Lawmakers scrutinize Manchin\'s cuts
Date: Feb 23rd, 2005 7:24:03 pm - Subscribe
Mood: mature
by The Associated Press
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - Legislators have begun reading the fine print of Gov. Joe Manchin's proposed $3.26 billion general revenue budget, and not all of them like what they see.
Manchin proposes to increase general revenues by about 5 percent over the current budget year, which ends June 30. But his budget would reduce spending in at least 10 agencies, and some of those cuts have caught lawmakers' attention.
The Senate and House Education Committees learned Tuesday that Manchin proposes to zero out general revenue funding for the state's eight Regional Education Service Agencies.
Created to help counties pool their purchasing and technology resources, RESAs now aid low-performing schools and staff development. They received $4.4 million in this year's budget.
State Schools Superintendent David Stewart told the committees at a joint meeting that he was in the dark about the funding change.
"It will be revealed to us in due time, but right now we don't know why," Stewart said.
Manchin administration officials said RESAs have other sources of funding, including federal dollars.
The proposed budget also erases funding of a tax credit for firms that provide venture capital to businesses.
Some lawmakers are rallying around the Health Sciences and Technology Academy. The program aims to encourage low-income, minority and other students considered disadvantaged to enter health professions by helping them boost their math and science skills.
Though it also relies on private and federal funds, the HSTA received $1.07 million from this year's budget. Manchin has proposed cutting that share to $482,381.
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