Radical Wyoming lawmakers prioritized restricting reproductive rights, repealing gun-free zones, targeting transgender people and spending public funds on private and religious schools at this year’s budget session. With support from more “traditional” Republican legislators — trying to appear conservative enough headed into the 2024 election — many of these extreme MAGA bills passed by lopsided margins.
Opinion
However, a state budget compromise glued together by the conservative but not crazy Wyoming Caucus did preserve some worthwhile House spending and lessened damage from Senate cuts. The final budget bill sent to Gov. Mark Gordon was far from perfect, but better than I expected in several areas.
Legislators quit ducking skyrocketing property taxes and passed a handful of measures to lower them, but it will take some time to assess the overall impact on homeowners.
As one Republican columnist noted, respectful legislative behavior was thrown out the window and chaos reigned. But lawmakers’ actions were even more concerning than their behavior.
Both chambers moved further to the right on some of the most contentious issues. The constitutionality of several of the worst measures will likely be challenged in court, making lawyers paid to fight them the biggest winner of the session.
While last year’s “Life Is a Human Right” bill is still tied up in litigation, the Legislature passed House Bill 148 – Regulations of abortions. Backers said it’s needed to improve safety, but physicians testified none of the new requirements are medically necessary.
The bill requires physicians who perform surgical abortions to have hospital admitting privileges, and clinics must become more heavily regulated ambulatory surgical centers. House Bill 148 mandates an invasive ultrasound procedure and a 48-hour waiting period.
Wyoming has a major shortage of OB-GYNs, and should Gordon sign the bill into law, many will likely either leave the state or decide not to practice here because of new restrictions on their ability to provide health care for women.
Wyoming approved two anti-LGBTQ bills already passed in several red states. Gordon allowed Senate File 9 – Parental rights in education-1 to become law without his signature, but said the bill potentially allows the state to infringe upon local control. It requires school districts to share information regarding their children with parents and guardians about any “change in a student’s physical, mental or emotional health and well-being,” including sexuality and gender.
Antonio Serrano of ACLU-Wyoming correctly said SF 9 “disguises discrimination as parental rights, enabling politicians to require the forced outing of trans and nonbinary students.”
Senate File 99 – Children gender change prohibition bans use of surgeries, hormonal treatments and puberty blockers as forms of gender-affirming care for minors. No such surgeries have been performed in Wyoming. The bill takes away the right of parents to make necessary health care decisions for their children in conjunction with doctors and gives it to the state.
No session of the Legislature would be complete without an attempt to allow more weapons in public places where they are now banned. House Bill 125 – Repeal gun-free zones and preemption amendments appeared to die in a Senate committee, only to be resurrected and approved.
The bill is one of Wyoming’s most irresponsible gun-rights measures in many years. House Bill 125 allows concealed carry in public elementary and secondary schools, colleges and the university, and government meetings, with some exceptions for health and human services facilities and public events where alcohol is served.
Should it become law, it would effectively put an end to state, county and town governments’ authority to regulate concealed firearms. At least open carry is still banned at the Capitol, so lawmakers don’t have to check the gallery before they vote to see who’s trying to intimidate them by carrying long guns.
“You could pick up a candy bowl and you could hurt someone with that, too,” said Rep. Jeremy Haroldson (R-Wheatland), the bill’s sponsor. How on Earth did that ridiculous argument win the day?
When it comes to bills that are obviously unconstitutional but approved anyway, nothing tops House Bill 166 – Education savings accounts-1. Despite the Wyoming Constitution’s clear prohibition on using public funds for private or parochial schools, the Legislature plans to dole out $40 million to do precisely that.
The only worthy part of the bill — providing funds for early childhood education — was quickly stripped, leaving a voucher program that threatens equitable education funding in Wyoming mandated by the state constitution.
Backers of HB 166 maintain that our educational standards are a joke, so now state money will go to private or religious schools that may teach evolution and climate change are a hoax. While we’re at it, let’s pretend humans and dinosaurs coexisting in “The Flintstones” is really a documentary, and the world is flat.
On the plus side, legislators lowered skyrocketing property taxes, the issue many voters back home pegged as their top priority. At the start of the session only House Bill 4 – Property tax refund program appeared to be a lock, and it was. The bill expands the existing program to people who make up to 165% of the median income for the state or their county.
