Dear editor:
The 2026 Wyoming Legislative Session has been nothing short of embarrassing to watch thus far.
The majority of the embarrassment has been on the House of Representatives side.
The best way to sum it up is this: the Senate, by and large, has acted like adults and professionally carried out the people's work, while the House of Representatives has been a dumpster fire of childishness, drama, grandstanding and evasiveness.
The perceived inappropriate handing out of checks on the House floor has allowed the true colors of several representatives to come through.
During the fallout of the check debacle, some representatives have even stooped so low as to blame or criticize the press.
Excuse me, but the press is there to observe, receive information and report to the people what is going on.
Oftentimes the Wyoming press is the only way we citizens know what is really going on, and what the real story may be.
If elected officials are uncomfortable with that, may I suggest they resign and find another line of work that does not involve public service.
Lastly, I was astonished at the attitude Representative Ken Pendergraft possessed in January 2026 relative to the debate on state employee raises.
In a Cowboy State Daily article dated 12 January 2026, Representative Trey Sherwood stated, "But our greatest asset is our people — the people who come to work every single day so passionate about what they do.”
To this Representative Pendergraft responded, “I would say our greatest asset is the taxpayer.”
Oh, really?! As a retired state employee, I was offended.
If it were not for state employees, Wyoming government would not exist.
Rep. Pendergraft needs to have a change of heart and realize where the rubber meets the road.
Bill Eckrich
Rural Laramie County, WY
