Legislature Approves Bill to Help Pay Bills

The Legislature has approved taking $51.8 million from reserves to avoid late payments amid a grim budget. Tuesday’s 96-2 House vote sends the measure to Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin, who proposed it. Senators passed it unanimously. West Virginia expects a $384 million 2016 budget gap, and the governor’s office said if the bill didn’t pass early this week, the state risks delays in paying some bills. Delegates rejected a Democratic amendment Monday to move money to address $120 million in cuts to state employee and retiree health benefits next budget.