Photo by Eric Ayres W.Va. Gov. Patrick Morrisey on Tuesday highlights continuing tax relief efforts that help West Virginia compete for economic growth. Morrisey made stops in the Northern Panhandle, including a visit to West Virginia Independence Hall in Wheeling.

WHEELING — West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey on Tuesday touted tax relief as a key catalyst for creating the best possible environment for economic growth in the Mountain State.

Morrisey visited Wheeling to highlight efforts at both the federal and state levels to make West Virginia more competitive, especially with neighboring states. That includes tax cuts benefiting families and businesses.

“I think that we’re poised to really grow in the economic rankings,” Morrisey told a small crowd of community leaders gathered at West Virginia Independence Hall. “When I first became governor, I really talked a lot about the importance of this ‘Backyard Brawl’ and how critical it was for us to be better than the other states that we touch. We’re doing that.”

The governor said challenges remain and the state must continue to incentivize economic growth. Personal income tax reduction efforts aim to bring West Virginia’s top rate to 4.85 percent, but neighboring states have lower rates, he said.

“We need to do more,” Morrisey said. “Tax reductions are a huge instigator of growth.”

He said legislators must remain fiscally responsible while maintaining a competitive edge.

“We want to make sure that we’re in competition every day with our neighbors, and that’s why we’ve spent a lot of time this session talking about tax cuts,” Morrisey said. “I’m pleased to be up here today and really emphasize that this year West Virginia is going to receive $230 million in tax cuts back into our own pockets. That’s a big deal.”

Morrisey added that Americans are seeing lower tax rates this season due to provisions in President Donald Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill, including expanded write-offs for small businesses and increased child care tax credits.

“These are real savings for West Virginians,” Morrisey said, noting tax credits for child care will help working parents and incentives for business growth could lead to more good-paying jobs.

During Tuesday’s visit, Morrisey praised state legislators and credited Sen. Laura Wakim Chapman, R-Ohio, for supporting tax relief efforts.

“I’m very thankful for your leadership,” Chapman told Morrisey. “These tax cuts are just putting more money in people’s pockets.”

West Virginia is already seeing results from an improved economic climate, Morrisey said. Over the last six months, more than $12.5 billion in new private sector investments have been announced, with projections of more than 12,000 new jobs.

“We know that to get to the point where West Virginia is really reaching its potential, we have to invest in all of the bases,” the governor said, citing education, infrastructure and small business incentives as key areas.

To attract residents and businesses and retain young people, the state must remain competitive, Morrisey said, adding a lower tax burden is key.

“There is tax relief coming, there is tax relief now, and I want to thank the legislature for making that happen,” he said.

Morrisey also stressed the need to continue supporting those affected by the deadly flood that struck Ohio County last Father’s Day.

“There are a lot of difficult problems that sometimes can’t get solved overnight, but we have to be diligent, and we want to make sure we’re standing with this area as it’s continuing to face recovery,” he said. “I want the people of the Ohio Valley to know that we’re all in, we’re going to keep pushing and we want to make sure that any of the issues of the past get addressed.”