Governor Morrisey Unveils Budget Proposal Focused on Infrastructure, Workforce Training, and Healthcare Investment

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Governor Patrick Morrisey released his budget proposal last night, outlining a spending plan centered on infrastructure upgrades, workforce development, and long‑term investments in healthcare and education.
The governor is calling for $100 million in supplemental funding for road and bridge repairs, saying years of deferred maintenance require a renewed focus on core infrastructure. His proposal also includes increased funding for higher education and technical training, citing the state’s need for up to 20,000 new construction workers in the coming years. Morrisey said expanding training programs for electricians, plumbers, and skilled trades is essential to supporting economic growth.
The budget also reflects the administration’s push to improve healthcare outcomes. Morrisey highlighted nearly $1 billion in federal healthcare investments expected over the next five years and urged lawmakers to support his Rural Healthcare Transformation plan, which emphasizes prevention, nutrition education, and wellness initiatives.
Tourism development is another priority, with the governor requesting $20 million to upgrade state parks, including lodging, campsites, and access roads. He said the investment would build on a tourism industry that now generates more than $9 billion in annual economic impact.
Morrisey also renewed his call for the Bring Them Home Fund, a $6 million proposal to renovate state facilities and reduce the number of foster children placed out of state. The budget includes full funding for the HOPE Scholarship, which the administration has built into the baseline to ensure stability year to year.
The proposal now heads to lawmakers for review as the 2026 legislative session continues.