CHARLESTON, WV (WOWK) – West Virginia may suddenly have a budget problem. The House of Delegates and the governor’s office have confirmed that the U.S. Department of Education is inquiring about whether COVID-19 dollars were properly spent.
If not, the state may have to return $465 million to Washington in what is known as a “clawback.” The situation was discussed Thursday in the House Finance Committee.
The governor’s office says the money was properly spent on teacher pay raises, school building authority construction projects, school vaccinations and higher education. But, if money was spent on things other than educational needs, it may have to come out of this year’s budget and be sent back to Washington.
“We are just now learning, the week before we take up the budget that we could possibly be on the hook for $450 million back to the federal government because of the governor’s failure to provide adequate oversight and guidance to our local school boards,” said Delegate Mike Pushkin. “This is what happens when the boss doesn’t show up.”
The governor’s office and leaders in the House and Senate are trying to rectify the situation with the U.S. Department of Education, but so far, the situation is unresolved and it could have an impact on next year’s budget, which is before the legislature right now in the House after it passed the Senate Wednesday.
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