President Bebout Calls Newest Lawmakers ‘Focused, Passionate and Committed to Serving their Communities’
Cheyenne, Wyoming – Citing their tremendous focus, passion and commitment to the communities they represent, Wyoming Senate President Eli Bebout praised the seven freshmen members of the Senate today at the conclusion of the General Session of the 64th Wyoming State Legislature.
“I am incredibly proud of the seven freshmen members of the Wyoming Senate,” said Senate President Eli Bebout. “During a tough session, they have shown unwavering focus, grit, passion and determination. Each and every one of them have put in long hours, studied and educated themselves on a myriad of issues, and debated vigorously on behalf of their constituents. Their commitment to serving the people of Wyoming should make their communities proud.”
Seven new lawmakers joined the Wyoming State Senate this year. They are Senator Wyatt Agar (SD-20), Senator Liisa Anselmi-Dalton (SD-12), Senator Baldwin (SD-14), Senator Anthony Bouchard (SD-06), Senator Affie Ellis (SD-08), Senator Glenn Moniz (SD-10) and Senator Tara Nethercott (SD-04).
“Most people do not understand the tremendous sacrifice legislators, and their family’s, make to represent their home districts here in Cheyenne,” continued President Bebout. “They leave their spouses, their children, their jobs, their homes and their lives for two months. They work 12-hour days, attend events with their constituents at night and get back to their rooms late to begin studying up on issues for the next day. The newest members of the Senate have gone above and beyond this session in service to the people they represent.”
Senator Agar, a rancher from Thermopolis, serves on the Senate Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions Committee as well as the Senate Transportation, Highways and Military Affairs Committee this session.
Senator Anselmi-Dalton is a hotel owner and operator from Rock Springs. She is a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, the Senate Travel, Recreation, Wildlife and Cultural Resources Committee and the Senate Journal Committee.
Senator Baldwin, a physician’s assistant from Kemmerer, serves on the Senate Transportation, Highways and Military Affairs Committee, the Senate Labor, Health and Social Services Committee as well as the Joint Legislative and Executive Task Force on Department of Health Facilities. He was a member of the Wyoming House of Representatives from 2015-2016.
Senator Bouchard represents Cheyenne and serves on the Senate Labor, Health and Social Services Committee as well as the Senate Journal Committee.
Senator Ellis, an attorney and small business owner from Cheyenne, serves on the Senate Education Committee and the Senate Revenue Committee. She also serves as a co-chair of the Wyoming Women’s Legislative Caucus.
Senator Moniz, a business owner from Laramie, serves on the Senate Agriculture, State and Public Lands & Water Resources Committee, the Senate Travel, Recreation, Wildlife and Cultural Resources Committee as well as the Select Committee on Legislative Facilities, Technology and Process. He was a member of the Wyoming House of Representatives from 2008-2016.
Senator Nethercott is an attorney from Cheyenne. She serves on the Senate Judiciary Committee as well as the Senate Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions Committee.
Wyoming House, Senate Reach Compromise on HB 236
Cheyenne, Wyo. - On the last day of the 2017 general session, the Wyoming House and Senate reached a compromise on HB236, the House’s omnibus education funding bill. The bill authorizes the appointment of a select committee to study education issues, recalibrate the model and makes an additional $9 million in reductions beyond the $25 million in the 2017 Budget Bill.
“Local school districts have stepped up and reduced their budget to meet today’s challenges. Now it is the legislature’s responsibility to take another step down the path to addressing Wyoming’s education shortfall,” said House Speaker Steve Harshman. “Although this compromise is not the comprehensive solution we worked for, it is a roadmap forward to study that solution. The House and Senate have both worked hard on education legislation this session. We haven’t always agreed on all the steps, but we do share a commitment to work for Wyoming.”
“Over 90,000 of Wyoming’s citizens are enrolled in Wyoming schools. They have no control over the price of oil or the mining of coal. When it comes to Wyoming kids, failing to address the very real education funding cliff is not an option,” continued Speaker Harshman.
“By taking the time to strike a sensible and sustainable balance between spending reductions and revenue enhancements, I believe the Wyoming legislature can come into the 2018 budget session prepared to pass decisive action for Wyoming citizens and our future,” said Senate President Eli Bebout. “The Wyoming legislative process works and the Senate welcomes the opportunity to work with the House through the interim to develop a thoughtful, long-term solution to adequately and equitably fund education.”
“The Senate remains opposed to tax increases without proper analysis, public vetting and due consideration. The legislature will continue to look at education funding levels and responsibly steward taxpayer resources,” said Bebout.
“Local school districts have stepped up and reduced their budget to meet today’s challenges. Now it is the legislature’s responsibility to take another step down the path to addressing Wyoming’s education shortfall,” said House Speaker Steve Harshman. “Although this compromise is not the comprehensive solution we worked for, it is a roadmap forward to study that solution. The House and Senate have both worked hard on education legislation this session. We haven’t always agreed on all the steps, but we do share a commitment to work for Wyoming.”
“Over 90,000 of Wyoming’s citizens are enrolled in Wyoming schools. They have no control over the price of oil or the mining of coal. When it comes to Wyoming kids, failing to address the very real education funding cliff is not an option,” continued Speaker Harshman.
