Charleston Report

The West Virginia Legislature held its June Interim meetings at Canaan Valley State Park instead of in Charleston. This is the only interim meetings this year that are not held at the state capitol. These out-of-Charleston interims give the opportunity to see firsthand some of the issues that our colleagues talk about in their areas and give us the ability to tour some of the state’s businesses and attractions. The Sunday tour for me was to Dolly Sods. As the crow flies, it is about 6 miles from Canaan Valley State Park, but the shuttles had to take us via Davis, Scherr, and up Jordan Run Road for about a 50 minute one way trip.

We toured the area owned by The Nature Conservancy known as Bear Rocks. The area has stunted red spruce trees that only have limbs on one side due to the harsh winter conditions. Ancient bogs and boulders define the landscape. The area has a climate similar to northern Canada, which allows some species found there to exist only here in the lower 48 states.
The Nature Conservancy works with the U.S. Forest Service, as well as on its own land, to help provide access to the area. We toured a trail they constructed and maintain to provide access to some of the most beautiful views on the East Coast.

There were literally hundreds of people there while we were visiting, and we saw license plates from at least 10 different states. Those travelers are spending money in the West Virginia economy when they visit. If you have not been to Dolly Sods, take a weekend day and make a visit.

One of the presentations before the Joint Committee on Finance was an update on state revenues from Dr. Peter Shirley, Deputy Secretary of the West Virginia Department of Revenue.
Although Fiscal Year 2026 does not officially conclude until June 30, the numbers presented indicate that West Virginia is on track to end the year with revenues exceeding estimates. This continued positive performance reflects the strength of the state’s economy and provides a solid financial foundation as policymakers begin looking ahead to future budgets.
West Virginia’s financial position today is significantly different than it was a decade ago. Through a combination of tax reforms, economic development initiatives, and efforts to create a more business friendly environment, the state has become increasingly attractive to employers and investors. Those policies have helped spur job creation, increase economic activity, and strengthen state revenues. While challenges always remain, it is encouraging to see West Virginia continuing to grow and generate the revenues needed to fund important services while maintaining a healthy financial outlook.

The Joint Committee on Finance also received reviews of independent audits from several state agencies.
The audit review for the West Virginia Department of Homeland Security’s Division of Corrections was presented by Commissioner David Kelly. One of the key issues discussed was the significant legal costs associated with false accusations made by inmates against correctional staff. To improve accountability and documentation, the Division is exploring the use of body cameras and electronic keycard systems that would verify and record required prisoner inspections. Officials believe these measures could help reduce legal expenses while providing better records of staff activities.

The West Virginia Department of Transportation audit was presented by Cabinet Secretary Stephen P. Rumbaugh. During the discussion, I asked whether construction projects could be completed more quickly by utilizing multiple work shifts. My concern was that extended construction projects can create traffic delays that impact businesses, workers, and the traveling public. Secretary Rumbaugh explained that while additional shifts could shorten project timelines, the costs would be substantially higher and are further complicated by an ongoing shortage of available construction workers.

The West Virginia Department of Human Services audit review was presented by Acting Secretary Christina Mullins. Due to time constraints, the committee was unable to hold a question and answer session following the presentation. The Acting Secretary is expected to be available for questions at the next scheduled Interim Meetings in August.

The Joint Standing Committee on Economic Development received updates from both the Department of Economic Development and the Department of Tourism concerning the state’s continued economic growth and opportunities for future expansion.

Deputy Secretary Christina Davies reported that economic development activity remains strong across West Virginia. The state currently has 78 active projects in its development pipeline. Of those, 14 involve expansions by existing companies already operating in West Virginia, while 64 represent potential new business investments considering locations throughout the state. These projects have the potential to create jobs and generate additional economic activity if they move forward.
During the discussion, House Finance Committee Chairman Vernon Criss asked about the Governor’s line item veto that removed millions of dollars in funding for the Water Development Authority and the potential impact that action could have on future economic development projects. Deputy Secretary Davies indicated she was not aware of the reasoning behind the veto.

The committee also heard from Tourism Secretary Chelsea Ruby, who reported that West Virginia’s tourism industry continues to experience remarkable growth. According to the presentation, tourism in West Virginia is growing at nearly twice the national rate, and the state continues to receive recognition from major travel publications and destination guides as not only one of the top destinations in the United States, but also one of the top destinations in the world. One challenge identified during the presentation is ensuring that visitors know what attractions, businesses, and experiences are available once they arrive in a particular area. As more travelers discover West Virginia, helping them navigate local opportunities becomes increasingly important. To help address that need, the West Virginia Department of Tourism partnered with Blue Ridge Community and Technical College to create a free online hospitality and tourism training program. Participants who complete all 12 microcredentials covering topics such as strategic planning, customer service, guest relations, and tourism fundamentals will earn 1 hour of college credit and become Certified Destination Specialists. Since the program is available at no cost, I encourage businesses, employees, and anyone interested in promoting tourism to take advantage of this opportunity.

A tour of the Mount Storm Power Station concluded my activities during the June Interim Meetings. The facility remains one of West Virginia’s most significant electric generating plants and plays an important role in supplying power throughout the region. During the visit, company representatives provided an overview of current operations and future plans for the plant. Units 1 and 2 are presently undergoing extensive rebuilds and modernization work. According to plant officials, these upgrades are expected to extend the operational life of the facility well into the 2040s. The tour also provided an opportunity to observe the plant in operation. At the time of our visit, Unit 3 was producing approximately 320 megawatts of electricity. When all 3 generating units are available, the plant has the capability to produce roughly 1,500 megawatts of power when needed.
Questions were also raised regarding the proposed merger between Dominion Energy and NextEra Energy. Company officials indicated they expect the regulatory and approval process to take approximately 18 to 24 months. They emphasized that Mount Storm remains a valuable generating asset and is expected to continue playing an important role in the company’s future plans. Seeing these facilities firsthand helps legislators better understand the infrastructure that powers our homes, businesses, and industries. It also provides valuable insight into the investments being made to ensure reliable electric service for years to come.

As always, if you have any questions, need assistance with a state agency, or have ideas to improve the state, please reach out to me. You can contact me at Gary.Howell@WVHouse.gov or by phone at (304) 340-3191.