My history regarding legislation and rhetoric about the West Virginia Parkways Authority is long and can easily generate conversation. Over the years I have offered bills that have passed committees and passed the house but have never become complete legislation with a Senate vote or Governor’s signature. My position was on the losing end of sweeping legislation about the turnpike that allowed bonds to be sold; tolls increased and extended indefinitely. I was also on the losing end of a lawsuit against the Parkways Authority that deemed the Authority no longer had to explain the reasoning for toll increases.
I have continued to propose legislation concerning the West Virginia Turnpike. Legislation to require explanation of any proposed toll increases (as originally intended), legislation to require representation on the Parkways Authority from the counties adjoining the turnpike, legislation to limit bonding authority of the Parkways Authority, and a process to end tolling among others. Some of these have gotten committee attention but for the most part turnpike legislation has been quiet since 2017 when sweeping legislation was passed by the Justice Administration.
The result of the 2017 turnpike legislation has resulted in three toll increases with another coming soon. It resulted in the sale of five hundred million dollars in bonds that have been used for construction on the turnpike, as well as several highway construction projects in ten southern counties. No bonds are authorized beyond five hundred million dollars.
The legislation from 2017 appears to have placed the Parkways Authority in a cash-rich position. Recently the Authority authorized over one hundred and twenty million dollars to rebuild the travel plazas along the turnpike. This spend was authorized without any data, study, or expectation of income being generated to pay for this spend. There has been no explanation to the public other than it was “needed”. The December 2025 meeting of the Parkways Authority authorized the purchase of the Moose building in Charleston, WV at a price of about seven hundred thousand dollars. The potential cost or remodeling of the building is eight million dollars. This purchase and remodel are due to “no room for growth at its current facilities”. Again, there is no information regarding this spend producing any additional revenue. Finally, it should be noted that purchase notices of many equipment
items being bid to purchase, reflecting even more spending. All of this spending I understand will be handled from current cash flow.
While I applaud government agencies paying for their spending, it appears that the Parkways Authority has become a cash cow, increasing their toll rates that simply tax to spend and justify its own existence. If nothing else, it appears that the toll increases weren’t necessary, or the revenue should have been paid to reduce bond indebtedness. Instead, the authority has decided to spend like the money flow is never ending (and currently it may be) with little respect to taxpayer input.
My reasoning over the years for offering turnpike legislation are many, and this excess spending without public notice or input is the only the tip of the iceberg of what I consider the problem. It will be my mission in 2026 and beyond to elevate the visibility of this issue to protect taxpayers, travelers, and the original intent of the legislation that created the WV Turnpike.
Marty Gearheart
