I have nothing against wolf hunting, but there's no excuse for behavior like thiss.
Rod Miller of the Cowboy State Daily wrote an op-ed about it:
In it, he stated the following:
I agree.
Roberts would really do the state a favor if he just left it, permanently.
It seems like we're getting closer and closer to a full-time legislature, which is a bit scary.
March 17, 2024
Donald Trump warned in a speech in Ohio that elections will end and there will be a "bloodbath" if he isn't elected.
Elections surely will not end if he is not elected, but the bloodbath part is probably worth listening too and will be taken by some as a call to arms.
March 20, 2024
March 21, 2024
Affie Ellis, Wyoming's First Native Woman Legislator, Won't Run For Reelection
March 23, 2024
The legislative battle of the Real Republicans v. the Populists is shaping up quickly in Wyoming. That race between what is really two separate political parties will be fought out in the primary.
Maybe that's a reason to stay in the moribund GOP?
Cyrus Western, Sheridan, is dropping out of the Senate.
Natrona County native Christopher Dresang is running against Rep. Tony Locke for House District 35. Unusually, he's coming in supporting teachers and hammering Locke for her far right votes on the budget. She is not part of the Freedom Caucus, however. She's was raised in Wyoming, but left it before apparently returning to her current district.
Kathy Russell of the GOP far right has announced a run against Rep. Bob Nicholas (R-Cheyenne) in House District 7.
Ann Lucas of the far right is running against Dale Zwonitzer for House District 43. Zwonitzer is a highly respected Republican moderate, who is also a homosexual, and who has been attacked by hte far right before.
North Carolina import Mark Jones is challenging incumbent Barry Crago (R-Buffalo) for House District 40 giving us yet another example of how populism is an import into the state to a significant degree.
Fellow carpetbagger Tom Olmstead self-described “political refugee” from Colorado, is challenging Sen. Ed Cooper (R-Ten Sleep) for Senate District 20.
Gregg Smith, retired U.S. Army is challenging Sen. Tara Nethercott (R-Cheyenne) for Senate District 4. Nethercott. The state has also seen an influx of "I'm a veteran and I hate the government" candidates in recent years, although I don't know anything about Smith. I am highly skeptical of candidates that milked the government cow for decades coming in and running as fiscal conservatives, however.
The WEA, which must be preparing to field a run against Jeanette Ward, resumed their ad campaign against her in the Tribune today. Ward replied with a long letter to the editor in the. . . Oil City News.
That letter stated, in part:
Ward's "reckoning" on that last item is almost certainly wrong if she thinks the WEA doesn't have their voice. The WEA is the most powerful union in the state for a reason. The teachers support it.
March 25, 2024
In something spectacularly contrary to the norm, Meet The Press, which recorded an interview with Ronna McDaniel before they knew that she'd been hired to be a commentator for NBC, ripped into their own network calling it discredited, and McDaniel a liar. Chuck Todd, whom normally I don't care for, was called back into service to call NBC into question.
They really deserve credit. The interview didn't pull any punches, and they've now called their own network into account.
Closer to home, the Foster Freiss created organ The Cowboy State Daily, through its commentator and satirist Rod Miller, who is pretty independent in his views, pointed out something I wondered about here the other day, which was the odd appearance of the Secretary of State at a Natrona County session on a proposed gravel pit. The more a person learns about it, the more it seems to be an early appearance of the 2026 election in some ways. Things seem to be already heating up, and we haven't even held the 2024 election yet.
2026 might be quite a bit different from 2024. This will probably all be in the rearview mirror by then.
March 26, 2024
Former President Donald Trump is now selling the “God Bless the USA Bible” as part of his campaign funding effort. The King James version of the Bible comes with a copy of the U.S. Constitution, the Declaration of Independence the Pledge of Allegiance, and the lyrics of a chorus of Lee Greenwood's God Bless The USA.
Frankly, this is a new low for Trump, for whom there is no real evidence of any deep religious convictions and whose personal life would provide evidence to the contrary. Somehow some Christians, particularly, but not exclusively, those of an Evangelical bent have taken to seeing him as some sort of favorable figure in this light, with some going further than that.
It's interesting that the con artists in both the classic Paper Moon and Oh Brother! Where Art Thou?, make their living selling Bibles.
Ronna McDaniel has already lost her job with NBC.
