March 10th, 2018 by WCBC Radio

The state Senate and House of Delegates each passed their own versions of the 2018-19 state budget bill on Thursday, and seemed on course to pass a budget within the confines of the regular legislative session, which ends this weekend. That would break a long tradition of legislatures meeting in extended session to complete the budget bill, and would come after two consecutive years of lengthy budget impasses that extended into June — the Legislature seemed on course to pass a 2018-19 West Virginia budget plan with two days remaining in the 60-day regular session.  While Goveror Jim Justice increased estimates for 2018-19 revenue collection by $58 million, the budget bill does not include that revenue, instead cutting more than $70 million from Justice’s original budget bill, largely eliminating increases the governor sought for the Development Office, Division of Tourism and General Services Division, as well as $7 million to fund a free tuition program for students attending state community and technical colleges.