WHEELING (AP) — The spiritual leader of West Virginia’s Roman Catholics is urging state officials to restore funding that the governor cut from some social services programs.
Bishop Michael J. Bransfield says the cuts will place children and families in poverty at further risk.
Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin had cut several social service programs in a line-item veto in March. Last week, he restored about $150,000 for an in-home family education program, $80,000 for child abuse prevention and $30,000 for a domestic violence legal services fund.
Bransfield says in a statement issued Friday that cuts totaling $800,000 remain.
He says the cuts jeopardize programs that make a difference in children’s daily lives.
Bransfield says an upcoming special legislative session provides an opportunity to restore the funding.