West Virginia Watch, Beckley Register-Herald, Spirit of Jefferson - At his first press conference as governor last week, Patrick Morrisey promised that under his watch state government will be “more efficient and effective than ever before.” He indeed has a powerful opportunity to increase government efficiency through comprehensive and thoughtful agency reviews, but he may…
Tax and Budget
West Virginia MetroNews - As the new chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, Jason Barrett has a challenge ahead: the general fund deficit of more than $400 million anticipated by the Morrisey administration for the next fiscal year. Read the full article. Barrett, R-Berkeley, said state officials are up to the task. “I would agree…
Huntington Herald-Dispatch - The Cabell County Board of Education’s two remaining bond projects are predicted to be over budget. Read the full article. According to data provided to the board by Treasurer Drew Rottgen during a budget workshop meeting Monday, construction costs of the Woody Williams Center for Advanced Learning and Careers and the new…
West Virginia MetroNews - New Gov. Patrick Morrisey says his administration projects a budget deficit of more than $400 million for the coming fiscal year. Read the full article. “Now, it’s important that when you talk about the budget, we’re talking about what we inherited,” said Morrisey, adding that the big number doesn’t factor in…
Charleston Gazette-Mail - West Virginia Delegate Pat McGeehan, R-Hancock, played a key role in securing up to $5 million in state funding for an out-of-state Catholic school and its right-wing advocacy plans from a fund typically tapped for water and wastewater infrastructure projects. Read the full article. McGeehan has a lengthy history of proposing use…
Charleston Gazette-Mail - Gov.-elect Patrick Morrisey detailed 15 members of his executive team and Cabinet secretaries at a news conference Thursday. Morrisey also commented on his hiring process and some of his administration’s priorities upon inauguration on Jan. 13. Read the full article. “It’s our intent to repurpose and right-size government,” Republican Morrisey said. “We’re…
WOWK, MSN - On this week’s episode of Inside West Virginia Politics, we talk about Congressman Mooney’s tenure, debate school closures, explore responsible finances and discuss gifting holiday cheer to refugees. Read the full article. In Segment One, we talk to Congressman Alex Mooney (R) about his tenure in Congress. In Segment Two, we talk…
WVOW Radio - West Virginia's revenue collections now narrowly exceed projections, leaving incoming state leaders with limited financial flexibility as they prepare to take office. Read the full article. State revenue collections are five million dollars ahead of projections, with $2.1 billion collected since the fiscal year began in July. This leaves little margin for…
WOWK, DC News Now, WFXRTV, MSN- There are more concerns that schools closing and consolidations in West Virginia aren’t over yet. Read the full article. The issue is likely going to be front and center when the legislature meets in February. A lot of people are putting the blame on one program in particular. So…
West Virginia MetroNews - Heading toward an incoming administration and a newly-seated legislature, West Virginia’s state revenue is just above water. Read the full article. The latest state revenue figures show collections are just about $5 million ahead of projection. That is the margin for the $2.1 billion in general revenue that the state has collected for…