Gov. Patrick Morrisey signed the budget legislation for the coming fiscal year with several line-item vetoes. Morrisey said in a news release that the budget passed by lawmakers during the 2025 legislative session provides the state flexibility as it faces some expected funding uncertainties.
The budget fully funds Medicaid, senior services and the HOPE scholarship while making targeted cuts to spending. Among the 29 line-item vetoes by the governor were a $25 million reduction in funding for the state’s road fund, $3 million reduction in funds for the Ronald McDonald House in Morgantown and a reduction of $800,000 in funding for court-appointed special advocates. The governor completely rejected $300,000 in funding for the Green Acres Regional Center in Cabell County, a water provider who employs and trains those with developmental disabilities. Morrisey also vetoed $250,000 in funding for West Virginia University’s College of Law, the only law school in the state. More than $110 million in surplus funding was also vetoed due to concerns over funding gaps in things like Medicaid and PEIA. Morrisey said in the new release that in the event of a surplus, up to $100 million would be allocated to funding road maintenance and improvement projects across the state.