It was just day two of Wyoming’s 2024 budget session and already Majority Floor Leader Chip Neiman (R-Hulett) felt compelled to redirect the House of Representatives.
“I will not take much of your time. Don’t want to put anybody out or anything like that,” Neiman said. “But I do want to have a brief discussion about where we’re heading right now and what we’re getting ready to face.”
The day before, a leadership shakeup down the hall had made for a rocky start in the Senate. In the House, business had gotten off to a better start. But then 13 committee bills came to an abrupt end when each died on introductory vote.
One of those bills would have made it easier for people with public or private insurance to continue to access care at community mental health centers. Another would have created both misdemeanor and felony offenses for intimidating election officials. A third would have bumped revenue by raising fees for nonresident fishing licenses.
Committee bills are drafted during the offseason meetings, where they get extra attention and deliberation by lawmakers, state agencies, the public and other stakeholders. That vetting process requires time and money, and in return those bills are traditionally prioritized during the session over individually sponsored legislation. They are typically much more likely to pass.
But legislative traditions such as this one are not written in stone. Especially amid a session already defined by the rift between traditional and hard-line factions of the GOP.
“The Wyoming Freedom Caucus and our allies in the House of Representatives defeated ⅓ of the policy bills that were presented for introduction [Monday],” Freedom Caucus Chairman Rep. John Bear (R-Gillette) wrote to WyoFile in a statement.
While the hard-line Freedom Caucus does not have the majority in the House, it does possess enough members to block bills on introduction during a budget session when two-thirds support is needed.
That power was on full display Monday.
“This action was an illustration of the growing movement to both curb government spending and bring government policy more in line with conservative values,” Bear wrote.
Tuesday, Neiman, a Freedom Caucus member himself, asked that House members let a slate of property-tax bills get over that initial hurdle.
“They need to get to committee,” Neiman pleaded. “They need to have the opportunity to be able to be openly debated on the floor of this Legislature. Worked through the committee and see what comes out so that we can do the business that the people of the state of Wyoming have called us here to do.”
After having a hand in making sure that half a dozen committee bills didn’t get that same treatment, Nieman’s comments were vexing to some members.
“I find it just a little bit offensive to think that now we’re going to take into consideration all the hard work that committees have done over the interim,” Rep. Lloyd Larsen (R-Lander) told the House after Nieman spoke.
“The thousands of dollars that have been spent, the time away from work, and that we would consider that these bills are now important. These committee bills are now important when the ones yesterday were not.”
Normally, comments like the ones made by Neiman and Larsen wouldn’t be allowed on the House floor. But Speaker of the House Albert Sommers said they were necessary in order for the “body to kind of heal after what happened yesterday.”
Sommers reminded the House of some words he’d shared from Thomas Jefferson the day before.
“My dear friend. If we do not learn to sacrifice small differences of opinion, we can never act together,” Sommers said.
It cost the Legislature approximately $679,700 to craft committee bills in the off-season, Sommers said.
“That doesn’t mean that every bill that comes out is good,” he said. “Doesn’t mean that every bill should be introduced. But the vast, vast majority of committee bills should be introduced.”
Sommers also had certain words for committee members who voted against their own work product.
“If you were on a committee and you voted against a committee bill and didn’t at least tell your chairman that you were going to vote against that committee bill, I think that violates a basic trust that we’ve had in this Legislature for a long time,” Sommers said.
Almost all of the property-tax bills made it through on Tuesday. Shortly after one died, Rep. Dan Zwonitzer (R-Cheyenne) couldn’t help but remark on the apparent contradiction.
“I was told we were supposed to be voting ‘aye’ on the tax bills, and now I’m just making sure that’s still the case from here on forward or not,” Zwonitzer said. “If anybody wants to use their privilege [of the floor] and help guide the body.”
Meanwhile, three more committee bills died Tuesday.
It’s sad what has happened to our conservative posture over the last couple of decades – do you remember when the republicans had the House – the senate- and the presidency. And couldn’t accomplish anything since the freedom caucus voted against everything!!! Guess what happened – we lost the congress and look at the mess we are in today!! Wyoming the equality state ( unless you’re a woman ) then we’ll tell you what you can do and not do with your own health!! Look at the invasion to communism that’s been allowed by the current administration because we lost congress . Our country is going to crap – thanks to Freedom Caucus for letting the other side get into power!!!
