Opinion ID: 1321543
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: the order of february 9, 1983

Text: On January 12, 1983, the governor in his State of the State address, announced that as a result of poor national and state economic conditions, he would reduce state agency expenditures by ten per cent, with the exception of expenditures for public education which would be reduced by four per cent. In that address, the governor stated that such a reduction in state spending would, inter alia, result in the permanent closing of Spencer State Hospital and the transfer of 300 patients to our other state health institutions.... The ten per cent general reduction in state agency expenditures and the four per cent reduction in expenditures for public education related to fiscal year 1982-83. Those reductions were confirmed by the governor by Executive Order No. 4-83, dated January 13, 1983. [1] The record indicates that in response to the governor, the West Virginia Senate on January 14, 1983, adopted Senate Resolution No. 8 which urged the governor to delay the closing of Spencer Hospital and the transfer of patients until the Legislature has had an opportunity to examine alternatives.... Subsequently, actions in mandamus were filed in this Court by various individuals including employees and patient representatives of Spencer Hospital seeking the continued operation of that facility. Those actions resulted in the February 9, 1983, order of this Court in which, upon the basis of DeVault v. Nicholson, W.Va., 296 S.E.2d 682 (1982), this Court directed the respondent governor and others to operate and maintain Spencer State Hospital at the level of services as required by law, until such time as the Legislature by proper enactment shall direct otherwise.... [2]