Governor Mark Gordon

The “What is a Woman Act” would establish legal definitions for “biological sex,” “man” and “woman,” and would ban trans women from accessing the bathrooms of their choice. Another would ban DEI initiatives in state government and UW.

Things kicked off at the state Capitol in Cheyenne on Tuesday, Jan. 14 and already state lawmakers’ priorities are starting to take shape. But lawmakers aren’t the only ones with ideas about how they want Wyoming to run — officials in the executive and judicial branches have priorities, too. This week, we’ll hear what the governor, secretary of state, state superintendent and the head of the judicial branch want for Wyoming, and how their priorities align — and don’t — with lawmakers’.

Gordon highlighted the need for more funding to fight wildfires and restore land damaged by them – and the importance of adding attorneys to the state attorney general’s office for lawsuits against Biden administration policies.

The State Building Commission voted unanimously to move the rule change forward. If it’s approved by legislative leaders, Wyomingites visiting the Capitol might soon be able to pack heat along with their notepads and pencils.

Another highlight came when he mentioned legislators have requested more than 600 bill drafts. Gordon said it would be a record number of bills for a Wyoming Legislature to consider during his tenure as governor.

The Wyoming Freedom Caucus recently announced their priorities for the upcoming session, calling it the Five and Dime Plan.

Secretary of State Chuck Gray certified the initiative that would slash half of residential property taxes for homeowners who’ve lived in Wyoming for at least a year. Critics of the idea worry about how the loss of tax revenue could impact school districts and other local government services.

Jan. 5 is Nellie Tayloe Ross Day. It recognizes the 100th anniversary of the inauguration of the nation’s first female Governor. The holiday came to be because of a Green River High School senior government class.

The report is expected to cover alleged errors made by Weston County Clerk Becky Hadlock during the general election. Those errors were outlined in a verified complaint sent to the governor by eight Weston County voters and officials in the local Republican Party.

Gov. Mark Gordon has signed an agreement with the federal government to sell the Kelly Parcel to Grand Teton National Park. But the sale is contingent on the finalization of a land management plan the governor is currently appealing.