Morrisey Announces Audit And School Choice Among Administrative Priorities

On Tuesday morning, Gov. Patrick Morrisey held his first press conference as governor. In what he said would be the first in a series of announcements, he advised reporters on eight executive orders and outlined his administration’s priorities. 

“There are things we can do immediately, but then many are going to require codification,” Morrisey said in the Governor’s reception room.

Morrisey said he is focused on reviewing and reducing current state government rules, regulations and spending, and working with the legislature to prioritize school choice. The executive orders he announced include the elimination of diversity equity and inclusion initiatives in state-funded programs, and implementation of religious exemptions for vaccines.

The full texts of the bills are available on the governor’s website.

“I want to realize significant savings, because that is going to have to get factored into the budget that we’ll be submitting to the legislature next month,” Morrisey said.

Outside of executive orders, Morrisey also said he is sending a letter to West Virginia’s congressional delegation to “advance policies that list fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction.” Illegal fentanyl has caused a significant portion of the state’s overdose deaths; medical professionals also prescribe the drug for pain management.

Morrisey called upon the state legislature to create a bill defining gender. Last session, Republicans in the state legislature introduced a similar bill, but it did not pass committee.

Legislative session, and the test for Morrisey’s administration to pass laws with the state legislature, begins Feb. 12.