In other news:
CHEYENNE, WY – On March 25, 2024, the
Wyoming Supreme Court dismissed an appeal brought by Tim Newcomb to remove
Trump from the ballot in Wyoming, Newcomb v. Chuck Gray. This follows
a previous dismissal of Mr. Newcomb’s lawsuit in Wyoming District Court, and a
unanimous decision from the Supreme Court of the United States keeping Trump on
the ballot in 2024.
“I have been working hard to keep President
Trump on the ballot,” Secretary of State Chuck Gray said. “I’m extremely
pleased with the Wyoming Supreme Court’s dismissal of Mr. Newcomb’s
outrageously wrong lawsuit. Radical leftists and liberal elites have tried
everything they can to weaponize the Fourteenth Amendment against Trump and the
American People, but this dismissal marks continued vindication for the truth
and for liberty. As Secretary of State, Wyoming’s chief election officer for
the state, I will always fight to ensure the people of Wyoming can choose who
to elect for themselves.”
|
### |
I have to admit, I'm struck by how often populists use terms like "radical leftists". The retired lawyer involved in this is hardly a "radical leftist", but it's the use of the term itself. I can't recall a time, at least since the 1950s, when invective was so often attached to political messaging. I wish it would stop.
The use of the term "elites" by populist is interesting as well. All in all, to be an elite is, well, to be elite. It's a form of compliment most of the time, but in populist speech it's meant to imply the opposite of native sense, or common sense, the irony being that everyone in elective higher office in Wyoming is well-educated and therefore part of an elite.
Oh, well. This opinion must have come out yesterday, but it apparently hasn't been released yet. When it is, I'll post it.
cont:
Cont:
Independent Presidential Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has announced that Nicole Shanahan, 38, a wealthy attorney, is his running mate. Shanahan, like Donald Trump, is a serial polygamist with an interesting past. This gadfly run is going nowhere, and likely a lot of people won't know that this even occured.
March 27, 2024
Retired Senator Joe Lieberman, who was part of the No Labels Committee searching for a candidate for that organization, has died following injuries sustained in a fall.
Something not made clear in the original articles about it, but cleared up by the Trib, is that the local lawsuit on the 14th Amendment was dismissed, at the appellate stage, by the Plaintiff/Appellant, not the court, in light of the recent S.Ct decision.
Park Count declined to appropriate $60,000 for electronic poll books for the 2024 elections and will continue to only use paper records.
Trump is making an appearance at a NTPD officers funeral.
He also accused Barack Obama of “spitting in the face” of Americans in connection with calls to the White House.
Kari Lake isn't appearing in the defamation suit against her, essentially conceding it.
March 30, 2024
The Legislature’s Management Council sent a letter to Gov. Mark Gordon recommending rejection of Secretary of State Gray’s proposed rules to tighten voter registration requirements.
April 1, 2024
Over the weekend, the Biden campaign had a record-breaking fundraiser featuring Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.
Trump released this weird missive on Easter Sunday:
HAPPY EASTER TO ALL, INCLUDING CROOKED AND CORRUPT PROSECUTORS AND JUDGES THAT ARE DOING EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO INTERFERE WITH THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION OF 2024, AND PUT ME IN PRISON, INCLUDING THOSE MANY PEOPLE THAT I COMPLETELY & TOTALLY DESPISE BECAUSE THEY WANT TO DESTROY AMERICA, A NOW FAILING NATION, LIKE “DERANGED” JACK SMITH, WHO IS EVIL AND “SICK,” MRS. FANI “FAUNI” WADE, WHO SAID SHE HARDLY KNEW THE “SPECIAL” PROSECUTOR, ONLY TO FIND THAT HE SPENT YEARS “LOVING” HER, LONG BEFORE THE GEORGIA PERSECUTION OF PRESIDENT TRUMP BEGAN (AND THEREBY MAKING THE CASE AGAINST ME NULL, VOID, AND ILLEGAL!), AND LAZY ON VIOLENT CRIME ALVIN BRAGG WHO, WITH CROOKED JOE’S DOJ THUGS, UNFAIRLY WORKING IN THE D.A.’s OFFICE, ILLEGALLY INDICTED ME ON A CASE HE NEVER WANTED TO BRING AND VIRTUALLY ALL LEGAL SCHOLARS SAY IS A CASE THAT SHOULD NOT BE BROUGHT, IS BREAKING THE LAW IN DOING SO (POMERANTZ!), WAS TURNED DOWN BY ALL OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITIES, AND IS NOT A CRIME. HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!
