Governor Announces WorkFIRST Taskforce

Charleston, WV- Governor Patrick Morrisey has launched a new statewide initiative aimed at reshaping how West Virginia delivers workforce and safety‑net services. The WorkFIRST Taskforce will focus on increasing workforce participation and improving government efficiency by aligning job‑training programs, employment services, and public‑assistance systems.
According to the Governor, the goal is to ensure that programs such as SNAP, Unemployment Insurance, and WIC function as short‑term supports rather than long‑term endpoints. The WorkFIRST model emphasizes employment as the central pathway to self‑sufficiency.
The Taskforce will be led by Christine Davies, Deputy Secretary for Economic Development and Workforce Participation at the West Virginia Department of Commerce. Davies brings 25 years of experience in economic, energy, and development policy, including roles with the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, the U.S. Department of State, and Microsoft.
Two lawmakers will also serve on the panel. Delegate Tristan Leavitt of District 53 will represent the House of Delegates. Leavitt, an attorney and former member of the U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board, has built his career around government accountability and oversight. Senator Mark Maynard of District 6 will serve as the Senate representative. Maynard, a small business owner from Wayne County, chairs the Senate Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and sits on several key committees including Finance and Health and Human Resources.
Governor Morrisey said the initiative aligns with his administration’s broader effort to modernize government operations and improve service delivery. He described WorkFIRST as a strategy to eliminate inefficiencies, update outdated systems, and better connect West Virginians with employment opportunities.