Wyoming Legislature live: Freedom Caucus begins with a prayer

It was a somber start to the 2026 budget session for members and allies of the Wyoming Freedom Caucus, who gathered at 7 a.m. alongside other officials, clergy members and voters in Cheyenne. 

The caucus asked “friends, family and neighbors” to join them “in a gathering to pray for unborn babies, for the Lord to guide our work during the session, and more.”

Standing in the Wyoming Capitol Rotunda, Speaker of the House Chip Neiman, R-Hulett, recalled the Wyoming Supreme Court’s ruling last month that struck down the state’s two abortion bans as unconstitutional. 

It was one of “the most emotional things” he’s ever dealt with as a lawmaker, Neiman said. He wept that day, Neiman said, unable to control himself. 

Today, Neiman looked ahead. 

“We are facing an election year,” he said, telling those who had gathered to ask candidates “where they’re at on life.” 

The group of about 65 people then descended the steps of the Capitol and walked the block to the Supreme Court building. 

There they stood in a circle on the grass, some clasping their hands, eyes closed. Others wore cowboy hats, held signs — “Abortion is not healthcare.” — and an American flag. Cars passed. Two wild geese flew overhead. In hushed tones, several pastors lead in prayer. 

Nine out of ten times, the masses will choose evil, Sheridan Republican Rep. Ken Pendergraft, a pastor, told the group. But God has a “perfect will,” and would decide what came next, Pendergraft said. 

No lawmaker who spoke pointed to specific legislation. The day before, however, Neiman’s bill banning abortion except in the earliest weeks of pregnancy was posted to the Legislature’s website. It’s a different approach than the one he described to reporters in the immediate aftermath of the ruling. That one would put the decision to voters in November in the form of a constitutional amendment.

— Maggie Mullen

The budget session began quietly. Lone lawmakers, lobbyists and legislative staff trickled in through the echoing capitol extension a little after 7 a.m., walking past the statue of Chief Washakie and empty chess tables. Lusk Republican Rep. J.D. Williams, dressed in a navy suit jacket, tan boots and a red tie illustrated with bucking broncos, walked alone through the long corridor. Williams only “slept a little bit” last night — he stayed up reviewing about 40 bills and talking with people back home. “I had a lot of work to do,” he said. 

The House and Senate chambers were still. Three lawmakers — Rock Springs Rep. Cody Wylie, Rawlins Republican Rep. Pam Thayer and Baggs Republican Rep. Bob Davis — sat at their desks in the House talking. A doorman wandered from his post to peek over the second-floor banister and listen to Hulett Republican Rep. Chip Neiman addressing a group of Wyoming Freedom Caucus lawmakers gathered in the rotunda. Some offices were open, one revealing an empty table and a stand stuffed with multi-colored bags of chips. 

Powell Republican Sen. Dan Laursen walked toward the staircase next to the Wyoming Supreme Court gallery cradling in his left arm a bottle of CeraVe lotion, a small black fan and a blue cloth bean bag. “I’ve got a bean bag so I can throw it at someone,” he said. (He was joking. He uses it to help him write on his i-Pad.) 

Among his priorities, he wants to see the Wyoming Business Council defunded this session. “I’m not sure they’re doing the job they were set out to do,” he said. Last month, lawmakers on the Joint Appropriations Committee advanced Laursen’s bill to dismantle the council in a 9-3 vote. 
Chase Christensen, the superintendent and principal of Sheridan County School District 3, walked up the stairs on the Senate side. It’s his seventh year at session. He’s here to talk with lawmakers about potential amendments for proposed education measures — specifically the school recalibration, school discipline and K-3 reading bills. He had breakfast this morning with his district’s representative: Buffalo Republican Rep. Marilyn Connolly.

— Maya Shimizu Harris

Based on the last few months of legislative hearings, we’re expecting a dramatic and likely contentious budget fight this session. The Joint Appropriations Committee, the Legislature’s budgeting arm, made major cuts to the University of Wyoming and voted to defund the Wyoming Business Council, and it’s uncertain whether the full Legislature will agree with those recommendations. A bruising battle over education funding is also expected.

But first, lawmakers will gather at 10 a.m. today to hear Gov. Mark Gordon deliver his State of the State address. (Watch the speech online here.) He’ll be followed by Wyoming Supreme Court Chief Justice Lynne J. Boomgaarden, who will deliver the State of the Judiciary to lawmakers, some of whom contemplated cutting the number of justices after the high court ruled Wyoming’s abortion bans violated the state constitution. 

From there, the House and Senate are expected to take up bill introductions, which are always interesting during a budget session, where bills require a supermajority just to be considered.

— Joshua Wolfson