Wyoming lawmakers approved major expansions to education savings accounts and advanced property tax relief efforts in 2025, even as sharp divisions emerged over large increases in government spending. A new analysis shows the legislature embracing school choice and taxpayer protections while rejecting what critics called bloated capital construction budgets.
The Club for Growth Foundation reviewed 875 floor votes cast during the 2025 Wyoming legislative session, focusing on 19 votes in the House and 13 in the Senate tied to pro-growth priorities. Lawmakers were evaluated on policies related to deregulation, fiscal restraint, and taxpayer friendliness.
One of the session’s most significant outcomes was the expansion of education savings accounts. The legislature increased annual ESA funding from $6,000 to $7,000 and enacted universal eligibility, opening the program to families statewide. The Wyoming House passed the measure 42–19, followed by Senate approval in a 21–8 vote.
The foundation praised the changes, noting that universal eligibility and expanded use provisions represented a marked improvement over the prior program. Sen. Tara Nethercott, R-04, supported the legislation, while Sen. Stephan Pappas, R-07, opposed it. Sens. Evie Brennan, R-31, and Mike Gierau, D-17, voted in favor of the bill before its final passage.
Lawmakers also attempted to advance substantial property tax protections. The Wyoming House passed a bill creating a 50 percent personal property tax exemption on the first $1 million in assessed value, to be phased in over two years. The proposal included a $100 million stabilization fund to offset local revenue losses.
According to the Club for Growth Foundation, the measure would have delivered nearly $400 million in tax relief through fiscal year 2027. Reps. Trey Sherwood, D-14, and Martha Lawley, R-27, voted against the exemption, though the House ultimately approved it by a 40–20 margin. The Senate, however, declined to take up the bill, leaving the relief effort stalled.
Tensions intensified over a separate proposal to boost funding for school capital construction projects by more than $206 million. The plan represented a 67 percent increase over existing funding levels and was rejected by the House in a 30–30 vote. The split cut across party lines, with Rep. Steve Harshman, R-37, and Rep. Karlee Provenza, D-45, voting in favor, while Rep. Scott Heiner supported funding only for select projects.
Club for Growth Foundation President David McIntosh warned that unchecked spending threatens Wyoming’s long-term stability. He said states nationwide are expanding budgets without sufficient taxpayer consideration, often relying on temporary federal funds.
McIntosh cautioned that once federal funding declines, states are left maintaining permanently higher spending baselines. He urged Wyoming lawmakers to curb excess spending in future sessions to preserve fiscal discipline.
