CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin on Wednesday added two items for West Virginia lawmakers to consider during the current special session.
Tomblin said in a news release he wanted the Legislature to look at a Department of Environmental Protection rules bill that didn't pass during the regular session. It addresses new water standards for selenium limits.
Tomblin also included a supplemental bill to allow the Boone County Board of Education to continue to meet its payroll while addressing funding shortfalls caused by a drop in local property tax collections.
The governor says he's also concerned about lawmakers' lack of progress on the state budget. Tomblin called the Republican-led Legislature into session May 16. Without a budget, state government would shut down July 1. A $270 million budget gap remains.
On Wednesday, a Senate Finance Committee morning meeting was canceled after nearly all the committee's Democrats walked out, West Virginia Public Broadcasting reported. The committee had been set to discuss amendments on a 1 percent sales tax increase, worth $200 million. The tax likely faces strong opposition in the House.
Senate Finance Chairman Mike Hall, R-Putnam, said after canceling the meeting, he decided it would be better for committee members to "take a little time to work some of this out."
Hall said he and his staff instead will continue working on the Senate's version of the budget.
"We have to get the budget document done and I can't get involved in a long detour," Hall said.
Negotiations imploded last week when the House killed a $76 million package to raise taxes on cigarettes and other tobacco products.