|
House Finance Chairman Harold Michael (D-Hardy) is on the warpath questioning the cut of $8 million dollars from the state budget by Gov. Joe Manchin using line-item veto provisions.
Among 18 items cut from the budget was $250,000 for a new State Police barracks in Calhoun County, a project supported by Del. Bill Stemple. The barracks had reportedly been planned to be constructed at the entrance of Calhoun Middle-High School.
Michael, who has funneled millions of dollars to his home county,
says the governor has over-stepped his authority, referring to the line-item provision. He says the governor overstepped by changing language in the bills, placing the money in limbo.
Under the state constitution, the governor has line-item veto power strictly for the budget bill. It states, "The governor may veto the bill, or he may disapprove or reduce items or parts of items contained therein."
Michael says Manchin removed provisions detailing how the budget appropriations were to be allocated.
"The money can only be used for what it's designated," he said. He has not decided whether to pursue legal action against the governor.
Michael has been under scrutiny for giving a giant share of the state's $172 million education money to his county, including $4 million from the Budget Digest and other sources to build a community college in Hardy County.
A study by Charleston Newspapers said that each citizen of Hardy County got $528 (capitated) compared to $11 per citizen in Doddridge County, through efforts by Michael.
Eastern Community College at Moorefield, which has few students, was constructed during a time when the state was looking at cutting the number of higher education facilities, including Glenville State College.
The House Finance Chairman has been accused of using his tenure to dole out between $8-$16 million in education funds, which he alone reportedly controls. State Superintendent of Schools Dave Stewart said he had no idea how the money was being used for education.
Michael says he will make no excuses for helping his county. Speaker Bob Kiss says Michael has done nothing illegal or unethical, he is delivering money to his county just like Sen. Robert Byrd has brought 'pork' to West Virginia.
While many rural counties like Calhoun get a very small amount of funds from the Budget Digest, Michael has managed to access $10 million in contingency funds, once used for state disasters, to fund dozens of hometown projects, including $108,000 for a cemetery, $30,000 for laptop computers, $16,000 for a bowling alley, a rod and gun club (where he belongs) got $25,000, a meat smoker $30,000, etc.
Michael recently criticized the amount of extra money needed to PROMISE scholarships.
Among other items cut by Manchin: $20,000 for the Potomac Eagle Railroad, $100,000 for the West Virginia University rifle team, and $100,000 for Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College, where Senate President Earl Ray Tomblin's wife is president.
The 2005-06 edition of the Budget Digest is still in limbo.
The Supreme Court issued a stay in December to prevent the Legislature from approving the digest, questioning for the second time the manner in which legislators approve the political money for distribution around the state.
Since the Budget Digest is on hold, Manchin left intact $2 million in funding for fairs and festivals around the state.
Delegate Stemple announced several $5,000 grants to county fire departments, which would have ordinarily been in the Digest.
Carte Goodwin, chief counsel to Gov. Manchin, said the governor's position is that the heads of the various agencies, bureaus or departments are best able to determine the most effective way to allocate their budgets.
"He believes they would be in a better position to determine needs and to appropriate limited funds," he said.
| 
