House District 27: Lawley, Young vying for spot

Incumbent Martha Lawley and Tami Young are vying for the Republican nomination to represented House District 27.
Martha Lawley
BACKGROUND: I grew up in Worland and graduated from Worland High School. I graduated from UW with a degree in political science and graduated from Baylor Law School. I was a business litigator in Houston for many years until we began our journey back to the West. We arrived back in Worland in 2001.  My husband, Roger and I have been married over 40 years. We have three children and four grandchildren! I loved growing up in Worland, where I first learned about the importance of being a good neighbor and getting involved in my community. As an adult, I began to realize that communities like Worland don’t happen by accident. They happen because good people devote their time and talent to make the community a better place.  When I moved back to Worland, I wanted to give back to the community. I was honored to serve many years on the Washakie Museum Board. I was president when we built the new museum.  I served on the Washakie Development Association Board and the Northwest Community College Foundation Board raising money for scholarships. I was also part of Washakie Leadership Institute – an initiative to develop local leaders. I’m running for reelection to continue working for you, the people. It’s been an honor to represent the citizens of House District 27 this past two years. I’m grateful for the overwhelming support I’ve received from them! I’m a proven conservative who has the training, experience and skills to tackle the issues Wyoming is facing. Wyoming needs thoughtful conservative leaders who can work with others to solve problems and lead the way in preserving the values of the Wyoming we all love. A few of my accomplishments include: 1) Leading the fight to ban biological boys from girls’ sports; 2) Passing property tax relief. 3) Leading the fight on Parental Rights; 4) Co-sponsoring the Life as a Human Right bill protecting the unborn. 5) Passing Second Amendment protections. 6) Passing ban on irreversible sex change surgeries and medications for minors. 7) Funding the 988-Suicide Prevention Hotline; 8) Supporting Wyoming’s energy industry and workers. 9) Providing funds to protect the Southern Border!  To learn more about where I stand on the issues and see video clips of my work on the House Floor, visit my website, LawleyforWyoming.com. The characteristics that make me the best candidate to represent HD 27 are integrity, experience and the ability to get things done.
Tami Young
BACKGROUND: I am a dedicated and proven conservative Republican with deep roots in Wyoming, spanning six generations back to the early settlers of Crystal Creek north of Greybull. I grew up in Worland, left for a time, and returned in 2009. Returning to my roots was a significant decision, leading to many wonderful things, including meeting my husband, Tim, of 14 years. Together, we have eight children, five of whom have already graduated. I hold an associate’s degree in photography and a bachelor’s with an emphasis in social services and marriage and family therapy from BYU. For nearly 14 years, I have been actively involved in our local Republican Party, serving as either the chairman or the Washakie County GOP state committeewoman. This involvement has meant attending both local and state GOP committee meetings and Republican state conventions regularly for almost 14 years. I know most of the legislators and understand who upholds conservative values and who does not. Additionally, my husband and I are proud small business owners of Young’s Camper Repair here in Worland. This experience has further deepened my understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by local businesses. When I get to the legislature, I will be ready to work with my colleagues to immediately address legislation that is important to you. My core values are centered on freedom, life, the Second Amendment, family, minimal government spending, low taxes, and small government. I firmly believe that taxes and spending should never be more than necessary to meet the government’s constitutional obligations. My Christian values guide my commitment to integrity, service, and respect for all individuals. I am pro-freedom, pro-life, pro-Second Amendment, pro-family, and an advocate for fiscal responsibility. If elected, I will vote according to these principles, ensuring that the conservative voices and values of House District 27 are faithfully represented.
What is the answer to Wyoming’s state budget crisis, and how can the legislature help stimulate the economy?
LAWLEY: Wyoming has enjoyed the benefits of our energy resources. But relying heavily on the energy sector has its drawbacks. We experience boom-and-bust cycles that have a direct impact on our state budget. The state wisely saves money to provide the services Wyoming citizens need during the bust cycles. These saving strategies have helped stabilize the ups and downs. However, slowly dwindling energy production points out the need to restructure our state revenue system. This is a big task and I’m hopeful it will lead to important discussions among Wyoming citizens about what services they want and how they want them to be paid for.  Diversifying Wyoming’s economy will help open the door to more stable revenue options. Wyoming is working to diversify its economy. But I believe we can be more intentional in the following ways. First, Wyoming must become more “business ready” by eliminating unnecessary or outdated regulations. We’ve begun this process. Second, address the issues that are currently inhibiting economic growth like workforce shortages, housing and childcare. Third, specifically focus on the service industries: food, hospitality and tourism.  Fourth, expand into the new areas of mining like rare earth minerals and uranium. Wyoming has an abundance of these vital resources.