It turns out that Chris Christie seriously considered a No Labels run, but decided against it.
April 2, 2024
April 4, 2024
The Wyoming Freedom Caucus is using the recent vote not to have an expensive special session of the legislature called as a campaign point.
This may prove to be an error, as Wyomingites are traditionally cynical about the legislature being called into session to address what it failed to do, particularly as in this case the Freedom Caucus repeatedly gumming up the works of the short budget session provides at least a partial reason why the bills they favored were lingering for signature after they adjourned.
Last Prior Edition:
Related Posts.
The legislators are home, but the Governor is still acting on bills.
And the session can now start to be assessed.
March 12, 2024
The Governor vetoed the charter school grant authorization bill.
None of the election bills survived the session.
Joan Barron, in a Trib op ed run today, has noted how the Senate is now being influenced by the far right and becoming less congenial.
The Wyoming Educational Association, in the same issue, ran a full page age against Casper's Jeanette Ward, a member of the Freedom Caucus, which read:
The same group voted against increasing funding for police retirement, and did it the day of a Sheridan policeman's funeral.
And it wanted to send unallocated ARPA funding back to the Federal government.
FOR RELEASE Immediately
DATE March 11, 2024
CONTACT Ryan Frost, Legislative Information Officer
TO REACH 307.777.7881
CHEYENNE - With the sound of
the gavel, the Wyoming Legislature wrapped up the 2024 Budget Session on Friday
at the State Capitol in Cheyenne.
At the start of session, a total of 366 bills and
resolutions were numbered for introduction. The Wyoming Legislature passed a
total of 126 bills. Of the 107 pieces of legislation that were introduced in
the Senate, 71 of those bills passed both the House and Senate. The House
introduced 84 bills and 55 of those garnered the approval of both bodies.
Sixty-one percent of committee bills passed both chambers, while 20 percent of
the individually sponsored bills passed both bodies. Legislation that passed both
houses has either been acted on or is waiting to be acted on by Gov. Mark
Gordon.
The Legislature also adopted the State's biennial
budget on Friday, and the bill has been sent to the Governor for his
consideration. He will have 15 days to consider line-item vetoes and sign the
bill. The appropriations and transfers in the bill for the 2025-2026 fiscal
biennium total $11 billion. Of this, $3.4 billion is from the General
Fund, net of de-appropriations and including $170 million of discretionary
transfers to savings.
Both the House and Senate have addressed a broad
range of issues affecting Wyoming residents and while some of these laws will
take effect immediately, many will not go into effect until July 1 of this
year. Lawmakers will begin their interim committee work in the coming weeks.
The Legislature’s Management Council plans to meet and assign interim committee
topics April 1. Wyoming’s Sixty-Eighth Legislature will convene next year on
Jan. 14 for the 2025 General Session.
The Wyoming Legislature encourages the public to
participate in interim activities. The public can use the Legislature's website
at www.wyoleg.gov to find information about interim
legislative committees, including live video streams of committee meetings,
committee rosters, dates and locations of interim meetings, and minutes from
those meetings. The website also provides a free email subscription service for all interim committee
information. -END-
March 13, 2024
Ward was the subject of a second major ad in the Trib.
Ward wasting time with culture wars
Representative Jeanette Ward,
House District 57, has been doing a poor job of representing her constituents and listening to their needs. She has voted against numerous bills that would have helped Wyoming citizens and instead wasted valuable time during the legislative session touting culture war issues. House Bill 50, the “What is a Woman” act, is a prime example of this. During a budget session the legislature has 20 days to pass a budget. That is literally the only job that legislators have during the budget session. It takes a 2/3 majority to get a non-budget bill to the floor for debate. Knowing this, Representative Ward introduced a bill that wasted time and resources and was completely unnecessary. That bill rightly died because it failed introduction.
This session, she also voted against bills that committees had spent many hours considering during the interim period, which was disrespectful to their work and slowed down the legislative process. She voted against funding the 988 suicide hotline even though Wyoming has one of the highest suicide rates in the nation, literally voting against saving lives. Last session she voted against most of the bills that would have helped families and disadvantaged Wyoming citizens, including Medicare for Moms, which helps low-income women provide for their babies. Fortunately, other legislators understood the issue and the bill passed. Representative Ward is not interested in helping Wyoming’s most vulnerable citizens, she would rather propose bills that are solutions looking for problems.
