| A joint legislative subcommittee meeting has begun to examine how many nonprofit
organizations are in West Virginia, what criteria they must follow and how much
state funding they receive.
Senator Ed Bowman, a Hancock County Democrat, says a recent investigation
into the Wyoming County Council on Aging has opened up questions about
nonprofits.
Bowman was a leader investigating that center's director Bob Graham, who was
receiving over $450,000 in salary, all government money. His base salary has
since been reduced to $99,000.
While investigating the senior citizen's center, a reporter disclosed Bowman is on
the board of a northern panhandle mental health agency, also a private
non-profit, whose director earns about $500,000.
Several of the center's board members have indicated the administrator was
worth his wages, most of which is paid with public funds.
The subcommittee on government organizations will look at the categories of
nonprofits in West Virginia, such as churches and hospitals, as well as the
qualifications and guidelines for nonprofits, what tax benefits they receive and
how they compare with private corporations.
Meanwhile, the State Department of Education is about to raise RESA officials to
$100,000.
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