West Virginia
Morrisey predicts $400M budget deficit next year, ending Justice’s ‘rocket ship ride’ for WV • West Virginia Watch
Sen. Jim Justice, who promised rocket ship rides and boasted big budget surpluses, has left the new Gov. Patrick Morrisey with a problem: a projected $400 million deficit beginning next year.
Morrisey, who is in his first week on the job, said that the deficit was what his administration had found as of this week.
“We’re talking about what we’ve inherited. It’s not factoring in any new spending priorities or any proposed additional tax cuts,” he said Thursday at the state Capitol in Charleston, West Virginia.
“These problems weren’t created overnight,” he continued. “ … I can tell you that we do believe that there are significant structural problems with the budget, and I’m committed to fixing it.”
The Republican, who campaigned on ending big government spending, said the projected deficit doesn’t mean his administration won’t be able to offer another tax cut to residents or pay raises to teachers. He said they’re still a possibility his administration will address rising health care costs impacting the Public Employees Insurance Agency.
“I’ve been very clear that I want West Virginia to be even more competitive with all the states that we touch,” Morrisey said. “But we’re going to have to look at this, and it’s going to take a while for anyone to go through this … I know that I remain very optimistic despite a lot of the big spending that’s occurred.”
Morrisey declined to put the blame specifically on Justice, saying, “I’m not going to talk about any individuals.” Justice, a Republican, was sworn into the U.S. Senate on Tuesday, forgoing the first 10 days of his Senate term.
Justice faced a $500 million budget deficit when he took office as governor in 2017.
He consistently commented on his work turning around the state’s financial situation, and he regularly touted his multi-million dollar surpluses. Justice was adamant that lawmakers keep a flat budget. Meanwhile, state health leaders said they needed nearly $300 million to address pressing issues in West Virginia, like the substance abuse crisis. Education leaders said they needed $258 million to implement necessary school safety measures amid a national rise in school violence.
Last month, Justice told the Parkersburg News and Sentinel, “For all I know, we do not have a hole for [fiscal year] 2026 at all … the next budget will surely depend on decisions that are made by the next folks that come in and the Legislature and on and on and on.”
This year’s budget bill, passed by the House and Senate on the last night of the 2024 regular legislative session, set the general revenue budget for the current fiscal year at roughly $4.9 billion, 5% less than Justice’s introduced version of $5.3 billion.
Morrisey said on Tuesday that there had been “a lot of spending” in the last few months under Justice, adding that he would be “analyzing that rocket ship ride.” His administration will review a number of recent economic announcements under Justice, and non finalized contracts could be eliminated as he seeks to save money.
“The era of big spending is over. It’s over. In West Virginia, the time for spending beyond our means is over,” Morrisey said.
Already taking steps to address spending
Morrisey said that he expects the state to meet budget goals this year through June 30, the end of the current fiscal year. The shortfall in this year’s budget is temporarily being replaced by a one-time provider tax cash balance, he said.
He emphasized that he already began cutting costs, including an executive order issued on Tuesday that eliminated any state dollars tied to diversity initiatives. Another executive order requires state agencies to make a plan for more efficient spending.
In an effort to save money, Morrisey said that he will work with the Legislature to consolidate the existing Department of Economic Development with the Department of Commerce and to consolidate the existing Department of Arts, Culture and History with the Department of Tourism. The considerations are “an initial step toward making state government more efficient and effective,” according to Morrisey.
He was unable to offer specifics about any potential job cuts in an effort to save money.
Despite the budget hole, Morrisey will push his tax cut in collaboration with the Legislature.
“I do believe that West Virginia needs to continue to emphasize a reduction in taxes to become the lowest in the region,” he said.
Morrisey will present his proposed budget to lawmakers when the regular 60-day legislative session begins next month.
“We will continue to try to garner every efficiency out of state government, because our taxpayers deserve nothing less,” he said.
YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WTAP) – Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced Friday that the state has requested that the Purple Heart be awarded to the two National Guard members shot in Washington, D.C.
The Governor requested the Purple Heart to be awarded posthumously to U.S. Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, who was killed in the incident, and be awarded to Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, who was critically injured.
“Their actions on that tragic day meet the highest and clearest standards for the Purple Heart, a decoration that recognizes those wounded or killed in action against an enemy or during a hostile or terrorist act,” Morrisey said. “I could not think of two servicemembers more deserving of this award.”
Gov. Morrisey also reviewed broader work by the West Virginia National Guard and the West Virginia Department of Veterans Assistance during 2025.
