Wyoming House Advances Legislation to Address Education Deficit

NEWS RELEASE
Majority of the Wyoming House of Representatives

Wyoming House Advances Legislation to Address Education Deficit

House Bill 173 Includes Reductions, Diversion, Federal Funding and Back-Up Half-Penny ‘Insurance Policy’ to Correct Structural Revenue Shortfall

(Cheyenne, WY) — The Wyoming House of Representatives advanced legislation on Tuesday that takes a full-picture approach to solving the state’s K-12 Education funding deficit. House Bill 173 would leverage spending reductions, revenue diversions, federal stimulus funding and a potential half-percent sales tax for education, triggered if state reserves were to fall below a critical level, to close structural revenue shortfalls.

Opinion: Senate Bill Will Fund Teachers, Reduce Administrative Costs

 

Senate Bill Will Fund Teachers, Reduce Administrative Costs

March 24, 2021
Casper Star Tribune
By Senator Charles Scott, Chairman of the Senate Education Committee

The Wyoming Legislature faces the difficult task this session of correcting a large and growing structural deficit in our K-12 education system. Without legislative action, our schools will require $250 million of stopgap funding from the state’s “rainy day” fund annually to backfill the revenue shortfall, which is not sustainable.

That’s a big hole to fill. But it owes largely to significant growth in spending, for which Wyoming has not reaped the benefits. We have experienced diminishing returns on our investment in K-12 education, where more money has not produced better outcomes.

Structural Deficits Present a Challenging Outlook for Wyoming’s K-12 Education Funding

NEWS RELEASE
Majority of the Wyoming House of Representatives

Structural Deficits Present a Challenging Outlook for Wyoming’s K-12 Education Funding

Falling Mineral, Energy Production and Prices Have Created Unsustainable Revenue Shortfalls that Will Require Increased Revenue, Spending Reductions or a Combination to Solve

(Cheyenne, WY) – Wyoming’s K-12 Education (School Foundation Program (SFP) and School Capital Construction Account (SCCA)) are facing a $300 million annual structural deficit. This shortfall owes to rapidly declining coal and natural gas production and prices, which have reduced the State’s funding sources and diminished school district property tax collections.

 

Wyoming funds its schools like most states—with property taxes. Wyoming is blessed in that minerals pay 50% of our property taxes, allowing Wyoming residents, old and new, to enjoy the fifth-lowest property taxes in the country.  

 

House Bill Seeks to Stop Organ Transplant Discrimination for Individuals with Disabilities

NEWS RELEASE

Contact: Representative Art Washut (R-HD36)

Art.washut@wyoleg.gov

House Bill Seeks to Stop Organ Transplant Discrimination for Individuals with Disabilities

House Bill 111 Would Ensure Greater Equality in Access to Life-Saving Medical Services

(Cheyenne, WY) – The Wyoming House of Representatives is considering legislation that would prohibit deprioritizing individuals with disabilities to receive organ transplants and related procedures. House Bill 111, Access to Anatomical Gifts and Organ Transplants, was introduced by Representative Art Washut (R-HD36).
 
“This bill is in direct response to the experiences of families across the nation, whose loved ones have been moved down on organ transplant lists or denied altogether because of a disability,” said Representative Washut. “Access to life-saving medical services should never be incumbent on person’s physical or mental circumstances. House Bill 111 will bring greater fairness and equality to our health care system.”
 

Wyoming Republican Lawmakers Demonstrate Commitment to Preserving the Value of Life with ‘Precious Feet Fridays’

 

NEWS RELEASE

 

February 2, 2021
Contact: Representative Mark Baker (HD60)
mark.baker@wyoleg.gov | (307) 371-5113

 

Wyoming Republican Lawmakers Demonstrate Commitment to Preserving the Value of Life with ‘Precious Feet Fridays’

 

(Cheyenne, WY) — On the heels of National Sanctity of Human Life Day, a group of Wyoming Republican lawmakers resumed Precious Feet Fridays, a weekly show of support for the right to life of every unborn child.
 
“There is no greater calling than to uphold the precious value of human life,” said Representative John Bear (HD31). “The Wyoming Constitution expressly states, ‘In their inherent right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, all members of the human race are equal.’ We believe those innate rights begin at conception and, accordingly, that we have a responsibility to defend the sanctity of life, beginning in the womb.”
 