This is not acceptable. House District 57 deserves a legislator who listens to constituents, focuses her time on the budget during a budget session, and understands what genuine issues matter to Wyoming. She is not it. We need someone who has solutions to Wyoming problems, not someone who fans the flames of culture wars. Voters need to remember this on election day.
Judy Trohkimoinen,
Casper
This would suggest that perhaps there's a rising effort against Ward, who was endorsed by her predecessor, now Secretary of State Gray, because of her far right views, even though she had next to no connection with the state when she arrived, or people are getting tired of her.
In some ways, this reflects a rising feature of Wyoming's politics in which the old Party is beginning to react more strongly to the Trump Party.
March 15, 2024
Governor
Gordon Signs Bills That Help Reduce Housing Costs, Protect Critical
Infrastructure
CHEYENNE,
Wyo. – Governor Mark Gordon signed two bills today, one that helps protect key
infrastructure in Wyoming from foreign adversaries, and the other that lowers
the cost of constructing housing
SF0077 - Homeland
defense-infrastructure reporting and investigating requires the state
to annually identify “critical infrastructure zones”. Any property
transactions within those zones will be shared among the county clerks, the
Wyoming Office of Homeland Security and the Wyoming Division of Criminal
Investigation. Those agencies will then determine if the transaction
involves a foreign adversary or a state sponsor of terrorism that could pose a
threat to national or state security or to critical infrastructure.
“Our nation
has never faced graver threats from adversaries both foreign and domestic,”
Governor Gordon said. “Protection of Wyoming infrastructure and identifying
potential threats to our state or national security must be among our highest
priorities. I want to thank sponsor Senator Tara Nethercott, whose experience
and insight were invaluable in the drafting and passage of this bill. It is
imperative that we protect our precious property rights, while we also ensure
we are aware of any potential threats within our state’s borders.”
Senate File 114 -
Contractor licenses-reciprocal recognition requirements require local
governments in Wyoming to recognize contractor licenses issued by a Wyoming
county, city or town. This ensures that qualified contractors don’t have to go
through additional, time-consuming and expensive licensing requirements when
working in Wyoming communities. The bill emerged from the interim work of the
Regulatory Reduction Task Force, which explored a range of ideas that could
help expand housing opportunities for Wyoming’s essential workforce. The Task
Force identified a patchwork of state and local licensing requirements that
contributed to additional construction costs, which were then passed along to
Wyoming home buyers.
“My
administration has been passionate in reducing red tape, and while there is
certainly more work to be done in addressing Wyoming’s housing shortage, this
new law is a small step towards streamlining unnecessarily redundant and costly
requirements,” Governor Gordon said.
Both bills
are effective July 1, 2024.
March 15, cont:
Governor
Gordon Vetoes Bills to Prevent Legislature From Overstepping its Authority and
Creating Confusion for the Public
CHEYENNE,
Wyo. – Governor Mark Gordon took action on 18 bills today, vetoing one bill
that encroaches on the separation of powers between the executive and
legislative branches, and one that could create confusion for consumers, meat
processors and producers.
SF0013 - Federal land
use plans - legal actions authorized would have duplicated funding for legal actions by the State
and have been unconstitutional. The bill authorized the Legislature to take
legal action against the federal government, and provided a whopping $75
million in borrowing authority for it to do so. In his veto letter, the
Governor lambasted the bill as a “clear attempt to cross, blur and trample the
line of separation between our equal, but separate, branches of
government.”
Governor
Gordon criticized the bill as not being fiscally conservative, pointing out
that $75 million represents 67 percent of the Attorney General’s office
biennial budget. He said that the bill would only “enable duplicative
Legislative litigation safaris that would be counterproductive and contrary to
Wyoming’s well established practice of cooperation between branches.”
The Governor
also expressed concern about the confusion that would be created in the courts
over who represents Wyoming. It is the Executive branch that “is uniquely
designed to provide one voice when it is necessary,” he wrote.
“At best, competing
litigation efforts would only serve to confuse courts as to who represents the
State of Wyoming, and at worst it would enable frivolous and political
pursuits,” the Governor wrote.
