On his second day in office, Gov. Patrick Morrisey issued a series of executive orders that provided religious exemptions for school vaccinations, eliminated any diversity initiatives in state government, and more.
The ten executive orders also addressed the definition of gender and the elimination of government waste. Morrisey, a Republican, expects a state budget deficit by next year.
“I think it’s really vital that we show that we have a team that is going to be aggressive and proactive, and we’re going to begin this transformation process to put West Virginia first and this shining mountain state to be,” he said, speaking to reporters at the State Capitol on Tuesday.
Morrisey said he would direct state health officials to offer the state a religious exemption Compulsory vaccination at school age. West Virginia was one of the few states that did not provide a religious exemption for school-age vaccinations; Due to strict vaccination guidelines, more than 95% of school children are fully vaccinated.
Last year, former Gov. Jim Justice vetoed a narrow vaccination exception The invoiceciting medical experts’ concerns about “crippling childhood immunity” in one state with indigent health consequences for children.
Morrisey said the exemption will be implemented by Equal Protection of Religion Acta bill signed by the judiciary in 2023.
“I believe most West Virginians care deeply about our citizens having religious beliefs, and we also know that the First Amendment to our Constitution contains specific clauses requiring free association,” Morrisey said, adding that a requested exemption from religious affiliation must correspond to a definition of the equal treatment measure.
He assumes that legislation in the coming legislative period will further specify the vaccination exemption.
“I think legislation that makes this clear is important because when the Equal Protection for Religious Act was passed, it did not change any specific laws. So the vaccination laws stand on their own,” Morrisey said.
Del. Evan Worrell, novel chairman of the House Health Committee, praised Morrisey for the executive order.
“This order reflects our shared commitment to protecting individual rights while strengthening trust in our health care system,” said Worrell, R-Cabell. “Vaccines have played a critical role in protecting public health, but I believe that health decisions should remain a matter of personal choice made in consultation with medical professionals.” It is critical that we meet public health goals with the principles of freedom and transparency.”
Newly appointed Senate Health Committee Chairwoman Laura Wakim Chapman said she was pleased to see Morrisey taking a “proactive approach” to the issue.
“The Legislature has been calling for religious protections on this issue for years, and I am pleased that this is a priority for Gov. Morrisey,” said Chapman, R-Ohio.
She said additional bills will be introduced this session that would provide additional exemptions from child vaccination requirements.
DEI: Diversity initiatives suppressed, Democrats fight back
Morrisey also issued an executive order ending diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in state governments or entities that receive federal funding. President-elect Donald Trump, supported by Morrisey, banned DEI initiatives in the federal government in 2020; President Joe Biden changed course and urged authorities to develop DEI plans.
DEI initiatives would take place within state government, Morrisey said, but did not name specific agencies.
“We are specifically sending a letter to all of our cabinet officials and agency heads advising that there should be a review of any potential DEI that may exist within state government,” he said.
Morrisey called for a review of any hiring or retention policies that could result in “inappropriate preferences” related to race, gender and more.
These have “been used and manipulated in the past,” Morrisey said. “We will also ensure that we do not spend dollars derived from hard-earned taxpayer dollars for DEI purposes,” he added.
Some House Democrats opposed the plan, including Minority Leader Sean Hornbuckle. He said Morrisey was creating a “DEI boogeyman that doesn’t exist.”
“First and foremost, we want to work with Governor Morrisey on initiatives to move West Virginia forward, but his recent executive orders give us great concern that he is pulling us back and not thinking about all West Virginians,” he said, adding that he Instead, I would like Morrisey to focus on the state’s near-last place in public education.
Del. Shawn Fluharty, D-Ohio, said the state’s continued indigent results happened while Morrisey was part of West Virginia’s supermajority rule.
“Yet over the last 10 years we have ranked 50th in job growth rate, 49th in personal income, 49th in labor force participation and last in infrastructure,” he said. “Today he announced he would rather bring back polio than bring back jobs. It’s clear he keeps repeating the term “woke” to distract from the fact that he and the supermajority have been asleep at the wheel for a decade.”
Morrisey will address the budgetary issues left by Justice
Other orders addressed making school choice an administrative priority and working with Congress to designate fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction.
Additionally, Morrisey said he will launch an “economic backyard brawl” that will open a campaign talking point in which the governor wants to examine how the state’s tax rules, labor rules, licensing and more align with those of neighboring states.
“I firmly believe that if we can pursue freer and more dynamic policies compared to our neighbors, we will succeed,” he said.
Morrisey will review obsolete executive orders as well as past, present and planned spending decisions as he prepares a budget for legislative review. The legislative session begins on February 12th.
He has proposed another cut in the state income tax, but it has not yet been paid, Morrisey said. His government will consider a number of recent economic announcements under the judicial framework, and unfinished contracts could be scrapped as he seeks to save money.
“Remember, there’s been a lot of spending in the last few months, so we’re going to compare that to the rocket ride,” he said, referencing Justice’s promised rocket ride during his time as governor that would improve West Virginia.
He plans to announce more information about his proposed budget at the Capitol on Thursday.
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