State Treasurer Larry Pack is praising Governor Patrick Morrisey for ramping up efforts to boost school choice and lower the state income tax even further as part of his inaugural remarks.
“Governor Morrisey has been a strong advocate for educational freedom and tax reduction across our great state,” Treasurer Pack said. “I commend our new Governor, and I look forward to working with him to ensure working families in West Virginia can thrive and that our children can receive the best education possible.”
Treasurer Pack, who was sworn in to Office at the State Capitol Monday with Governor Morrisey, said he is committed to working with the Governor’s Office to expand the Hope Scholarship Program. Governor Morrisey said he supports education initiatives that will “empower parents, support teachers and ensure that every child has access to the tools they need to succeed.” The governor also mentioned “putting more control in the hands of parents to choose the best educational path for their children” and that West Virginia will have the “broadest school choice law in the country.”
“Every child deserves a chance to succeed. That’s why I voted for the passage of the Hope Scholarship when I was a member of the House of Delegates,” Treasurer Pack said. “Over the last year, more families enrolled in the Hope Scholarship Program, and we hope to see that growth continue. My Office is excited to open the program to all school-age children residing in West Virginia beginning in the 2026-2027 school year.”
Program participation grew from 2,333 students during the 2022-2023 school year to 5,443 students during the 2023-2024 school year. More than 10,000 applications have already been approved for the 2024-2025 school year.
Hope Scholarship applications for new students for the 2025-2026 school year will be available on March 1. New applications are only being accepted for the remainder of the 2024-2025 school year through February 28. Current Hope Scholarship students who wish to continue their participation in the program during the 2025-2026 school year have until June 15 to submit their Continuing Participation Confirmations.
Treasurer Pack said he commends Governor Morrisey for calling for economic competition amongst surrounding states.
“We need to make sure West Virginia is leading by example when it comes to economic prosperity.” Treasurer Pack said. “As the state’s Chief Financial Officer, my top priority is to collaborate with Governor Morrisey and our State Legislature with how to reduce the size of state government, much like what I did as a Senior Advisor and State Revenue Secretary to former Governor Jim Justice.”
“I was proud to work closely with former Governor Justice to deliver the largest income tax cut in state history and to lead efforts for an approximately 26 percent reduction. I applaud Governor Morrisey for prioritizing its further reduction,” Treasurer Pack said. “I’m eager to work with the administration to get dollars back into the pockets of hard-working West Virginians as we continue the march towards elimination of the state’s personal income tax. Reducing the income tax burden is one of the greatest tools we have at our disposal to compete with our neighboring states and attract individuals to West Virginia.”
West Virginia is one of nine states to cut state income taxes this year. Residents in the Mountain State saw their personal income taxes reduced by about four percent beginning on January 1 after state revenues had met the threshold to trigger the reduction.