Nate Martin

Wyoming barriers: The high cost of neglecting preschool

Early childhood education sets kids up for success. Children who go to preschool do better in K-12—requiring less help and driving down overall education costs—and they go on to earn more and require less government assistance. But two-thirds of Wyoming kids don’t attend preschool, and the state does not invest a dime in it, creating an early-life hurdle for many children that is both costly and difficult to overcome.

Wyoming barriers: The high cost of neglecting preschool Read More »

Education Funding, FEATURED

Session recap: How Chip Neiman killed dozens of “boring” problem-solving bills

Making sure electricians are safe? Yawn. Training more rural nurses? Booo-ring. Scholarships for community college students to learn trades? What a snooze fest!

These are just some of the bills that House Majority Floor Leader Chip Neiman singlehandedly killed by not allowing them to proceed to the House floor for debate.

Session recap: How Chip Neiman killed dozens of “boring” problem-solving bills Read More »

2023 General Session, Capitol Dispatches, FEATURED

Session recap: The good, the bad, and the ugly of Wyoming’s 2023 state budget

With a windfall of tax revenue from high gas prices, the Wyoming Legislature increased state employee and teacher pay and funded some economic development. But lawmakers failed to meaningfully address the state’s growing housing crisis, and they still would rather invest billions in Wall Street than our own local communities.

Session recap: The good, the bad, and the ugly of Wyoming’s 2023 state budget Read More »

2023 General Session, Budget (cuts, etc.), Capitol Dispatches, FEATURED

Session recap: Legislature falls flat confronting Wyo’s mental health and suicide crises

Lawmakers acknowledged in 2023 the problems of Wyoming’s crushing suicide rate (including teen suicide) and lack of basic mental healthcare access for rural communities and uninsured people. But resistance by the Freedom Caucus to any form of government program whatsoever helped defeat several proposals that could have saved lives.

Session recap: Legislature falls flat confronting Wyo’s mental health and suicide crises Read More »

2023 General Session, Capitol Dispatches, FEATURED, Healthcare

Session recap: Relief and reform for rising Wyo. property taxes

Rising home values have increased Wyoming property tax bills. The Legislature responded with targeted relief that will benefit nearly 10,000 households while untangling complicated issues with the state’s tax structure to allow for further reforms. They managed this while avoiding the slash-and-burn approach favored by the Freedom Caucus that would have gutted funding for local towns and counties.

Session recap: Relief and reform for rising Wyo. property taxes Read More »

2023 General Session, Capitol Dispatches, FEATURED, Tax Reform

Session recap – Lawmakers bravely confront Wyoming’s hottest non-issue: transgender student athletes

Four transgender students participate in Wyoming high school sports. For a decade, a policy governing trans student eligibility in athletics has gone unused, because local communities have handled situations on a case-by-case basis. But the so-called Freedom Caucus shares the national media’s obsession with transgender people. So, confronting this trendiest of boogeymen became a priority during the 2023 session, while other issues that affect tens of thousands of Wyoming residents went ignored.

Session recap – Lawmakers bravely confront Wyoming’s hottest non-issue: transgender student athletes Read More »

2023 General Session, Capitol Dispatches, FEATURED, LGBT Nondiscrimination
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