Lawley touts successes of session, supports four veto overrides

“I am happy that the things that matter most to the people of [House District] 27 were included in the final budget,” Rep. Martha Lawley (R-Worland) said on Monday. 

Lawley reported that the constituent concerns she heard most this budget session included continued funding for Wyoming Public Media/PBS, the University of Wyoming, senior citizen home health services, rate increases for providers of services to developmentally disabled, the protection of the Cultural Resources Trust Fund and raises to bring state employees up to 2024 levels. 

Governor Mark Gordon submitted 25 line item vetoes to the budget last week, four of which both the House and Senate have concurred to override. Those vetoes largely regarded language that determined how many employees the executive branch may hire, language barring salary increases for executive branch positions and judicial branch positions without legislative authorization, and language preventing agencies from transferring funds into payroll without legislative approval, with Gordon arguing they breached the separation of powers. A provision requiring the director of Wyoming’s Charter School Authorizing Board to make the same salary as other, similar state executives in the Department of Education was also overridden. 

“I felt theses four veto overrides were appropriate,” Lawley said. 

Gordon also cut strings the legislature had attached to the University of Wyoming’s funding which would have allowed a $30 million allocation with $10 million withheld, requiring the university submit a plan to cut $5 million from their budget before receiving that funding. 

“The legislature, in requiring a predetermined outcome, lessens the value of a study potentially stepping over dollars to pick up nickels and dimes,” Gordon stated in his veto message. Two proposed overrides regarding the university fell short. 

The Wyoming Business Council, too, was saved by Gordon’s pen, as he vetoed a contraction date of June 30, 2026. The legislature has until March 11 to reverse more vetoes. 

“I do expect more vetoes, but not sure which bills yet,” Lawley said. 

 Lawley’s sponsored House Bill 117 - Stop harm-empower women with informed notices, was not considered for the Senate Committee of the Whole. 

“It was a tough session, but in the end, I believe I served the constituents of House District 27 to the best of my ability,” Lawley said. “I have had some great feedback from them and I appreciate their engagement before and during this session.”