Morrisey makes campaign stops in panhandling | News, Sports, Jobs

LOCAL STOP – This week, West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey stopped in Newell, Weirton and Wheeling as part of his campaign for governor. -Craig Howell

STEUBENVILLE — Patrick Morrisey shared his goals and views on several issues Wednesday during a sweep of the Northern Panhandle as he continues his campaign to be selected as the Republican nominee for governor of West Virginia.

Morrisey, now serving his third term as West Virginia’s attorney general, was asked how, as governor, he could improve roads and other infrastructure and how teams were undertaking to repair and improve them.

In recent months, area drivers have faced recurring lane closures on the Veterans Memorial Bridge, while that work and an unscheduled closure of the Market Street Bridge forced a detour through Weirton to reach the state highway. 2 south to Follansbee.

Morrisey said he believes too many projects have been postponed, resulting in multiple projects being completed at the same time, maximizing inconvenience to drivers.

“Infrastructure will be a big priority,” he said, adding: “The roads department needs to be more responsive to the needs of residents, especially in high traffic areas. »

Morrisey said another important piece of the state’s infrastructure is broadband and he will ensure a plan is in place for how to use the $1.2 billion in federal funds awarded to the State for the extension of high-speed Internet service.

He said such expansions, including in rural areas, depend not only on physical construction but also on creating a climate of competition among Internet service providers.

“We want to make sure that the Internet in West Virginia is not growing at a slow speed,” Morrisey said.

He said that as attorney general, he demonstrated his ability to make things happen through legal action, including obtaining some of the highest per capita settlements from pharmaceutical companies accused of flooding the state addictive opioid medications.

Morrisey said, “It is outrageous that fentanyl was allowed to enter through our southern border. West Virginia has the highest drug death rate.

He said if elected governor, he would continue to support former President Donald Trump’s call for stronger border security while pushing for a national coalition to specifically combat drugs.

When asked if more drug treatment clinics could be made available in the state, Morrisey said, “It (addiction) is a problem that needs a holistic solution. »

He said he would continue to push for education about opioid abuse, particularly in schools, and envisions faith-based programs playing a key role in treating addicted people.

Morrisey said efforts must be made to ensure those undergoing drug treatment can re-enter the community and workforce to reduce the risk of recidivism.

He said to boost the state’s economy, he would push for more funding for vocational schools, allowing more young men and women to become steelworkers, contractors and other professions involving skilled trades.

The son of a U.S. Steel employee and a Veterans Administration nurse, Morrisey said, “We need to show people that there is nobility in working with your hands. »

He added that he would create an online portal through which job seekers can find out about available positions.

Morrisey said he would like to see the state income tax eliminated or significantly reduced to give West Virginia an economic advantage over its border states.

He said he would explore a reduction in all state taxes, including an inventory tax that has been criticized by many businesses despite being critical to many county budgets.

“Every tax needs to be on the table,” said Morrisey, who added that an overhaul of West Virginia’s tax system would make it more economically competitive.

“I think competition is the elixir that opens up opportunities for people,” he said.

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