West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice spoke to state lawmakers one last time Wednesday before taking on a novel role in the U.S. Senate, touting and promising his administration’s successes in education, roads and tourism, among other areas , to continue the country’s fossil fuel industry.
“All the surpluses, all the profits, all the tourism, all the roads, everything, everything. You know what we did, we did it together,” Justice told lawmakers. “And you should be very proud. Every single one of you. Every single one of you. They restored West Virginia and gave it pride and hope. You did that. You should never forget that.”
Justice echoed a saying from his father, telling lawmakers it was “a real honor to fly with you.” It really was. I definitely wish you the best in every way.”
Justice made his comments before a joint session of the state Legislature in the House of Representatives after both bodies held swearing-in ceremonies.
Justice, who served two terms as the state’s chief executive, was elected to the U.S. Senate in November. He will be sworn into the novel role on January 13, the day of Inauguration of Governor-elect Patrick Morrisey.
Justice spoke of turning the state’s deficits into surpluses and touted his $2.8 billion infrastructure program. “Paths to Prosperity” which rebuilt and maintained roads and bridges throughout the state.
He urged the state to always celebrate October 7, the election anniversary approved spending $1.6 billion on the program, as a day when the state “pivoted and took off.”
“Under no circumstances celebrate October 7th because on that day the entire state saw a major turnaround in where we were and where we have been for decades,” he said. “Absolutely that’s where we started.”
Justice also advocated for cutting taxes “over and over again” and encouraged lawmakers to continue working toward eliminating the state income tax. Last fall, lawmakers passed a bill that cut the tax by 2%, saving about $46 million a year in state revenue. The Governor initially asked Lawmakers asked for a 5% reduction in the tax, but changed their request.
“I would tell you, don’t lose the mission,” he said. “The quicker you can eliminate your personal income tax in West Virginia, the more this place will be flooded with people and opportunities. Please be sure to stick to your mission.”
Justice was first elected governor of West Virginia as a Democrat in 2016. The next year, when he appeared on stage in Huntington with his friend, then-President-elect Donald Trump, Justice announced he would register as a Republican and leave the Democratic Party.
Justice said the state has done “a lot of really good things” for education in the state during his time as governor, including allowing families to choose between private education and homeschooling through the state’s Hope Scholarship education savings account program and expanding the “Community In Schools”. and therapy dog ​​programs.
“We have flipped the script in a lot of ways with our schools, but we still have a lot more work to do,” he said. “There is no question that we still have a lot to do and can continue to improve. But the things we’ve done as far as the election, the things we’ve done as far as the election is concerned [School Building Authority] It’s incredible what we’ve been able to absolutely accomplish because of the fact that we’re so economically healthy. We did good things and we should be really proud of that.”
Justice said tourists spent $9 billion in West Virginia in 2024 as the state “became frogs proud of our own pond.”
He also boasted that the state “stood rock solid for life.” In 2022, after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe V. Wade, lawmakers approved an abortion ban with few exceptions. He praised the state’s support for guns, the appointment of conservative judges, etc “Don’t close your eyes to the border crisis.”
The judge reiterated his praise for Trump, saying most lawmakers should “love and respect” him, and said energy is crucial to the country’s future.
Justice, whose family owns several coal companies, was appointed including on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Justice said energy will be key to increasing the country’s revenue. He said he supports Trump’s plan to “put a stop to wasteful spending” in Washington.
“The only way civilization advances is if we stand and sit on natural gas reserves and coal reserves,” Justice said. “Absolutely all alternatives, whether solar or wind or whatever, I say, encompass them all, but for heaven’s sake don’t be stupid enough to turn your back on our fossil fuels. Our fossil fuels are vital to us like you can’t imagine.”
