WV Democratic Party Condemns $5 Million Giveaway to Radical Ohio Catholic College While West Virginians Struggle with Water Crisis

Charleston, WV - West Virginia Democratic Party Chair Mike Pushkin today criticized the West Virginia Water Development Authority’s (WDA) decision to allocate $5 million of taxpayer funds to a radical Catholic college in Ohio while communities like Weirton face severe water crises, including rationing and boiling water due to failing local infrastructure.

“This decision is an insult to every West Virginian who is struggling to access clean drinking water,” said Pushkin. “While families in Weirton are boiling water just to get through the day, Jim Justice’s administration is shipping millions of taxpayer dollars out of state to fund a far-right religious institution that opposes basic freedoms and equality. It’s a disgraceful misuse of public funds.”

The $5 million allocation, drawn from an infrastructure fund intended to serve West Virginia residents, will support the establishment of the college of St. Joseph the Worker, a private Catholic college in Ohio. The college’s backers include a network of radical Catholic figures, such as Scott Hahn and his wife Kimberley, who oppose all forms of contraception, calling it “contrary to God’s law.” Other key advisors include Fr. Donald Calloway, who shares Hahn’s extremist views, and Matt Fradd, who has publicly declared that “contraceptives are bad for everyone.”

Pushkin raised alarm over the use of taxpayer dollars to support a college that plans to establish a think tank aimed at influencing public policy, warning that West Virginians’ hard-earned money could fund efforts to undermine fundamental rights, including access to contraception.

“It’s not inconceivable that West Virginia taxpayer dollars will be used to bankroll a far-right agenda that seeks to prohibit birth control and further restrict women’s health care in our state,” said Pushkin. “This is not only a gross misuse of public funds but also a direct threat to the rights and freedoms of West Virginians.”

Pushkin pointed to the stark contrast between this out-of-state giveaway and the urgent infrastructure needs within West Virginia.

“Weirton and other communities are literally running out of water, yet the Justice administration can find $5 million to send to a college in Ohio with a radical, far-right agenda,” Pushkin said. “West Virginia tax dollars should support clean drinking water and functional infrastructure, not funding for out-of-state pet projects.”

The WDA decision follows a pattern of misplaced priorities under Governor Jim Justice’s leadership, where taxpayer dollars are funneled into questionable projects while essential services for West Virginians go underfunded.

The West Virginia Democratic Party is calling on Governor Justice and the WDA to reverse this allocation and redirect the funds to urgently needed water infrastructure projects in West Virginia.

“We have families without clean water, teachers without raises, and public employees paying more for health insurance,” Pushkin said. “The Justice administration should be ashamed of this decision and start putting West Virginians first.”