The West Virginia Legislature will convene on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, for the second term of the 87th regular session, opening a 60-day window that may include significant policy and political changes.
Lawmakers returning to the Capitol in Charleston are doing so in an election year, a reality that heightens attention to every vote, every debate, and every priority that moves through committee rooms and onto the floor.
The regular session, when there is no gubernatorial election, runs from the second Wednesday in January through mid-March. This compressed timeline requires swift action on hundreds of bills while balancing the competing interests of regions and constituencies across the Mountain State. The start of a new session often brings a sense of renewal, yet the challenges facing West Virginia remain familiar and complex.
Fiscal stability, workforce retention, health care affordability, and economic opportunity once again will dominate many conversations.
Budget concerns sit squarely at the center of the session. Some state leaders have raised concerns about long-term structural pressures on the budget, even as lawmakers work to maintain funding for core services such as education, Medicaid, corrections, and senior programs. Discussions about fiscal discipline are expected to intensify, particularly as lawmakers weigh new policy proposals against the need to preserve a responsible financial path for future years.
The governor, with a year under his belt, is likely to want to reduce taxes, especially since, in most of the 2025 budget and thus far in the 2026 budget, the state is nowhere near the financial distress the residents were told they faced last year. The budget debate is never abstract, since decisions made in Charleston ripple directly into classrooms, hospitals, and local governments throughout the state.
The impact of the Hope Scholarship will take full effect during the 2026-2027 school year. Without guardrails, this program has grown. I am unsure whether any lawmaker anticipated this growth when originally voting to create the program, as it has few to no guardrails. Full disclosure, I opposed this legislation, as did many Republicans, because of the lack of guidance and many other reasons.
As always, I welcome the opportunity to discuss my reasoning with anyone interested.
Further, education remains one of the most closely watched and discussed issues this session. Teacher recruitment and retention remain a challenge, prompting renewed conversations about pay, benefits, and working conditions. There are always questions about COLA (Cost of Living Adjustment) for the TRS (Teachers Retirement System), which, as the former pension chair, I can say is not even a realistic discussion until the state finishes pension reform in 2034.
Another acronym often discussed is PEIA (Public Employees Insurance Agency). This health care policy always commands attention, as it affects so many of the state’s residents. Rising costs and premium concerns continue to weigh heavily on teachers, state workers, and retirees. Lawmakers face ongoing pressure to stabilize the system in a way that protects employees while remaining financially sustainable. Broader health care discussions include access to services in rural areas, behavioral health resources, and strategies to address substance use disorder.
Economic development remains a persistent priority as the state works to reverse population decline and expand opportunity. Proposals aimed at attracting new investment, supporting small businesses, and strengthening the workforce are expected to move forward.
Lawmakers in the House stood united, emphasizing job creation and economic growth as essential to improving the quality of life and keeping young people in West Virginia. Infrastructure, broadband expansion, and workforce training programs continue to be viewed as foundational pieces of that effort.
Tax policy will also be debated in earnest. Ideas ranging from targeted tax cuts to exemptions for certain forms of income are expected to surface. Supporters argue that tax relief can make the state more competitive and attractive to workers and employers. Critics caution that reductions must be carefully considered to avoid undermining the state’s ability to fund essential services. The tension between growth incentives and fiscal responsibility is likely to be a recurring theme throughout the session.
Affordability issues are increasingly shaping legislative discussions. Child care availability, general living expenses, and housing concerns are top of mind for many families. Lawmakers often hear from constituents who are feeling the strain of rising costs and limited options. Efforts to address these pressures, whether or not they are justified, may include targeted assistance programs, regulatory adjustments, or incentives to expand supply and lower costs over time.
Child welfare and social services will likely remain a priority area as well. Foster care reform, support for vulnerable children, and improvements to the delivery of social services continue to draw bipartisan interest. Policymakers are examining ways to strengthen systems that protect children while supporting families and caregivers. Addiction recovery and mental health services are closely tied to these discussions, reflecting the interconnected challenges facing communities across the state.
An election year adds an additional layer to all of this work. Every House seat and half of the Senate will be on the ballot later this year. Lawmakers are acutely aware that their actions during the session will be scrutinized by voters. Campaign messaging often begins long before the final gavel falls, making legislative decisions part of broader political narratives about leadership, priorities, and values.
Despite the political backdrop, the Legislature’s responsibility remains rooted in governance. Lawmakers must negotiate compromises, respond to emerging issues, and ensure the state continues to function effectively. The daily work of legislating requires attention to detail, collaboration, and an understanding of how policy decisions affect real people.
As the second term of the 87th West Virginia Legislature moves forward, the agenda is both crowded and consequential. Education, health care, economic development, taxes, and affordability will shape the debates of the coming weeks. The outcomes of this session will influence not only the direction of state policy but also the choices voters make later this year. The decisions reached in Charleston during the upcoming sixty-day session will help define West Virginia’s path at a moment when both leadership and vision are very much on the ballot.
