CHEYENNE – As the Wyoming Legislature approaches the end of the 67th Budget Session, legislators are working hard to reach a budget agreement. It’s been a tumultuous process. After joint deliberations, the Senate and House bills are still about $900 million apart, at the time of this writing. The gap owes to the House’s ask for some $362 million of increased spending, on top of the $10.8 billion initial budget proposal, and the Senate’s focus on reducing spending by more than $750 million.
I am proud of the Senate budget bill and firmly stand behind it. The Senate budget as amended invests in our state’s most urgent needs, saves for the future, and cuts out reckless government spending. Just like families across Wyoming the Legislature must balance the State budget by prioritizing spending and maintaining fiscal discipline, especially in times of surplus. Our residents cannot afford more tax-and-spend policies, which, sadly, has become the position of some so-called conservatives.
Despite the historic differences between the Senate and House budgets, I am cautiously optimistic we will reach an agreement—and that we will pass other legislation to strengthen our state’s sovereignty, support our military, and protect the personal liberties of all Wyomingites.
Last week the Wyoming Senate passed Senate File 102. This legislation would prohibit America’s foreign adversaries from buying or owning property that could compromise Wyoming’s critical infrastructure or military bases. A similar measure, Senate Joint Resolution 2, would allow Wyoming citizens to vote whether to authorize such a restriction. This measure is imperative in order to stop hostile nations like China from jeopardizing our national security. Unfortunately the House Appropriations was more interested in how the bills would affect foreign adversaries than the citizens of Wyoming and so refused work the bills and move them out of committee.
The Senate has also reaffirmed during this session its commitment to upholding citizen’s Second Amendment rights. Senate File 105, which would prevent credit card companies and vendors from tracking and quantifying firearms and ammunitions purchases, was passed by both chambers. It will now head to the Governor’s desk to be signed into law. Senate File 109, which would stop red-flag gun seizures and uphold due process rights, was passed unanimously in the Senate and is moving ahead in the House.
Understanding the importance of securing the integrity of our elections, the Senate also unanimously passed Senate File 97. If passed, this bill would prohibit electioneers from distributing unsolicited ballots. This is an important measure to prevent election interference and to ensure that Wyoming citizens can have confidence that their vote matters.
Finally, the Senate has voted strongly to stand up for the sanctity of life and to protect our children from irreversible gender mutilation, which is being pushed by the far-left. Senate File 99, ‘Chloe’s Law,’ would make it illegal for physicians and facilities to perform permanent infertility treatments and sex-change procedures on minors. The legislation was approved in the Senate by a 26-5 vote. Likewise, Senate File 98 would allow families to file civil lawsuits for prior gender-transition operations until a child’s 21st birthday.
The Legislature is working towards comprehensive reform to address our state’s out-of-control property taxes, which is clearly an issue of great importance across Wyoming. Out of a slate of some 18 bills, the Senate passed Senate File 54, which sought to provide a $200,000 exemption for all homes. The bill would have eliminated property taxes for nearly half of residents with the greatest savings for low- and middle-income homeowners. The bill was amended by the House to a 25% deduction for all homes valued at $3 million or less. While the changes favor the wealthy, this bill still represents one of the largest tax savings for Wyoming citizens in recent history. Importantly, it builds in a “backfill” for towns and counties to protect critical services and includes a two-year sunset clause to prevent against unintended consequences.
These hard-fought wins represent the Senate conservatives commitment to the people of Wyoming.
About Senator Cheri Steinmetz:
Senator Steinmetz represents Goshen, Niobrara, and Weston counties. She is serving as Chairman of the Agriculture State and Public Lands & Water Resources Committee, Chairman of the Select Water Committee, Vice Chairman of the Education Committee and is a member of the Capitol Finance and Investments Committee.