The Governor
also vetoed SF0103 - Wyoming
PRIME Act, which as a “trigger” bill, would only become effective if the
federal PRIME Act is passed by Congress. The Governor noted that while he is
supportive of food freedom legislation, the Wyoming PRIME Act could create
confusion among consumers, meat processors and livestock producers. Early media
reports demonstrate the potential confusion created by the bill. Currently, an
attempt to use the provisions of SF0103 by Wyoming producers before the federal
PRIME Act is passed by Congress would put them at risk of fines and license
revocation, and imperil Wyoming’s primacy for its meat and poultry inspection
program. Finally, if the federal PRIME Act is passed by Congress, but is
amended during that process, Wyoming statute would likely need to be changed to
conform, which could unnecessarily delay state implementation.
The
Governor’s veto letters are attached and may be found on the Bills page of the Governor’s
website.
Governor
Gordon signed the following bills today:
SEA0034
SF0014 State fair board-powers and responsibilities.
SEA0035
SF0113 Light and high profile vehicle closures-2.
SEA0039
SF0096 Trusts and bank assets in bankruptcy-clarification.
SEA0040
SF0080 Solid waste management-definition amendments.
SEA0043
SF0053 Sixth judicial district-number of judges
SEA0046
SF0026 Special district vacancies
SEA0047
SF0035 Public records-DOC investigations.
SEA0053
SF0023 Public utilities-energy resource procurement.
SEA0059
SF0100 Prompt payment of insurance claims.
SEA0063
SF0083 Revisor's bill.
SEA0064
SF0090 State-managed local government equity investment pool.
SEA0069
SF0042 Low-carbon reliable energy standards-amendments.
HEA0043
HB0126 Child care is a residential use of property.
HEA0046
HB0058 Forensic genetic genealogy pilot program.
HEA0047
HB0029 Cold case database and investigations.
HEA0051
HB0138 State funds-pool A participation and fund limits.
-END-
March 16, 2024
After a break of one day, the WEA resumbed its advertisements on Jeanette Ward.
Governor
Gordon Signs Five Bills, Vetoes Bill that Would Impact Management and Use of
State Lands
CHEYENNE,
Wyo. – Governor Mark Gordon took action on six bills today, signing five bills
into law. The Governor vetoed one bill that would limit Wyoming’s ability to
generate revenue from state lands and take management and decision-making
authority away from the state.
SF0044 - Limited
mining operations-amendments as originally introduced and worked by the Minerals, Business
and Economic Development committee intended to address existing bonding
deficiencies for issuing permits for Limited Mining Operations (LMOs). However,
late amendments to the bill specifically targeted development of an exploratory
license that had been previously granted for sections of state lands southwest
of Casper.
In his veto
letter, Governor Gordon said that the amended bill would not change the
particular circumstances of that gravel operation, and there is not a pending
application for a LMO from that operation. However, the bill would have had
constitutional consequences as to how state lands are managed to help fund
schools. These impacts included making state lands uncompetitive due to an
increased setback requirement, and a requirement for counties to review and
issue a conditional use permit, even though not all counties require one.
“Statutory
changes are not the proper place to address specific concerns for individual
operations,” the Governor wrote. “While Wyoming seeks to manage her state lands
cooperatively with counties and their land use plans, the state is not
constrained by them. State lands and minerals are important to our state’s
economic well-being and need to be treated the same as other lands in the
state.”
Governor
Gordon encouraged the Joint Minerals Committee to review the original bill in
the upcoming general session and examine ways to adequately address existing
concerns over limited mining operations on state lands. The Governor also plans
to take up the topic of mining operations on state lands at the April State
Board of Land Commissioners Meeting.
The
Governor's veto letter is attached and may be found here. Governor also signed five bills today:
SEA0031
SF0074 Special districts-reversal of dissolution for noncompliance.
SEA0032
SF0036 Uniform Child Abduction Prevention Act.
SEA0036
SF0123 Minor name changes
SEA0044
SF0052 Wyoming Stable Token Act - amendments
SEA0045
SF0027 Special district bond elections exception
The full
list of bills the Governor has taken action on during the 2024 Legislative
Session can be found on the Governor's website.
-END-
CHEYENNE,
Wyo. – Governor Mark Gordon signed seven bills into law today, including a bill
that creates a hearing aid program for low-income adults and a bill that
provides additional resources for early childhood centers that serve children
with disabilities.
SF0057 - Wyoming
adult hearing aid program creates a hearing aid program for eligible low-income adults
with hearing impairment. The bill emerged from meetings bill sponsor Senator
Dan Furphy had with members of the Wyoming deaf community. It allows severely
hearing-impaired adults who meet income requirements to receive a pair of
custom hearing aids.
