Mountain State Spotlight
@mtnstspotlight.bsky.social
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Our mission is to help West Virginians improve our state by producing “sustained outrage” journalism that exposes abuses of power by government, business and other institutions.
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33 states require some form of disclosure on how much lobbyists earn to persuade lawmakers to vote in favor of their clients. Despite bipartisan efforts at the Statehouse, West Virginia isn’t one of them.
State elected officials killed multiple ethics bills targeting more transparency in lobbying
Lawmakers and the governor killed ethics bills that would have made lobbyists’ pay public and banned nepotism in state offices.
mountainstatespotlight.org
Stuart, who served as a state senator, warned his colleagues about the “lobbyist driven complex” after resigning this month to work for the Trump Administration. Lawmakers killed his and other efforts at ethics reform.
State elected officials killed multiple ethics bills targeting more transparency in lobbying
Lawmakers and the governor killed ethics bills that would have made lobbyists’ pay public and banned nepotism in state offices.
mountainstatespotlight.org
A recent ad buy on social media is showing where that money is going.

buff.ly/RdodQzH
During the 2025 Legislative Session, the issue of lobbying reform brought together unlikely allies, like MAGA Republican Mike Stuart and Democrat Mike Pushkin. But other lawmakers killed multiple efforts to expose money in politics.
State elected officials killed multiple ethics bills targeting more transparency in lobbying
Lawmakers and the governor killed ethics bills that would have made lobbyists’ pay public and banned nepotism in state offices.
mountainstatespotlight.org
Weight is something a lot of West Virginians struggle with — and Gov. Patrick Morrisey has opened himself up to attack by connecting with people over that as he encourages the state to join him in his Mountaineer Mile.
In the most overweight state in the nation, Gov. Morrisey is taking the issue personally
Gov. Morrisey’s “Mountaineer Mile” health challenge is drawing statewide attention—and stirring political criticism.
mountainstatespotlight.org
NEW: Political nonprofit backed by Gov. Morrisey’s inaugural funds runs ads praising his leadership mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/10/14/m...
NEW: West Virginia elected officials blocked efforts to tighten ethics rules and increase lobbying transparency

mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/10/12/l...
“We’re cleaning up our foods, promoting exercise, and putting nutrition back into SNAP,” the governor said.

There are evidence-backed ways to help West Virginians live longer, healthier lives. Many of them are in plans the state already has. 2/2

mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/10/10/w...
mountainstatespotlight.org