Lawley disappointed by resolution failure

Representative Martha Lawley (R-Worland) reported another busy week in Cheyenne as legislators continued to work on the supplemental budget as well as reviewing Senate Files passed over to the House of Representatives.

Senate File 78, which Lawley supported in the Minerals, Business and Economic Development Committee, passed its third reading in the House on Feb. 9 on a 62-0 vote, and was sent back to the Senate for concurrence. The legislation would require the Department of Workforce Services to provide information to secondary students about apprenticeships and training programs. “Senate File 78 establishes the framework for school districts to offer these apprenticeships and job training opportunities to students under student learner agreements that offer school credit. It is a very positive step in helping equip students interested in a career in a technical field. I strongly support this effort,” Lawley said.

At the same time, Senate File 77, to repeal statutes authorizing the use of apprenticeship programs on public works projects and preferences for contractors who use the apprenticeship program was signed by the Senate President on Feb. 9, after passing both houses.

“This was a rarely used program that was narrow in scope, so it was repealed,” Lawley, who voted to pass the repeal, said. “It is a cleanup bill. The program has nothing to do with high school apprenticeships.”

In the Education Committee, Lawley said Senate File 49 – Safe School and Climate Act Amendments was debated. The bill would expand bully-free school policies to include district employees, administrators and volunteers. “Some districts already do this, but others do not. So, this bill will ensure consistency in policy,” Lawley said, noting that the bill also requires revision of district policies and training. The House placed the legislation on general file on Feb. 13.

Lawley noted her disappointment that Joint House Resolution 2 did not pass its third reading. “In my view, this resolution provided the best path forward for true property tax reform in Wyoming,” she said. The resolution would have put an amendment to Article 15 of the Wyoming Constitution before voters in 2024 to add a residential real property class with the intention of creating fairer property valuation. Lawley said, “The Wyoming Constitution significantly limits the options the State Legislature has to change the current property tax system.”

As far as the supplemental budget, Lawley again reported that the Wyoming Legislature planned to save more of its revenue surplus than spend. She said that there is only about a $1.5 million difference between the House and Senate versions of the budget, which are in the process of being resolved this week.

“It’s important to note that both the House and Senate versions save almost twice as much they spend, with $1 billion in savings and about $515 million in spending. In my view, this strikes the right balance for Wyoming’s future,” Lawley said.