Governor Patrick Morrisey made the right call in vetoing SB 369, a bill that attempted to revise numerous rules across agencies but did so with glaring inconsistencies and technical issues. While the bill may have included some routine updates, the inclusion of flawed language and procedural ambiguity regarding political action committees made it a nonstarter. Conservatives expect laws to be precise, limited in scope, and rooted in sound governance — this bill was none of those things.
The governor’s veto demonstrates a principled commitment to clean and transparent legislation. Conservatives don’t oppose regulatory reforms, but we insist they be properly written, free of ambiguity, and respectful of constitutional and procedural safeguards. Pushing through a half-baked bill simply for the sake of expediency would undermine the very credibility of the rulemaking process.
Morrisey’s action here isn’t obstructionist — it’s leadership. He’s called on lawmakers to clean up the bill and fix its flaws, and that’s a reasonable, responsible position. Conservatives should support his decision, which defends the rule of law, limits overreach, and insists on the kind of quality legislation West Virginians deserve.
