A while back I thought I would submit a column on my opinion of the accomplishments of Gov. Patrick Morrisey’s first six months in office. But Gazette-Mail Opinion Editor Ben Fields adamantly refused to allow me to turn in a blank sheet of paper.
During his tenure so far, Morrisey has clearly demonstrated that he doesn’t even have a “concept of a plan†to address West Virginia’s multitude of problems, particularly those in the economic realm that desperately must be tackled if the state is ever to rise above last place.
Morrisey first demonstrated his incompetence when he issued executive orders to eliminate all diversity, equity and inclusion programs in state government and to end “woke†ideology. How is that going to benefit West Virginia? The answer is, it’s not. Studies have shown that diversity drives economic growth. Organizations that prioritize DEI are more likely to attract top talent, retain employees and appeal to a wider consumer base. Conversely, eliminating DEI initiatives harms employee morale, reduces talent acquisition and ultimately impacts profitability.
Large corporations understand this and while they may give “lip service†to a Republican governor like Morrisey or other red state governors for political expediency, they will remain committed to DEI principles and will ultimately establish their businesses in states where diversity is welcomed and encouraged.
In addition, efforts to eliminate DEI are detrimental to marginalized communities like West Virginia. Diversity, equity and inclusion are not mere buzzwords; they are essential principles that drive progress, innovation and justice. Eliminating DEI initiatives risks reversing decades of progress toward fair and equitable societies. Well-educated, talented people, especially our younger generation – the kind you need for economic growth - understand this. Does Morrisey really expect they will pick up and move to West Virginia? It’s not going to happen. Although I am originally from the state, I would never consider returning given the current political environment.
Morrisey's signature economic initiative was signing House Bill 2014 into law to facilitate the establishment of data centers in West Virginia. For the uninitiated, data centers are essentially large buildings filled with computers requiring tremendous amounts of electricity to run and water for cooling. They also generate a lot of noise and, after their construction, require few employees.
The thinking behind this bill was that jobs would be created in the coal or oil and gas industry due to the increased demand for electricity. Not happening. Fossil fuels cannot meet this demand, and Trumps’s “Big Beautiful Bill,†with Morrisey’s endorsement, cut hundreds of billions of dollars in federal clean energy subsidies. Data companies are now looking elsewhere for places where there is an abundance of renewable energy, especially China. The wind and solar electricity that China added to its power grid in just the first five months of this year is more than quadruple all the new electricity the U.S. added to its grid from all sources in 2024. China is rapidly expanding its nuclear power capability to generate electricity as well.
Even if HB 2014 was somehow successful, here is what will happen: Your electric bill will soar to help pay for the center’s added usage, property tax revenues will be diverted from counties, homes near these centers will see their value decline substantially and there will be no long-term economic gain or job growth.
One of Morrisey's more ridiculous ideas was to ask the Legislature to remove civil service protection for thousands of state employees including the Division of Natural Resources and the Division of Forestry.
Despite Republican claims to the contrary, government service is a lofty goal that requires a great deal of expertise, dedication and specialization. Public service is the cornerstone of our society, and most career employees see it as a calling and deeply care about the work they perform.
In retirement, I attend various natural resources related meetings and seminars throughout the United States and frequently interact with college students about to enter my profession. I cannot and would not in good conscience recommend they seek employment in West Virginia. Low pay, declining benefits and loss of civil service protection will make it nearly impossible for the state to attract and retain competent professionals, no matter what their field.
I don’t know if Morrisey will be a one-term or two-term governor, but I’ll make a prediction. When he does leaves office, West Virginia will be 49th or 50th in the nation in every measurement of well-being. The state will continue to lose population. There will be no significant economic growth, but in the name of economic development, your hard-earned tax dollars will continue to flow to a few well-connected individuals who promise everything and deliver nothing. Your commute to work will be on crumbling roads, your kids will attend poorly funded public schools, and you will continue to suffer from the lack of essential government services. West Virginians deserve better.
