WyoRINO
SENATE VOTE DESCRIPTIONS 2020
1. SF 1. General Government Appropriations – Amendment 2030. This amendment to the senate budget bill would have essentially defunded the Wyoming Business Council. Disguised as “economic development”, the Wyoming Business Council provides grants and below-market rate loans to corporate cronies plus interferes with and distorts the free market. The amendment failed in the Senate with a vote of 6-24. We have assigned a plus to the ayes because it supports Wyoming Republican Party Platform/Plank #7 which states that the free market economy is the system most compatible with the requirements of personal freedom and constitutional government and that government’s undue interference in the market results in economic inequity. (https://wyoleg.gov/2020/Amends/SF0001S2030.pdf)
2. SF 1. General Government Appropriations – Amendment 3020. During consideration of the Senate Budget Bill for 2020, this amendment was introduced by Senators Biteman, Hutchings and Steinmetz to prevent taxpayer funding of abortions provided in the University of Wyoming’s Student Health Plan. It passed in the Senate by 15-13-2 (and passed in HB 1, mirror Amendment 2048). We have assigned a plus to the ayes because it supports WRP Platform/Plank #1 and Resolution: Health and Society #3 which state that government’s purpose is to protect the right to life from the moment of conception until the moment of natural death. (https://wyoleg.gov/2020/Amends/SF0001S3020.pdf)
3. SF 6 Tolling Authority for I-80. This bill would have created a tolling program for Interstate 80 and increased powers to the transportation commission, an unelected bureaucracy. There were numerous concerns associated with this bill, including growth of state government, but particularly troubling was its design to increase government revenue rather than downsize government through reform. This bill failed introduction by a vote of 11-18-1. We have assigned a plus to the nays because this bill violates WRP Resolution: Government, Opposing New or Increased Taxes in Wyoming (passed 11/16/19). (https://wyoleg.gov/Legislation/2020/SF0006)
4. SF 20 Election Code Revisions. The Election Code Revisions bill revises voter registration requirements including the removal of requiring proof of identification for mail-in registrants. Even though an amendment was offered to add voter identification into the bill, the amendment was defeated. It passed in the House 45-14-1, passed in the Senate 26-4 and was signed into law. We have assigned a plus to the nays because the bill opposes WRP Resolution: Government #12 which calls for proof of identity to be produced prior to casting a vote in elections in an effort to prevent voter fraud. (https://wyoleg.gov/Legislation/2020/SF0020)
5. HB 25 County Reserve Accounts. This bill is related to local sales and use taxes. Currently Wyoming’s 5th cent sales tax can be used for capital projects local government chooses but the 6th cent must be special projects that are voted on by residents. However, HB 25 allows the 6th cent to not be restricted in its use. This will disincentivize using the 5th cent sales tax to save for capital expenditures and will encourage more attempts to expand taxation. It passed in the House by 48-10-2, passed the Senate by 18-11-1 and was signed into law. We have assigned a plus to the nays because this bill opposes WRP Platform/Plank #13 which states that taxes should never be more than necessary and WRP Resolution: Government (passed 11/16/19) which opposes an expansion of sales taxes. (https://wyoleg.gov/Legislation/2020/HB0025)
6. HB 73 Nicotine Products Tax. This bill imposes numerous regulations and taxation upon nicotine products, including electronic cigarettes and vapor products. It passed in the House 46-14, passed in the Senate 18-11-1 and was signed into law. We have assigned a plus to the nays because this bill violates WRP Platform/Plank #7 which holds to defend the free market economy and personal freedom. HB 73 penalizes an individual’s right to use nicotine products and unjustly taxes that individual. In addition, it violates WRP Platform/Plank #13, that taxes should never be more than necessary and violates WRP Resolution: Government (11/16/19) that opposes increased taxes. (https://wyoleg.gov/Legislation/2020/HB0073)
7. SF 84 Life Insurance Plan – Legislators. Sponsored by Management Council, this bill aimed to provide life insurance coverage for Wyoming state legislators and their dependents. It was received in the Senate but failed introduction by a vote of 16-13-1 (2/3 majority needed for introduction). We have assigned a plus to the nays because this bill violates WRP Platform/Plank #13 which states all taxes collected must be used for the constitutional purposes of government, not for special privileges and private benefit of our elected government officials. (https://wyoleg.gov/Legislation/2020/SF0084)
8. SF 88 Repeal Gun Free Zones. This bill would have repealed gun free zones and prevented state and local entities from infringing upon 2nd Amendment rights. It failed introduction to the Senate by a vote on 16-13-1 (2/3 majority needed for introduction). We have assigned a plus to the ayes because this bill directly supports WRP Platform/Plank #3 that the right of individuals to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed upon. It also follows WRP Resolution: Crime. 6 which supports the elimination of gun-free zones. (https://wyoleg.gov/Legislation/2020/SF0088)
9. SF 97 Born Alive Infant. This bill requires health care practitioners to exercise the same degree of professional skill, care and diligence to any infant born alive after an abortion, as they would render to any other child born alive. It passed in the Senate 23-7, passed in the House 44-16 but was vetoed by Governor Mark Gordon. We have assigned a plus to the ayes because it supports WRP Platform/Plank #1 that stands for protection of life from the moment of conception until the moment of natural death. (https://wyoleg.gov/Legislation/2020/SF0097)
10. HB 134 WY Tourism Account Funding. Borne by Wyoming residents and out-of-state tourists alike, this bill imposes a new statewide tax on sales of lodging services and is a vehicle to increase state revenue. HB 134 can increase hotel taxes to as high as 13%. It passed the House 39-19-2, passed the Senate 16-13-1 and was signed into law. A Senate amendment was offered to the bill that would have exempted Wyoming residents from the lodging tax; however, numerous senators voted to keep the taxation upon our residents. We have assigned a plus to the nays because this bill violates WRP Platform/Plank #7 as it interferes in the free market system and causes an increase in state government growth and fiscal irresponsibility; it violates WRP Platform/Plank #13, that all taxes collected must be used for the constitutional purposes of government – not to promote special interest groups such as the tourism industry; and it violates WRP Resolution: Government (passed 1/12/19) against tax increases. (https://wyoleg.gov/Legislation/2020/SF0134)