CHARLESTON, W.Va. – House Speaker Tim Armstead, R-Kanawha, today issued the following statement in response to Gov. Jim Justice’s announcement that he would veto the budget bill that overwhelmingly passed the Legislature.
“I’m saddened that the Governor has decided to throw our state into uncertainty and put fear and worry into the hearts of thousands of hard-working West Virginians because he didn’t get his tax increases,” Speaker Armstead said. “The Legislature delivered a responsible budget that controls spending and makes our state live within its means – a budget that received the support of an overwhelming majority of members in the Legislature.
“With his veto, the Governor has guaranteed another special session,” Speaker Armstead said. “In the end, I do not believe the House will agree to his plans and an additional session likely won’t significantly change the original outcome.
“This Legislature met for 60 days this year and considered proposal after proposal to raise revenue or reform our tax code, but ultimately did not reach any consensus or build enough support around any of these proposals,” Speaker Armstead said. “The majority of our members have heard the calls of the people they represent – they believe they are taxed enough already and simply cannot afford to pay more for a government that continues to grow year after year.”
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