Legislation relating to federal funds for land-grant institutions came before the Senate Finance Committee following Tuesday’s review from the Education Committee.
Senate Bill 553, which intends to donate funding to two of the state’s universities, was brought before finance committee members to be considered. The proposed legislation would donate $1.4 million to West Virginia State University to match funding supplied by federal land-grants.
President of the university, Anthony Jenkins, came before the education committee on Tuesday to urge passage of the bill to ultimately spread the universities positivities impacts on the state.
Following consideration, the bill was reported to the full Senate with the recommendation to pass.
Members also reviewed a supplemental appropriation to the Department of Veteran’s Assistance. According to the Cabinet Secretary of the department, Dennis Davis, House Bill 2666 would address $5 million of unpaid bills accumulated by the VA.
Davis explained that the department has implemented a corrective action plan intended to address the debt and prevent further loss of funding.
Committee members motioned to report the bill, in addition to House Bill 2668 and Senate Bills 310, 519 and 587, to the full Senate as well.
