CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – The Senate met on Friday morning, introducin 1015-1037 and passed several bills.
Senate Bill 250 entails a $5.381 billion general revenue budget, which is a two percent decrease from the $5.493 billion budget presented to lawmakers by Governor Patrick Morrisey during his State of the State address on Jan. 14.
The Senate’s version of the budget includes just over $270 million in cuts following general revenue adjustments, as well as nearly $160 million in enhancements. One major change involves lowering the investment in the Hope scholarship program from the Governor’s proposed $338 million to $300 million.
The bill also adjusts how Medicaid funding is allocated through the Bureau of Medical Services. Morrisey’s budget funds Medicaid at just under $140 million in the general revenue budget and $170 million through the surplus section of the budget. The Senate version increases the Medicaid general revenue funding to just over $260 million, with roughly $5.5 million coming from sweeps of special revenue accounts, and $46 million in current fiscal year funding of Medicaid.
Opponents of the bill raised concerns about public school students in West Virginia being deemed as needing more support, noting that West Virginia ranks number five in the nation in terms of special needs children in public schools.
Supporters of the bill express that the bill provides a 10 percent tax cut that will support families, strengthen jobs, increase funding for the school building authority, fully fund higher education, give more money to foster care, and invest in local economic development.
Members acknowledged this Senate bill is just a step in a budget process that will evolve considerably over the last 22 days of the 2026 Regular Session.
Senate Bill 392 would cut personal income tax rates by approximately 10 percent retroactive to Jan. 1, returning $250 million to taxpayers when fully implemented.
A portion of the tax cut would be paid for with increased taxes on vape and e-cigarette products, raising a projected $22 million in tax revenue.
Both bills passed the full Senate were sent to the House of Delegates for consideration.
