Mike Oliverio's Priorities

As a member of the West Virginia Senate Education committee, I am committed to supporting a strong public education system. I also recognize that school choice options—such as Public Charter Schools, Homeschooling, Private Schools, and the Hope Scholarship—can provide valuable alternatives for some families, ultimately contributing to community safety and the overall benefit of West Virginia children. 

I advocate for modernizing the public school funding formula to enhance special education and establish greater accountability, ensuring that taxpayer funds are utilized effectively to prepare our children for the future. 

I believe that investments in childcare are crucial for the success of West Virginia families and our economy as a whole. In 2024, I had the honor of serving as the WV Hunt-Kean Fellow, collaborating with national experts and elected leaders to advance early childhood and education policy in our state. 

Additionally, I am proud to support our West Virginia Higher Education institutions, representing West Virginia University, Fairmont State University, and Pierpont Community & Technical College in my district.

First Responders (Law, Fire, and EMS) put their lives on the line every day to ensure community safety by protecting the public from fires, accidents, medical emergencies, drugs, and crime. A safe community is a successful community. 

I will continue to lead initiatives to "recruit, retain, and reward" our men and women in uniform. They deserve fair compensation and benefits, up-to-date training, and modern equipment to safely perform their duties.

In 2026, I was the lead sponsor of SB 4, the "Halo Law", which established a 30ft perimeter to protect First Responders while allowing them to safely do their jobs. This legislation was overwhelmingly supported by West Virginia Police, Fire, and EMS organizations.

Also in 2026, I spearheaded three new laws that enhance retirement benefits for Police, Fire, and EMS personnel. Since being elected to the West Virginia Senate in 2022, I have either led or co-sponsored eight new laws dedicated to supporting and protecting West Virginia First Responders.

West Virginia seniors have worked hard and deserve our support! 

In 2024, I voted to end the state personal income tax on Social Security, and I strongly support increasing the Homestead Exemption to reduce the burden of property taxes on our seniors. As a member of the West Virginia Senate, I prioritize community safety and public education, recognizing their importance in our society. 

I am Chair of the Senate Pensions committee, and I have voted twice to improve pension benefits for our State's oldest retirees. I will fight to keep State retiree healthcare costs, like PEIA, low and work towards adding a cost of living increase to State defined benefit pensions in the future.

In 1997, I sponsored the Senate Joint Resolution 4, which led to a Constitutional change by the voters to begin investing WV pensions in secure equities. This change resulted in an increase of over $10 billion dollars to fund retirees as of 2023.

The roads and bridges in Monongalia and Marion counties endure daily wear due to over 50,000 vehicles driving on I-79 every day. Our community, including both residents and visitors, deserves safer roads that contribute to community safety. 

Since 2022, I have voted to allocate hundreds of millions of dollars to the West Virginia Department of Highways (WV DOH) for essential maintenance and repairs, which includes private sector ditching of roadways. 

In 2025, I supported allowing private contractors to assist the WV DOH with snow and ice removal projects in our area, enhancing public education on safety during winter months. 

I have proposed a new funding formula that prioritizes high traffic areas to ensure we can fix our roads more effectively and efficiently. 

In Morgantown, I have collaborated with WV DOH to improve Exit 155, build the Harmony Grove exit to the south, and construct a new bridge over the Mon River to expand access to manufacturing opportunities and jobs. 

While we are making progress in our efforts for community safety, more work lies ahead to ensure our roads and bridges are even safer.

Energy production from coal and natural gas continues to be an important part of our West Virginia economy. As an energy state, I support investment in all forms of energy to meet our growing energy needs. I back energy projects that provide a direct benefit for West Virginia, but I oppose initiatives that exploit our land and people without appropriate compensation and consideration for community safety. 

Water is vital for the health and economic development of our communities, and more investment is needed for safe drinking water and modern sewer infrastructure in our rural areas. Since 2024, I have served on a tri-state (WV, PA, MD) legislative roundtable to research policy around the Monongahela River Basin, emphasizing the link between public education and environmental stewardship. 

In 2026, I sponsored SR7, the "Ohio River Restoration Program Act." This Senate resolution passed successfully and urges Congress to provide Federal investment in the Ohio River region. The Sierra Club has recognized me for my legislative work in the West Virginia Senate.

Affordability issues are hurting all West Virginians, impacting essential needs such as groceries, utilities, gasoline, housing, and childcare. Inflation disproportionately affects our most vulnerable populations, including those on fixed incomes, working families, and small businesses. 

As a State Senator, I am committed to supporting initiatives that enhance community safety and put more money back in the pockets of West Virginians through lower taxes and better-paying jobs. 

I voted for the recent reductions in State Income Tax by 27.5% and supported crediting back WV Personal Property and Car Taxes to taxpayers. Additionally, I voted for investments in childcare subsidies to help young families and eliminate WV Income Tax on Social Security benefits for our seniors and disabled citizens.

I voted for salary increases for State Employees and Teachers, recognizing the importance of public education. Furthermore, I support economic development efforts that invest in job creators, ensuring they bring well-paying salaries and benefits to our communities.

Monongalia and Marion Counties are home to over 15,000 health care workers, with thousands more in support services, all serving our region with WVU Medicine, headquartered in Morgantown, followed by Vandalia Health and the Mon Health system providing excellent community care. I trust our local healthcare workers to provide the best care for West Virginia families. I will not support out-of-state corporate health interests trying to infiltrate our state to put profits over patients, as this could jeopardize community safety. 

I support stabilizing the cost of PEIA insurance for our state employees and ensuring that Medicaid services are available for West Virginians who qualify, which is essential for public education on health issues. 

I support drug-rehabilitation programs and organizations like the WV First Foundation to lift West Virginians up and fight against substance abuse. 

I voted for The Rural Health Transformation Funding to directly invest millions of dollars into healthcare where it is needed most, as part of my commitment to improving health outcomes in our West Virginia Senate.

As a proud, life-long West Virginian, I believe in common-sense conservative values that make our state special. 

I believe in protecting Life and our Constitutional Rights. 

I believe in putting faith and family first.

I believe in fiscal responsibility and accountable government. 

I believe in lower taxes for working families and seniors, which will support our public education system. 

I believe in reducing red tape to allow small businesses to thrive. 

I believe in quality education for all.

I believe in diversifying our economy while supporting our traditional energy industries. 

I believe in keeping our land and water safe for future generations. 

I believe in a hand up, not a hand-out. 

I believe in moving West Virginia Forward!