dbeard@dominionpost.com
MORGANTOWN – Attorney General Patrick Morrisey made a campaign swing through Morgantown on Friday, in his quest for the governor’s office, and sat down with The Dominion Post to take a few questions.
He’d just wrapped up his 55-county barnstorming tour, he said. “That went over very well. We’re getting good reception all across the state.”
Morrisey, a Republican, is endorsed by former President Donald Trump, who’s aiming to return to the White House. “I’m hopeful that he wins so I can work with him when he’s president. I think that will mean really good things for West Virginia.”
North-central, and the greater Morgantown area, he said, has a lot of growth opportunity and he would look forward to working with WVU and local business.
Infrastructure is an issue across the state, and especially here, he said. If elected, he plans to address congested areas and cut Division of Highways red tape. He wants to conduct an audit and review of DOH practices and practices across government.
He plans that so “we’re handling things the best way for taxpayers and we’re operating a modern, repurposed government that fits the needs of people in 2025.”
Monongalia county has been known to receive less than its fair share of road funding – leading to introduced bills from local legislators of both parties. Morrisey said he wants to assure fair and equitable road funding among that counties. “Everything is on the table.”
Gov. Jim Justice is known for his detachment from the legislative process. Morrisey said he will be more involved. “We’re going to try to be very proactive and build support within the Legislature for a very aggressive agenda. … We want to do things that are going to lead to a higher standard of living and better educational attainment in our state. That’s going to take all hands on deck.”
And he plans to live in the governor’s mansion. “We’re going to make sure that the first floor is open to the people of the state,” and set hours for tours. “Everything is about the people, not the folks who live there.”
Justice abandoned a practice of his predecessors – a six-year budget forecast. Asked if he’d revive it, Morrisey said, “I’m very open to that. I’m a planner so I’m a believer that you should have a sense as to what people think is coming in front of us,” to make prudent decisions for the taxpayers.
Morrisey praised Justice for his promotion and expansion of tourism. “What a marvelous accomplishment,” he said. “Now West Virginia is being talked about in national and international travel magazines. Its a destination place.”
He’d like to build on that, in how to market the state more broadly – promoting economic opportunities and other positive aspects of the state.
