Morrisey Highlights Session Successes, Sees Opportunity For More

Of the nearly 3,000 bills filed, discussed, debated and voted on – or not – this legislative session, 302 have made their way to the desk of Gov. Patrick Morrisey. The result, he said at a press conference Monday, is funding that will help spur economic development, grow the energy industry by 2050 and encourage businesses and residents to locate here. 

He did not get the 10% cut in personal income taxes that he requested in his budget proposal but isn’t giving up.

“I put 5% in the original budget, and I was hopeful to work with the legislature for more. So what I’m going to say here today is thank you for the 5% and then let’s get to work on the next 5% right?” Morrisey said.

On his list of achievements in the 60-day session: full funding for the Hope Scholarship program. 

“This is the first full year of implementation, and it’s such an important year for the program, because this is the opportunity we have to give our parents the right to choose the educational path that best works for their kids,” he said.

Morrisey also highlighted investments in public education, including digital literacy and LETRS, a science-based approach to reading, $125 million in new funding for road repair and infrastructure, and authorization of the Rural Health Transformation Fund.