Gov. Patrick Morrisey said the recently concluded legislative session was pretty good.
“I know we were able to get some really big needle movers done last session. This session was incredible. I think we had some really big bills that are going to become law, and we’re thrilled about it,” Morrisey said in a post-session update.
In particular, the governor touted a 5% across-the-board income tax cut plus conforming to the Trump tax cuts that were in the Big Beautiful Bill Act.
Morrisey had described aspirations for a 10% personal income tax cut, but state officials couldn’t reach agreement on how to get there. So today, he pushed for another 5% cut in the future.
“You know, I put 5% in the original budget, and I was hopeful to work with the legislature for more. So what I’m going to say here today is thank you for the 5% and then let’s get to work on the next 5 percent,” he said.
He added, “So while we didn’t get to the 10% this year, my hope is that we’re going to be able to continue to work hard to deliver more tax relief for our citizens.”
The governor also expressed satisfaction that the Hope Scholarship is fully funded as it opens for the first time to all families opting out of public schools.
“We fully funded the Hope Scholarship,” he said. “This is the opportunity we have to give our parents the right to choose the educational path that best works for their kids.”
And he embraced $125 million in new money for roads, with total spending of more than $2 billion for bridges and secondary roads when federal and road fund dollars are included. He said this will address potholes and secondary roads across all districts.
He praised the Legislature for codifying his administration’s 50 by 50 energy plan, calling it a “big win.”
“Our 50 by 50 energy strategy is designed to send a message across the country that West Virginia is America’s energy state,” he said.
And he was pleased passage of legislation representing the 3% average pay raises for state workers.
“We’re very pleased to announce that my proposal to provide state workers with a 3% pay raise went through, big for West Virginia state workers,” he said.
The governor still has a lot of decisions ahead about signing bills. He said about 304 bills came to him, he has looked at about 40 and he has signed more than 30 so far.
“And we’ll be letting you know, updating you as make our way through the process,” he said.