Associated Press Published

W.Va. Officials Say Budget Gap will be Filled

WVCapitol.jpg

A gap in the state budget is growing, but West Virginia revenue officials say it will be filled by the end of the fiscal year in June.

Tax collections in March came in about $14 million below projections. For the fiscal year’s first nine months, tax collections are more than $78 million below projections.
 
The fiscal year ends June 30.
 
Revenue Secretary Bob Kiss and Deputy Revenue Secretary Mark Muchow discussed the state’s finance’s Wednesday during a conference call with media outlets.
 
Muchow said a hiring freeze and midyear budget cuts implemented by Gov. Tomblin are expected to save the state $33 million.
 
Kiss said the savings, combined with about $70 million in one-time budget supplements, should be enough to fill the gap.