The Wyoming Legislature gaveled in for its 68th session Tuesday with lawmakers pushing for their personal projects and agendas.
The opening ceremonies in the Wyoming House of Representatives took on a decidedly partisan tone with numerous biblical phrases and references to the American founding fathers mentioned throughout.
Secretary of State Chuck Gray welcomed in the House members, each elected or reelected into office in the 2024 election.
Gray served in the Wyoming House from 2017 to 2022 and mentioned a few stories from his time working in the chamber, as well as congratulating all the new members in the House on getting elected.
“The breadth of work you’re about to undertake is inspiring and don’t let that overwhelm you,” Gray cautioned.
Neiman Sworn In
State Rep. Chip Neiman, R-Hulett, was confirmed as speaker of the House after a unanimous vote. Neiman choked up at one point while taking his oath of duty. He said he was overcome with emotion thinking about the U.S. Constitution and his role helping lead the state government.
Neiman said he tried promising himself for more than a month that he would keep his composure at his inauguration.
“I don’t have that kind of luxury,” he said. “This is no small thing. The things we do for the state of Wyoming will long be impactful in the fate of our lives.”
He also choked up when introducing his wife Joni Neiman, who he credits for helping him become the man he is today.
Things Turn Political
Neiman said he listened intently to voters while knocking doors this summer. He believes they want a smaller government and lower property taxes.
“I charge all of us to remember what we do now changes future lives, long after our picture stays on the halls of this building,” he said. “We have much work to do. Let us begin.”
He also expressed his optimism for Wyoming’s future with Trump taking office.
“Conservative works better than liberal, we see that as people vote with their vehicles,” he said.
Gray also used the Speaker’s pulpit to discuss his legislative priorities, which he had already discussed earlier in the month at a news conference.
He described the 68th Legislature as “a tremendous opportunity to advance conservative priorities,” which included “banning wokeism and radical transgender ideology in classrooms, protecting women’s sports.”
Gray referred to several of his priorities including stopping the entry of undocumented citizens, requiring photo IDs to vote and banning ballot drop boxes, and he received a short applause from House members for each proposal.
“The time for dither and delay has ended,” he said. “We’re in a golden age if we seize this opportunity.”
Gray also reiterated again that he considers President-elect Donald Trump “the second George Washington.”
Rep. Karlee Provenza, D-Laramie, told Cowboy State Daily she found this partisan tone unnecessary and disrespectful for the setting.
She also believes the fact that there was a relatively low turnout in the primary election shows that Wyoming voters have not passed a conservative mandate as many members of the Wyoming Freedom Caucus assert.
“This is factually not true,” she said. “What about the wishes of the other 73% of Wyoming residents?”
About 9% of eligible Wyoming voters voted for Freedom Caucus candidates in the the primary and about 27% of eligible voters participated in that election.
Typically, speeches given by statewide officials and legislative leadership at the swearing-in event in the past have been much more nonpartisan and meant as a form of positive inspiration and unity, with words like “conservative” and “liberal” discouraged from being used. It also isn’t typically a forum for addressing a specific legislative agenda.
Majority Floor Leader Rep. Scott Heiner, R-Green River, expressed gratitude for a childhood teacher for helping a “little, short farm boy like me” in developing an interest in civics that led to his election to the Legislature.
Speaker Pro Tem Rep. Jeremy Haroldson, R-Wheatland, also gave a short speech and quoted former President Ronald Reagan’s famous quote that “government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem.”
Minority Floor Leader Rep. Mike Yin, D-Jackson, urged a shared vision for Wyoming that rises above politics. He said the Legislature should focus on providing opportunities for families to be able to raise their families and live a prosperous life.
“We, your Wyoming Democrats, believe in the Wyoming way,” he said.
Provenza, the minority whip, agreed, saying she wanted to see discussion about “common sense” solutions like funding health care and funding public works projects rather than arguing about whether something is conservative or liberal.
Yin took a similar tone as Neiman, urging his House members to consider the legacy they will leave in history.
The event started with the posting of the colors by the Cheyenne South High School Junior Reserve Color Guard, which was accompanied by a song sung by state Rep. Daniel Singh, R-Cheyenne.
Former Gov. Jim Geringer was also in attendance at the ceremony. Geringer’s son Rep. Rob Geringer, R-Cheyenne, was sworn into office on Tuesday.
Over In The Senate
The proceedings were a bit different in the Senate, as roughly half the members of the body are still serving current terms. As a result, outgoing Senate President Ogden Driskill, R-Devils Tower, presided over the opening ceremonies.
Driskill choked up while giving his farewell speech as the body’s president, expressing gratitude to those who have helped him.
“It doesn’t go unnoticed for a cowboy senator from a little county to get here,” Driskill said, his voice wavering greatly before receiving a standing ovation.
Driskill will still serve two more years in office.
Wyoming Supreme Court Justice Kate Fox swore in the 15 new members.
Sen. Bo Biteman, R-Ranchester, was unanimously confirmed as Senate President. Senate Vice President Sen. Tim Salazar, R-Riverton, nominated Biteman, describing him as ethical and brave.
Biteman was much more concise and less emotional than Neiman in his speech that lasted less than a minute.
“Thank you for putting your trust in me and we’re going to have a good two years together, and let’s get to work,” he said.
But Senate Majority Leader Tara Nethercott, R-Cheyenne, wouldn’t let him get away that easy, presenting him with a new gavel made with black walnut wood that was made for him by former legislator Fred Emerich.
Contact Leo Wolfson at Leo@cowboystatedaily.com
Leo Wolfson can be reached at leo@cowboystatedaily.com.