YOUNG: Our state currently holds approximately $30 billion in reserves. In the recent budget session, we added an additional $700 million to this account. Clearly, our state does not face a budget funding crisis; rather, it struggles with over-taxation and excessive spending. The terms “economy” or “market” are not mentioned in the Constitutions, nor has the power to manage the economy been delegated by the people, except in maintaining the value of the currency. Article I, Section 9 of the Constitution restricts the general government from favoring any demographic, business, region, or county. States should encourage fair competition, applying “equal protection of the laws” to all. Additionally, Western states are unconstitutionally violating the Commerce Clause by restricting the sale and shipment of Wyoming coal to other nations. These actions harm our economy and violate the Constitution’s intent for free trade between states. Wyoming must take decisive action to address these unconstitutional restrictions imposed by other Western states on the sale and shipment of our coal. To stimulate Wyoming’s economy, we should create an environment that fosters entrepreneurship and innovation. By reducing regulatory burdens, lowering taxes, and protecting property rights, we can attract industries like technology, tourism, and agriculture. Educational initiatives that promote skills in these areas will help develop a capable workforce. Ultimately, our goal should be a fair, competitive marketplace where businesses thrive on their merits, free from government favoritism and unconstitutional interference. This approach respects constitutional principles while promoting sustainable economic growth.
What is your solution to meeting the school finance issue in Wyoming, especially when it comes to cuts vs. generating additional revenue?
LAWLEY: The Wyoming Constitution gives every child the right to a free K-12 public education. As a result, how we finance public education centers around providing funding to ensure the same quality of education in each district. Education funds from the state are given to school districts in a block grant. Districts have the authority to move funds around within each block of the grant through the decisions of locally elected school boards. This is the first and most effective place for accountability, transparency and public input into how education dollars are used at the local level. I believe that Wyoming can streamline processes, eliminate duplication and waste in the education budget. Another issue I hear about is the number of administrative positions districts are funding. Again, this is a local issue that is best solved district by district. Another challenge Wyoming faces is that many teachers are leaving Wyoming because teacher salaries here are less than surrounding states. The question of how we fund education in the future is an important one. I believe that this should be part of the larger issue of state revenue restructuring. My hope is this will open important conversations between citizens and elected leaders that lead to greater transparency and accountability.
YOUNG: Article 7 of the Wyoming Constitution clearly outlines our state’s commitment to providing a comprehensive and uniform system of public instruction. I do not believe Wyoming has a school finance issue. With $30 billion in reserves, our state is financially strong. The real concern lies in budget allocation and efficient use of funds. Wyoming’s current system involves local districts sending property tax revenues to the state, which then redistributes these funds based on a guaranteed formula. This ensures each district receives the necessary funding, supplemented by state funds if needed. Wealthier districts contribute excess funds, which are redistributed to less wealthy districts. Districts receive block grants, allowing spending flexibility according to local priorities. Given our substantial financial cushion, we can manage revenue changes without jeopardizing school budget needs or generating more taxes. There is no need for cuts or additional revenue; instead, we should focus on wiser spending and better allocation of existing resources.
How can you be an effective voice in Cheyenne to represent the interests of small, rural communities like those in Big Horn County?
LAWLEY: All the counties in the Big Horn Basin include small, rural communities. These communities are the heart and soul of the Wyoming we all love. I learned during my first session that not all legislators believe this. As a result, it is very important that your elected representative has the knowledge, skills and experience to advocate for the needs of their district. This can be challenging, but it’s crucial to our survival. I had the opportunity to successfully advocate for the specific interests of HD 27 numerous times during my first term. I will continue to do so if reelected to serve.
YOUNG: My role as a state legislator is to protect the rights and liberties of our citizens, support, obey, and defend the Constitution, and ensure that the government remains limited and accountable. My primary duty is to safeguard individual freedoms, including life, property rights, free speech, and the right to bear arms. I will work to limit the size and scope of government, reducing unnecessary regulations and ensuring minimal government intervention in the lives of our citizens. This includes promoting free-market principles and reducing taxation, which will stimulate the economy of all our communities, including our small towns. By creating a more favorable business environment, we will attract more businesses, which in turn will generate more tax revenue and further stimulate economic growth. The rule of law must be upheld, ensuring that laws are just, transparent, and applied equally to all citizens. It is also my responsibility to work towards repealing laws that infringe on individual rights and freedoms. Fiscal responsibility is crucial; I will vote to manage public funds wisely, prioritizing essential services and eliminating wasteful government spending. By doing so, we create a more favorable economic environment that benefits businesses and residents alike. It is essential to defend state sovereignty against federal overreach, ensuring that the powers not delegated to the federal government by the Constitution remain with the states and the people. By focusing on these principles, I aim to protect individual liberty, ensure limited government, and promote a free and prosperous society for all our counties and our state. This approach will create a climate of economic growth and opportunity, helping to stimulate the economy of our small, rural communities like those in Big Horn County, ensuring they thrive and prosper along with the rest of Wyoming.
