Democratic Caucus

“The Governor’s Office has been plagued by dysfunction,” House Minority Leader Tim Miley (D-Harrison) stated. “The Governor has failed to pay his taxes, refused to place his assets into a blind trust and has made several controversial hiring and firing decisions, including the hiring of an EQT board member and media mogul as a part-time minimum wage employee,” he said.

“Governor Justice’s administration has poorly handled flood recovery efforts, placed a gag order on all state agencies and strictly limited the amount of information shared with the public and the media,” Senator Roman Prezioso (D-Marion) added.

Earlier today, Governor Justice’s administration announced that Commerce Secretary Woody Thrasher has resigned at the request of the Governor. The Department of Commerce has been the center of the controversy with flood recovery efforts and RISE WV. “Governor Justice likes to fire people instead of accepting any blame that his absenteeism keeps him out of touch with what is happening at the Capitol,” Senator Prezioso stated. “Recent news articles have shown that the Governor’s Office was well aware of the issues with RISE WV and flood relief- yet no action was taken until a legislative committee publicly raised concerns,” Prezioso continued.

“Apparently, Governor Justice is trying to control the message- and wants to hear nothing but praise from everyone around him, including the press, elected leaders and agency leaders,” Delegate Miley stated. “This is not good government- our state deserves access and transparency with strong, capable leaders who respect, but do not cower to, the executive.”

“In life, if you don’t show up to work and pay your bills or taxes, then you're called a deadbeat,” Delegate Isaac Sponaugle (D-Pendleton) stated. “Currently in West Virginia, you're called Governor.”

“The lack of any work by our Governor is destroying the productivity of state government,” Sponaugle continued. “He should resign so someone else can do the real work of Governor – someone who won’t be content with just the title only,” he said.

“Being Governor of our great state is not a part-time job, and this level of dysfunction is unacceptable in state government,” Prezioso stated. “I believe that Governor Justice’s chronic absenteeism is to blame.”

“At a minimum, Governor Justice should be at work – and if he can’t be bothered to come to the Capitol to do the job that people of West Virginia elected him to do, then he should resign from office,” Miley urged.