CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) – West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey sat down Wednesday with WSAZ for a one-on-one chat. The interview took place Wednesday in the Governor’s Mansion, which brought us to our first question.
“Do you plan on living here at the mansion?” WSAZ’s Curtis Johnson asked.
“I do,” Morrisey replied. “I just spent my second night here with my wife … Obviously, I’ll be doing a lot of traveling around the state, but you know, for the next four years, I think people should expect to see a lot of me here and all over the state.”
“What about your family?” Johnson inquired. “Will they be staying here on a regular basis?”
“Yes,” he answered. “I know that my wife is spending a lot of time here, and so I think people are going to see the first lady around quite a bit.”
The conversation then turned to Monday’s inaugural speech, where Morrisey spoke about wanting to up the competition between West Virginia and its neighboring states to drive the economy. Johnson asked about his plan and what it means for you.
“Here’s where West Virginia is on taxes — every tax,” Morrisey said, explaining the plan. “Here’s where West Virginia is on every regulation, every workforce rule, every licensing rule. Then you compare those identical policies with all the states that we touch, and the goal is to create the freest, most economically viable policies of all of the states.”
“So how will the average West Virginia family benefit from this competition?” Johnson asked.
“Well, they’re going to benefit because at the end of the day, we’re going to have lower taxes. We are going to be a freer people in terms of the regulations that stifle businesses,” he said.
On taxes, Morrisey said he wants West Virginia’s rate to be lower than any of its neighbors.
“That’s the, the most immediate thing we can,” he said. “Yes, I want to wipe out the income tax. I’ve said that repeatedly, absolutely, but it’s going to take some time and I want to look West Virginians in the eye and make sure that they know that.”
The interview then moved to education and teacher pay raises.
“For now, for this conversation, do you have a specific number in mind?” Johnson asked. “A specific percentage?”
“As I said, we’re going to be looking at the budget and a lot of that’s going to be included within,” Morrisey replied.
“You say you want to expand school choice, what does that look like?” Johnson asked.
“I’m looking for different ways to make sure it’s going to be working well,” Morrisey answered. “I want people to look at West Virginia and know that we have the best Hope Scholarship, school choice program in America.”
“Will expansion of school choice come at the expense of public schools?” Johnson inquired.
“No,” Morrisey replied. “In fact, I think it’s going to be tremendously helpful because we are going to do everything imaginable to help our public schools, and our teachers, and our kids succeed and thrive.”
WSAZ also asked his thoughts on the high school sports transfer law.
“Do you support the current state transfer policy or you looking to also reform that?” Johnson asked.
“Look, we’re going to take a look and talk to some people about that,” Morrisey said. “Obviously, as I was out campaigning, a lot of people bent my ear about that.”
The state’s child welfare system has been the focus of a number of WSAZ investigations. Johnson asked Wednesday what will be different under his administration.
“What will change in your administration when involving child welfare?” Johnson asked.
“I just want to make sure that we have really good visibility of everything that’s going on, and I’m committed to having a really good system,” Morrisey replied.
“Will your administration release that information involving prior history of CPS with those kids who nearly die or die in child abuse?” Johnson asked.
“Look, I’d have to take a look at the laws,” Morrisey answered. “I’m not going to do anything that crosses over the laws, but what I will tell you, Curtis, is I’m sitting down with you. I’m a transparent guy, and I’m always going to try to level with people and tell them to the best degree that I know.”
The governor told us he plans to make additional announcements on Thursday. Word is those will focus on new appointments and and the state’s budget.
WSAZ also asked about the first lady’s role in the administration. Morrisey says that will be announced at a later date.
Check out the video below for Johnson’s full interview with Governor Morrisey:
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