CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – State Treasurer Larry Pack has released his policy priorities for the 2026 Legislative Session, focusing on education, tax relief, local control, and government efficiency.
“As the state’s chief financial officer, we have a duty to levy advice to the Governor and Legislature on sound, financial policy. We believe all the priorities that we will lay out will keep the size of our state government in check, remove burdensome regulations, advance education freedom and reduce the tax burden on our citizens,” Pack said.
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“By following this roadmap, I guarantee we can make West Virginia a better place to live, work and raise a family,” Pack said.
Pack’s top priorities include defending the Hope Scholarship, which is set to expand to universal eligibility in the 2026-2027 school year, and opposing any efforts to limit access to the program.
He also called on the Governor and Legislature to eliminate state income taxes on tips and overtime, following a policy championed at the federal level by President Donald Trump.
To increase local control of schools, Pack is seeking more flexibility in personnel transfers and Reduction in Force (RIF) rules, as well as greater autonomy in how districts spend state school aid, including additional funds for special education students.
Teacher pay is another key focus. Pack proposes a minimum starting salary of $50,000 for all teachers, with an additional $2,000 for those already earning above that amount, to be implemented on July 1, 2026.
He cited past efforts under Governor Jim Justice to increase teacher salaries as a model.
Other priorities include introducing legislation to protect citizens’ unclaimed property from predatory out-of-state companies and pushing again for a constitutional amendment to limit statewide officials, including the Secretary of State, Auditor, Treasurer, Commissioner of Agriculture, and Attorney General, to three consecutive terms.
“It is clear, West Virginia has and will continue to have a population problem unless we do something about it. Therefore, we must do more in our power to attract young people and families to the state,” Pack said. “That is why I am calling on the Governor and Legislature to prioritize policies that spur economic growth.”
Last session, Pack advocated for continuity of government during transitions of constitutional officeholders, repealing an outdated Treasurer’s Office program, and securing full funding for the Hope Scholarship.
The 2026 Regular Legislative Session is scheduled to begin Wednesday, January 14, 2026.
