JACKSON HOLE, Wyo. — Governor Mark Gordon has been active in messaging in the past week as his office has issued two official statements solidifying Wyoming’s stance when it comes to governing the state, particularly in light of perceived federal overreach.
“Big government is a cancer,” Gordon stated on October 20 in response to OSHA preparations for a COVID vaccine mandate that could apply to businesses across the nation. “As a conservative Republican I have, and always will support the rights of private individuals and their rights as business owners to operate their enterprise as they see fit. We need fewer regulations, not more. I oppose growing government interference.”
Gordon denounced any federal regulations that would impose vaccine mandates on Wyoming citizens including what he termed a “hair-brained idea” that would force health care facilities to require vaccinations in order to receive Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements.
“Holding our seniors and Medicaid recipients hostage is just plain wrong,” Gordon said.
Gordon also voiced his support of an emergency special session of the Wyoming Legislature to draft laws to protect state businesses and other entities from federal mandates.
In a letter to Senate President Dan Dockstader, Speaker of the House Eric Barlow, and members of the 66th Legislature, Gordon stressed the importance of assuring businesses in Wyoming—both current and future—that the state is a “friendly place to do business” in order to further nurture Wyoming’s economic recovery.
“It has been hard to stomach the increasingly aggressive license the Biden Administration has taken over the past few months to extend the federal government’s overreach into our lives. This temerity is offensive to me, to you, to Wyoming citizens, and to the Constitution that enumerates our rights. It must be stopped,” Gordon stated in the letter.
At the special Legislature, opposed by minority party lawmakers in Cheyenne, several bills have already been drafted that would nullify or ban federal mandates for state workers in Wyoming.
“Ultimately, I remain committed to conservative Republican principles: minimal government closest to the people, individual liberty, and the freedom to operate your business unconstrained from government mandates. I will always stand for the Constitution and the rule of law,” Gordon said. “I was proud when former President Donald Trump recognized Wyoming’s limited regulations when I met with him at the White House in 2019. I continue to be proud of our state’s commitment to keep out of the business of our citizens and their businesses.”
