Coop-Gonzalez

CHARLESTON — The House and Senate introduced 15 identical bills for consideration.

The main bills addressed during the special session pertained to DHHR and DOH funding.

A particular issue regarding DHHR funding was the IDD waiver program, which had an adjustment during the regular session from $108 million to $97 million.

However, SB 1001, which was meant to provide additional funding to this, and other programs was a broad $183 million bill that faced many questions about accountability.

Due to a disagreement between the House and Senate, no requirement was placed in the bill to specifically fund the IDD program upon its passage.

Delegate Elias Coop-Gonzalez, R-Randolph, said, “I unequivocally support West Virginians with disabilities and want them to have the resources they need.

“However, I could not support a broad bill that — as I understood — seemed to have questionable accountability and possibly funding for harmful programs. DHHR has a history of mismanaging resources and misspending money meant for people with disabilities. I can only hope they receive this money and do the right thing. This is unfortunately another common example of this broken system.”

Funding was approved for DOH projects in Randolph County at North Randolph Avenue, Helvetia-Adolph Road, Jimtown Road, Gilman Road, Pearcy Road, Creed Isner Road, Clifton-Nail Run, Back Road, Ward Road, Kings Run Road, Cassity Road, and Mable Road.

Funding was approved for DOH projects in Pendleton County at Blue Gray Trail, Troublesome Valley, Deer Run Road, Brushy Mountain, and Sawmill Run Road.