February 13, 2024 |
Photo – State Capitol – Courtesy wyoleg.gov
One of the biggest rounds of applause during Governor Mark Gordon’s State of the State speech during a joint session of the Wyoming Legislature in Cheyenne Monday was for a WYDOT employee from Rawlins.
Governor Gordon singled out Rick Ackerman, a foreman at the WYDOT shop here, for his work – including rescuing stranded motorists –through last year’s big winter storm.
The applause from the joint session of the legislature lasted a full 30 seconds. From his seat in the balcony, Ackerman acknowledged the chamber for the recognition.
The Governor thanked Ackerman along with his co-employees at WYDOT as well members of the Wyoming Highway Patrol—two state organizations that are operating short-handed—for stepping up to meet historic demands during a difficult stretch of time.
The governor also took note during his speech of the wrong-headed, “government knows best” attitude of Washington, D.C. under President Joe Biden.
The governor told the story this way, using some hand-signals at the end to emphasize the punchline.
The governor went on to say that the legislature must work like a good branding crew on a ranch during the budget session. Otherwise, the business of Wyoming people will become messy and uncontrollable. People could even get hurt.
The governor advised the lawmakers that Wyoming people are focused on results, not the sausage-making process of lawmaking. With that, the 2024 67th Wyoming State Legislature began the budget session.
