Charleston, WV (AP) -- West Virginia's legislature has given itself until early June to pass a new state budget.
The House and Senate adopted a resolution extending the ongoing session until June 6.
But lawmakers say they hope to pass the spending measure by late May.
The ongoing recession has reduced Gov. Joe Manchin's revenue forecast for the budget year beginning July 1 by nearly $200 million.
Lawmakers must now cut the spending outlined in the budget bill he presented in February.
It includes $3.9 billion covered by general revenue.
But Manchin and legislative leaders want to wait until they see April's tax collections.
The month is key for income tax revenues.
April's yield may show whether the state can apply any surplus toward that $200 million hole.
(Copyright 2009 by the Associated Press. All rights reserved.)
