Wyoming Legislature update – March 17, 2021
by Albert Sommers, House District #20 Representative
March 17, 2021
3/17/2021
Hello Sublette County, this is Albert Sommers reporting to you from Cheyenne on March 17th, 2021. The city of Cheyenne is slowly digging its way out of the record-breaking storm that hit on Saturday and Sunday.
Today, the House passed 9 bills on 3rd Reading, including HB0079, Subdivisions, which provides more flexibility for family member land divisions. HB0112, Lifetime pioneer trapper license, creates a reduced priced pioneer license for trappers over 65 years of age with 30 years of residency. HB0116, Concealed carry-residency requirement - 2, allows non-residents with conceal carry permits from other states to conceal carry in Wyoming. I supported all of these bills on 3rd Reading.
The House heard three bills on 2nd Reading, including HB0173, School finance funding - 2, the complete solution for Wyoming’s K12 funding shortfall. This bill includes reductions, revenue diversions, and a penny sales tax for education when Wyoming’s "Rainy Day" fund hits $650 million. We started the day with about $31 million in annual reductions to K12 funding, and I think we ended by cutting around $70 million.
An amendment was brought to take central office personnel and activities out of the block grant, which will make it harder for local school boards to pay their superintendents above what the funding model allows. This amendment also takes away local school boards’ authority to spend more for activities than the model provides. Another amendment eliminated a proposed diversion of a revenue flow from savings to K12 funding.
I will try to bring back a part of this revenue flow tomorrow in a 3rd Reading amendment. I am also contemplating an amendment that would put activities back in the block grant. This bill was debated for hours today, and I expect it will be heavily debated again tomorrow.
I can be reached at albert@albertsommers.com with questions or comments.
Thank you.
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