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Morganton, W.Va. – State legislators in Monogalia County discussed priorities for the upcoming legislative session with business and community leaders.
Last week, the Morgantown Area Partnership held a regular legislative session that begins Wednesday at the state capitol.
Rep. Evan Hansen, D-Monongalia, wants to put surplus money back into taxpayers’ hands, but with fiscal discipline. Hansen said lawmakers need to address pay disparities in state agencies to cure staffing shortages before an exact surplus number can be determined.
“The rest depends on a balanced budget for many years, and there are many state services that are not fully funded,” Hanson said. Things like public education, foster care, state troopers and our corrections officers.
B&O Securing tax revenue is a key issue for municipalities in Monongalia County. Morgantown Mayor Jenny Selin asked lawmakers to replace funding sources before they cut them. But Granville Mayor Patty Lewis said B&O tax revenue covers 43% of the total budget, and 65% of the total annual budget for public safety.
“It destroys a lot of public service to the community,” Lewis said.
Sen. Mike Oliverio, R-Monongalia, said he wants to support counties, cities and towns to grow and improve the lives of their residents.
“I’m not interested in changing tax policy to deny our municipalities the ability to provide basic services,” Oliverio said. “I want our municipalities to grow, and I want them to provide quality services.”
Drug treatment and finding solutions to the local homeless problem are also priorities.
Freshman Delegate Geno Chiarelli, R-Monongalia, has worked with addicts and supports drug-assisted treatment programs, or drugs like methadone.
“When people stop worrying about quitting, they are sober and healthy enough to work on behavior changes,” Chiarelli says. “I’ve seen it myself; I know it works, and I think the expansion of successful programs like this will make a big difference in that regard.”
According to Delegate John Williams, D-Monongalia, the issue of road funding will be revisited. Williams sponsored a measure that passed both chambers of the legislature in recent years but was vetoed by the governor. Williams said Monongalia County is the economic engine of the state and adequate maintenance dollars should be allocated to roads to keep businesses operating.
Monongalia County Commission President Tom Bloom was pleased with the meeting and the feedback from all parties. Bloom said he was encouraged by the willingness of the state’s elected leaders to talk about key issues during the session. Bloom explained that the 60-day session moves quickly and that good communication is important.
“We’re going to set up a system where they go through the Morgantown Area Partnership (MAP) and we can talk so we know what’s going on,” Blue said. “And even though they’re Democrats and Republicans, they’re willing to meet together to discuss Monongalia County issues.”
The session begins on Wednesday in the state capital.
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