JACKSON HOLE, Wyo. — Minority party lawmakers in Wyoming have put the GOP on notice: They are not down with a special session intended to expedite certain legislation to combat any potential federal COVID vaccine mandates.
In a letter addressed to President Dan Dockstader, Speaker Eric Barlow and members of the 66th Wyoming Legislature, the Democratic Caucus of the Wyoming Legislature said it would not be comfortable with any special session and intends to vote accordingly.
“All members of our caucus intend to vote ‘NO’ on the vote for a special session, and ‘NO’ for any proposed rule changes if the vote for a special session is successful,” read the letter, cosigned by Senate Minority Leader Chris Rothfuss, and House Minority Leader Cathey Connolly.
The purpose of the special legislative session would be to address any potential federal-level mandates requiring COVID vaccinations including employers’ ability to force employees to get a shot or be terminated.
The Democratic Caucus contends a special session would go against current rules governing the Wyoming Legislature, and it would require a 2/3 vote to alter those rules.
Dems also claim the special session would cost upwards of $25,000 a day to convene. All this without any assurance from OSHA on how it may or may not enforce COVID vaccine mandates in the workplace, combined with a worry that the Supremacy Clause of the US Constitution may override any state directives, has Wyoming Democrats opposed to a special session.
“[W]e believe a special session would be an undue burden to the taxpayer, a waste of time and resources for legislators and our staff, and would further cause an undue burden to Wyoming businesses who would be forced to choose between following state or federal law, requiring them to be in violation of one or the other,” the caucus stated.
The Caucus also states a concern about rushing bills through a ‘mirror bill process’ of a special session which could limit discussion, debate, and public participation, according to the nine Democrat legislators who signed off on the letter to Majority leaders.
“The Democratic Caucus firmly believes that a special session is not necessary, that the proposed rules would violate the spirit of our deliberative public legislative process and that passage of these votes would only serve to create an opportunity for grandstanding instead of constructive problem solving,” Dems stated.
The Democratic Caucus includes Jackson area representatives Senator Mike Gierau SD 17, Representative Andy Schwartz HD 23, and Representative Mike Yin HD 16.