But most homeowners should receive a tax break regardless of their income. House Bill 3 provides residents 65 and over who have paid property taxes for more than 25 years with a 50% exemption on the assessed valuation of residential property. House Bill 45 – Property tax exemption-residential structures and land creates a 4% annual cap on property taxes. And Senate File 54 – Homeowner tax exemption exempts 25% of property taxes on homes valued at $2 million or less.
Several worthwhile bills killed early in the session were revived in the budget bill, although at lower appropriations. A $37 million grant program to offer more mental health services to K-12 students was reduced to $13.5 million, but it’s money well spent.
So is the $10 million lawmakers added to the suicide prevention trust fund that they left empty in 2023. After putting more than $2 billion into savings in the past two years, the Legislature could have afforded to approve the entire $40 million needed to fund two statewide 24/7 suicide crisis lines in perpetuity. Still, $10 million will hopefully attract more private funds and grants in a state with a suicide rate double the national average.
The Senate came to its senses after cutting $111 million from school construction funds, so the entire slate of projects the Joint Appropriations Committee approved is back intact. There was no need to punish other schools that have waited for a long time simply because senators objected to how Rock Springs and Jackson facilities were chosen.
Sen. Cheri Steinmetz (R-Lingle) made her annual run at defunding the University of Wyoming’s gender studies program, but once again failed. While the House wouldn’t compromise with the Senate on that issue, it did foolishly agree to end funding for UW’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
The latter was a particularly blockheaded move because it jeopardizes an estimated $120 million a year in UW’s federal research funds. No matter what harm they do to higher education, far-right ideologues can’t resist punishing progressive work at the university.
Eliminating the Office of DEI is symbolic of the 2024 budget session: Legislators didn’t stop at making a meaningless political statement. No, they had to go a step further, showing their willingness to make that point in a way that hurt the state’s ability to prosper from research dollars. What a great example for voters to remember on election day.
Another excellent, informative piece Mr. Drake! It was the straw that broke this camel’s back. I became a supporting member of WyoFile this morning.
Seems like Brian Skeoch has become a “one trick pony” with his repeated comment of “maybe you’d be happier somewhere else”. First with gun free zones, now with opinion pieces. Brian, maybe you’d be happier somewhere else!
Well, I hate to repeat myself, but this was a budget session. The legislators need to look at the budget first and then all those other bills can be considered. Governor Gordon presented a very good budget. The legislator could’ve passed it as is and our state would’ve been in good shape. The old saying you need to spend money to make money is very applicable. Our legislators don’t understand that concept. I bet most of them can’t balance their own budget much less the state of Wyoming’s budget.
To the individual it said this was a Republican legislature. It was not. I vote for Republicans and I vote for Democrats depending on how I think will do. These extreme right wing freedom caucus people are gonzo. Give me a good old fashion conservative Republican and I can be happy.
This legislature failed and should be given F minus. They do not represent the people of Wyoming they represent the people that can cause the most commotion. I was born in Wyoming and it’s a great state and these wackos are ruining it. Let’s take up a fund to send Jeanette Ward back to Illinois . We don’t need her thoughts here. I remember the Wyoming a grew up in. I liked it. Now not so much.
We do not need people telling us what books should be banned. We do not need people telling doctors and parents what to do with their children’s health. We don’t need uncontrolled private schools and we don’t need schools that are run by religious corporations.
Oh, and while they’re at it, do we really need to take away women’s rights. That whole equality state thing what happened to it.
They legislature can’t take away women’s health choices as it is unconstitutional. (By the way, the people of our state voted that the government can’t control our health choices.)So, if we can’t take away women’s rights to get an abortion, then let’s get rid of the abortion clinics. I’m guessing too, that law will be challenged and if the governor hasn’t signed it yet I hope he vetoes it.
Mr. Drake is more liberal than I am, which is his right. It’s his right to write an opinion page. Freedom of the press is his right. Starting to take those rights away is how dictators rule.
The great orange Cheeto just came out and said that he did not like the press and people being able to say what they want. He said it needs to be controlled. Sounds like a dictator. This right wing radicals say they want small government. They may want it. They just want to control it.( with guns) The unfreedom caucus is a much better name for them.
Also, the legislators failure to pass the school construction fund is heinous. They say they want to grow Wyoming, but they can’t do it without good schools.
Most of all, we don’t need guns in schools. I am an avid gun owner and enjoy my right to bear arms. I have a concealed carry permit, I shoot often and I am pretty good. However, I don’t trust someone with gun that is not trained.
