BUDGET DIGEST BACK ON TRACK

(07/01/2005)

West Virginia legislator's favorite political tool - the Budget Digest - is back on track, at least for now. The state Supreme Court has given a last-minute reprieve to the Digest, whose legality has been under the scrutiny of the court again. The justice's ruled 3-2 Wednesday to approve the traditional list of spending recommendations for the new fiscal year. The Legislature, because of time constraints, is likely to adopt the Digest later in the budget year. House Finance Chairman Harold Michael said he hopes lawmakers can complete a Budget Digest next month, though probably not until after the July 10-12 interim meetings. A pending lawsuit alleges past Budget Digests have earmarked millions of taxpayer dollars for pork and pet projects instead of properly funding important programs, like the state Ethics Commission. The state Supreme Court ordered a freeze, pending a judicial review. Justice Robin Davis "maintains her belief that the Budget Digest, as well as the entire process by which the Budget Digest is created, is unconstitutional" and violates the state constitution's provisions governing the budgeting and spending of state funds. The Digest will continue to be under review regarding the small number of legislators that actually make decisions regarding the dispensation of nearly $30 million, generally behind closed doors.

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