CHARLESTON W.Va. (WVDN) – Democratic lawmakers gathered Monday for a press conference in Charleston to outline their legislative priorities for the upcoming session, focusing on economic development, healthcare access, clean drinking water, education and the legalization of recreational cannabis. The event was seen as a call for unity and progress, as Democrats seek to tackle some of the state’s most pressing challenges. The meeting lasted 13 minutes.
The House opened the conference by stressing the need for bipartisan collaboration to improve the lives of all West Virginians. The state’s economic struggles were emphasized and the need for forward-thinking policies was iterated. Another main topic of discussion was the legalization of recreational cannabis for West Virginia, as the members reported high profits from surrounding states with the same laws.
Democratic lawmakers expressed their determination to work with colleagues across the aisle to address the state’s most pressing issues. The Senate Minority leader called for a collaborative approach to the upcoming sessions, urging lawmakers to act quickly on key priorities.
While outlining their priorities, Democratic legislators also noted differences with the Republican majority, which holds a significant number of seats in the House. They called for bipartisan cooperation to address the economic and infrastructure challenges facing West Virginians.
The 2025 West Virginia legislative session began on February 12 and is scheduled to adjourn on April 12. The Republican Party holds a substantial majority in both the House and Senate, as well as the governorship. This political landscape presents challenges for Democratic legislators seeking to advance their agenda
The press conference concluded with a call for swift action on legislation aimed at improving the economic outlook, healthcare accessibility and educational opportunities for all West Virginians. The Democratic caucus is “focused on delivering tangible results for the people of the Mountain State.”