Opinion: Legislative Committees Begin Advancing Critical Bills

 

Legislative Committees Begin Advancing Critical Bills
 
January 24, 2021
Casper Star-Tribune
By Wyoming House Speaker Eric Barlow and Wyoming President of the Senate Dan Dockstader
 
The 66th Wyoming Legislative Session resumed this week with lawmakers across the state participating remotely in Standing Committee meetings. Our work looks different this year as we take precautions to ensure the health and safety of everyone involved in the legislative process. But we remain committed to working together to meet the challenges and opportunities facing our great state.
 
Recognizing the continuing impact of the Coronavirus pandemic, this week legislators began working several bills meant to support workers and business owners and foster lasting economic recovery.
 
Among those is House Bill 9, which would allow employers to reduce employee hours across the board during an economic downturn, rather than having to lay off staff to balance their books. That would allow workers to stay on the job, retain their health and retirement benefits and receive a portion of their lost wages in unemployment benefits. And employers would be better positioned to keep valuable employees, avoid training expenses and be ready to grow once the storm passes.
 
Read the Full Article Here

Opinion: Wyoming Lawmakers Are Committed to Tackling Our Toughest Issues

 

Wyoming Lawmakers Are Committed to Tackling Our Toughest Issues
 
January 17, 2021
Casper Star-Tribune
By Wyoming House Speaker Eric Barlow and Wyoming President of the Senate Dan Dockstader
 
On Tuesday, the Wyoming Legislature gaveled in the start of the 66th Legislative Session. Now begins our hard work on behalf of the people of Wyoming.
 
This year presents distinct challenges, both operationally and on a host of budget and policy issues.
 
The continued impacts of the Coronavirus pandemic pose notable obstacles to the Legislature’s work. Our top priorities are to safely, effectively and transparently carry out the work of the people we are elected to serve, and to ensure the health and well being of all staff, legislators and the public. We can do both.
 
To that end, both chambers approved rules that provide latitude to allow legislators to participate based on their needs and within the schedule we have developed. That schedule includes a mix of virtual and in-person participation, which will begin in earnest next week when committees begin meeting virtually to work bills. Importantly, the full session schedule includes 34 legislative working days, which closely aligns with past general sessions.
 
Read the Full Article Here

Ahead of Legislative Session, House and Senate Republicans Consider In-Person Meetings, Safety Measures

NEWS RELEASE
Majority of the Wyoming Legislature
 
January 11, 2021
Contact: House Speaker-Elect Eric Barlow
Eric.barlow@wyoleg.gov
 

Ahead of Legislative Session, House and Senate Republicans Consider In-Person Meetings, Safety Measures

Republican Leadership Identifies Options for In-Person and Virtual Participation

Cheyenne, Wyoming — As the Wyoming Legislature prepares to commence the 66^th Legislative Session on Tuesday, January 12, Republican leaders have put forth plans to safely, efficiently and transparently conduct business on behalf of Wyoming residents.

 

“The continued fallout from the Coronavirus pandemic presents unique challenges during the upcoming session,” said House Speaker-elect Eric Barlow. “Our priorities are to serve the people of Wyoming effectively and ensure the health and safety of all personnel, legislators and the public. We can do both.”

 

The Legislature will convene for a one-day virtual meeting on January 12 to fulfill its duties under the Wyoming Constitution, including the election of leadership and adoption of rules. Governor Mark Gordon will provide a message at 2:00 pm.

 

The Legislature will continue its work the following week with virtual Standing Committee meetings, followed by a short virtual session beginning on January 27 to consider the worked committee bills. The session will continue in March with every effort being made to conduct business in-person. A copy of the current full 2021 General Session schedule is available here.

 

“The proposed legislative session schedule includes 34 working days, which closely aligns with past General Sessions,” said Senate President Dan Dockstader. “Our time will be well used to thoroughly consider the important legislation and other matters that come before the Legislature.”

 

“It’s been exceptionally difficult to try and find an acceptable way to meet, but we have a good plan in place now,” added Majority Floor Leader Ogden Driskill.

 

“We are a citizen legislature committed to serving the people of Wyoming,” said House Speaker Pro Tempore Mike Greear. “We continue to draw on examples from other state legislatures and best practices to protect everyone involved in the legislative process, and we encourage residents to work with us to make this a productive General Session. Together we can advance the interests of Wyoming and tackle the tough issues facing our hard-working men, women and families.”   

 

All House and Senate meetings are open to the public with appropriate safety measures in place. Additionally, proceedings will be livestreamed on the Legislature’s website: www.wyoleg.gov.

 

# # #