Wyoming legislators prepare for 2011 session
December 15, 2010
CHEYENNE, Wyoming: When the Wyoming legislature begins its 2011 session on January 11, there will be a large percentage of fresh faces in Cheyenne.
Of the 90 total legislators in Wyoming, there will be 24 new legislators, which is 26.67 percent of all legislators.[1] In the House, there are 17 new representatives while the Senate has 7 senators new to the chamber.
Wyoming Republicans have the largest percentage of legislators of any state chamber in the country, after increasing their gains in the November 2, 2010, general election.[1]
| Wyoming State Senate | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of November 1, 2010 | After the 2010 Election | |
| Democratic Party | 7 | 4 | |
| Republican Party | 23 | 26 | |
| Total | 30 | 30 | |
| Wyoming House of Representatives | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of November 1, 2010 | After the 2010 Election | |
| Democratic Party | 19 | 9 | |
| Republican Party | 41 | 51 | |
| Total | 60 | 60 | |
One group is offering training courses to citizens on how to engage legislators. With so many new faces in Cheyenne, it is more likely that legislators will be responsive to the citizenry that just put them there.[2] Dan Neal, executive director of the Equality State Policy Center which is offering the program, said "It's about expressing opinions, talking about needs, and envisioning the future we want for our state."[2] The program will be offered on January 12, 2011.[2]
The new legislators are expected to focus predominantly on the state's fiscal situation. According to newly-chosen state house speaker Edward Buchanan, the budget should be the primary focus. "I just want to be careful and maintain a steady hand with the budget," he said.[1]
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