CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Gov. Patrick Morrisey signed the budget bill into law Thursday night and he used his line-item veto power 29 separate times to reduce spending.
“When I took office, I inherited a $400 million structural budget gap in the upcoming fiscal year, which would grow to nearly $600 million in the years ahead if it was not immediately addressed,” Morrisey said in a statement released by his office at just before midnight. “The fiscally conservative budget I signed tonight makes progress tackling structural gaps and begins to place us on a pathway toward financial stability in the future. Much work remains in the next fiscal year to address budget shortfalls, but I applaud the Legislature for sending me a budget that closely resembles my original proposal and begins to address long term issues while funding West Virginia priorities.”
Morrisey’s line-item veto messages use similar language often saying “it is imperative that a cautious and prudent approach be taken.”
Among Morrisey’s 29 cuts to the House and Senate-passed bill include more than $110 million approved in three surplus funds. Morrisey said the money may be needed instead for anticipated gaps in Medicaid, PEIA and changes to the federal tax code.
Other cuts Morrisey made to the budget include a $25 million reduction to the State Road Fund, a $3 million reduction of the original $5 million allocation to the Ronald McDonald House in Morgantown. a total rejection of a $250,000 allocation lawmakers made to the WVU College of Law and a $187,000 reduction to the more than $11 million allocation to the state Veterans Nursing home.
Thursday night’s news release further explained the use of Morrisey’s veto power:
“The budget for fiscal year 2026 is designed to provide flexibility to address future uncertainties, such as stock market fluctuations and changes to federal spending, ensuring programs will be fully funded throughout the year. In the case of a surplus, up to $100 million will be allocated to funding road maintenance and improvement projects across the state. The budget fully funds Medicaid, senior services, and the HOPE scholarship, while making targeted cuts to spending,” the release said.