Letter to the Editor: Town hall shows disconnect between lawmakers, constituents

Dear editor:

I appreciate that our representatives held a town hall meeting to share their work during this legislative session and allow their constituents to voice concerns. I learned a lot at the town hall meeting with Sen. Dan Laursen and Rep. Dalton Banks on March 25. Weeks later, I am still disturbed by what I learned. 

One law (HB199) provides $30,000,000 out of the general fund to students attending home and private schools. Sen. Laursen and Rep. Banks voted for this bill despite admitting that the majority of their constituents contacting them opposed it. Parents who make these private choices should pay for it with private funds, not taxpayer dollars. Our Wyoming Constitution addresses this issue in Article 1, Section 19 and Article 3, Section 36, which states, “No appropriation shall be made for charitable, industrial, educational or benevolent purposes to any person, corporation or community not under the absolute control of the state, nor to any denominational or sectarian institution or association.” This new law violates our state constitution and will likely be challenged in court. Numerous studies indicate that states adopting universal voucher systems see a decline in educational quality and student achievement. Public schools are the cornerstone of our rural communities. Ninety-three percent of Wyoming students attend public schools. This law is a false solution to a problem Wyoming doesn’t have.

Wyoming has the most guns per capita of any U.S. state. I think it is fair to say that Wyomingites love their guns. The repeal of gun-free zones (HB0172) allows concealed carry in schools, government buildings and public meetings. This move takes away local control, which most parents and community members oppose. The whole “good guy with a gun” phrase defended by our representatives is a gross generalization about how to keep our schools safe. The issue is more complex than this cliche. We deserve local control, and yet, their vote requires that we open the doors to allow anyone with a concealed carry permit to bring their gun into our schools.

I was horrified about the passing of the Chemical Abortion Ultrasound requirement bill (HB0064). It is a flagrant government overreach into the lives of women, their families, and their healthcare providers. This law restricts the use of medical abortion pills by requiring women to have a vaginal ultrasound to show them pictures of the fetus and see and hear its heartbeat, with a 48-hour wait period after the ultrasound to receive the medication. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, “a clinical examination or ultrasound examination is not necessary before medication abortion.” Confirmation of pregnancy can be accomplished through a urine test, and the woman’s last menstruation can determine the gestational age of the fetus. Instead of providing valuable medical information to the health care provider, this law limits personal autonomy and instills judgment and shame in women. A woman and provider who violate this provision can be imprisoned for up to six months and fined up to nine thousand dollars. 

In addition, they displayed negligence in their fiscal responsibilities. They allocated $30 million towards a school voucher system, $10 million for the Wyoming State Shooting Complex in Cody, approved property tax exemptions, and reduced state revenue by $9 million annually through a decrease in the severance tax on surface-mine coal. They did not pass any legislation to compensate for this loss of revenue. This shortfall will impact our county and town, potentially leading to reduced services from our sheriff and police department, hospital services, and road maintenance and repairs.

Ultimately, what struck me most was the disconnect between the expressed views of constituents and the actions of our representatives. Their actions raise concerns about representation and accountability in our democratic process. Our representatives must be reminded that they are accountable to us and that decisions affecting our lives should reflect the will of the people they serve. We have a responsibility to find and elect representatives that truly represent our Wyoming values of fiscal responsibility, community, hard work, respect for the land, consideration of others, individual liberty, and personal autonomy.  Together, we can advocate for a more just and equitable legislative process that listens to the voices of all Wyomingites.

Cheryl Hunt

Greybull