G
ov. Patrick Morrisey gave his second State of the State address Wednesday to a packed house of lawmakers and other special guests, capping his first year in office.
“We’re making real progress,” Morrisey said at the outset of his address, which lasted roughly an hour. “The Mountain State comeback is on its way.”
In his speech, Morrisey touted his year-to-date legislative wins, punctuated with new proposals for legislators to consider. He also honored several special guests.
Among Morrisey’s asks were a 10 percent tax cut and a 3 percent wage increase for all state employees.
Jobs, roads and infrastructure
A portion of the governor’s agenda focused on job growth across the state.
In his address, Morrisey spoke of $4.5 billion in private sector investment during his first year in office, amounting to what he said were “thousands” in “good paying jobs.” But state economic data shared by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics paints a murkier labor picture, with unemployment rising each month in the third and fourth quarters of 2025.
On Wednesday, Morrisey spoke of developing business-ready sites, and acknowledged a need for continued development in state infrastructure.
The governor proposed funding $1 million is repairs for state roads and bridges to help accomplish this goal.
Morrisey also spoke of the growth of the state’s tourism industry, boasting that West Virginia has seen a $9 billion economic impact from the sector in recent years.
The governor proposed that legislators approve $20 million in improvements to state parks in the hopes of bringing more visitors.
Health and education
Last April, Morrisey’s office launched a new statewide health initiative dubbed the Mountaineer Mile, encouraging West Virginians to incorporate more movement to improve health outcomes.
On Wednesday, the governor spoke of his continued participation in the initiative and encouraged lawmakers to advance more legislation intended to improve health outcomes, similar to the ban on certain food dyes legislators pushed during last year’s session.
“We will make West Virginia healthy again,” Morrisey said, while offering little in the way of formal proposals on ways to combat the state’s poor health outcomes.
The governor also made several education-related proposals.
Morrisey called for the prepayment of funding for the Hope Scholarship, which allows K-12 students to receive financial assistance that can be used for private school tuition, homeschool curriculum, and other qualifying expenses.
He also called for an increase in higher education funding, particularly in trade schools, citing a need to train up to 20,000 workers for various skilled labor positions over the next few years.
“I think we can make that happen,” he remarked.
Other proposals, recognitions
Morrisey made a few other notable requests during Wednesday’s speech.
The governor spoke of West Virginia’s foster children, some of whom are sent out of state. Morrisey suggested investing $6 million to help with the troubled foster care system.
Morrisey also proposed funding a pilot flood prevention program, saying $10 million would be needed for the effort.
The governor concluded Wednesday’s speech by recognizing several special guests.
Visitors included family members of West Virginia Guardsman Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe and Spc. Sarah Beckstrom, both of whom were shot in Washington, D.C. Beckstrom died from her injuries, while Wolfe continues to recover.
Also in attendance were Heather Lipscomb, the widow of Steven Lipscomb, who died in a mine accident in November 2025, and Tucker Palmatier, the first rescue diver to enter the flooded mine to attempt a rescue, both of whom were recognized by the governor.
