Public Employees to take major $$$ hit

West Virginia’s Public Employees Insurance Agency proposes an $82.96 million cut for active employees and a $40.99 million slash for retiree benefits for the 2016-17 year.

Out-of-pocket costs for families could be as much as $9,000 a year.

Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin did not propose any additional state funding for next year, beyond the current $422.4 million for the employers’ 80% share of premiums.