CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) – West Virginia’s new governor, Patrick Morrisey, says his administration will bring a competitive spirit.
“Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Kentucky — we’re coming for you economically,” Morrisey said in Monday’s inaugural address.
That mentality is winning praise from state House and Senate leadership.
“That’s among the highest priorities for the House of Delegates,” Speaker Roger Hanshaw, R-Clay, told WSAZ. “We talk everyday about how we create better job opportunities for West Virginians. A fundamental part of that is making sure that we’re on competitive footing with other neighboring states.”
Both leaders also agreed with Morrisey’s stance on reinforcing the basics of education. His focus on social issues also seems to be winning support.
Senate President Randy Smith, R-Preston, says voters sent a message by electing strong, conservative lawmakers to both chambers.
“I didn’t hear anything in his speech that threw up a red flag to me, like, ‘We’re not gonna – there’s no way we’re going to do that,’” Smith told WSAZ. “We’ll try to work through it.”
Del. Mike Pushkin, D-Kanawha, is the state’s top Democrat as chairman of the state party. He took a cautious tone Monday saying his party supports Morrisey’s competitive spirit and his call to fight the opioid epidemic.
Yet, social issues and expanding school vouchers cause concern.
“Today, you know, we’re all West Virginians,” he told WSAZ. “We’re all Americans. We want to see the state succeed. We’re going to work with the new governor when we can in order to help improve this state, but when we need to we will stand up to him and fight for what is right.”
Morrisey now has a month to polish those policies and get his team in place before the start of the 60-day regular session. It begins Feb. 12.
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