Gov. Patrick Morrisey proposed income tax cuts of 10% and pay raises for public employees averaging 3 percent.
Those were some of the bottom lines of the governor’s State of the State address to kick off the annual West Virginia legislative session.
“Tonight, I can report that we are making real progress. The Mountain State comeback is underway,” Morrisey told the state officials who gathered in the House of Delegates chamber.
The governor also introduced the parents of National Guard Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, who was fatally shot while on duty in Washington, D.C., last fall, and the father of National Guard Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, who was critically injured i the same attack.
“Your strength, your faith, and your love for these heroes inspire us all,” he said as Evalea and Gary Beckstrom along with Jason Wolfe rose to be greeted with applause from the crowd.
Minutes later, Morrisey recognized Heather Lipscomb, the wife of Steve Lipscomb, who was killed in an accident last year at Rolling Thunder Mine.
“At the heart of our state’s story is the courage of those who serve, even in the face of unthinkable danger,” Morrisey said.
Much of the governor’s speech focused on policies instituted during his first year in office. He promised to continue momentum.
Some of the governor’s goals moving forward he had already described in recent weeks. For example, he announced the pay raise priority on Dec. 11, although the amount was not made clear at that time.
Lawmakers will begin to assess the pay raise proposal along with the tax cuts and additional financial matters during finance committee meetings on Thursday morning. It’s possible the proposed amounts could shift during the legislative process.
The governor said state employees, who did not receive a raise last year, are deserving.
“These state employees are the people who teach our kids, fix our roads and bridges, guard our prisons, and police our streets,” he said.
“They show up every day to serve others, often putting the needs of their communities ahead of their own. They have earned a pay raise, but we can’t stop there.”
Morrisey is recommending tax cuts, too — although the prior governor and Legislature instituted a tax cut system that relies on economic indicators to trigger the next step down. Those economic markers were not expected to be met this year.
“To kickstart economic growth and return money back to the people, I am asking the Legislature to pass a 10 percent income tax cut,” he said.
Speaking on MetroNews Talkline earlier in the day, Senate President Randy Smith again expressed caution about whether West Virginia can afford another tax cut right now.
“We have to balance a budget, and with that comes a lot of tough decisions,” Smith said.
Child welfare has been a protracted problem in West Virginia, and the governor reiterated his desire to bring home some children who have had to be placed in out of state facilities.
He asked lawmakers to help establish a revolving investment fund meant to reduce out-of-state placements, currently at 380, by investing in state facilities.
“With a modest investment of $6 million dollars, we can rehabilitate existing state facilities, transform them into world-class centers of care, and begin bringing our children back home,” he said.
“This approach will save our state tens of millions of dollars and provide our children the stability, care, and foundation they need to grow, heal, and prosper. Let’s bring our kids home, where they belong.”
And the governor touted health initiatives, saying he has continued a steady effort as a daily walker of the Mountaineer Mile. “I haven’t missed a day yet,” he said. “I’m still grinding – You all know I’m persistent.”
He asked for additional efforts on wellness in West Virginia.
“Tonight, I am asking lawmakers to support our Rural Healthcare Transformation through advancing legislative initiatives that promote prevention, wellness, and personal responsibility,” he said.
Morrisey concluded by saying the state needs to make more progress.
“We are not here to celebrate the end of a journey,” he said. “We are here to strengthen the foundation for our children for generations to come.”
Gov. Patrick Morrisey proposed income tax cuts of 10% and pay raises for public employees averaging 3 percent.
Governor Morrisey Delivers 2026 State of the State Address https://t.co/5cZTVJ4xGd
— Governor Patrick Morrisey (@wvgovernor) January 15, 2026