State Treasurer Larry Pack rolled out his legislative agenda Monday in Charleston, then joined Dave and me on MetroNews Talkline Tuesday to walk through it. His top priority: protecting the universal expansion of the Hope Scholarship in 2026–27. Pack argues school choice has benefited West Virginia and shouldn’t be rolled back. He’s also pushing significant teacher pay raises — a $50,000 minimum salary and a $2,000 bump for teachers already above that mark — and more local control for schools.
Pack wants to eliminate state income tax on tips and overtime to mirror new federal policy, calling it a “worker’s tax cut” for nurses, servers, and construction workers. He emphasized that the treasurer’s office has a responsibility to guide lawmakers and the governor toward conservative, fiscally sound policy.
Newsman Aaron Parker has the full report at WVMetroNews.com.
Now to the politics.
Pack’s announcement wasn’t controversial among most Republicans — the proposals are traditionally conservative — but a small subset of politicos is bristling in hush tones at the idea of a state treasurer publicly pushing policy priorities. Some point out that previous treasurers didn’t take that approach. Pack acknowledged as much in Tuesday’s interview. He didn’t criticize his predecessors – rightly so – but noted his intent to act as a leader.
Those who are a bit bent out of shape over the matter are entitled to their feelings, but in my view that criticism is misguided. Pack may be seasoned in GOP politics – long involved in the party and a national GOP committeeman – but he’s relatively new to elected office, having served just briefly in the legislature before becoming treasurer last year. That’s not a flaw — it’s context. A CPA by trade, he built an accounting firm and several business ventures, the most prominent being Stonerise Healthcare. Founded in 2009 by Pack and Steve White, the company grew from a Charleston startup into one of West Virginia’s largest post-acute and transitional-care providers, operating roughly 17 skilled-nursing and rehab centers plus home-health, hospice, and therapy services. When the owners sold the company in July 2022, one industry outlet pegged its value at $650 million. Did you catch that, startup to a third-party valuation of $650 million in 13 years. Not too shabby.
In business, luck helps but competence matters far more. Pack’s record speaks for itself. Why anyone would dismiss his input and participation in the legislative process is beyond me; doing so means ignoring experience that could help move the state forward.
And remember, Pack – also a member of the Board of Public Works – doesn’t get a vote in the legislature, of course. His proposals must survive the same gauntlet as any other bill — an intentionally difficult process designed to separate wheat from chaff. Support is required to move a bill, otherwise it dies. He’ll have to overcome the same hurdles as anyone who wants to see a policy position become law.
Let’s be blunt: much of the pushback appears rooted in fears that Pack might challenge Governor Patrick Morrisey in the next Republican gubernatorial primary. That rumor is just that — a rumor — but it’s fueling suspicion. There are those who don’t like that idea; there are those that do. Some haven’t contemplated it. Those that don’t like it aren’t interested in seeing Pack’s ideas come to fruition. Those presumptive policy wins equal political currency Pack can run on.
If Jim Justice jumps back into the race – another rumor batted around – Pack will sit it out. If Justice doesn’t, the odds of Pack’s entering rise dramatically — “extremely probable” isn’t an unfair description.
In the meantime, there’s no downside to the state treasurer offering ideas for lawmakers to consider, especially this treasurer. Some may not like it, and that’s fine, but disliking it isn’t a reason to silence him. Even if they tried, Pack has enough support in the legislature that such efforts would go nowhere.
As for whether he’s running for governor — we’ll see. I haven’t asked him directly. Perhaps I should? Or maybe my first call should be to Jim Justice for an update on his plans? A no brainer: if Justice is a no and Pack does get in, the senator will be solidly in Pack’s corner.
It was an interesting topic over lunch with a good friend yesterday – no doubt many such conversations are ongoing elsewhere.
Editor’s Note: Meadows and his wife have donated funds to previous Pack campaigns prior to Meadows’ co-hosting Talkline.