The Lander Chamber of Commerce recently hosted its fourth annual Legislative Preview Luncheon, providing Fremont County residents with a platform to engage directly with local legislators, County 10 reports.
The event, held ahead of the 2025 Wyoming Legislature General Session scheduled to begin on January 14 in Cheyenne, served as a venue for updates, discussions, and a preview of the policy issues expected to shape the upcoming session.
Attending legislators included Senator Cale Case (Senate District 25), Senator Tim Salazar (Senate District 26), Representative Lloyd Larsen (House District 54), Representative John Winter (House District 28), and Representative Pepper Ottman (House District 34). Representative-Elects Ivan Posey (House District 33) and Joel Guggenmos (House District 55) were unable to attend due to legislative orientation commitments. Senator Ed Cooper (Senate District 20) was also absent, attending a committee meeting that day.
Owen Sweeney, Executive Director of the Lander Chamber of Commerce and master of ceremonies for the luncheon, emphasized the importance of youth engagement, recognizing local high school students in attendance.
“One of my passions is making our young folks engage with their local and county and state legislators,” Sweeney noted.
Representative Lloyd Larsen addressed Wyoming’s ongoing efforts to improve access to mental health care, especially for adolescents with behavioral challenges. He discussed the work of the state’s Mental Health Task Force, which aims to identify the state’s role in addressing mental health issues before implementing funding initiatives. Larsen highlighted a critical service gap for adolescents with severe behavioral issues who cannot be admitted to certain care facilities due to insurance or facility restrictions. This gap sometimes leaves young people with no option but to be placed in county jail while awaiting services.
Representative Larsen emphasized the need for a system that diverts individuals with mental health issues away from incarceration. He referenced a proposal under development that would provide services as an alternative to jail time for those charged with misdemeanors related to mental health challenges. By offering mental health services, individuals may have the option to have charges dropped, supporting both rehabilitation and decongestion of the justice system.
Another issue discussed was the link between mental health and access to affordable healthcare. A student from the audience asked whether the lack of affordable healthcare or Medicare access affects mental health and contributes to Wyoming’s high suicide rates among older adults. Representative Larsen acknowledged that access to healthcare is a significant factor. He noted that expanding Medicaid could address this issue, as many low-income individuals fall into a coverage gap where they make too little to afford private insurance but do not qualify for existing Medicaid programs. Previous legislative hesitations about Medicaid expansion, largely driven by concerns over federal funding commitments, have limited action on the issue.
Concerns about rising property taxes took center stage at the luncheon, particularly following Wyoming’s recent passage of a constitutional amendment allowing for residential property taxes to be assessed in a new tiered structure. Senator Cale Case explained that this amendment provides the state legislature with more flexibility to create distinct tax brackets for residential properties, which could result in significant tax reductions for homeowners. However, he warned that legal challenges could delay or block these changes.
“There’s going to be a legal challenge to the constitutional amendment,” Senator Case cautioned.
He referenced procedural questions about the legislative process used to pass the measure. Additionally, he noted that the property tax changes might face further scrutiny regarding fairness, as property owners with different lengths of residency could be taxed at different rates.
Senator Case elaborated on how property tax reductions would affect local funding, pointing out that property taxes fund local governments, including schools, counties, fire districts, and towns. Reductions in tax revenue could impact local services if the legislature does not backfill the funding. He encouraged citizens to stay engaged as these issues are debated.
The ongoing shortage of workers and competitive wages in Wyoming was another pressing topic at the luncheon. This issue has been a growing concern for several years, with legislators recognizing its impact on local economies and essential services. Representative Larsen highlighted this challenge as part of his broader remarks on social services, noting that one-time federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds had temporarily supported wage increases for direct service employees in mental health and disability service organizations. However, these funds are set to expire in 2025, which could force difficult decisions on wage levels and workforce retention.
During the luncheon, attendees discussed the broader implications of workforce shortages, including recruitment and retention in state agencies, schools, and healthcare providers. While the state legislature has explored potential remedies, such as wage adjustments and benefits improvements, no formalized solutions were shared during the event. The matter remains a key issue to watch in the 2025 legislative session.
Each attending legislator shared their perspectives on the issues and their priorities for the upcoming session. Senator Case emphasized the unique diversity of Fremont County, describing it as “more red, more blue, more Native, more white, more government, and more private sector” than most places in Wyoming. He highlighted the challenge of representing such a varied constituency in the legislature.
Senator Tim Salazar, who was recently appointed Vice President of the Senate, encouraged attendees to remain engaged in the legislative process. He reflected on a campaign encounter with a constituent who claimed voting “doesn’t matter.” Salazar responded that it absolutely does, emphasizing that elected officials do listen to their constituents’ concerns.
Representative John Winter, a member of key committees on agriculture, natural resources, and federal resource management, focused on environmental and federal funding issues. He expressed opposition to certain federal land management policies, such as the Bureau of Land Management’s Rock Springs Resource Management Plan, arguing that these policies could hinder Wyoming’s development of its natural resources. Winter also criticized Wyoming’s reliance on federal funding, noting that it often leaves the state responsible for ongoing costs after initial federal support ends.
Representative Pepper Ottman, now in her third term, discussed the diverse communities in her district and her guiding principles as a Bible-believing Christian and an advocate for constitutional adherence. She highlighted her legislative focus areas, which include property tax reform, medical conscience laws, conservation easement amendments, and election integrity. She also voiced concern over smartphone usage in schools, referencing its impact on student mental health and classroom disruptions. Ottman called for more coordinated efforts between state, county, and Tribal transportation departments, emphasizing that disjointed efforts and missed opportunities for collaboration have hampered infrastructure development.
The Lander Chamber of Commerce made a concerted effort to involve high school students from Lander Valley High School and Riverton High School in the legislative process. Students were given the opportunity to ask questions directly to legislators, and their participation was recognized by chamber director Owen Sweeney. He noted that in previous years, student questions often proved to be among the most insightful.
One student asked about the connection between mental health, Medicare access, and Wyoming’s high suicide rates. Representative Larsen’s detailed response underscored the significance of youth participation in policy discussions and how student perspectives can add valuable insight to community issues.
