How is the state of our state? Morrisey says we’re getting stronger, asks for 10% income tax reduction

By Autumn Shelton, RealWV

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – On Wednesday, Gov. Patrick Morrisey delivered his second State of the State address since becoming West Virginia’s 37th governor. And, according to Morrisey, the “Mountain State comeback is underway.”

“Because of the work we accomplished last year, West Virginia is poised to move fast on economic development and win more major projects. That’s our advantage – speed,” Morrisey stated. 

After discussing some of his priorities from last year, such as cutting red tape, the “Economic Backyard Brawl,” the microgrid bill, and his “50 by 50” initiative, Morrisey discussed his goals for this upcoming year. 

Ten Percent State Income Tax Cut

Morrisey, placing a number on his recent call for a state income tax reduction, asked for a ten percent state income tax cut in order to put more money into the pockets of the state’s residents and to “kickstart” economic growth.

“Members of the House and Senate, we can afford this tax cut. Let’s get it done,” Morrisey stated. “Already, through six months of this fiscal year, West Virginia is enjoying a $128 million dollar surplus. We can use these dollars and savings generated by other offsets to reach that ten percent level. And let’s have them take effect right away. If we do this, and we must, this will allow our state to keep pace with Kentucky, Ohio, and other states.”

Three percent raise for all state employees

“Tonight, I am asking for a three percent pay raise for all state workers,” Morrisey said, also placing a number on a priority he first discussed back in December. 

“These state employees are the people who teach our kids, fix our roads and bridges, guard our prisons, and police our streets,” Morrisey said. “They show up every day to serve others, often putting the needs of their communities ahead of their own.”

Fully funding the Hope Scholarship

“We have built it into our baseline so that HOPE funding is not dependent upon surpluses. We are pre-paying all of next year’s HOPE Scholarship as a commitment to this policy,” Morrisey said.

$10 million to fund a pilot program, SENTRY, to improve flood risk detection

Morrisey said that, often, flood warnings “come too late,” and he wants to see the state invest in early flood warning tools. 

“SENTRY promises to modernize how West Virginia detects flood risk and warns the public,” Morrisey explained. “By expanding sensors in key areas, we can build predictive models and react to leading indicators instead of lagging indicators. Those forecasts promise to identify flood risk one to six hours ahead with a target accuracy of more than 90 percent. This is about protecting lives. It’s about giving West Virginians time – time to act, time to move, time to stay safe.”

$20 million to improve West Virginia State Parks

“We need better lodging, more campsites, and improved roadways leading to these incredible destinations,” Morrisey said, adding that the tourism industry supports more than 60,000 jobs and surpasses $9 billion in annual economic impact.

“Tourism generated more than $1 billion in tax revenue last year.  $619 million goes directly to support our state and local governments,” Morrisey said. 

Other initiatives for 2026

• Increase funding for higher education institutions to better train the state’s workforce
• Supporting the state’s Rural Healthcare Transformation through legislation that promotes “prevention, wellness, and personal responsibility”
• Establish the “Bring Them Home Fund,” and invest an initial $6 million for the purpose of bringing foster care children in out-of-state placements back to West Virginia
• Invest $100 million to supplement road and bridge repair work
• Implement LETRS, an education policy that trains teachers on the science of reading development and how to teach it, as well as expand digital literacy. 

“West Virginia is in a different place than it was just last year. We are more competitive. We are more prepared, and more determined to create opportunity,” Morrisey concluded. “The future we are shaping is one where families can thrive, workers can succeed, and businesses can grow — where our kids and our grandkids have the opportunity to achieve big dreams right here in West Virginia. The state of our state is getting stronger. We are building a better West Virginia. And we are just getting started.” 

The full text of Gov. Morrisey’s State of the State address may be read below: