West Virginia
COVID funds issue trips up W.Va. budget
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) – Passing a budget has become a bit trickier for West Virginia lawmakers.
Finance leaders and the Governor’s Office confirmed that West Virginia is in negotiations with the federal government regarding an issue with $465 million in federal COVID relief.
Simply put, leaders WSAZ spoke with say the feds believe, with the COVID money West Virginia received, state education spending should have increased more than it did.
“There’s no panic involved in this,” said Del. Vernon Criss, R-Wood.
“There’s no issue whatsoever of any misspending or misappropriation of money,” said Brian Abraham, chief of staff for the West Virginia Governor’s Office.
But faced with the prospect of paying back $465 million it is having an impact on budgeting.
The Senate has taken steps to limit recurring expenses like pay raises.
The House is holding off on millions in surplus spending, including money for senior centers and first-responder training.
“We want to make sure that we’ve got enough in the piggy bank to cover any expenses might have,” said Sen. Eric Tarr, R-Putnam.
“We want to be prepared to be able to, if we have to, write a check,” Criss said. “We don’t particularly want to do, but we need to make sure — worst case scenario, I want to be prepared.”
All of this is happening as negotiations continue between the Governor’s Office and the federal government.
“I agree, wait and see is an OK thing and to be assured finally of something, but there was no reason to just cut wholesale from the budget in anticipation of something like this because that wasn’t needed,” Abraham said.
Lawmakers voted to spend more money for the school equipment and construction. They hope that increase, with pay raises and increased elementary spending in last year’s session, will satisfy the federal government and prevent any pay back.
“So that should also chip away at that $465 (million),” Tarr said. “Those have all been the discussions going on with the federal government.”
Lawmakers have a week to agree upon a budget.
Criss, the House finance chair, saying what passes may be a place holder until a special session.
Tarr, the Senate finance leader, hoping for something more solid.
The Governor’s Office holds out hope for a resolution with the federal government in the week ahead, but if that does not occur the Governor’s chief of staff says they are open to a special session later this spring.
Copyright 2024 WSAZ. All rights reserved.
WHEELING, W.Va. — Wheeling is home to West Virginia’s first recovery program designed specifically for young adults, offering a new track aimed at people ages 18 to 24 who are working to overcome substance use disorders.
Youth Services System announced it will offer the recovery track at the McCrary Center in Wheeling for young adults dealing with opioid or stimulant use disorders. The program is designed to provide recovery-focused housing and support services, giving participants a safe, structured environment as they work toward long-term recovery and stability.
“Our transitional living program has been licensed by the Department of Human Services, as well as the Office of Health Facility Licensure. We also achieved the West Virginia Alliance of Recovery Residence certification so there will be a lot of oversight in this program. And we look forward to our continued work with them,” YSS CEO Jill Eddy said.
Youth Services System received a one-time grant through the West Virginia Bureau of Behavioral Health to help expand services and launch the new track in Wheeling.
“Research shows that the longer a person is provided a safe space while in recovery, the chances of their success in recovery and remaining sober is definitely increased,” Eddy said.
Services will include substance-free and MAT-friendly housing, peer recovery support, therapy, recovery planning, and overdose prevention education. The program also supports individuals with co-occurring mental health conditions and prioritizes high-risk and underserved populations.
More information about Youth Services System is available here.
BUCKHANNON, W.Va (WDTV) – WestCare West Virginia cut the ribbon for its Hope in the Mountains complex on 22 N. Locust Street. The new facility will treat men with substance abuse issues with the hopes of fighting the drug epidemic in West Virginia.
Each room in the complex includes 56 beds, a television set and clean bathroom. Stephen Wright spoke ahead of the ribbon cutting along with Buckhannon officials. He said this facility differs from others on how they approach treatment.
“We really focus on the individual and the individual needs and focus on their progress in the program versus a number of days that a person is in treatment. So it’s really individualized,” said Stephen Wright, chief operating officer of WestCare Appalachia. “So we still need aftercare, outpatient counseling, and those things. But this really gives an opportunity for an intervention to break that cycle for individuals struggling with addiction. Because lots of times they must be separated from the living circumstances that they’re in at that time.”
Copyright 2026 WDTV. All rights reserved.
A federal appeals court agreed to rehear West Virginia’s request to lift an injunction barring enforcement of state restrictions against drugmakers seeking to limit discounts to pharmacies under a federal program.
The US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit granted Thursday West Virginia Attorney General John McCuskey’s request to rehear en banc arguments over a preliminary injunction. All active judges in the court will review the case after a three-judge panel in March ruled to keep the state’s SB 325 temporarily blocked while litigation plays out over the law.
The court said the case is scheduled for oral argument …
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