West Virginia House of Delegates recently passed a compromise state budget with the Senate, which includes rising costs for the state’s educational voucher program, the Hope Scholarship. The budget sets the general revenue at $5.318 billion for the next fiscal year, with additional one-time items totaling over $210 million.
Debate broke out over two supplemental appropriations bills aimed at funding the Hope Scholarship, which is expected to double in cost, potentially reaching $300 million annually by 2027. The bills would provide $62.2 million in additional funding for the program, but concerns were raised about the program’s growing price tag.
While some lawmakers expressed concerns about fiscal responsibility and the potential impact on other areas of the budget, others argued in favor of fulfilling the commitment made to students and parents through the Hope Scholarship. The bill allowing counties to implement a public safety sales tax also sparked debate, highlighting the ongoing need for sustainable funding for emergency response services across the state.
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