CHARLESTON, W.Va. — It’s been 366 days since Patrick Morrisey was inaugurated as West Virginia governor and on Wednesday night he delivered his second State of the State address.
This comes ahead of the second regular session of the 87th West Virginia Legislature.
“Tonight, I can report that we are making real progress. The Mountain State comeback is underway,” Morrisey told the gathering in Charleston.
Morrisey pledged support to several initiatives he focused on during his first year, while laying out his new budget.
Morrisey had two significant asks for the legislature, including a 3% pay increase for all state employees.
“These state employees look they’re working hard,” he said. “They’re teaching our kids, they’re fixing our roads and bridges, they’re guarding our prisons and they’re policing our streets. They show up every day to serve others.
“They’ve all earned a pay raise, but we can’t stop there. To kick start economic growth and return more money back to the people I am asking the legislature to pass a 10% income tax cut.”
Morrisey also asked for an investment in two new programs, including $6 million in the Bring Them Home fund to return foster children back to the Mountain State and provide them care.
And in light of the June floods in Ohio and Marion counties, Morrisey wants to invest $10 million in a new pilot initiative – Sentry – to improve flood forecasting and preparedness.
Morrisey also told the joint legislature that economic development continues to be fueled by basic infrastructure investments.
“Thanks to you, we put $74 million into water and sewer, and we need to continue to that and keep getting that number higher,” the governor said.
“My administration placed a new emphasis on infrastructure maintenance, improving roads, bridges and yes fixing potholes. Apart from the current road fund, I’m going to ask the legislature to invest $100 million to supplement our road and bridge repair work. It’s sorely needed.”
Morrisey also pledged to improve education in the state through a Science of Reading program similar to the one that Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has implemented.
