The Shadow
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WVDN) – State Treasurer Larry Pack today released a set of policy priorities for the 2026 Legislative Session.
“As the state’s chief financial officer, we have a duty to levy advice to the Governor and Legislature on sound, financial policy. We believe all the priorities that we will lay out will keep the size of our state government in check, remove burdensome regulations, advance education freedom and reduce the tax burden on our citizens. By following this roadmap, I guarantee we can make West Virginia a better place to live, work and raise a family,” Treasurer Pack said.
Top Policy Priorities:
- Defend the Hope Scholarship: With the Hope Scholarship set to expand to universal eligibility for the 2026-2027 school year, Treasurer Pack vows to work against any effort that limits access to the program.
- Eliminate the State Income Tax on Tips and Overtime: Treasurer Pack is calling on the Governor and the state Legislature to join President Donald Trump by passing legislation to eliminate state income taxes on tips and overtime. President Trump championed a policy at the federal level that would allow workers to deduct overtime and qualified tips from their federal tax return.
- Increase Local Control of Schools: To provide flexibility through local control, Treasurer Pack is asking for the passage of the following: loosening of timelines and requirements of Reduction in Force (RIF) and transfer of personnel and greater autonomy on how the state portion of the school aid formula can be spent. This includes additional dollars for special educations students.
- Prioritize Teacher Pay: As it was done five times under Governor Justice, Treasurer Pack is asking the Governor and Legislature to fund a teacher pay raise to help make West Virginia competitive with neighboring states. Treasurer Pack is asking for the minimum starting salary for all teachers should be set at $50,000. For any teacher making above $50,000, they should receive an additional $2,000. This should be implemented on July 1, 2026.
Other Priorities:
- Unclaimed Property Consumer Protection Bill: As the administrator of the Unclaimed Property Program in West Virginia, it is the Treasurer’s duty to help return lost and abandoned property back to our citizens. Treasurer Pack will introduce legislation that aims to protect rightful owners’ unclaimed property benefits and prevent increasing predatory practices by out of state companies that seek to take advantage of West Virginia citizens.
- Constitutional Term Limits: Treasurer Pack is again pushing for a constitutional amendment that would prevent any individual serving in the office of Secretary of State, Auditor, State Treasurer, Commissioner of Agriculture, or Attorney General for more than three consecutive terms to ensure politicians serve the people rather than themselves.
“It is clear, West Virginia has and will continue to have a population problem unless we do something about it. Therefore, we must do more in our power to attract young people and families to the state,” Treasurer Pack said. “That is why I am calling on the Governor and Legislature to prioritize policies that spur economic growth.”
Last session, Treasurer Pack advocated for the continuity of government during the transition of constitutional office holders, for repealing an outdated program in the Treasurer’s Office that was obsolete, and for securing the full funding amount for the Hope Scholarship program, which his Office oversees.
The 2026 Regular Legislative Session will begin on Wednesday, January 14, 2026.
