WTF does this office do? State Legislators
When most people think about elections, they think about the President, Congress, or maybe the Governor.
But most of the decisions that impact your life happen much closer to home.
“Down ballot” races, like state legislators, school board, city councilors, and county commissioners will determine the future of our healthcare, education, public lands, housing, and lots more.
In this series of articles, Better Wyoming will go over some of the important work each of these offices do, and how they will impact your life and community.
WHY STATE LEGISLATORS MATTER
Most of the things we love about Wyoming—and plenty of the things that frustrate us—have at least something to do with our state legislature.
Members of the Wyoming House and Senate...
- decide how much funding our schools get, and they can pass laws that limit what gets taught or creates positive new programs
- control who is eligible for many important public healthcare programs, and write the rules for insurance companies
- can support housing projects and renter protections, and they control property tax levels
- determine funding for conservation, wildlife management, hunting season, and public land access
- can pass laws that make Wyoming friendlier, or unfriendlier, to new businesses, and decide how tax revenue improves (or doesn’t) our communities.
FOR EXAMPLE...
During the 2026 legislative session, the legislature passed a budget that included much-needed Medicaid funding increases for birthing centers and EMS services. This means that more Wyomingites can safely give birth, and receive emergency services.
The legislature also tried to pass some harmful bills that ultimately failed. They tried to cut the Wyoming Business Council, which helps communities grow their economies, and the University of Wyoming, which most of the state relies on and loves. These bills failed because voters like you held lawmakers accountable!