2024 Budget Session: Week 1 Replay
Which bills survived? Which were killed? Is the Joint Appropriations Committee targeting our Secretary of State?
The Wyoming Legislature gaveled in for the 2024 Budget Session on Monday, February 12. House Conservatives halted a quarter of a billion dollars of wasteful spending on day one, along with multiple bills aimed at curbing First Amendment protected speech, sending the Establishment into a tailspin.
While accusing the Wyoming Freedom Caucus of neglecting to consider each bill on its merits, the Establishment majority went on to kill common sense, conservative measures in retribution for the demise of their wasteful, unconstitutional pet projects. Most notably, 19 Republicans joined with Democrats to kill House Bill 50, which would have protected Wyoming women from men invading their spaces.
Joint Appropriations Committee Targets SOS Gray
Discerning members of the Wyoming Freedom Caucus noticed something odd about the state’s budget — aside from the fact that it’s the biggest in Wyoming history.
Hidden in the footnotes (the Establishment’s favorite place to hide things) is a provision preventing our elected Secretary of State from engaging in litigation without the approval of the Wyoming Legislature.
As it turns out, this provision was added immediately after Wyoming Secretary of State Chuck Gray filed an amicus brief in the United States Supreme Court in support of Donald J. Trump’s appearance on the Colorado ballot.
When pressed by members of the Wyoming Freedom Caucus as to the reason for this restrictive footnote, one Appropriator answered clearly: the provision was added “simply based upon the conduct of the representative that is currently in the position.”
The Wyoming Freedom Caucus would like to remind our colleagues in the Wyoming Legislature that our state’s constitution forbids legislating via budget footnotes. We will not tolerate retaliation against our Secretary of State for fighting to keep Trump on the ballot.
What About Property Taxes?
Multiple property tax bills were filed in the Wyoming Legislature this session, and were heard by the House Revenue Committee this week.
After killing House Bill 127, the measure that would have offered the most sweeping relief, Revenue Committee member Representative Dan Zwonitzer (R- Laramie) said the quiet part out loud: If the legislature provides one form of tax relief, the Establishment will raise other taxes to make up for precious lost revenue.
Senate Ag Committee Oversight Hearing on Governor’s CO2 Policies
World renowned scientists from the CO2 Coalition appeared before the Senate Agriculture Committee to provide the facts that the Governor won’t- CO2 is not a pollutant, and the policies aimed at capturing it are not only expensive, but dangerous. Read more and watch the hearing for yourself here.
What Lies Ahead?
Budget deliberations continue this week, where the Wyoming Freedom Caucus will make every effort to reign in spending for only the constitutional and necessary functions of government.
A bill to eliminate gun free zones in Wyoming, sponsored by WYFC Vice Chairman Jeremy Haroldson will be heard by the House Judiciary Committee on Monday, February 19. The Committee meets at 7:30 AM- more details, including how to watch live, here.
ACTION ALERT:
Senate File 99 (Chloe’s Law) will be heard by the Senate Labor, Health & Social Services Committee on Wednesday, February 21.
This bill bans all gender reassignment abuses in Wyoming, and was killed last year by House leadership.
For more legislative updates, follow the WYFC on Facebook and X.