7/31/2009
CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Gov. Joe Manchin today announced that he will ask the Legislature to dedicate a portion of the Fiscal Year 2009 state budget surplus to provide full-time state employees a one-time salary enhancement of approximately $500.
The remainder of the surplus funds will be carried over to the 2011 budget year to fill expected budget gaps.
The proposed increase would apply to roughly 51,000 employees, including teachers and school service personnel.
West Virginia will end Fiscal Year 2009 with a general revenue surplus of between $15 and $20 million and an excess lottery budget surplus of about $57 million. By law, half of the General Revenue surplus must go to the Rainy Day Fund.
“We have been able to remain fiscally sound because of a disciplined Legislature and because every agency spent wisely and worked responsibly. I asked state employees to join with me in that effort and they have done their part,” said the governor.
The governor will ask the Legislature during the upcoming 2010 regular session, to take about half of the unappropriated surplus and appropriate it for this one-time monetary incentive.
Contact Information
Jama Jarrett or Melvin Smith
304-558-2000