Gov. Tomblin Restores Some Social Services Funding Cuts

Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin has announced he’s restoring funding to some West Virginia social services programs that he previously cut.

Tomblin wrote to state Senate President Jeff Kessler and House Speaker Tim Miley on Wednesday that the restored funding includes $150,000 for an in-home family education program, $80,000 for child abuse prevention and $30,000 for a domestic violence legal services fund.

Tomblin chose to cut several other social services programs in a line-item veto in March. Tomblin said he had received numerous requests to reconsider the reductions.

“Today’s announcement is a direct response to grassroots organizing.  It would not have been possible without the unified voice of families, religious leaders, community groups, and legislators from both parties all across the state coming together,” said Stephen Smith of the Our Children, Our Future Campaign in a news release.

“This is a first step, but only that.  We cannot call this a victory when there are still 80 people who will lose their jobs if the remainder of these cuts are allowed to go through,” he added.
 
Tomblin said Revenue Secretary Robert Kiss and Department of Health and Human Resources Secretary Karen Bowling recommended the three funding restorations. The governor said restored funds will be used to ensure the programs maintain current funding levels in the next fiscal year.