Issues
Ethics ReformPatrick Morrisey believes we must reform how the Office of Attorney General operates. As Attorney General, he will:
- Hire private lawyers through a competitive bidding process;
- Return settlement monies to the taxpayers and not allow precious state resources to be used for self-promotion or pet projects of the Attorney General;
- Improve transparency so the public has much greater visibility into how all resources are allocated;
- Eliminate trinkets and other wasteful items and use the resources to fund legal challenges that take on the EPA and other federal agencies that impose mandates on our citizens and prevent our children from obtaining gainful employment. West Virginians deserve an Attorney General who will prioritize job creation, rather than trinket distribution;
- Provide competent legal counsel to our state departments and Medicaid Program to ensure that health benefits for our citizens who need help the most are not put at risk again.
Patrick Morrisey supports repealing Obamacare. He strongly opposes the individual mandate that will apply a civil penalty on citizens (for the first time ever) if they do not enter into commerce, purchase health insurance, and sign a contract with a private party. That is the opposite of freedom and establishes a dangerous precedent for our country. If the government gains the ability to force an individual to enter into a private contract, it will arguably be able to penalize individuals when they don’t eat broccoli or go to the gym.
Patrick Morrisey is also deeply concerned about how this law is financed. The law creates a new benefit, but pays for it by increasing social security taxes, cutting Medicare, and shifting massive new financial burdens to the states. Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid are already under great duress and will be further compromised under this new law. We need health care reform in our country, but we have to be honest with the public about how it is structured and financed. We simply cannot continue to borrow money from our children and grandchildren and live beyond our means.
As a lawyer in private practice, Patrick Morrisey assisted the 26-states in their lawsuit to overturn the individual mandate and helped the U.S. House of Representatives in their efforts to replace the law. As Attorney General, Patrick Morrisey will join the multi-state lawsuit against the law and ensure that our state’s interests are protected.
The Office of Federalism and Freedom
One of the best ways for our state to grow economically is to refocus on core constitutional principles of limited government and to create an environment that allows businesses to flourish in this state. That is one reason why Patrick Morrisey intends to create an Office of Federalism and Freedom in the Office of Attorney General. We will aggressively challenge unconstitutional mandates and regulations that have been stifling job growth in our state. The EPA is currently waging a war on coal that is costing our state thousands of jobs. That must come to an end. We need an Attorney General who will bring the full weight and power of the office to bear against overreaching federal agencies. Wouldn’t it be helpful for West Virginia to finally have an Attorney General who will be a true leader against many of the federal government’s destructive economic and regulatory policies? The Office of Federalism and Freedom will be an important part of our efforts to advance economic growth and personal freedom in our state. Moreover, we will establish this Office without spending a penny of new taxpayers’ monies – we will restructure the Attorney General’s Office, reform it, and ensure that we reprioritize how the Office allocates resources.
Abortion
Patrick Morrisey is pro-life and will fight to protect the unborn.
2nd Amendment
Patrick Morrisey is a gun owner and strongly supports the Second Amendment. Moreover, he believes that the Office of Federalism and Freedom will be a valuable resource to allow West Virginia to become even more vigilant in terms of how it asserts citizens’ Second Amendment rights.
Enforcing Our State’s Consumer Protection Laws
Patrick Morrisey will vigorously enforce state consumer protection laws. At the same time, he will focus on areas where the federal government is strangling our state through excessive regulations. In addition to having an advocate for consumer protection, West Virginia deserves an Attorney General who will fight against the federal government’s policies that are eliminating our jobs and freedom.
Morrisey understands the importance of maintaining strong consumer protection in West Virginia. While serving as the Deputy Staff Director and Chief Health Counsel to the House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee, Morrisey worked closely with the Federal Trade Commission on a variety of matters to bolster transparency and increase competition in the health care industry. Morrisey’s efforts on behalf of consumers have helped to save tens of billions of dollars.
As Attorney General, Morrisey will vigorously pursue allegations of consumer fraud against individuals and businesses that seek to prey on our citizens. At the same time, Morrisey believes the Office of the Attorney General must do a much better job educating individuals and companies about the complexity of our laws and developing model compliance programs to ensure that laws are not broken in the first place. Unlike his opponent who frivolously spends money on self-promoting ads, Morrisey will ensure that our taxpayer money is wisely spent.