The Governor
also signed SF0019 -
Developmental preschool funding which modifies the per-child amounts used to calculate
payments to early childhood centers and preschools that serve children with
disabilities. The increase in funding will help support these centers and
preschools, which families use to access critically needed services for
children with developmental disabilities.
The Governor
also issued a line-item veto on the following bill to address a technical
error. Click on the bill number for the Governor’s letter:
SEA0071 SF0075 Omnibus water
bill-construction.
The Governor
allowed the following bill to go into law without his signature. Click on the
bill number for the Governor’s letter:
SEA0065 SF0041 Banking
division-classification and salary exemptions.
The Governor
also signed the following bills today:
SEA0050
SF0047 Law enforcement retirement-contributions.
SEA0051
SF0024 Public service commission-integrated resource plans.
HEA0048
HB0104 Omnibus water bill-planning.
-END-
Governor
Gordon Signs Four Bills Expanding and Extending Property Tax Relief
CHEYENNE,
Wyo. – Reflecting his call for fair and equitable property tax relief made in
his State of the State
speech,
Governor Mark Gordon signed four bills today that will reduce property taxes to
those Wyoming residents who need it most.
The Governor
signed HB0003 - Property tax
exemption for long-term homeowners; HB0045 - Property tax
exemption-residential structures and land; and SF0089 - Veterans ad
valorem exemption-amount. House Bill 3 provides an exemption of 50% of a property’s
value for primary residence homeowners if the primary owner of the residence or
their spouse is 65 or older and has paid property taxes in the state for 25
years or more. House Bill 45 puts a 4% cap on year-to-year property tax
increases on residential structures and land, while Senate File 89 doubles the
veterans tax exemption from $3,000 to $6,000 of assessed value.
“I am happy
to sign this package of legislation, which provides targeted relief to
taxpayers most impacted by increasing valuations, while ensuring our counties
and schools are able to continue to provide the services our residents rely
on,” Governor Gordon said. “There was an identified need, and this legislature
responded to that.”
Governor
Gordon exercised his line-item veto authority on HB0004 - Property tax
refund program,
removing the highest income category from the program. In his letter explaining
the line-item, the Governor said the bill brings expanded and needed relief,
but expressed concern that the $20 million appropriated by the Legislature
would be insufficient to fund the program if that highest income category was
included.
“I want to
thank the Legislature for answering the call and funding an expansion of this
program, which helped more than 9,000 Wyoming families last year,” Governor
Gordon said.
The Governor
vetoed SF0054 - Homeowner
tax exemption, expressing concern that the exemption was not targeted and
jeopardized the financial stability of the state and counties. It
represented, “a socialistic type of wealth transfer, mostly from the energy
sector, to Wyoming homeowners.” The backfill of lost local tax revenue to local
school districts, cities, towns, counties and special districts would likely
cost the state more than $220 million for the biennium, the Governor
wrote.
“The
Bidenomic-type of ‘tax relief' in this bill is what I would expect from
Washington, D.C. liberals, not conservative Wyoming legislators,” the Governor
added. “It is a temporary relief measure that could lead to budget shortfalls,
and will ultimately be paid for by raising taxes on our children.”
Governor
Gordon issued a line-item veto to HB0166 - Education
savings accounts-1 to address constitutional concerns over the use of state funds.
The bill establishes an education savings account program that provides funding
to parents for their children's education expenses, ranging from
pre-kindergarten through age 21. The Governor’s line item veto preserves
funding for those students whose household income is at or below 150% of the
federal poverty level.
“While the
intent to support education and parent choice is commendable, my analysis
revealed practical and constitutional complications within the bill’s
provisions,” the Governor wrote in his letter. Citing his desire to see the
program ultimately succeed, the Governor said he was prepared to press these
issues as they relate to religious societies or institutions.
“By
proceeding carefully, with a clear understanding of both the benefits and
challenges associated with education savings accounts, we can work towards a
system that enhances parental choice while maintaining the integrity and
effectiveness of our public education system,” he wrote.
Governor
Gordon also vetoed SF0067 - Public
employee retirement plan-contributions. The Governor said the bill’s effect
would be to reduce the take-home pay of state employees at a time when
inflation eats away at the purchasing power of all Wyoming families.
Governor
Gordon allowed the following bills to go into law without his signature:
HEA0055 HB0092
Protection of parental rights.
