Countdown Clock Urges Lawmakers to Pass State Budget on Time

Gov. Jim Justice has posted on his state website a countdown clock marking the end of the regular legislative session on April 8 as the state budget deadline. The clock is intended to call attention to legislators who last year failed to pass a balanced state budget on time and returned for a special session he says wasted $35,000 a day. The governor’s budget proposals contain some tax increases to close a projected $500 million deficit. The Republican-controlled Legislature hasn’t endorsed his proposals.