JANUARY 15, 2025|
Photo – Wyoming State Capitol building – Bigfoot99 file photo
The 68th Wyoming Legislature was sworn in Tuesday for the opening day of the session.
With the conservative Freedom Caucus holding a majority of seats in the House, the tone of the session promises to skew more conservative than in the past, and more in line with other state legislatures in the American West.
In one of the first orders of business, State Representative Chip Neiman, R-Hulett, was confirmed as Speaker of the House after a unanimous vote.
An emotional Speaker Nieman told the lawmakers that he believes Wyoming voters want their state lawmakers to deliver on the promises of smaller government and lower property taxes.
In the state senate where about half of the members are serving their current terms, outgoing president, Senator Ogden Driskoll received a standing ovation from his colleagues.
Senator Bo Biteman, of Ranchester in northern Wyoming, then was unanimously elected as Senate President. After being sworn in, Senator Biteman was presented with a new black walnut gavel made by former State Senator Fred Emerich of District 5, then business of the senate got underway.
Senator Tim Salazar was elected Vice President of the State Senate.