SEA0055 SF0006
Nursing home administrators-temporary licenses.
The Governor
signed the following bills today:
HEA0044
HB0003 Property tax exemption for long-term homeowners.
SEA0061
SF0089 Veterans ad valorem exemption-amount.
HEA0054
HB0045 Property tax exemption-residential structures and land.
The
Governor’s letters addressing his vetos and the bills he allowed to go into law
without his signature, along with the full list of bills he has taken action on
during the 2024 Legislative Session can be found on the Bills page of the Governor's website.
-END-
Governor
Signs Bill Outlawing Gender Reassignment Procedures for Children
Governor Vetoes Abortion Bill While State Defends
Current Ban in Court
CHEYENNE,
Wyo. –Governor Gordon signed SF0099 - Children
gender change prohibition today, which bans physicians from performing procedures for children
related to gender transitioning and gender reassignment.
“I signed
SF99 because I support the protections this bill includes for children, however
it is my belief that the government is straying into the personal affairs of
families” Governor Gordon said. “Our legislature needs to sort out its
intentions with regard to parental rights. While it inserts governmental
prerogative in some places, it affirms parental rights in others.”
The Governor
noted that the Legislature passed two bills during the recent session
reinforcing parental rights in education.
With regard
to House Bill 0148-
Regulation of Abortions , as initially proposed, would have properly regulated surgical
abortion clinics in Wyoming. However amendments to the bill complicated its
purpose, making it vulnerable to legal challenges. Wyoming is currently
vigorously defending laws that already prohibit surgical and chemical abortions
“With the
judge certifying these cases to the Wyoming Supreme Court, the state is closer
than ever to a decision on the constitutionality of abortion in Wyoming,’
Governor Gordon said. “It is my opinion that HB148, as amended, had the
potential to further delay the resolution of this critical issue for the
unborn. The potential of starting over on a new course of legal arguments would
in my mind be derelict, and would have only sacrificed additional unborn lives
in Wyoming.”
To avoid
further delaying a decision, Governor Gordon has vetoed HB 148. In his veto
letter, the Governor points out that since the courts have stayed enforcement
of the state’s previous abortion ban, the number of abortions taking place in
Wyoming has continued to increase.
The
Governor’s veto letter for HB 148 is attached and may be found here.
Governor
Gordon also happily signed HB0090 - Newborn
child safe havens-age of child today. The bill changes the relinquishment age that a child may be
left with a safe haven provider at no penalty to the parent from 14 days or
younger to 60 days.
The full
list of bills the Governor has taken action on during the 2024 Legislative
Session can be found on the Governor's website.
-END-
CHEYENNE - Senate President Ogden Driskill and Speaker
of the House Albert Sommers issue the following statement regarding Gov. Mark
Gordon's veto of Senate File 0054:
“As the Presiding Officers of the Wyoming Senate
and House of Representatives, we have been closely monitoring the vetoes issued
by Governor Gordon of bills passed during the 2024 Budget Session. We have
become increasingly concerned about the Governor’s disregard for the will of
the people’s representatives and the legislation we have passed. Our concern
was further heightened last night by the veto of Senate File 54, which provided
all residents of Wyoming with substantial property tax relief.
“Senate File 54 would have provided a reduction of
25% of the tax burden for every homeowner in Wyoming up to the first $2 million
dollars of assessed value for a residential property for the next two years. We
are extremely disappointed that Governor Gordon would characterize this relief
from skyrocketing property taxes as a giveaway to Wyoming citizens. All Wyoming
homeowners deserve property tax relief after double digit tax increases the
past two years. Despite the Governor trying to characterize this bill as
liberal spending, he forgets that cutting taxes is a conservative value. Time
limited tax relief is both conservative and prudent.
"After the Governor's veto of Senate File 54,
the Legislature cannot take any action to effectuate tax relief in time for
implementation in fiscal year 2024. We will again have our Joint Revenue
Committee continue to develop meaningful tax relief for all Wyoming residents,
like they did during the 2024 interim, for introduction at the 2025 General
Session." - END -
Governor
Gordon Signs Four Bills Supporting the Second Amendment
Governor
Vetoes Bill to Repeal Gun Free Zones
CHEYENNE,
Wyo. – Governor Mark Gordon signed four bills today that strengthen
Wyoming’s status as a Second-Amendment friendly state. The Governor signed SF0073 - Concealed
firearms-permit eligibility, SF0105 - Wyoming
Second Amendment Financial Privacy Act, SF0109 - Prohibit Red
Flag Gun Seizure Act., and SF0086 - School
safety and security-funding.
