LOCAL VISIT — West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey visited Weirton, Wheeling and other areas of the Northern Panhandle on Tuesday in his ongoing campaign for West Virginia governor. -- Warren Scott

WEIRTON — Republican West Virginia gubernatorial candidate Patrick Morrisey said visits to the Northern Panhandle and other regions have enlightened him of the needs and challenges of the residents and businesses throughout the state.

Morrisey, currently in his third term as the state’s attorney general, said one issue that is true for all of West Virginia but felt especially strongly in the Northern Panhandle is the need to compete economically with neighboring states.

He noted his comment earlier this year that the state needs to engage in a “backyard brawl” with every state it touches has received a lot of attention.

Morrisey had borrowed the term applied to games played by football rivals West Virginia University and the University of Pittsburgh.

During a campaign stop in the area Tuesday, he said his thought behind it is that West Virginia should be a strong competitor for new businesses and residents.

“We need to be stronger than our surrounding states. That means we need a better tax structure and a better educational system,” said Morrisey.

He said he would like to eliminate or greatly reduce the state’s income tax and explore a reduction in all taxes while repurposing state government to ensure it effectively serves the public.

“We have to operate as efficiently as possible. We have to ensure taxpayers are effectively served,” said Morrisey.

Asked whether he would pursue the elimination of an inventory tax that is unpopular with businesses but seen as a major source of revenue for county commissions, he said he will meet with local community leaders to discuss and prioritize their needs.

The closing of the Market Street Bridge, coupled with ongoing repairs to the Veterans Memorial Bridge, has impacted interstate commerce between Brooke and Jefferson counties.

Officials with the West Virginia Department of Transportation and Brooke-Hancock-Jefferson Metropolitan Planning Commission have been pursuing funds to replace the span.

Asked whether as governor, he would support such a project, Morrisey said, “Infrastructure is going to be a huge issue for me as governor.”

He said earlier he wants the state Department of Transportation to be more responsive to citizens’ needs, especially in high traffic areas.

Morrisey said as governor, he will continue to address two issues that have been key during his 12 and a half years as attorney general: drug addiction and over-regulation of industries by the federal government.

Morrisey led a 27-state coalition that successfully petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to rule against a doctrine known as the Chevron deference.

Adopted in 1984, the doctrine held that courts should defer to a federal agency’s interpretation when a statute was unclear.

“If you like what I’ve done as attorney general in defeating regulatory over-reach and promoting freedom, you’re going to love what I will do as governor,” said Morrisey.

He said he has secured some of the highest per capita settlements from pharmaceutical companies accused of flooding the state with addictive opioid medications. And as governor, he will work to stop the illegal import of fentanyl from China and other countries, he said.

Morrisey expressed his strong support for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, adding he would support Trump’s efforts to secure U.S. borders.

Of illegal immigration, he said, “We have to put a cork in it.”

Morrisey noted in Arizona, voters are required to present proof of their citizenship.

“We think that’s a reasonable thing. A lot of people would like these undocumented immigrants to vote. That is not their right,” he said.