Both my representative and senator are part of this chaos, and I will be working hard to get them replaced with people willing to work with others for the common good. We really can replace them.
Steps in the right direction. GOOD.
The spoiled rotten tantrum throwing woke Rino cry babys got thier bottoms spanked AS NEEDED.
The Freedom Caucus wants the freedom to not do any work!
The legisture’s only job is to legislate. Voting to bring committee bills up is part of the job. Those who don’t want that job should be replaced by those who do.
The do nothing “freedom caucus” is willing to wreak our state to prove how unbending and authoritarian they are. We didn’t elect these people to throw a monkey wrench into our state government.
My hope is that Wyoming voters will begin to realize the absurdity of voting for hard-line Freedumb Caucus candidates. They are only interested in causing chaos and disruption. They certainly vote against our best interests. Wise up Wyoming!
What a waste of time and money! Mental health (not to mention physical health), protection for election workers and added revenue go by the wayside. What rights and freedoms will the “freedom” caucus be taking from me this session? When the Wyoming Legislature meets my stress level always goes up.
Freedom Caucus = zealous idiots.
Is the Wyoming Freedom Caucus going to give us a replay of what Congress, more specifically the House of Representatives is doing? Let’s disrupt the proceedings, cancel out projects, attack pre-school proposals, dismiss health issues and achieve nothing. For those who voted for these clowns, you get what you deserve, nothing. As your great leader said, “During my four years nothing happened,” Trump said. “And there was great pressure on me, having to do with guns. We did nothing.” Congratulations, you’re on your way to fulfilling his words.
These crazy don’t care about legislating. They just want to see government at all levels broken. It used to be just a federal thing but now it has moved to the state level. At what point will the public see this for what it is and the majority of the legislators stand up against this insanity.
The Freedom Caucus is simply redirecting the focus of the legislature on what all or at least most legislators said would be their top priority-tax reform. By eliminating ridiculous bills from the start more time can be focused on tax relief. It is time for the “moderate” Wyoming Caucus to put up or shut up. Across the board and substantial property tax relief is what most Wyomingites want, not targeted relief around the edges. Get it done and quit blaming the Freedom Caucus for your failures. Our property taxes doubled under your reign (moderates) during the past seven years, long before the Freedom Caucus could serve as your scapegoat.
By the way, saying the Freedom Caucus is creating a side show is definitely the pot calling the kettle black. After the three ring circus in the senate chamber during the opening session caused by President Driskill who is a self-proclaimed moderate, I would be cognizant of the fact that most of us in Wyoming are not stupid and can sort through the rhetoric.
You want goods and services for nothing. New people come into our state and double the value of property, making it harder for the average Joe or Jane to live here, then complain about the taxes. Don’t know if you fit in this category, but if we want a good place to live , work for the common good, not just our own personal interests.
Well stated Mike
Mart it isnt the (new people) who set the price a property sells for it is the current deed holder (locals) normally , why would they (owner) give away their equity to a stranger or local . Iam pretty sure Wyoming is not a socialist state so Joe and Jane need to live and work as the owners of properties do to pay property taxes or move on to a life they can afford. Tax relief on this suject would help keep properties in local hands more than anything. Plus Oil and Mining need to expand in Wyoming its the major source of tax income for Wyoming and this current USA leadership isnt a bit of help.
Once again, the extreme right proves they want nothing more than to recreate the chaos of Congress in our state capitol. Sorry the, “they just want to limit government” dog doesn’t hunt as they have done nothing to eliminate or limit the government programs they benefit from. They pile on more and more laws, rules and regs in areas that support their extremist views. They claim to be conservative but waste hundreds of thousands of our tax dollars on interim work that they just toss in the trash bin. Don’t let the fact that you agree with a small portion of their agenda blind you to what they are doing to the once great Equality State.
Well said, Mark Harris.
Good old toxic out of state dark money.
The tyranny of the majority is said to be an inherent weakness of majority rule, but once again, we see how Wyoming is forced to endure the tyranny of the minority who can’t think for themselves, represent the best interests of their constituents or respect for fellow members of the legislature. Wyoming just keeps getting more backwards everyday.
These are grownups? Shameful. Nonproductive. Showboat stuff. A disappointment to every voter.
