Gov. Justice: WV should be able to avoid layoffs, program cuts with federal stimulus funds

Gov. Jim Justice said Tuesday he is confident that, with the pending arrival of federal stimulus funds, West Virginia will not need to furlough government employees or cut state programs or services because of the coronavirus.

“I know enough to believe we won’t have to furlough or lay off anyone,” Justice said during the daily state COVID-19 briefing. “I don’t think we’ll end up having to cut benefits or cut programs in a harsh way — or any way. Our shortfalls are going to be backfilled by the federal government. That’s all in the process now.”

Justice said last week that, in a briefing with governors, President Donald Trump indicated that each state will receive at least $1.2 billion of the more than $2 trillion in federal coronavirus stimulus funds. Justice said he is hopeful the federal government will authorize, by the end of this week, the use of some of those funds for states to fill budget shortfalls caused by the soured economy.

Justice said last week he believes the economic slowdown, and postponing the deadline for filing state income taxes from April 15 to July 15, will cause the state to finish the 2019-20 budget year on June 30 with a budget shortfall of $300 million to $350 million.

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