By Henry Culvyhouse for Mountain State Spotlight, www.mountainstatespotlight.com
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Days before he was inaugurated as governor, Patrick Morrisey stood in the law library at the state attorney general’s office to give an update on the transition.
Morrisey stressed paying for tax cuts by reducing spending.
“We have to be able as a state to do more with less money,” Morrisey said.
Just over a week later, the state’s political class threw Morrisey a series of inaugural events. As the governor said he would cut government services that people rely on, lawyers, corporations and lobbyists spent $1.2 million on a 24-hour party, according to a campaign finance disclosure released last month.
Brad Davis, a pastor in McDowell County, said in light of all the issues with poverty in his county, spending that much money on an inauguration is “sinful.”
“If you can raise the money to throw an inauguration, then raise it to feed some kids,” Davis said.
The night before he publicly swore his oath, Morrisey had a private ceremony at the Governor’s Mansion, surrounded by lobbyists, lawyers and politicians. A couple hundred of his supporters were treated to a four-course meal consisting of lobster and steak.
The next day, festivities kicked off with a free prayer breakfast. The governor stood on the Capitol steps and swore his oath. A parade marched down Kanawha Boulevard. And southern rock fans could catch the Marshall Tucker Band downtown for $10.
But $100 got wellwishers into the black tie ball and a buffet dinner.
A select group of sponsors, who donated thousands of dollars to the event, received an old gold pin with the West Virginia seal that read “Team Morrisey,” giving them access to special VIP lounges.
At the ball, the governor dressed in a tuxedo with a thin cumberbund around his waist. The first lady wore a gown designed by a Greenbrier County artist.
Near a cash bar, lobbyists, politicians and business leaders stood around little tables holding glasses.
Outside, a barge made port in the Elk River. As the temperature dropped below freezing, a barrage of fireworks filled the sky. The room glowed with red, white and blue.
“It’s an opportunity for West Virginia to celebrate everything that being a West Virginian means,” said Conrad Lucas, co-chair of Morrisey’s inaugural committee.
All told, the festivities cost about $800,000 less than Jim Justice’s inaugural ball in 2017.
While state law caps an individual donation to an inaugural committee at $5,000 per person or entity, it doesn’t prohibit donors from “bundling” – using related people or organizations to donate more money.
For instance, WVU Medicine donated $5,000 to the committee, but then 19 of its hospitals donated a combined $95,000, bringing the total up to $100,000. The hospital system did not respond to emailed questions.
That practice is commonplace among both political campaigns and charities, according to Lucas. He said it’s a way to maximize support while staying within legal limits.
Bill Bissett, president of the West Virginia Manufacturers Association, said the $5,000 donation he made to the committee helped him build a relationship with the incoming governor and his new staff.
“I don’t think that’s necessarily connected to supporting him financially through the inaugural ball, but that is a very commonplace thing to occur,” Bissett said.
Morrisey, like prior governors, emphasizes business growth. He pushed for legislation that would make licensing easier. He advocated for a bill to spur data center projects. He said if the state can get its financial house in order, he’ll support even steeper tax cuts.
But every tax cut needs to be paid for, according to Morrisey.
He’s already signaled tough times could be ahead, as the state grapples with the public employee insurance system, uncertainty surrounding Medicaid and potential changes to federal tax codes.
“It’s imperative for West Virginia to maintain fiscal responsibility,” Morrisey wrote in his line-item veto of the budget.
