60-day session a “missed opportunity” in eyes of some WV leaders – WV MetroNews

CHARLESTON, W.Va. –Several leaders from across the state have expressed their thoughts and opinions in the four days since the 60-day legislative session came to a close.

Vice President of Policy and Advocacy for the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce Brian Dayton says his group is not content with what was done.

“Frustration is probably the correct word from the Chamber’s perspective,” Dayton said Wednesday morning on MetroNews’ Talkline. “It’s really a frustration that there was a lot of missed opportunity when it came to focus on job creation, economic development and better education outcomes.”

As far as economic development goes, Governor Patrick Morrisey has been adament that his data centers bill, which got across the finish line, will attract corporations to build in West Virginia and thus, help the state thrive. The bill was one of the main focuses of his economic “Backyard Brawl” to compete with bordering states.

Lawmakers passed a couple of bills relating to education and the school system, one focusing on school discipline, while two others aim to put over $60 million of state funds towards the HOPE Scholarship.

Dayton says the session wasn’t all negative, but too much time was wasted.

“There were a few good bills that got through the process, but there was a lot of time that was spent this session, from the business community perspective, on defending against legislation that would make it harder to create jobs in West Virginia and make us a less attractive state to locate,” Dayton said. “That’s frustration right there because we’ve been on such a good path moving forward trying to advance some good ideas.”

West Virginia Manufactures Association President Bill Bissett also appeared on MetroNews’ Talkline Wednesday to share his thoughts on how the session went. He says he’s giving lawmakers and the governor more grace.

“I’m not as critical as some,” Bissett said. “One of the things I’m quick to bring out is context. You have to consider you have a new governor, you have a new Senate president, you have 10 new senators in a body of 34, you have a new process for legislation in the House — that’s a lot of new in one session. It’s not only new for the people serving, but also for those interacting with them, so that was a big factor.”

Bissett did say that he sees the concerns people like Dayton have, and he just wants to see the state prosper.

“Overall, I think there is a valid concern about how much was pro-economic development. I think some of the legislation that came out of the governor’s office was very positive, which we supported, but at the same time, I think we really need to focus on what grows the economy of West Virginia and what allows us to not only grow our population, but what allow people to stay here?”

In addition to the recently wrapped-up 60 day session, Governor Morrisey has gone on record saying there’s a chance he will call one or more special sessions this year to focus on topics such as education and PEIA. For now, Dayton says the Chamber of Commerce is setting its eyes towards making the next regular session better.

“We’re working and talking with legislators right now to do a bit of a reset heading into the 2026 session next year. We’re already thinking in that direction about how do we re-direct that focus down on those things that are going to really improve people’s lives on the day-to-day basis,” Dayton said.