The Legislature Passes Budget, Leaves Town

The West Virginia Legislature has finished its work, at least for the time being.

The House and Senate approved a $3.7 billion general revenue budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1. The Associated Press has the story, and I've also put together a glance of the highlights.

Lawmakers also revived all 6 regular session bills vetoed by Gov. Joe Manchin so far. It then ended the extended session that began when the regular session concluded March 10.

Manchin then convened a brief (90-minute) special session to pass two more bills from the regular session (errors stranded each on the final night). He also had lawmakers pass two spending bills for the current budget year and extend the pay raises to state troopers.