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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

Restoring the Tunnels: A Turning Point For Wyoming and Federal Responsibility
By Senators Cheri Steinmetz

On October 28, 2025, the Goshen and Gering-Fort Laramie Irrigation Districts will break ground on the permanent reconstruction of the Fort Laramie Tunnel system. This milestone represents more than a construction project—it’s the culmination of six years of relentless work, steady local leadership, and a growing call to return the federal government to its proper role: serving the people….read article


Shutterstock/David Hughes photo

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

Wyoming must reject USDA’s Electronic Livestock Traceability Rule

America’s Superior Livestock Tracking System
Americans have built a comprehensive and effective disease traceability system which has proven over decades to be reliable, affordable, flexible and the envy of the world in its ability to protect the food supply. Just as important is the system’s protection of private property rights, assuring confidentiality, proprietary investments, and cost-adjustable aspects that fit the producer. Wyoming laws have codified the right to VOLUNTARILY identify livestock using historically reliable means which include brands, backtags, tattoos and ear tags.

Whose Agenda Is Demanding This Rule?
The new electronic identification device (EID) mandate is being implemented by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) as an agency “rule”. In other words, this was not requested by Congress or, more importantly, by the livestock industry. This type of traceability – a tag emitting a signal that could be captured by any compatible receiver – is a food sustainability goal of the World Organization of Animal Health (WOAH.org) which is an advisory organization for the World Health Organization (WHO). 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.

The rarest commodities that truly stabilize an economy are not sold on the stock market, they are honesty, integrity, hard work, generosity, love of God, family, community and country. Government is instituted for the people, to secure their rights, provide for their defense and to protect their prosperity. In these turbulent times, we must remind ourselves of our common history and the noble goals which unite a nation, these are the things that lead to sustained success and prosperity.

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.