Morrisey’s first State of the State: ‘If you like what President Trump is doing in D.C., you’ll love what we are doing right here in West Virginia’

By Autumn Shelton, RealWV

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Governor Patrick Morrisey delivered his first State of the State address on Wednesday evening, which also ushered in the start of the 2025 legislative session. 

In a little less than an hour, Morrisey discussed his vision for the future of the Mountain State, and said that West Virginia will only be able to determine its success when every young person knows they will be able to receive a quality education and get a good job, close to home, when they graduate. 

According to Morrisey, there are significant challenges facing the state, but through teamwork and changing the way things have always been done, West Virginia will be that “shining state in the mountains” once again. 

Providing West Virginia with the opportunity to remain the nation’s energy state

“Our people are the proud product of resilience and hard work,” Morrisey said. “For generations, our state played a huge role in America’s success. For over two centuries, we powered the needs of our country – relying on good old fashioned West Virginia resources and a hungry workforce.” 

Morrisey said that the state’s energy reserves will help workers “soar yet again.” 

“Right now, there is a ferocious competition going on between the United States and China,” Morrisey said. “The winner will be the country which powers the enormous data needs of tomorrow. Years ago, the China virus devastated our economy and screeched it to a halt. Now, we have a new threat – China already generates half of the world’s coal fired power.” 

Morrisey said that gives the country a “huge advantage in the arms race for computing power and intelligence,” adding that America must find a way to increase its energy production, or China will win the battle and ultimately harm national security. 

“West Virginia will play a critical role in this competition,” Morrisey said. “We will once again be the engine that powers our country. That means using even more coal and gas, utilizing our rich water resources and developing nuclear power small modular reactors. It also means expanding the use of microgrids, investing in our educational institutions to train the high-skilled and well paid workers.” 

Establishing the West Virginia POWER (Power in Our Work Force through Energy and Revolutionary) Technology Center. 

According to Morrisey, the technology center will be a collaboration between West Virginia University, Marshall University, Shepherd University, and the Blue Ridge Technical Center. It will teach students in new fields as well as usher in a vocational-technical renaissance. 

The center will allow West Virginia to become “the most innovative, aggressive supplier of energy to the growing technology industry,” Morrisey said. 

“In this process, we are going to partner with the world’s foremost experts, job creators and innovators to examine the intersection between energy and technology,” Morrisey continued. “We are going to adopt regulatory and tax policies that make West Virginia the most dynamic and friendly state in the nation for data, super intelligence and cryptocurrency facilities.” 

Morrisey explained that the “marriage of energy and data centers could lead to generational wealth for our citizens if we seize this opportunity.” 

“Let me emphasize, West Virginia has power and, by-God, we are going to use it,” Morrisey said. “We are going to use every last ounce to fuel our Mountain State comeback.” 

The $400 million budget deficit and the Mountain State Comeback Budget 

“We inherited a deep structural deficit,” Morrisey said, adding that it is expected to go even further into the red (over $550 million annually after 2027). 

Instead of using the state’s $2.1 billion in reserves, $1.3 billion being the “Rainy Day Fund,” Morrisey said that he will submit his “Mountain State Comeback Budget” to the state’s legislature. 

Morrisey said this budget is a multi-year plan for fiscal responsibility. 

“We plan on over 2% of general revenue budget reductions and many other changes to bring our budget to balance and to protect taxpayers as we go after waste, abuse and overspending in the system,” Morrisey said. 

Morrisey added that in the past thirty days he has proposed consolidating three departments; the Department of Homeland Security with the Adjutant General’s office, the Department of Arts and Culture with the Department of Tourism and the Department of Commerce with the Department of Economic Development. 

“(I) will be soon working to eliminate many, many unnecessary boards and commissions,” Morrisey added. “If you like what President Trump is doing in D.C., you’ll love what we are doing right here in West Virginia.” 

The Public Employees Insurance Agency (PEIA)

Morrisey said that his budget will grow PEIA by roughly $45 million this year in order for the state to meet its legal obligations. 

“Yet, that new state commitment doesn’t even address the 14.4% employee premium increase expected this year,” Morrisey said. 

He asked the state’s legislature to work with him on finding a solution. 

“Now, no surprises here, I pledge to be an agent of change,” Morrisey stated. “And, I understand  that some don’t like that. Often, I hear, ‘That’s not the way it’s done around here.’ . . . Well, you’re damn right. What we’ve done in the past isn’t moving the needle fast enough.” 

Economic Backyard Brawl

Morrisey said that wanted West Virginia to have the lowest income tax rates of any surrounding state. 

“Some may question why I want to lower taxes when we’ve just been talking about the inherited shortfall, but the answer to fiscal constraints is not to raise taxes – it’s to cut spending and grow our economy,” Morrisey said. “We’re going to make West Virginia the most attractive state to live, to work, to play and to do business.” 

Improving workforce participation and creating a jobs portal

Morrisey said he has directed a workforce team to put together a job portal that would allow the state to fill much needed positions. 

“We must grow workforce participation,” Morrisey stated. 

Areas of action for the state’s 87th Legislature

Morrisey said that immediate reform must take place in the following areas:  

• The state needs to eliminate red-tape through legislation by creating a “one-stop shop” online site for permitting applications. If delays are experienced, Morrisey said the state will refund permitting fees. 
• The state should allow universal licensing reciprocity. This would give those with out-of-state professional licenses the opportunity to come to West Virginia and work right away. 
• The state should repeal Certificate of Need (CON) laws. According to Morrisey, this will create a competitive healthcare environment. 
• The state must make changes to increase access to oil and gas resources, while maintaining environmental protections
• The state must make education a top priority. According to Morrisey, this will include a statewide ban on cell phones in the classroom, continuing to provide families with school choice through the Hope Scholarship, changing the out-dated school aid formula, and expanding vocational education
• The state must eradicate what Morrisey called the “woke virus” and DEI from schools that receive state funding
• The state should pass the “Riley Gaines Act” to prevent biological males from competing in women’s sports.

Morrisey concluded his first State of the State address by saying that when many throughout the nation think of West Virginia, John Denver’s song, “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” comes to mind. 

“That’s a real shame,” Morrisey said. “There is so much more to West Virginia than our beloved John Denver song. It’s my hope that in a few years time, when Country Roads plays at a WVU game, thousands of students will be singing out . . . with pride, knowing that their job, their family and their future will be right here in West Virginia.”