Morrisey Outlines Priorities In State Of State, Hornbuckle, Woelfel Offer Minority Response

The West Virginia Legislature is back in Charleston for the 2026 legislative session. Both chambers gaveled in on Wednesday at noon and will be in session through March 14. Between the House of Delegates and the Senate chambers, 931 bills have so far been introduced to be considered.

Gov. Patrick Morrisey delivered his second State of the State to the legislature Wednesday night. He went over his plans for the Mountain State, much of which he will need the support of the legislature to accomplish. As Maria Young reports, Morrisey is asking for increased funding for higher education and critical infrastructure. He is also seeking a 3% pay raise for state workers and a 10% income tax cut, among others.

Also, in this show, Sen. Mike Woelfel and Del. Sean Hornbuckle, both Democrats from Cabell County, serve as the minority leaders in their respective chambers. The pair sat down with WVPB News Director Eric Douglas to discuss what Morrisey said in his State of the State address. They also discuss being a minority to a supermajority in the legislature.

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