“By taking the time to strike a sensible and sustainable balance between spending reductions and revenue enhancements, I believe the Wyoming legislature can come into the 2018 budget session prepared to pass decisive action for Wyoming citizens and our future,” said Senate President Eli Bebout. “The Wyoming legislative process works and the Senate welcomes the opportunity to work with the House through the interim to develop a thoughtful, long-term solution to adequately and equitably fund education.”
“The Senate remains opposed to tax increases without proper analysis, public vetting and due consideration. The legislature will continue to look at education funding levels and responsibly steward taxpayer resources,” said Bebout.
Wyoming House and Senate Leaders Applaud Budget Compromise
“This budget makes responsible reductions where necessary and respects the integrity and important work of Wyoming’s agencies and educational system.”
Cheyenne, Wyo. - Wyoming House and Senate leaders released the following statement on Friday after the Legislature’s bicameral, 10-member budget conference committee reached a compromise on Wyoming’s budget package.
“The process of arriving at a responsible and reasonable budget is never easy or free from disagreement. However, we all came to the table in good faith and worked through the differences between the House and Senate versions of the budget,” said Wyoming House Appropriations Chairman Bob Nicholas. “This is a good bill that makes responsible reductions where necessary and respects the integrity and important work of Wyoming’s agencies and educational system.”
“If the House and Senate fail to pass an education funding reform bill this session, this budget compromise will phase in $45 million in reductions to education funding over two school years, providing an opportunity for school districts to adjust to and plan for reduced funding levels,” said Wyoming Senate Appropriations Chairman Bruce Burns. “This reasonable 2.8 percent reduction in education funding, in addition to last year’s 1.4 percent reduction, was arrived at after much discussion and reflects an effort to respect the perspective of both chambers. As a Joint Appropriations Committee, and as a conference committee, we thoroughly vetted this budget and worked collaboratively to get it right. This budget makes substantive reductions that are necessary to bring spending in line with the reality of Wyoming’s diminished revenue picture.”
“Every member of the conference committee on the budget committed to do what’s right for Wyoming, right now. That commitment to working for Wyoming people is what made reaching a compromise possible,” said Wyoming House Speaker Steve Harshman. “We must take this budget and build on it in a way that will allow Wyoming to grow our economy, provide opportunities for our young people and provide stable funding for education and essential programs. I am grateful for the work and deliberation put forth by the members of the Joint Appropriations Committee and the conference committee. Because of their efforts, this budget bill sets Wyoming on a fiscally responsible course.”
“Reaching a compromise is never easy. It requires thoughtfulness and a commitment to advance the best possible solution for Wyoming taxpayers,” said Wyoming Senate President Eli Bebout. “I supported the Senate’s position and believe that both chambers worked through the amendments fairly and thoroughly to put forward a responsible solution. Wyoming’s legislative process works and I have every confidence that this compromise is a step toward putting Wyoming on a more responsible financial footing. I respect and value the work of every member of the budget conference committee. Riding herd on this budget process and finding common ground for the benefit of Wyoming people is a great achievement.”
Cheyenne, Wyo. - Wyoming House and Senate leaders released the following statement on Friday after the Legislature’s bicameral, 10-member budget conference committee reached a compromise on Wyoming’s budget package.
“The process of arriving at a responsible and reasonable budget is never easy or free from disagreement. However, we all came to the table in good faith and worked through the differences between the House and Senate versions of the budget,” said Wyoming House Appropriations Chairman Bob Nicholas. “This is a good bill that makes responsible reductions where necessary and respects the integrity and important work of Wyoming’s agencies and educational system.”
“If the House and Senate fail to pass an education funding reform bill this session, this budget compromise will phase in $45 million in reductions to education funding over two school years, providing an opportunity for school districts to adjust to and plan for reduced funding levels,” said Wyoming Senate Appropriations Chairman Bruce Burns. “This reasonable 2.8 percent reduction in education funding, in addition to last year’s 1.4 percent reduction, was arrived at after much discussion and reflects an effort to respect the perspective of both chambers. As a Joint Appropriations Committee, and as a conference committee, we thoroughly vetted this budget and worked collaboratively to get it right. This budget makes substantive reductions that are necessary to bring spending in line with the reality of Wyoming’s diminished revenue picture.”
“Every member of the conference committee on the budget committed to do what’s right for Wyoming, right now. That commitment to working for Wyoming people is what made reaching a compromise possible,” said Wyoming House Speaker Steve Harshman. “We must take this budget and build on it in a way that will allow Wyoming to grow our economy, provide opportunities for our young people and provide stable funding for education and essential programs. I am grateful for the work and deliberation put forth by the members of the Joint Appropriations Committee and the conference committee. Because of their efforts, this budget bill sets Wyoming on a fiscally responsible course.”
“Reaching a compromise is never easy. It requires thoughtfulness and a commitment to advance the best possible solution for Wyoming taxpayers,” said Wyoming Senate President Eli Bebout. “I supported the Senate’s position and believe that both chambers worked through the amendments fairly and thoroughly to put forward a responsible solution. Wyoming’s legislative process works and I have every confidence that this compromise is a step toward putting Wyoming on a more responsible financial footing. I respect and value the work of every member of the budget conference committee. Riding herd on this budget process and finding common ground for the benefit of Wyoming people is a great achievement.”
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