The State's Budget represents what our elected officials are prioritizing on our behalf in the next biennium. Do these priorities align with your values? Are these priorities setting the stage for future generations to arrive and thrive?
Join us as ESPC Intern Kate Wilmot, moderates this discussion with our three expert panelists:
- Senator Ogden Driskill (Senate District 1) - current Joint Appropriations Committee member; and former Senate President, Senate Majority Floor Leader, Senate Vice President.
- Senator Mike Gierau (Senate District 17) - current Joint Appropriations Committee member and Senate Minority Floor Leader; and former Senate Minority Whip and Senate Minority Caucus Chairman.
- Steff Kessler - public interest lobbyist with decades of experience at the Wyoming State Legislature, and former Equality State Policy Center Board Chair among many other prior hats.
We will explore the process of what has already happened on the Budget Bill and what to expect going forward, as well as ways for citizens to follow and participate, once the session begins on February 9, 2026.
Budget Process Notes: The Wyoming State Budget is given this Legislative Bill Number: HB0001-General government appropriations. The Governor presents a draft budget that was reviewed, discussed with department heads, and amended through the Legislative Joint Appropriations Committee in December 2025 and January 2026. Now, it heads with recent amendments to the full legislative body in February 2026.
Some of the recent changes by the appropriations committee include de-funding the Wyoming Business Council and more cuts to the University of Wyoming that specifically target Wyoming Public Media.
