State of the State - 2003

STATE OF THE STATE - 2003
by Governor Bob Wise

This week, I addressed members of the State Senate and House of Delegates and all West Virginians, on the first day of the 2003 regular session of the Legislature. During this, my third State of the State Address, I outlined my vision for a successful year made possible by bold responses to the great challenges we face.

Because of skyrocketing insurance rates and cancellation of medical liability policies, West Virginia faces a crisis in health care availability. On Wednesday evening, I proposed to the legislature a multifaceted approach to this situation, one which gives immediate assistance to doctors who remain in practice and takes strong steps to repair the flaws in the legal system. It is vital that we address these issues, for as elected officials we have no greater responsibility than protecting the health and safety of our constituents.

Another large concern, which has hurt the West Virginia economy for years, is the unfunded liability in the Workers' Compensation program. This debt has created high premiums for employers, thus discouraging investment in our communities. By eliminating the second injury and second injury reserve funds, creating the Workers' Deficit Reduction Account, and implementing cost-cutting administrative changes, my plan would begin to alleviate the debt and immediately reduce the burden on employers.

I proposed, as I have previously, the adoption of the .08 blood alcohol content standard as the legal level of impairment for driving. This is a matter, quite simply, of life and death: we must not allow those persons on the road who endanger every one of their fellow citizens with their irresponsible actions. Additionally, if we fail to implement the .08 standard, we will lose millions of dollars in federal highway dollars, monies that are sorely needed to update and expand West Virginia's transportation network.

We face a $300 million hole in our Medicare budget this year alone. Though the budget I have submitted contains no increase in income, sales or business taxes, I included a request that the Legislature approve an increase in the per-pack cigarette tax to cover this shortfall. Raising the cigarette tax from 17 cents (where it has remained for the past 25 years) to 55 cents (close to the national average) will not match the costs we all pay because of smoking. It will, however, allow us to obtain matching federal dollars for health care, on which every penny of this tax will be spent. Unfortunately, if this measure is not approved this session, the $300 million will simply have to be cut from what is already an underfunded health care budget.

Another danger threatens West Virginia's children. All-terrain vehicle accidents kill and maim our young people every year. Though ATVs are great recreational and industrial devices, we must protect kids and adults by restricting the use of ATVs on roads, requiring safety equipment and limiting children to age-appropriate machines.

The budget I have submitted cuts the size of state government at every level. Starting with my office, all agencies have been directed to reduce their budgets by 10 percent. Additionally, I have directed a 10 percent reduction in the state vehicle fleet, with each agency required to do its part. I have exempted both K-12 and our state scholarship programs from the budget cut because of my belief that the education we provide to our children is the best investment we can make.

Though all of these will be difficult tasks, and there will be powerful outside forces opposing many of the changes, they are all necessary. If we fail to step up to the challenges of today, we fail the West Virginia of tomorrow. I am confident, however, that together we will set West Virginia on the right course for decades to come. These great challenges are an important opportunity for us to make the Mountain State all it can be, for us and the Mountaineers who will inherit it.