By Eric Douglas
While the West Viriginia Legislature held marathon sessions in the capitol to pass as many bills from each chamber as possible on Crossover Day, Gov. Patrick Morrisey took his tax cut message to the people at Tamarack in Beckley.
Morrisey detailed his administration’s successes since October of last year at an event where the atmosphere seemed more like a campaign rally than a press conference. He was joined by the Chik Fil-A cow, more than 300 attendees by his own estimate, and organizers opened the event with a prayer.
“West Virginia is attracting investment, creating jobs, and growing our economy,” Morrisey said. “Now we must ensure that hardworking families feel the benefits of that success.”
Since October 2025, the governor said West Virginia has secured approximately $10.75 billion in private sector investment along with more than 9,600 projected jobs. Those numbers include last week’s $4 billion Intelligence Center project in Bedington and Tuesday’s $250 million Hope Gas pipeline project in Mason County.
He said, when combined with major public initiatives such as the BEAD broadband expansion program and the Rural Health Transformation Fund, the state is poised to see approximately $12.25 billion in total public and private investment tied to more than 10,600 projected jobs.
The governor asked those in attendance to reach out to their representatives in the House of Delegates to ask them to support his 10% tax cut. The Senate passed its budget bill with the cuts in place. The House’s version of the budget bill keeps the personal income tax rate the same. The two bodies now have to come together to agree on a budget they can both pass.
“Nothing will do more to address affordability challenges for West Virginians than reducing the income tax burden,” Morrisey said. “Our neighboring states are lowering their tax rates, and West Virginia should not remain the outlier. We need to stay competitive and make sure the people who earn the money get to keep more of it.”
Combined with the state’s ongoing economic momentum, he said these efforts will create greater opportunity and affordability for families across the Mountain State.
“People keep asking me the same thing, why can’t we get some of that surplus money returned back?” he said. “Well, I’m for it. I know the Senate is for it, and I’m asking you to let the House know that you are for it, too.”
