A lot happened in Cheyenne this year during the biennial budget session. Now that we’ve had some time to reflect, I wanted to share some thoughts.
The Wyoming Legislature had 20 days to accomplish two things: pass a budget and approve the once-in-a-decade redistricting plan.
During this time, legislators allocated billions of dollars during the fast-paced session, not only setting the budget for the next two years, but also earmarking American Rescue Plan Act dollars and funding for capital construction projects. The redistricting debate, however, continued until the last day of session, and Gov. Mark Gordon allowed the plan to become law without his signature, noting that it was out of deviation in some places.
But much of the budget session seemed largely driven by some legislators’ agenda on cultural issues.
Lawmakers debated not just one, but two bills that would force people to carry pregnancies against their will. They debated a bill that would censor classroom discussions about American history, race, and gender in our state’s classrooms. They debated a bill that would ban transgender women and girls from competing on sports teams that match their gender identity.
That these bills were even introduced during the budget session is disappointing. Far-reaching legislation like this shouldn’t have been brought forward during the fast-paced budget session. Bills like these need ample time for citizen engagement and debate – not swift action because lawmakers’ time in Cheyenne is limited.
Still, the ACLU of Wyoming and its allies helped defeat the discriminatory anti-transgender sports bill and the classroom censorship bill. These are important victories! But there were some major disappointments, too, like the passage of the “trigger ban” bill, legislation Gov. Gordon signed into law that will ban abortion entirely in Wyoming if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade.
We are grateful to all of you who fought tirelessly throughout this legislative session to protect our rights. Thank you for calling, writing, and speaking out against harmful bills.
But unless something changes, we’re going to see more of the same in 2023. If you’re upset about trans rights, reproductive rights, and racial justice coming under attack, we need you to stand up, take action, and fight to protect these rights.
That’s why it’s vital we get ready for the November 2022 midterm elections. Let’s not forget that some of our current legislative leaders are out of touch with what’s really important for Wyomingites. Let’s use that to continue to propel us into action in our communities and at the ballot box this year. We need to prioritize voting for public officials who advance civil rights and liberties, not undercut our freedoms.
Every eligible Wyoming voter has the ability to protect the civil rights and civil liberties of their friends and neighbors – just by showing up to vote. Will you commit to vote your values in support of civil rights and civil liberties? Will you ask three friends to register and vote?
COMMIT TO VOTE!
Never forget: your vote is your voice. And in a year like 2022, which has shown just how much change is needed, it's something we can't afford to overlook.
