CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) – West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey addressed members of the press on Tuesday to discuss new cabinet and staff appointments along with that $400 million deficit in fiscal year 2026 that he announced weeks ago that his administration believes is only expected to grow.
While standing at a white board, Gov. Morrisey pointed to a heavy reliance on ‘one-shot’ money paying for ongoing expenses, increasing education costs and financial pressure on PEIA, the state’s public employee insurance agency.
An example of one-time money paying for ongoing expenses that will soon run out includes $153 million for Medicaid and $62 million for PEIA.
Gov. Morrisey also wrote on the big board, $47 million that he says “might be required under the law to help corrections and homeland operate through the end of June.”
“This is a this year problem but also a next year problem as well,” Morrisey said.
“I mentioned to you that we had some challenges. We’ve inherited these issues,” said Gov. Morrisey. “I want to look West Virginians in the eye and tell them we are going to solve these problems, but we are going to have to change how we do things.”
House Finance Chairman Vernon Criss, R-Wood, and Senate Finance Chairman Jason Barrett, R-Berkeley, both told WSAZ they stand by past budgets.
Yet, Criss remains surprised by predictions of a forthcoming deficit, while Barrett says prior efforts to control spending forced more reliance using surplus dollars. Barrett adds that he is open to restructuring.
While Gov. Morrisey announced there would be no new taxes in the budget, he said, “as a state though we have to start being honest with the people and have to understand the cost of doing things. We have to start doing things that will move the needle.”
“We’re going to have to change how we do things. We can’t rob Peter to pay Paul and push all the bills to future generations. We can’t do that anymore. And that’s a lot of what we’ve seen. We’re going to be able to address things very, very differently.”
As for new appointments, the governor said he knew that it was really important to find incredible talent from West Virginia and from other parts of the country.
“I like to bring ringers in,” Morrisey said. “People who are excellent at what they do. I think we are finding that.”
Gov. Morrisey announced on Tuesday the retirement of Maj. Gen. William E. Crane, the Adjutant General for the State of West Virginia. General Crane will be replaced by Jim Seward.
Morrisey also announced a new Secretary of Veterans Assistance, Ryan Kennedy, and a new Superintendent of State Police, Jim Mitchell.
Gov. Morrisey also announced staff hires, including a scheduler, Amanda Fellure; Special Assistant to the Governor, Chris Stavrulakis; and Administrative Assistants, Angela Freyburg and Danna Price.
This is a developing story.
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