Call it a comeback for West Virginia, Gov. Patrick Morrisey said in his first State of the State address.
“We’re all on Team West Virginia Now, despite our challenges, we do have substantial assets at our disposal as we start our Mountain State comeback,” Morrisey, a Republican who previously served as attorney general, told lawmakers and dignitaries from a legislative chamber at the state Capitol.
Morrisey blended his first speech with economic goals, like harnessing West Virginia power to support the digital age, while also emphasizing social policies that he has repeatedly said will combat “the woke virus.”
Morrisey, who succeeds two-term Republican Gov. Jim Justice, said it’s time for change.
“Often I hear that’s not the way it’s done around here. You wouldn’t believe how many times last month I’ve heard that. Well, you’re damn right. What we’ve done in the past isn’t moving the needle fast enough,” he said.
“Not criticizing anyone, not calling anyone out — it just means we must move the needle faster. And I look out at this room now we have a unique opportunity to come together as a team to make better decisions for our citizens.”
Morrisey, a Republican, received a few standing ovations from the audience of lawmakers, agency leaders, judiciary officials and onlookers.
One came when he announced support for a policy to crack down on kids using cell phones: “I’m calling in the legislature to allow schools to ban cell phones in the classroom.”
Audience members rose to their feet again during reference to socially conservative views.
“West Virginia, one of its great strengths — it’s our conservative values. We stand for God, for life, the Second Amendment, for religious liberty, our Constitution and our freedoms,” Morrisey said before pausing to take in the applause.
Later, when Morrisey described being present last week as President Trump signed an executive order banning transgender athletes from participation on sports teams matching their gender identity, much of the audience rose and clapped again.
“These are basics, but we’re going to try to define sex based terms such as women, man, girl, mother, and allow for facilities such as locker rooms, bathrooms and rape crisis centers to be based on biological sex,” he said. “West Virginia will lead with common sense.”
Morrisey dove into aspirations for the state’s economy, too, saying its abundance of coal and natural gas should be harnessed in more effective ways.
He announced establishment of a West Virginia Power Tech Center.
“This is a center that will represent a first of its kind, collaboration between some of our key educational institutions, WVU, Marshall, Shepherd, Blue Ridge technical college. West Virginia become the most innovative, aggressive supplier of energy to the growing technology industry,” he said.
He said experts would examine the intersection between energy and technology, while state representatives would work to lower regulatory barriers.
“We’re going to adopt regulatory and tax policies that make West Virginia the most dynamic and friendly state in the nation for data, super intelligence and cryptocurrency facilities,” he said.
“Now this new center, it’s not only going to help drive state and national thinking on data and energy needs, it’s going to create new opportunities for the type of advanced manufacturing jobs that provide long term economic security for our state.”
He continued, “Let me emphasize, West Virginia has power, and by God, we’re going to use it. We’re going to use every last ounce to fuel our Mountain State comeback.”
Morrisey set a goal of repealing the certificate of need requirements meant to prevent unnecessary duplication when healthcare facilities build new facilities, offer new services or significantly expand existing services.
He characterized his proposal as striking a blow for the free market. The proposal could be controversial among lawmakers, some of whom believe unfettered competition could wind up killing fragile, rural healthcare providers.
“You know, it’s essentially a permission slip. It’s given out by the government that you need to open up a new hospital or health care facility,” Morrisey said.
“It hands over power to unelected bureaucrats and major health care providers who decide which communities need new or expanded health care services. This is big government activism at its worst. Tonight, we move toward the free market.”
Morrisey concluded his address by pointing toward the flurry of national attention that came to West Virginia’s anthem, “Country Roads,” in the professional football championship game.
Morrisey said that song and its “Almost Heaven” sentiments are the first thoughts many people have about the state. But the governor wants much more than that.
“There’s so much more to West Virginia than our beloved John Denver song,” Morrisey said.
“It’s my hope that in a few years time, when ‘Country Roads’ plays, maybe at a WVU game, thousands of students will be singing out, not only with pride in a Mountaineer victory — but sing with pride knowing that their job, their family and their future would be right here in West Virginia.”
“Country Roads” played in the chamber as he finished his speech, and some senators locked arms and swayed to the music.