SF0105
protects the privacy and sensitive financial information of people purchasing
firearms, firearms parts, or ammunition in Wyoming by prohibiting credit card
processors from using firearms or firearm-related merchant category codes. It
also prohibits government or private entities from keeping any registry of
privately-owned firearms or the owners of those firearms created or maintained
through the use of a firearms code.
SF0109
prohibits red flag gun laws from being enforced or implemented in Wyoming,
while SF0073 amends the concealed carry permit regulations to make those who
have had their firearms rights restored, eligible. SF0086 creates an account to
reimburse school districts for costs related to possession of firearms on
school property by school district employees.
The Governor
vetoed HB0125 - Repeal gun
free zones and preemption amendments due to concerns that HB0125 exceeds the separation of powers
embodied in Article 2 of our Wyoming Constitution. If the bill were
enacted, any specific policy, further regulation, or clarification of the law
could only be implemented by the Legislature.
“House Bill
125/Enrolled Act No. 49, erodes historic local control norms by giving sole
authority to the Legislature to micromanage a constitutionally protected
right,” Governor Gordon wrote in his veto letter. “Any further clarification of
the law, if this bill were enacted, would augment the Legislature’s reach into
local firearms regulation.”
The Governor
noted the bill would require each state facility, such as the University of
Wyoming, Wyoming State Hospital, or the Wyoming Boys School, to receive
legislative approval to restrict carrying firearms, or even to set policies as
practical as proper weapon storage. It would also repeal the statute that has
allowed school districts to establish specific policies allowing concealed
carry in their districts.
“Every piece
of legislation must stand for critical review, particularly those affecting our
constitutional rights,” the Governor wrote. “As delivered to my desk, this bill
lacks sufficient review and debate. A bill covering such a sensitive
topic does not lend itself to successive tweaks to correct flaws, and therefore
I believe the Legislature should be open to debating and fully working this
bill through its established processes.”
The Governor
concluded he will direct the State Building Commission to begin a process to
reconsider rules to allow concealed carry permit holders to exercise their
rights within the Capitol and other appropriate state facilities. That process
will involve significant public input.
The
Governor’s veto letter is attached and may be found here.
-END-
Governor
Gordon Signs Conservative Budget that Lays Foundation for Wyoming’s Future
Exercises
line-item veto authority to focus on needs and functionality
CHEYENNE,
Wyo. –Governor
Gordon thanked the 67th Legislature and has signed HB0001, punctuating the
Legislative Session with a conservative, true biennial budget that achieves his
goal of advancing Wyoming. The final budget prioritizes improving government
services for citizens, promoting economic growth, bettering the quality of life
for families who live and work in the state, as well as investing and saving
for the future.
“This budget
addresses our challenges and positions Wyoming for a prosperous future,”
Governor Gordon said. “We are fighting federal overreach, advancing our
industries, providing practical property tax relief, ensuring adequate funding
for our schools, counties, and communities and providing the services Wyoming
residents expect.”
The budget
includes numerous priorities the Governor outlined in his State of the State
speech, including:
Governor
Gordon issued a number of line-item vetoes within the budget, which are fully
detailed in his letter, namely to uphold separation of powers, executive
authority, and limiting the scope of the bill to properly fund government. In
his line-item veto letter, which details each change, the
Governor expressed dismay with the curious approach the legislature took to
building the budget – one that almost jeopardized state agency operations and
other important state needs.
“Last year in
my budget veto letter, I congratulated both chambers on passing a budget in
record time – all while increasing transparency. It is unfortunate this session
did not follow suit,” Governor Gordon wrote. “Over 300 amendments to this one
bill, some of which were introduced to save legislation that failed earlier in
the session, almost caused the budget bill to share the same fate.”
The Governor
left intact a budget amendment authorizing the sale of the “Kelly Parcel”, a
square mile of school trust property in Teton County, for no less than $100
million with specific conditions relating to the Rock Springs RMP.
The Governor’s
letter and a full version of the budget complete with the
Governor’s line item vetoes is available
here.
-END-
cont:
Oh. . . great.
Well, not going to happen, and they won't override them if it does, and with at least one of them, the Wyoming Supreme Court would strike it down.
And we'll not go on to a new installment.
Last Prior Edition:
