Gov. Morrisey announces overhaul of West Virginia DOT to reduce debt, save money
BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. (WBOY) — Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced plans for big changes in the West Virginia Department of Transportation (DOT) on Monday, including plans to decrease administrative staff and pause work on new highway projects.
During a press conference in Bridgeport, Morrisey said that because prior financial management 'spent wildly in the past,' the DOT is 'basically out of money,' and is in substantial debt from transportation projects, having committed nearly 30 years worth of Roads to Prosperity money in less than seven years. According to Morrisey, West Virginia has $909 in transportation debt per resident, which is substantially higher than most other states.
Morrisey emphasized the need to make sure that road conditions improve in the state but on a much tighter budget.
To address the financial problems, Morrisey said he plans to cut back on administration jobs in the DOT by relying on technology and to pause new highway construction projects. He said his administration will prioritize fixing existing roads over creating new highways and that some current highway construction projects will be put on hold until the state can pay for them.
'We can't even afford the existing highways that are on the books,' he said during the press conference.
WV Prosecuting Attorneys Association 'setting record straight' on criminal penalties from miscarriages
He also said that to save state money, his administration will partner with counties on more road projects. He said he looks forward to counties and members of the private sector stepping up to help take care of West Virginia's roads.
The DOT project list is being rewritten with a focus on 'data-driven and evidence-based decisions' instead of 'politics,' according to Morrisey who said that the DOT will no longer focus on the 'squeaky wheel.'
Morrisey's office is also prioritizing financial transparency and revamping the DOT website to include publicly available information on how state funds are being used on roads and transportation in West Virginia.
Morrisey said during the press conference that even during the 'massive culture change' in the DOT, his administration is working toward improving the safety of West Virginia's roads and bridges, which are among the worst in the country.
'We have to do more with less,' he said during the press conference.
Morrisey's full press conference is available to watch on his YouTube page.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Hyundai pitches hybrids as ‘Best of Both Worlds' in Paris, Texas
This story was originally published on Marketing Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Marketing Dive newsletter. Hyundai launched a marketing campaign, 'Best of Both Worlds,' in support of its Sante Fe and Tuscon hybrid vehicles, per a press release. Two ad spots and two long-form videos feature a French cowboy who lives in Paris, Texas and drives Hyundai's hybrids. A separate campaign, 'He Got Money,' focuses on fuel savings and is targeted at an African-American audience. The campaigns, from Innocean USA and Culture Brands, respectively, come as the automaker has seen hybrid vehicle sales increase 44% so far in 2025, despite ongoing macroeconomic uncertainty. Hyundai is going all-in on its hybrid vehicles with a pair of ads that mix humor and value propositions like performance and savings. The automaker has seen a big boost in hybrid vehicle sales, with total hybrid vehicle sales jumping 5% in May, per details shared with Marketing Dive. The 'Best of Both Worlds' effort focuses on Jean-Luc, a cowboy born in Paris, France who lives in Paris, Texas. A 30-second 'Cowboy' spot which debuted on June 8 during the NBA finals focuses on the Sante Fe Hybrid and shows how the titular character can have 'more cheese' on his plate by saving on fuel. 'Mosey' focuses on the Tucson Hybrid and will air later this month. In addition, a long-form YouTube spot has a cinematic feel, albeit one drawn more from Westerns and not Wim Wenders' art house classic 'Paris, Texas.' However, the campaign was filmed on location in the Texas town, and Hyundai will donate an estimated $30,000 from production to support local schools in the community. Created by Innocean with media by Canvas, 'Best of Both Worlds' will run across broadcast, digital and programmatic platforms, with custom digital content on TikTok, Meta, Reddit, YouTube and beyond. In a separate but related effort, Hyundai continued its series of 'Okay Hyundai' ads with 'He Got Money.' The 30-second ad focuses on a character who owns a hybrid and the gossip about his seemingly extravagant lifestyle, which — in a nod to ongoing price pressures — includes a fridge full of eggs. 'He Got Money' will run across broadcast and digital platforms in both 15- and 30-second formats and will be featured in influencer partnerships. The ad, which is targeted at an African-American audience, features Kathleen Bradley — best known as Mrs. Parker from the cult classic "Friday' — and is from Hyundai's African American agency of record, Culture Brands. ''He Got Money' shows how the Tucson Hybrid empowers drivers to enjoy more of what matters—style, comfort, and community—thanks to real savings at the pump,' said Erik Thomas, director of experiential and multicultural marketing, Hyundai Motor America, in a press release. Hyundai's increased hybrid sales follow the automaker becoming the launch partner of Amazon Autos late last year. One global auto brand moved approximately $80 million in annual ad spend from The Trade Desk to Amazon's ad platform by the end of Q1, partially due to its ability to sell its cars via the online retailer, Adweek reported. Hyundai is currently the only automaker that has that functionality on Amazon. Recommended Reading Mattel's Hot Wheels ignites 'challenger spirit' with cinematic ad
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Blenko unveils limited-edition, train-themed West Virginia Day pieces
MILTON, (WBOY) — West Virginia-based Blenko Glass Company is leaning into West Virginia history for its limited-edition 2025 West Virginia Day pieces. Three unique pieces celebrating the trains that helped shape the Appalachian region are available in limited qualities. The West Virginia Day piece, which was announced on Monday, is 'Full Steam Ahead,' a cobalt blue vase inspired by the Cass Scenic Railroad #2, complete with a smoke shaped stopper. Only 162 pieces are being made, and they will be sold by online auction starting on June 20, here. 'While its form honors the power and elegance of steam engines, its deeper inspiration lies right here in Milton. The decommissioned railroad tracks at Blenko once drew our founder to this location, thanks to their connection to the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway,' Blenko said in the announcement. WATCH: West Virginia's Fiesta Tableware appears as a clue on Jeopardy! The companion piece for this year is 'Holler Song,' a citrine vase with a unique with a handle shaped like a train's whistle pull. Limited numbers of the Holler Song piece are available for preorder on Blenko's website here for $186. They will begin shopping on June 20. Blenko has been a hand-made glass company operating in West Virginia since the 1920s. It remains one of the only remaining remnants of West Virginia's once booming glass industry. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Miami Herald
an hour ago
- Miami Herald
New to The Street's Documentary Specials Break Records: IMG Academy Surpasses 126,000 Views in Just 12 Days
PetVivo and Acurx Pharmaceuticals Exceed 200,000 Views as investor Demand for Long-Form Corporate Storytelling Surges NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK / ACCESS Newswire / June 9, 2025 / New to The Street, the nation's leading financial media brand for long-form investor communications, proudly announces record-breaking viewership across its newest documentary-style programs. Its latest feature on IMG Academy surpassed 126,000 views in only 12 days on YouTube, marking a new milestone for the brand's flagship long-form format. Meanwhile, features on PetVivo Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:PETV) and Acurx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:ACXP) have crossed 200,000 views, reinforcing New to The Street's position as a go-to media platform for delivering cinematic, investor-focused storytelling at scale. Watch the full specials here: IMG Academy: PetVivo: Acurx Pharmaceuticals: Since 2009, New to The Street has produced thousands of 7-10-minute segments featuring public company CEOs and C-suite leaders, broadcast as sponsored programming on Bloomberg Television and FOX Business. The addition of 27-28-minute documentary specials represents a strategic evolution in media format-now delivering immersive brand narratives that are licensed, broadcast, and featured across a YouTube network with more than 2.5 million subscribers. Following national TV exposure, these pieces are supported by earned media syndication, social media campaigns, and Times Square billboard placements-providing a 360° distribution model for maximum investor engagement. For media, sponsorship, or booking inquiries, contact:Monica BrennanMonica@ About New to The Street:New to The Street is a nationally syndicated financial media platform delivering long-form television interviews, corporate documentaries, and multi-channel distribution across Bloomberg TV, FOX Business, as sponsored programming and one of the largest business YouTube channels in the industry. With over 245 million weekly household reach and 2.54M+ subscribers, the brand is redefining how business stories are told-and seen. SOURCE: New To The Street
