The 2025 General Session of the Wyoming State Legislature is building some momentum. It remains to be seen if that is a good thing…but things are certainly beginning to move. Bills are coming over from the Senate and we should have some House bills to send back to them by this afternoon (Monday).
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The 2025 General Session of the Wyoming State Legislature is building some momentum. It remains to be seen if that is a good thing…but things are certainly beginning to move. Bills are coming over from the Senate and we should have some House bills to send back to them by this afternoon (Monday).
HB 0080 is going through the committee process. Many of you saw this bill coming from a mile away and gave me the heads-up weeks ago. You pointed out that there seemed to be a disconnect between the writer of the bill and our situation in Wyoming, as the language in the bill was more political and the issue was more financial. Oftentimes, that is the case when someone brings an out of state, feel good bill and tries to convince Wyoming that it is just what we need. I predicted that the State Treasurer would come out in opposition and that certainly was the case. Of course, I received the most input from those of you whose retirement funds were put at risk. HB 0080 also threatens other State investments and municipal investments held with the State. All of your observations were accurate. HB 0080 reminds me of taking the kids shopping for a new pair of boots or shoes. When they fall in love with a pair, it is almost impossible to change their mind, even as they are limping at turtle speed across the store. Welcome to the legislature.
The Minerals, Business, and Economic Development Committee took testimony on this bill on Friday, Jan 17, and Monday, Jan 20. To watch live, or later, go to WYOLEG.GOV, Calendars, Legislative meetings, House Minerals Committee. It is very interesting (seriously), as the issues we have discussed over the last couple weeks are explained thoroughly. The videos are pretty interesting as everyone starts paying attention when the legislature starts playing politics with folk’s retirement funds. Will they amend it heavily, bring a replacement bill, table it, kill it? By the time this hits the paper we will know.
On another note…Over the past few years it has become increasingly clear that the rule of law is being eroded as multiple federal departments, agencies, and political positions have been weaponized to promote a political agenda. It makes me thankful to live in Wyoming where we have historically stood together and resisted this kind of corruption to our political process. But, as sometimes happens when the legislature is in session, we find it is time to stand together and push back again. For the past 135 years, the Governor has appointed the Attorney General and the Senate confirms the Governors appointment. HB 0102 proposes to end this practice and start electing our Attorney General. Currently, the AG serves as the chief law enforcement officer and chief legal counsel for the state, ensuring that the law is upheld without personal or political agenda. If we cheapen the AG’s office by putting a politician behind the desk we will enable the AG to ignore directives from the governor, leading to conflicts of interest and decisions driven by political motivations rather than the rule of law. This will diminish the quality of legal representation for the state and grow government. Presently, our AG actually works. Elected AG’s oversee a bureaucracy of attorneys that do their work. In addition, there is a reason that in states where the AG is elected, AG stands for Aspiring Governor. We are used to this kind of ridiculousness coming from the left fringe but today in Wyoming this is being proposed by us, the Republican Majority! I suppose it is time for those of us in the House of Representatives to take a step back, take a long look in the mirror and ask ourselves, does our hypocrisy know any bounds?