CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon addressed members of the joint session of the Wyoming House and Senate at his annual “State of the State” address during the 68th Legislature on Wednesday, Jan. 15.
Rep. Mike Yin, who represents Jackson and serves as House Minority Floor Leader, was one of two state representatives to escort Gordon into the chamber, joined by House Majority Floor Leader Rep. Scott Heiner.
In his speech, Gordon spotlighted Teton County in discussing June 2024’s Big Fill Landslide, which took out Teton Pass. Gordon praised the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) for constructing the detour in three weeks, and invited WYDOT Resident Engineer Bob Hammond to attend the “State of the State” address.
“[Hammond] and his whole team showed America what Western ingenuity can get accomplished if everyone just gets out of the way!” Gordon said. “Please thank him and the crew for their attitude and their work.”
Gordon recommended legislators consider his proposed budget, which includes $7 million for “inflation-related ongoing expenses,” $3.5 million “to extend and expand the coal litigation fund, making it a natural resources litigation fund,” support for OB-GYN medical services across the state, funds for firefighting and restoration of lands burned by wildland fires in 2024.
“From generation to generation, Wyoming has grown and continues to thrive because of our conservative values and common-sense decision making,” he said. “We have always been able to adapt to breakthroughs, meet challenges and build a future by assuring our government is accountable, efficient and responsible.”
The governor’s remarks included mentions of his frustration with inflation he attributes to President Joe Biden’s policies, saying it might take time “un-ring the Biden bell.”
“We are moving from an administration that demonized and obstructed fossil fuels to
one that recognizes them as essential to our way of life, economy and national defense,” Gordon said, noting that he visited President-Elect Donald Trump in Florida last week. “He told me, ‘Anything you need, Mark.’ Now, that’s something we have not heard in the last four years. I told the President, ‘Mr. President, Wyoming stands ready to drill, to mine, to shovel and to get this country back on track.'”
The full text of the address is available here, or watch Gordon deliver it on the Wyoming PBS YouTube channel.