One of the central debates within Wyoming political parties is whether parties should pursue a big-tent approach or require an allegiance to party ideology. What is your approach to the question of ideological purity versus diversity of thought? When do you feel it is appropriate to vote against your party?
LAWLEY:  I believe political parties have an important role to play and when they operate within that role, we can have both ideological agreement on principles and diversity of thought on different approaches to solutions. This is how our 2-party system has survived over the years. There has always been tension between factions within each party. The problem I see now is some want to turn every difference into a major issue of principle. Straining interpretations of the party platform to claim violations that are not there. Thomas Jefferson said it well when addressing this issue, “every difference of opinion is not a difference in principle.” I believe when we turn every difference of opinion into a difference in principle for short-term political gain, we begin to break down our 2-party system. I would like to see more honest discussion of these important issues with the goal of conservatives better working together. The good faith discussion of different ideas can lead to better solutions. As a conservative, I’m not afraid to discuss issues with others. I believe conservative values are enduring and provide the best environment for people to thrive as God intended.
YOUNG: I believe in adhering to core principles of liberty, limited government, and strict constitutionalism. While diversity of thought is valuable, our actions must be guided by these fundamental ideals. Ideological purity ensures that we remain true to the values that protect individual freedoms and limit government overreach. It would be appropriate to vote against any legislation that conflicts with these principles or infringes upon individual liberties, including those of the unborn. My primary commitment is to uphold the Constitution and protect the rights of Wyoming citizens. In cases where party proposals deviate from these core values, I will not hesitate to stand in opposition to ensure that we remain true to our foundational beliefs.
Are there other important issues facing Wyoming and your district that you would like to address?
LAWLEY: One issue I’m already working on that will need the ongoing attention of the legislature is developing policies to help our oil, gas and coal industries remain competitive in a hostile regulatory environment. Many Wyoming families and communities rely on these good energy jobs. All Wyoming benefits from a stable, reliable electricity grid and abundant fuel for our vehicles. To do this we need to provide more funds to push back against oppressive federal overreach. Additionally, we need to help the oil and gas industry meet new excessive BLM bonding requirements. Finally, we need to assist coal companies in opening domestic ports so we can get Wyoming coal to international markets. These efforts will help keep Wyoming energy strong and working for Wyoming!
YOUNG: Government action and inaction are pushing this nation to its knees. Regarding unconstitutional government actions, there is a clear hostility when the government tries to benefit one group at the expense of another. All forms of unconstitutional actions must be eliminated. The best way to achieve this is by having the Legislature create a permanent standing committee to ensure full compliance with the Constitutions. On the other hand, government inaction has stifled the freedom of the press. Media platforms control what is considered news, suppressing certain stories while promoting those that fit their narrative. The Wyoming Constitution clearly states, “Every person may freely speak, write, and publish on all subjects, being responsible for the abuse of that right.” To ensure a free press in Wyoming, these platforms need to be regulated. States have a duty to nullify any infringements by the federal government. Article 1, Section 8, of the Constitution gives Congress specific powers. If Congress exceeds those powers, then states are obligated to not comply. House Bill (HB) 212 in 2023 proposed the creation of standing committees on federal review. These committees would review all federal actions to assess their constitutionality and effect on Wyoming’s state sovereignty, including past rules and laws. Unfortunately, the Wyoming State House rejected HB212 on February 6, 2023, by a vote of 27 to 35. I support HB212 because, under Article VI of the U.S. Constitution, the Constitution is the supreme law of the land, and every state is bound by oath to support it. States have a duty to nullify any federal government infringements that exceed the specific powers granted to Congress. To address these issues, I will advocate for the establishment of a permanent standing committee to ensure full constitutional compliance and push for regulations on media platforms to uphold the freedom of the press. Additionally, I will support efforts to revive and pass legislation similar to HB212 to safeguard Wyoming’s sovereignty against federal overreach. This proactive stance will help protect our citizens’ rights, maintain the integrity of our state, and stimulate economic growth by fostering an environment of fairness and constitutional adherence.