West Virginians deserve a government that operates ethically, but HB 2120 proposed changes to the state’s Ethics Commission that would have done more harm than good.
Governor Morrisey listened to those closest to the issue — the Ethics Commission itself — which warned that the changes would overburden the agency, strain resources, and discourage qualified individuals from serving. That’s why his veto was not just justified, but necessary.
Conservatives support lean, effective government — not the kind that makes hollow reforms with no thought for implementation. Expanding mandates while shrinking budgets is a recipe for dysfunction, not accountability. If ethics reform is going to succeed, it must be targeted, realistic, and supported by the very people tasked with carrying it out.
By vetoing HB 2120, Morrisey showed that reform must be built on function, not just form. It’s not enough to pass bills that sound good on paper — we must ensure they work in practice. Conservatives should back Morrisey for standing up for principled, pragmatic reform.
