For generations, West Virginians have believed in something simple: if you focus on the fundamentals, reward hard work, and let families keep more of what they earn, good things happen. That’s the approach we’ve taken in the Mountain State, and today we’re seeing real results.
This year, working alongside the legislature, we secured major wins that will strengthen our economy, empower our families, and position West Virginia for long-term growth. Three of those victories stand out above the rest: cutting taxes, protecting educational freedom, and unleashing our energy potential.
Let’s start with taxes, the biggest win and the most consequential to our Mountain State Comeback.Â
West Virginians work hard for every dollar they earn. For too long, government has taken too much of it. That’s why we delivered a five percent across-the-board state income tax cut while aligning our tax code with the permanent changes made by President Donald Trump.
The idea here is simple. It’s the people’s money, not the government’s.
Lower taxes mean families have more money to pay their bills, save for the future, and invest in their communities. They also make West Virginia more competitive with our neighbors in the race to attract workers, businesses, and investment. When we cut taxes, we’re not just helping families today, but we’re also laying the foundation for stronger economic growth tomorrow.
Education is another area where we made historic progress.
This year’s budget fully funds the Hope Scholarship, ensuring that thousands of West Virginia families have access to the education option that works best for their children. For many parents, the cost of private education or specialized learning programs once made those options impossible. With a $276 million initiative, the Hope Scholarship is changing that reality.
Education should never be one-size-fits-all. Every child learns differently, and every family deserves the freedom to choose the path that gives their kids the best chance to succeed. The Hope Scholarship empowers parents, supports innovation in education, and puts students first.
At the same time, we are continuing to strengthen public education through initiatives like expanding LETRS literacy training grounded in the science of reading. Improving reading outcomes is essential if we want every child in West Virginia to build the skills needed for success.
Energy is the third pillar of our strategy for the state’s future.
West Virginia has always powered America. Our miners, drillers, and energy workers have kept the lights on and the factories running across this country. Now we are building on that legacy with our ambitious 50 by 50 strategy.
The goal is bold but achievable: expand West Virginia’s power generation capacity to 50 gigawatts by the year 2050. That would more than triple our current output and solidify our state’s role as America’s energy powerhouse.
We’ve already made incredible progress toward that goal: in just the past six months, we’ve brought in $10.5 billion in private investments, creating more than 9,600 jobs across the state. Companies are taking notice of our success: groups like Penzance, Frontieras, and Diversified Energy all want to partner with West Virginia as we cut red tape and expand our workforce.
Alongside these major priorities, we also made progress on several other initiatives that will strengthen our state.
We secured an additional $125 million to improve roads and infrastructure, because strong transportation networks are essential for economic growth. When combined with federal matching and road funds, that’s billions toward repairing our bridges and highway systems. We approved a $199 million Rural Health Transformation Program that will expand access to care and improve health outcomes in communities across West Virginia. We created the state’s first Flood Resiliency Trust Fund to help communities prepare for future disasters, and we secured $30 million to improve water and sewer infrastructure.
We’re also preparing our workforce for the future by expanding micro-credentialing programs and developing portable benefits options for independent contractors, ensuring West Virginians have the tools they need to succeed in an evolving economy.
Taken together, these accomplishments represent a clear vision for the future of the Mountain State. Lower taxes. Greater educational freedom. A stronger energy economy. And smart investments in infrastructure, healthcare, and workforce development.
West Virginia is on the move again.
We’re proving that when government focuses on the fundamentals, trusts its people, and creates the conditions for growth, the results speak for themselves. The Mountain State comeback is underway, and we’re just getting started.
