As I write this update, we have reached the halfway point of the 2026 Budget Session. The first week was dedicated to determining whether proposed legislation should be introduced. Because this is a Budget Session, a two-thirds vote of the House is required for a bill to be introduced. Almost 200 bills were proposed, and approximately 95 met the threshold for introduction. Nearly 60 bills failed introduction and, due to time constraints, 45 bills were never considered for introduction.
The second week has centered on debating the biennial budget. Governor Gordon presented a balanced budget in November that included nearly $500 million in surplus revenue. His proposal recommended placing $250 million of that surplus into the permanent savings and using the remaining surplus to support increases to State employee salaries—bringing them to 2024 market-based levels— capital construction, technology upgrades and investment in economic development, among other priorities.
The Joint Appropriations Committee (JAC) held agency hearings throughout December and January, ultimately presenting a budget that reduced the Governor’s proposal by approximately $315 million. While the JAC made numerous reductions, the most significant cuts were to the University of Wyoming ($40 million), the Wyoming Business Council ($53 million), and removal of adjustments to state employee compensation. The JAC also recommended universal reductions to agencies’ technology budgets.
During this second week of the Session, the House completed first, second, and third readings of the JAC budget. On first reading, an amendment was offered to return to Governor Gordon’s original budget rather than beginning with the JAC version. Although the vote was close, the amendment did not pass in the House—though it did pass in the Senate. On second reading, 122 amendments were proposed, followed by 125 amendments on third reading. The volume of amendments and the spirited debate surrounding them resulted in several long days and even an unusual Saturday session. The rejection of the JAC budget in the Senate and the historically high number of proposed amendments in the House demonstrate the lack of confidence of many legislators in the JAC’s budget. Many, including myself, believe it to be deeply flawed.
When I was appointed to this position in December, I committed to serving as a common-sense conservative who values local control and supports investment in Wyoming’s economic prosperity. I have relied on these principles in every vote I have cast this Session. While it is impossible to review all my more than 350 votes here, I want to highlight a few key decisions.
To uphold my commitment to local control, I strongly supported a method to codify a formula for direct distribution, resulting in an increase from the Governor’s recommendation and certainty of funding in the future. I will continue to apply this lens when considering remaining active bills related to elections, education, land use, and public services.
Many of the House’s budget debates have centered on issues critical to Wyoming’s long-term economic health. I supported amendments that invest in our future by ensuring fair wages for state employees and maintaining funding for the University of Wyoming, the Wyoming Business Council, our legacy industries (like energy and agriculture), and emerging economic opportunities. We made meaningful progress on these priorities during third reading, and I’m hopeful the final budget will include further adjustments that strengthen Wyoming’s long-term economic prosperity.
The budget now moves to a conference committee, where appointed members from the House and Senate will work to resolve the substantial differences between the two versions. At the same time, the House will shift its attention to Senate-originated bills, taking them up first in committee and then on the floor.