Paul Hoeft

When I decided to run for office, I knew I wouldn’t win unless I talked to the voters in my district, understood their priorities and listened to them. 

By the grace of God, I won my race and am bringing what the citizens of Powell and Park County shared with me to Cheyenne next week. 

The people I talked to want simple, common sense reforms out of their Legislature. 

First, they want to be able to trust our elections. Reports of an illegal immigrant casting a ballot in Campbell County in 2020 brought this issue to the forefront in many citizens’ minds. Then learning that there’s no requirement for registrants to prove their citizenship or their residence, brought many to the conclusion that the State of Wyoming’s electoral system was flawed. The citizens of Powell and Park County want to be sure only Wyoming residents who are U.S. citizens are voting in Wyoming elections. 

Voters also told me they’re worried about illegal immigrants entering through our southern border. With gangs setting up shop down in Colorado with impunity and a federal government that refuses to enforce immigration law, every state has become a border state. Last year’s Legislature killed a bill that would have invalidated driver’s licenses issued to illegal immigrants by “sanctuary” states — and the people wanted it to pass. 

The folks I talked to at campaign forums wanted to know how the Legislature could better protect and expand energy jobs. A huge step forward would be to stop their tax dollars from being invested in woke “green new deal” ESG funds. Our money would better be invested with firms that seek the highest rate of return, not “environmental, social, and governance” policies from out-of-touch investment firms that care little about Wyoming’s future.

When I talked to voters on the phone, I learned that they’re worried about the direction of higher education like the University of Wyoming. Wyoming’s colleges should reflect the state’s values. It’s time to officially prohibit UW from engaging in anti-academic, discriminatory “DEI” practices. In Wyoming, no one should be treated differently because of their race, sex, religion or other affiliations. 

The number one thing I heard loud and clear, over and over again was property tax relief. After years of unprecedented increases in their tax bills, seniors on fixed incomes are at risk of losing their homes they worked hard for, young families facing inflation and increased costs on everything are seeing their budgets at the breaking point. The availability of affordable rental properties has dwindled to an all time low.

Having said all this, I’m supporting what’s being called the “Five and Dime Plan,” which promises to advance five key bills that address these issues through the Wyoming House within the first 10 days of the legislative session. You can learn more about the plan at wyfreedomcaucus.com. 

(Paul Hoeft is the representative for Wyoming House of Representatives District 25.)