts to $2,120 for teachers, $1,150 for service personnel, and $2,370 for other state employees. He also included the second year of increases for corrections employees.

The budget includes new money dedicated to Social Services, deferred maintenance, tourism, and substance programs as well.

Rainy Day funds are strong, Hardy said, with more than $718.6 million as of December 2018. No Rainy Day funds were used to balance the 2020 fiscal year budget.

First Regular House Session Kicks Off with Officer Elections

House Floor Session

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January 9, 2019

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The House of Delegates convened Wednesday, Jan. 9 for the first regular session of the 84th West Virginia Legislature.

To start the session, delegates were sworn into office and then elected officers. Delegate Bill Anderson, R-Wood, served as the presiding officer over the House of Delegates until the elected positions were filled.

West Virginia Chief Justice Beth Walker administered the Oath of Office to the House and swore new and returning Delegates into the legislative session.

The first item of business was the appointment of the Speaker of the House for the 84th Regular Session of the West Virginia Legislature. Delegate John Shott, R-Mercer, nominated Delegate Robert Hanshaw, R-Clay, to be elected Speaker of the House.

Delegate Amy Summers, R-Taylor, seconded the nomination, saying Hanshaw “has a vision to make West Virginia a better place to live, work, and raise a family.”

With 59 votes, Delegate Roger Hanshaw took his place as the Speaker of the House for the Regular Session of the 84th West Virginia Legislature.

In his acceptance speech, Hanshaw referred to ambitious plans for the legislative session. Goals for the House of Delegates include working on legislation to increase broadband access to parts of rural West Virginia, and working on legislation to reform the state’s foster care system.

Steve Harrison was re-elected as House Clerk.

Anne Lieberman was re-elected as House Sergeant-at-Arms.

Robert Stewart was re-elected as House Doorkeeper.

After electing members of the 2019 Regular Session and adopted a procedural resolution to invite Gov. Jim Justice give his State of the State Address at 7 p.m.

The House of Delegates will reconvene at 6:45 p.m. to conduct further legislative business.

The House of Delegates will reconvene at 11 a.m. on Jan. 10, tomorrow,in the House Chamber.

The Following House Committees are meeting in the next 24 hours:

The House Education Committee will meet at 2 p.m. in 434M today, Jan. 9.

The House Finance Committee will meet at 2 p.m. in 460M today, Jan. 9.

The Government Organization Committee will meet at 2 p.m. in 215E today, Jan. 9.

The House Judiciary Committee will meet at 2 p.m. in 410M today, Jan. 9.

The House Committee on Banking and Insurance will meet at 10 a.m. in 215E tomorrow, Jan. 10.

The House Finance Committee will meet at 9 a.m. in 460M tomorrow, Jan. 10.