CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Governor Patrick Morrisey outlined his administration’s initial findings on the state budget during a press conference at the governor’s office Thursday.
The governor emphasized his commitment to eliminating government waste and addressing fiscal challenges.
“The era of big spending is over. The time for spending beyond our means is over,” Morrisey said as he began his remarks.
Morrisey revealed that West Virginia faces a projected deficit of nearly $400 million for Fiscal Year 2026, which runs from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026.
He warned that the deficit is expected to grow in the coming years due to several factors, including a structural imbalance, reliance on one-time revenue for ongoing expenses, and past surplus appropriations for correctional facilities, higher education, and the Public Employees Insurance Agency (PEIA).
“This is what we’ve inherited. This is where we stand on day one,” Morrisey stated.
The governor has already taken steps to address these fiscal challenges through executive orders signed earlier this week.
He reiterated his commitment to responsible financial management, a key theme in his inaugural address on Monday.
“Government waste is not just a drain on our finances—it’s a betrayal of the trust that taxpayers place in their leaders. West Virginians work too hard to see their money squandered on inefficiency and bureaucracy,” Morrisey said.
“If a program is not working, we’ll end it. If it’s duplicative, we’ll consolidate it. And if it’s wasteful, it’s gone!”