The National Guard carried out overseas missions, including deployments to the Middle East and Europe, and operations along the U.S. Southwest border. The Guard also responded to two major flooding events in the state. In February 2025, more than 350 service members were mobilized across 14 counties, conducting swift-water rescues, distributing nearly 340,000 bottles of water and clearing more than 17,000 tons of debris.
A separate response to flash flooding in Ohio and Marion counties in June 2025 involved nearly 200 Guard members who cleared an additional 12,000 tons of debris.
When the federal government shut down in October, the National Guard helped ensure families had access to meals. One hundred sixty-four service members distributed more than 1 million pounds of food to over 400 food pantries.
The governor highlighted work by the West Virginia Department of Veterans Assistance. Services officers secured $5.4 billion in federal benefits for West Virginia veterans in 2025, an increase of $500 million from 2024.
The department also advanced facility modernization projects. The Veterans Home in Barboursville received upgrades to the kitchen, infirmary and HVAC systems.
Major renovations are underway at the Veterans Nursing Facility in Clarksburg, including construction of a new kitchen and installation of a modern nurse call system.
“Taking care of the common, everyday issues can make a huge difference in our everyday lives, and that’s just what Veterans Assistance is doing with these upgrades. Our veterans are fantastic people who don’t ask for much, and it’s great to see this great work being done on their behalf,” Gov. Morrisey said.
See an error in our reporting? Send us an email by clicking here!
Copyright 2025 WTAP. All rights reserved.
CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY) — A large portion of the Mountain State saw storms with gusty winds last night, which has resulted in several trees coming down across roads, thousands of power outages and schools being delayed and closed.
As of Friday morning, the WV 511 website displays multiple warnings of fallen trees and debris in roadways, including several in north-central West Virginia. Both Harrison and Marion County 911 logs show crews responding to several reports of trees down.
The First Energy website also shows that a total of 36,688 of its customers are currently without power, with many still waiting for an estimated restoration time.
Due to these power outages, multiple schools throughout West Virginia have been delayed or closed for the day, including those in Barbour, Gilmer, Lewis, Marion, Ritchie, Taylor, and Upshur counties.
Regular trees weren’t the only ones forced down due to the winds. Christmas decorations, including the Bridgeport Christmas tree, were knocked over as well.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) – A miner died Thursday after an incident at a coal mine in Wyoming County, West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey said.
The governor said it happened at the Lower War Eagle mine.
Morrisey released the following statement on Thursday evening:
“Denise and I were deeply saddened by the tragic loss of a coal miner today at the Lower War Eagle mine in Wyoming County. Our hearts go out to his family, loved ones, and coworkers during this sorrowful time.
“The West Virginia Office of Miners’ Health, Safety, and Training responded immediately and is conducting a full investigation.
“Each day, West Virginia miners perform difficult and demanding tasks. They do this to provide for their families, to build the communities, and to forge a better future for the next generation of West Virginians. It is that work, their strength, and their dedication that defines our state and our nation.
“I ask that all West Virginians lift this miner’s family, friends, and community up in your prayers and keep them in your thoughts through the difficult days ahead.”
The victim’s name has not been released.
Copyright 2025 WSAZ. All rights reserved.
U.S. launches strikes in Syria targeting Islamic State fighters after American deaths
Hamline University student brags on video that he celebrated Charlie Kirk’s assassination
Crockett’s potential successor has repeatedly railed against US in reparations push: ‘It’s been evil’
Louisiana manhunt continues as dangerous inmate charged with attempted murder remains on the run
Suspect accused of causing massive fatal pileup was illegal immigrant who obtained CDL in New York: feds
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Video: ‘It Didn’t Have to Happen This Way:’ U.Va. Faculty Call for Review of Police Response to Protests
U.S. launches strikes in Syria targeting Islamic State fighters after American deaths
Trump administration touts ‘most secure border in history’ as 2.5 million migrants exit US
How the reparations loan for Ukraine fell apart at the eleventh hour
Trump’s push to end transgender care for young people opposed by pediatricians
Takeaways from an eventful 2025 election cycle
-
Iowa5 days agoAddy Brown motivated to step up in Audi Crooks’ absence vs. UNI
-
Iowa7 days agoHow much snow did Iowa get? See Iowa’s latest snowfall totals
-
Maine4 days agoElementary-aged student killed in school bus crash in southern Maine
-
Maryland5 days agoFrigid temperatures to start the week in Maryland
-
Technology1 week agoThe Game Awards are losing their luster
-
South Dakota6 days agoNature: Snow in South Dakota
-
New Mexico3 days agoFamily clarifies why they believe missing New Mexico man is dead
-
Nebraska1 week agoNebraska lands commitment from DL Jayden Travers adding to early Top 5 recruiting class