I have a friend in North Dakota in order to get a concealed carry permit up there. You need to be able to demonstrate safety and competency with a gun. You have to take a test. Maybe that would be a good for the state of Wyoming. Here in Wyoming anybody that does not have a criminal record can get a concealed carry permit. They have to pass a safety class and put forth some cash. They don’t have to know how to shoot. Let’s turn them loose defending a bunch of kindergartners.
I hope the governor vetos this bill. He needs to do either pass it or veto it. Letting it pass the law without a signature in my opinion is not what a true Wyoming patriot would do.
I will have to credit legislators for getting us some property tax relief.
Also, I give them credit for not messing too much with the governors budget. He is smarter than the whole bunch of them and they should’ve just passed it..
Also, I really like the fact that he vetoed the $50,000 bill the legislature wanted for new furniture. They don’t want to spend money unless it’s on themselves.
At least we have a years break before this happens again . Unfortunately Mr. Drake and the rest of us will have to put up with 40 days
Yikes
I’m so glad my kids escaped from what this state has become. Every time I think it can’t get any more oppressive, repressive, and regressive, I read Wyoming legislative news. Unbelievable.
Good breakdown of the most egregious bills. Thanks. None of them are conservative bills, especially the blatantly unconstitutional ones. It appears that the new Republican Party is the anti-law and order party. I hope we can rid ourselves of their authoritarian tendencies in November.
Maybe you would be happier somewhere else?
Spoken like a true outsider.
Kerry obviously you are Far Left Radical Fake news reporter. You just reported on what your personal beliefs are and not the news. The Freedom Caucus in Wyoming is trying to bring conservative values to our state government. I may not agree 100% with every bill they bring up, but for the most part I do. There are pluses and minus’s on many issues. They should be debated openly. You just posted your Left wing opinion and did not dig into the facts. That now is my onion, but I do not mascaraed as a journalist. I am a conservative Republican
Once again, as noted in the header, this is an OPINION piece. Hence all the “left wing” opinions.
Note top of story: OPINION. Mr. Drake gets it right, knows of what he speaks and speaks for me and so many others who are alarmed at the fear and hate that motivate the ‘freedom’ caucus. Their values are not what I’ve experienced in my 50 years here and need to be challenged at the voting booth and in public forums like this.
Well stated Lee!
Joel, there is a reason why it says “Opinion” at the top.
Hey Joel. You might want to scroll up to about the second paragraph of Kerry’s opinion piece to see the word “OPINION” in really big letters. To reiterate, this is Kerry Drake’s opinion and not a news article.
Wyoming has so few rational people, like Kerry, trying to offer some straightening of the deeply bent right views dominating our state, that I whole heartedly congratulate him for his willingness to provide these insights. I don’t think the domineering far right folks need to worry about Wyoming becoming “liberal”. At best, I would hope we could be more progressive to help our economy, our health care, and our open minds. I’m going on 80 years in my native state, and I’ve only seen it get more and more mired into a non-progressive mind set.
I love it! Wyofile provides “some straightening of the deeply bent right views dominating our state”. Great metaphor Bob! If I could draw, I would make a cartoon to illustrate that thought!
Kerry’s piece is clearly noted as Opinion before the title and in a sidebar in the body of the piece.
Joel.
It is an opinion piece. It is designed to get people involved and talking about issues. It is not news, though it does accurately report how the legislature performed for the masses.
This piece by Kerry Drake was an listed as opinion. As such I see nothing wrong here.
Joel Highsmith, why don’t you write a rebuttal opinion piece?
Hi Joel. Would it surprise you to know that all of your favorite fox spews shows are opinion shows as well? Drake and WYOfile do a good job of identifying their opinion pieces compared to your beloved fox.
Also, why are you so angry?
Seems to me Wyoming is being protected from liberal, far left extremist views. That’s not all bad. It may be that WY is not liberal, although they seem to find their way here.
Susan, I’ve spent all fifty-six years of my life in Wyoming. Contrary to your limited view, I’ve spent my voting life voting as a liberal, Democrat. Seems to me your not as
familiar with Wyoming as you think you are.
When I get angry at the Freedom Caucus (which is often), I remind myself they didn’t walk into the capitol building uninvited. They were elected. When I realize this, my anger is redirected.