West Virginia Legislature Sends Final Budget to Governor's Desk

Budget includes funding for HOPE Scholarship and increases for water, flood resiliency, and higher education

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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The West Virginia State Senate has sent the final state budget to Governor Patrick Morrisey's desk, marking one of the earliest final budgets in recent memory. The budget includes a $296 million allocation for the HOPE Scholarship program, as well as increases in spending for water, flood resiliency, and higher education. However, some Democratic lawmakers have expressed concerns about the high cost of the HOPE Scholarship coming at the expense of essential social services.

Why it matters

The timely passage of the state budget is a critical process that sets the state's spending priorities and allocates resources for key public services. The debate over the HOPE Scholarship program and its impact on other social services highlights the ongoing tensions between funding education initiatives and addressing other pressing needs in the state.

The details

After the West Virginia State Senate took up the House's budget amendment on Thursday morning, the House of Delegates reconvened at 4 p.m. to vote on the final budget. The budget includes a $296 million allocation for the HOPE Scholarship program, a concession made by the House after the Senate insisted on the additional funding. The budget also includes 2% cuts to state agencies as originally proposed by the Governor, as well as increases in spending for water, flood resiliency, and higher education.

  • The West Virginia State Senate took up the House's budget amendment on Thursday morning.
  • The House of Delegates reconvened at 4 p.m. on Thursday to vote on the final budget.
  • The final budget is being sent to Governor Patrick Morrisey's desk on day 52 of the legislative session, which some legislators say is one of the earliest final budgets in living memory.

The players

Patrick Morrisey

The Governor of West Virginia.

Vernon Criss

The Republican Chair of the West Virginia House Finance Committee.

John Williams

A Democratic member of the West Virginia House of Delegates representing Monongalia County.

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What they’re saying

“We only funded four quarters, okay? And the Senate insisted, to be able to get the budget passed. Originally, the governor had asked for a half, and we settled on a quarter.”

— Vernon Criss, Chair, West Virginia House Finance Committee (wowktv.com)

“We have our friends in southern West Virginia who turn on the tap and get black water coming out of there. We've got foster kids living in hotels. For me, I don't think we're being responsible to the taxpayer who expects more from this state.”

— John Williams, Democratic Member, West Virginia House of Delegates (wowktv.com)

What’s next

The West Virginia House Finance Committee is expected to debate Governor Morrisey's income tax reduction plan in the next few days as a separate bill.

The takeaway

The passage of the West Virginia state budget highlights the ongoing tensions between funding education initiatives like the HOPE Scholarship and addressing other pressing social needs in the state. While the budget includes increases for water, flood resiliency, and higher education, some lawmakers are concerned about the high cost of the HOPE Scholarship coming at the expense of essential services.