“disfunction” is a growing disease!
Remember when some of the unfreedom caucus collected free PPP gifts.
Good morning neighbors and it appears to be that and boil down to that “the WYOMING RAINY FUND” has been DRAINED and the “FREEDOM CAUCUS” standing FAST while the CROSSOVER VOTING SELECTED are working on and accomplished what “the body” intended and expected for the “precedence” that happened so that a DEMOCRACY attitude will prevail in the LAW MAKERS Halls to remove the REPUBLIC by using as many precedences as necessary to “RULE”.
WYOFILE thank you for your generous use of the FIRST AMENDMENT and I hope you can investigate the health of the Wyoming Rainy Day Funds, thank you.
The Freedom Caucus is flexing its muscle and as its membership increases in the House along with more assistance from outside sources there will be more of what took place yesterday. At the same time, perhaps interim committees are spending too much time and money on legislation that should never be introduced in a budget session.
Again the Freedom Caucus raises their empty heads and proves they don’t believe in anything but their own ability but to create chaos and confusion in the halls of all government. When it come to protecting said officials and other public servants they remain at risk. It clear they don’t care about mental health in this state as once again they block a bill that would prevent people in need using their own insurance, that thy prolly pay over a hundred dollars a month for and may have to drive many miles for from helping pay for needed mental health. I’m sure our suicide rate will continue to climb and the state will remain an unacceptable No 1 through out the United States at a pace 2 1/2 times higher then the rest of the country. All but one property tax bill made it through and if any gets passed because some necessary and needed public services may have to be cut because the money dried up without any consideration because debate on these bills will just be a waist because they will not get the support they need from a bunch that hasn’t a clue where the money really goes. Beware the people Freedom Caucus it’s double speak right out of Orwell 1985!
Backwards and shortsighted our legislature is. The Picketts, Kroenkes and Eshelmans are redefining Wyoming in the likeness of what billionaires prefer. No taxes and lot of corporate loopholes. That leaves Wyoming at the mercy of a big pocket of money from who knows where. New doctors leave the state after seeing the general response to healthcare in Wyoming. Education is being pushed under the wing of Christianity in Wyoming. Critical thinking stops at faith. The cattle industry like the cattle industry is fading with climate change. Whiskey is for drinking, water is for fighting.
How refreshing!
The object of government, as defined by the framers, is to do as little as possible “For” the people. The intent of government is to protect our liberty, facilitate commerce, and leave us the heck alone.
State government has the OBLIGATION to rein power from the feds. Fight EVERYTHING not found in Art I Sec VIII. Remember, the federal government has no constitutional authority over you other than the 18 enumerated powers.
Freedom caucus? Keep up the good work. For you others? THERE IS NOTHING EXTREME about reining in government spending. Spending outside of the law, is what’s EXTREME.
Well said
I really find life fascinating as it has provided me a front row seat to see the slow erosion of our US Republic at the Federal then State level. In the Clinton era, I got to study the Federal rot from my perch in Dayton, Ohio. I got to see how the next Governor of Ohio Jon Husted was recruited out of the University of Dayton in 1993 by the Dayton Chamber of Commerce paid for by my company to play the contract game at the highest levels of the Federal Government.
If all I wanted was money I could have been Dick Cheney 2.0. Instead, post 911, I ran for Congress as a Republican in 2002 because I thought they wanted less regulation and efficiency in government but that story was not true.
Now I am in Wyoming watching the erosion of the it’s value system because the 5th generation ranchers could not see the wolf in sheep’s clothing they helped get elected and now they are getting eaten one by one. Tara Nethercott losing to Chuck Gray was the wake-up call but pride prevented sane people from embracing Democrats or influencing billionaires to finance a new tune for the people to consider.
What I am now learning in this Wyoming place is that the Founder did install checks and balances at every level and it will take a few more hateful state legislation sessions to really impact the last best hope, resistance from the good citizens of one’s own County. The Freedom Caucus can pass all the terrible state laws it wants but it takes local citizens to implement their hate.
As a Florida reader of Wyofile, it encourages me to read so many comments from informed citizens who are paying close attention to their elected officials’ agendas, and raising their voices. Florida’s environment and freedoms have suffered terribly with our current “freedom” leadership, and here people fear speaking up. Lead the way, Wyoming!