West Virginia Governor Ends DEI Programs, Expands Vaccine Exemptions

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — Republican Gov. Patrick Morrisey wasted no time making sweeping changes in West Virginia, issuing executive orders on his first full day in office Tuesday that dismantle diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs and allow religious exemptions for school vaccinations. The moves mark a significant shift in policy for the state, which has long maintained strict vaccination requirements and limited exemptions.

Morrisey, who was sworn in as governor Monday, announced the orders during a news conference at the state Capitol. He described the DEI initiatives as divisive and said their elimination would protect West Virginians from racial and gender discrimination. “I think the public deserves nothing less,” Morrisey said, adding that his administration would review all state agencies for potential DEI programs.

The vaccine order, meanwhile, overturns one of the nation’s strictest school immunization policies. West Virginia currently only allows medical exemptions, but Morrisey’s order enables families to seek religious exemptions. The governor cited a 2023 state law protecting religious freedoms, arguing that it had not been “fully and properly enforced.”

West Virginia Democratic Party Chair Mike Pushkin criticized the orders, calling them an example of executive overreach. “The newly elected governor needs to remember that he’s the governor for all of us, even people who don’t necessarily have the same beliefs as him,” Pushkin said. He accused Morrisey of using divisive rhetoric and attempting to interpret laws rather than enforce them.

The vaccine policy change represents a stark departure from the stance of former Gov. Jim Justice, now a U.S. senator, who vetoed a similar measure last year. Justice, a vocal advocate for vaccinations, had deferred to medical professionals who opposed expanding exemptions. Morrisey, however, argued that religious freedoms should take precedence.

West Virginia has historically had some of the highest vaccination rates in the country, with the lowest exemption rate, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, national kindergarten vaccination rates have declined in recent years, with exemptions reaching an all-time high of 3.3% in 2023.

Morrisey’s DEI order aligns with broader efforts in Republican-led states to roll back diversity initiatives. The governor referenced the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2023 decision to strike down race-based college admissions, saying it reinforced his stance. He did not specify which DEI programs would be affected but pledged to ensure compliance across state agencies.

The governor’s actions come as West Virginia faces significant challenges, including some of the worst health outcomes and lowest life expectancy rates in the nation. Morrisey, who previously served as the state’s attorney general, has also outlined plans to address the state’s budget and improve government efficiency.

As lawmakers prepare to return to the Capitol next month for their 60-day session, Morrisey said he would work with them to clarify the state’s vaccine statute and ensure religious exemptions are permitted. The process for applying for exemptions is still being finalized but will likely require parents to submit written explanations of their religious beliefs to the state Bureau of Public Health.