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2026 Budget Session Recap: Key Legislation and Challenges for Wyoming Legislative Update from Senator Cheri Steinmetz
The Wyoming Legislature concluded its work for the 2026 Budget Session on March 11, when lawmakers returned to consider potential veto overrides. While several bills were vetoed by the governor, none of the vetoes were overridden by the Legislature, except for some of the line items on the budget bill. The governor’s budget was basically unaltered in the end with additions from the Legislature in funding for senior centers and developmental disability waivers.
This session was one of the most hectic legislative sessions I have been a part of. Throughout the session, numerous ancillary issues arose that complicated the legislative process and consumed a great deal of time and attention. Unfortunately, the Senate’s handling of the final day of Committee of the Whole was particularly disappointing. Rather than working through the final measures efficiently, the Senate took extended breaks and ultimately failed to address approximately 10 remaining bills before adjournment…read more
Senator Steinmetz issues first legislative update for 2026 budget session
The 2026 Budget Session is now underway in Cheyenne, and Wyoming citizens deserve a clear update on where the process stands, what decisions lie ahead, and what these decisions mean for taxpayers, families, and communities across the state.
The session began with the Republican caucus, where legislators heard from Wyoming’s statewide elected officials and discussed priorities for the session. The Legislature formally convened the following morning and immediately began reviewing major issues, including education recalibration and the state budget.
Because this is a budget session, the rules governing legislation are different from a general session. Any bill that is not directly related to the budget must receive a two-thirds vote simply to be introduced and referred to committee. That higher threshold reflects the constitutional intent that budget sessions remain focused primarily on the finances of the state…read more
The Hidden Price of Tax Relief: What Every Wyoming Citizen Should Know
By Senators Cheri Steinmetz
“Before tearing down a fence, we should first understand why it was built.”
That simple wisdom fits Wyoming’s property tax debate because the choices before us are not small repairs—they are foundational changes to tax policy and structure. And the discussion is urgent. Wyoming citizens are being asked to consider measures that could reshape local control, community services, and the long-term stability of our state.
In 2026, taxpayers will vote on a ballot initiative to reduce residential property taxes by 50 percent through a homeowner’s exemption. During the 2026 Budget Session, legislators will be asked to vote on a bill from the Joint Revenue Committee that would eliminate residential property taxes entirely through a constitutional amendment…learn more
The Right to Life Is Not “Health Care”
By Senators Cheri Steinmetz
Wyoming’s Declaration of Rights begins with the enduring truth stated in Article 1, Section 2: “In their inherent right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, all members of the human race are equal.” From this truth flows the first duty of government is to safeguard the life, health, and safety of every person, especially an innocent child developing in the womb. ….read article
Wyoming Delegation Reports Observations in Israel
By Senators Cheri Steinmetz, Stephan Pappas, Dan Laursen, Tim Salazar, and Representatives Jeremy Haroldson and Daniel Singh
On September 13, a Wyoming delegation joined 250 state legislators from all 50 states on a diplomatic mission to Israel called “50 States, One Israel,” hosted by the Israeli government at no cost to taxpayers. The Wyoming legislators who participated received no financial benefit or compensation—this was an exercise in service and fact finding—as we joined the historic effort to strengthen ties with our closest ally in the Middle East and see the truth for ourselves first hand.
The assassination of our friend Charlie Kirk weighed heavily on our hearts, and we carried that sorrow with us across the ocean. Yet we knew his life had purpose—he never cowered in fear, and neither would we. Israeli leaders extended heartfelt condolences in every meeting, reminding us that friendship and faith transcend borders. Many also spoke of Charlie’s influence, noting how his bold voice for faith and freedom inspired not only Americans, but people in Israel and across the globe. When we returned home, his memorial service affirmed that the gospel of Jesus Christ is alive and well in our country…read article
Are We Building Economic Development—or Creating Wyoming’s Next Crisis?
Senator Cheri Steinmetz
Economic development should strengthen communities, create lasting prosperity, and secure our future. But in Wyoming today, we must ask: are we truly building economic development—or are we creating our own crisis? Across the state, industrial-scale wind and solar projects, hydrogen hubs, and massive data centers are expanding at a rapid pace. These ventures are often touted as progress, but their impacts on land, water, and community stability suggest something far more troubling…read more
GOA is proud to endorse Cheri Steinmetz for Senator in Wyoming’s 3rd Senate District.
Senator Steinmetz is a veteran of many battles to protect and defend the Second Amendment.
Over the last several years, Cheri has stood tall as a defender of Constitutional Rights. She co-sponsored Wyoming’s 2018 Stand Your Ground Law, and she has consistently voted for pro-Second Amendment legislation including concealed carry expansion, firearms industry nondiscrimination, and Second Amendment Protection Acts.
When describing the Second Amendment, Steinmetz said, “….It protects life, liberty, and property….the right to own, carry, possess, and use firearms lawfully without infringement.”
Steinmetz scored 100% on GOA’s candidate survey, which serves as a “contract” for our members. Furthermore, Cheri passed all other aspects of our rigorous evaluation process including a careful review of a candidate’s history and beliefs…more
As a mother and now a grandmother, I am concerned and committed to changing the direction of our State and Nation. Unfortunately, we’ve had our taste of Washington politics in Wyoming. We are suffering the effects of “Establishment” Republican leadership overspending and lacking accountability. We must elect public servants across Wyoming dedicated to the people and the Constitutions. The only legitimate power of government is to protect unalienable rights. It is the responsibility of the State to check the power of the Federal government when overreach occurs.
We must elect strong leaders with the courage and vision to lead us into the future. Leaders who understand that true wealth comes from strength of character, individual responsibility and the value of things that cannot be bought or sold.
For me, serving in the state legislature is all about people. I do this job for my children and yours, for my grandchildren and yours. I want them to have the same freedom, personal responsibility and opportunities that we were all blessed to receive from those who came before us.
To quote Ronald Reagan— “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children’s children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.”
My bill sponsorship and voting record reflect my commitment to traditional family values, private property rights, fiscal responsibility and the Constitution. As we embrace the future, Wyoming must remain a business and family friendly State where we honor the foundations on which our faith, freedom and prosperity rest.
Larger government equals less individual freedom and prosperity. In the 2018 session, the budget required approximately $1.154 billion dollars more than what the State received in revenue. Roughly $701 million of the funds used to resolve the shortfall were one time dollars spent from savings and reversions from other unexpended funds. We must address the structural budget deficit without increasing taxes.