CHARLESTON – Attorney General Patrick Morrisey has announced his office recently returned $5 million to the state’s general fund.
The $5-million transfer marked the fourth consecutive year that Morrisey’s office has voluntarily returned significant money to the state’s general fund – a cumulative tally of $23.5 million for the last four years.
Morrisey believes returning that money demonstrates his administration’s efforts to help the state’s budget.
That includes running an efficient office and successfully managing settlement monies in a manner to help reduce the tax bill of West Virginians, according to a press release issued by his office.
“This is the people’s money,” Morrisey said. “Taxpayers should realize the benefit of the hard earned work and efficiency of our office.”
This year’s $5-million transfer is the product of various consumer protection settlements and lawsuits filed by Morrisey’s office. The funds are provided from the office’s consumer protection fund.
It continues Morrisey’s long-held promise that his office should return settlement monies to the general fund, while responsibly keeping enough resources to operate the Consumer Protection Division, according to the press release.
Each dollar returned to the Legislature represents one less dollar its members must take from the Rainy Day Fund to balance the state’s struggling budget.
“Returning money to the Legislature and taxpayers has been a top priority for me since taking office,” Morrisey said. “We seek to run the most efficient office in state government.”
Morrisey returned $2 million in 2015, $9 million in 2014 and $7.5 million in 2013.