Morrisey talks issues with local business representatives during Weirton visit
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WEIRTON -- West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey visited the Northern Panhandle Thursday, meeting with local business representatives to provide an update on some of his office's work and to hear more about their concerns.
A group of nine representing the business community of Hancock and Brooke counties gathered with Morrisey at the Bob Evans restaurant in Weirton, where the attorney general discussed ongoing work concerning opioid settlements, education, tax reform and more.
Morrisey touted the work of his office in targeting various pharmaceutical companies over opioid distribution, recalling criticisms he had received for not signing on to a national effort and instead having West Virginia go on its own.
"They tried to put together a cookie-cutter approach," Morrisey said. "That didn't work for West Virginia."
This year, settlements have been reached with several large producers and distributors, including $99 million with Janssen Pharmaceuticals, $161.5 million with Teva and Allergan, and $147 million with CVS and Walmart.
In February, Morrisey announced a formula, agreed to by most municipalities and counties in the state, for distributing those and future opioid litigation settlements, as well as the creation of a new state non-profit under the West Virginia First program.
Funds will be divided, with 24.5 percent going to cities and counties, 3 percent to the Attorney General's Office and 72.5 percent to the Opioid Foundation nonprofit.
The foundation funds, which Morrisey said will be overseen by an appointed board, can then put funds toward programs focused on areas including prevention and education services, healthcare programs and whatever other areas of need determined through regional assessments.
"There will be meaningful opportunities," Morrisey said.
Jessica Hall, a local small business owner, asked about the possibility of those in recovery from substance use being involved in the dialogue of how settlement funds are allocated, and also whether funding could be put toward inpatient care facilities and maintenance programs, saying those who have experience would provide a valuable voice in the process.
Morrisey noted the board has yet to be established, but he believes there will be a chance for West Virginians of all walks of life to have their voices heard.
"There will be advisory panels and opportunities for people to get involved," he said.
Paul Lauttamus, of Lauttamus Communications, suggested the idea of a Small Business Set-aside program in West Virginia. According to the U.S. General Services Administration, a "set-aside" program ensures government purchases for a specified threshold are made available only to small businesses, as long as there are at least two companies which can provide the product or service.
Lauttamus said he feels such a program in West Virginia could help to generate enough revenue in the state's economy to eliminate the income tax.
Representatives of West Virginia Northern Community College, Cleveland-Cliffs and the Port of West Virginia, meanwhile, noted the importance of investments into vocational education programs in order to assist with preparing current and future residents with the job availability anticipated for the region in the coming years.
While in the area, Morrisey also visited Weirton Madonna High School to meet with students.