The gap between the two versions of the 2025-2026 budget resulted from the WY Senate cutting the Governor’s version by $767M and the WY House increasing it by $362M. Cuts might surprise some; they include no large school constructions for
Status of HB 148: bill includes chemical abortion amendment
Stefan Johansson, director of the Wyoming Department of Health, told senators that the bill places restrictions on chemical abortions, e.g., ultrasounds 2 days prior, that don’t require a surgeon. Senator Rothfuss (D-Albany) testified that HB 148 now makes abortion “overwhelmingly
HB125, eliminating gun-free zones, moves into Senate
Rep. Jeremy Haroldson (R-Wheatland), sponsor of HB125, is optimistic that the bill will pass through the Senate. The bill includes some exceptions that either exclude guns or allow only closed carry. For example, only concealed carry would be allowed on
Homeschooling parents testify against HB166, the “savings account” bill
“These might seem like relatively benign requirements… [but] they could open the door for a broader range of requirements,” claimed one homeschooling parent. This fear of regulations on homeschooling far outweighed the benefit of the possible $1000–$5000 that a family
Governor Gordon uses a line item veto on Gray’s ESG rules
The Governor explains that the deleted portions constitute overreach by the Secretary’s rules: advising and educating investors is within the domain of the SOS, but restricting their choices goes too far.
SF 130 & lots of budget amendments: interviews from the Capitol
Excellent recap Week 2 with insightful interviews from Cheyenne’s Wyoming News Now.
Expanded Medicaid in 2025?
Twenty volunteers from the Cancer Action Network (ASC CAN) of the American Cancer Society visited the Capitol to share personal accounts of their experiences without health insurance. The article reminds us that Medicaid expansion favors the working poor. Read about
SF 64 refunds royalties
The federal government raised mineral royalties from 12.5% to 16.67%. The state and the federal government each take half. SF 64 refunds those who mine in WY rather than use the extra for health care, schools, roads, etc.
Opinion: How about a minimum salary for teachers? $50,000? $60,000? or even $100,000?
$100,000 minimum wage? Last year, no state offered a starting salary of $60,000. Policy think tanks across the political spectrum agree that wages for those with comparable education as teachers are too low by at least 20%. Surprisingly, this pay
ACSD#1: More plans to cut budget excesses
The ASCD #1 Budget Subcommittee proposed three policies to cut costs. The board selected the first plan because it was the only one of the three would raise salaries for teachers and professional staff. Currently, both groups are notably underpaid