Morrisey: Tax Cuts Are A ‘Priority’ For Upcoming Legislative Session

A proposal to cut income and business taxes will be a top priority for Gov. Patrick Morrisey during the upcoming legislative session.

In his first press conference of the new year, Morrisey said he wants West Virginia to join nine other states he says have already announced plans to cut personal income taxes, includin- two bordering states.

He said Kentucky plans to drop its income tax from 4% to 3.5%, and Ohio from 3.5% to 2.75%. West Virginia has a graduated tax rate with a top tier of 4.82%. Cutting that, he said, would help the state compete with its neighbors.

“In this competitive world, we have to keep up with our neighbors, and we have to be better,” Morrisey said. “And when Kentucky and Ohio and any other states try to pass us in line, we must double down, and we must continue to try to get lower income tax rates for our citizens.”

Morrisey said with the effects of inflation impacting grocery, gas and utility costs, every day West Virginians have been suffering for too long. The tax cut proposal, he said, is the cleanest way to help residents afford everyday life.

“Cutting the income tax is going to reward work,” Morrisey said. 

“It’s going to put more money back in people’s pockets, and it’s going to make our state more affordable and attractive for investment. A lower income tax is going to tell investors that West Virginia is the place to grow their businesses,” he said.

Morrisey also said he would be working with legislators on changes in the West Virginia tax code that allow West Virginia to better conform with many of the items that are within the federal government’s One Big Beautiful Bill including enhancement of the child and dependent care credit and increasing bonus depreciation from 60% to 100% for qualified business properties.  

“My proposal for the upcoming session will provide several additional tax cuts,” Morrisey said.

“We know that the state has made progress in lowering its income taxes, but I think we need to do more. And the people in the businesses here in our state that call West Virginia home, they deserve more immediate tax relief, and that’s what I plan to deliver,” he said.

The 2026 Legislative Session kicks off Jan. 14 when Morrisey delivers his State of the State address.