As the special session of the West Virginia legislature gets under way in Charleston, gubernatorial candidate Jim Justice makes a major announcement to help balance the budget. Justice announce on Monday, May 16, 2016 that he as asking legislators to remove the states $1.75 million sponsorship of the Greenbrier Classic PGA Tour event.

(CLICK HERE to read more about West Virginia’s sponsorship)

Justice added that he will also make the 2016 Greenbrier Classic free and open to the public. In order to make that a reality, there will be no concerts as a part of the week long event which happens over the Fourth of July week.

According to a release from the Justice campaign, the owner of the Greenbrier said he does not want the state’s support for the classic to be used as a “political football” during the election process. The state sponsorship paid for rooms, food, entertainment and more. It was used to lure investment opportunities and tourism to West Virginia. Justice’s campaign said the economic impact of the Greenbrier Classic is more than $111 million.