WVEC Response to 2025 WV State of the State Address

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Governor Morrisey’s State of the State address outlined his priorities, with an outcome focused on ensuring that West Virginians, particularly young West Virginians, no longer feel like they have to leave the state to find opportunity. However, the Governor’s plan to expand fossil fuel-based energy and prioritize our state’s “water-rich resources” wholeheartedly ignores that many communities in West Virginia do not have access to clean air or clean water. Additionally, data from Conservation WV suggests that young people really want West Virginia politicians to clear the way for more renewable energy, reduce energy costs, and create new jobs to keep young people from leaving the state.

Further, the most consequential moment of the session happened on its first day, before the address, when the House of Delegates voted to restrict public access to the legislative process by eliminating public hearings. With no minimum requirement for advanced notice, the ability for the public to show up on day one of deliberation on a bill and hope to speak, will be left up to the chair’s discretion. This rule change severely damages public trust in the People’s House by stripping away transparency.