CHARLESTON, W.Va. – West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey signed legislation this month enacting a five percent across-the-board state income tax cut, fully funding the Hope Scholarship program, and outlining a strategy to expand the state’s power generation capacity to 50 gigawatts by 2050, according to a statement released by the governor’s office on March 18, 2026.
The tax cut, aligned with changes made by the federal government under former President Donald Trump, aims to return more money to West Virginia residents, the governor stated. The legislation intends to make the state more competitive in attracting workers and businesses.
A significant portion of the legislative session focused on education, with full funding allocated to the Hope Scholarship. The $276 million initiative provides families with access to educational options beyond traditional public schools, including private education and specialized learning programs. Governor Morrisey emphasized the importance of educational freedom, stating that every child learns differently and families should have the ability to choose the best path for their children’s success.
Alongside the Hope Scholarship, the state is also investing in public education, expanding LETRS literacy training programs grounded in the science of reading, according to the governor’s office.
The state’s energy strategy, dubbed “50 by 50,” seeks to more than triple West Virginia’s current power generation capacity. Governor Morrisey highlighted $10.5 billion in private investments secured in the past six months, resulting in over 9,600 new jobs. Companies including Penzance, Frontieras, and Diversified Energy have expressed interest in partnering with West Virginia, citing the state’s efforts to reduce regulatory burdens and expand its workforce.
Additional legislative actions included a $125 million investment in road and infrastructure improvements, a $199 million Rural Health Transformation Program to expand access to healthcare, the creation of a state Flood Resiliency Trust Fund, and $30 million allocated to improve water and sewer infrastructure. The state is also expanding micro-credentialing programs and developing portable benefits for independent contractors.
During the 2025 legislative session, lawmakers debated limiting public input and exempting the Legislature from the state’s Freedom of Information Act, but those measures ultimately failed to pass, according to reporting from Mountain State Spotlight. The session also saw a thwarted attempt to allow religious exemptions to state vaccination laws.
The 2025 legislative session convened on February 12, 2025, and adjourned on April 12, 2025. The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation reported the session was productive, with the passage of House Bill 3342, the Firearms Industry Nondiscrimination Act, protecting businesses involved in the lawful commerce of firearms and ammunition.
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