RUSTLERS,
Legislative News: The Wyoming legislature is bustling with bills. I’ve been busy both as the CWC President and the President of Presidents (PoP) of the eight Wyoming community colleges, representing our perspectives on the 2025 proposed legislation. (The PoP is an unpaid, 2-year position, and my term ends this coming July.)
I testified to the House Appropriations Committee on the estimated negative budget impact on the colleges from the property tax reduction bill, SF 69. I’d like to thank our own Administrative Services VP, Willie Noseep, for helping rally the other VPs in getting data together; to John Wood who helps me stay on top of legislation that could impact the colleges; to Jennifer Marshall for coordinating communications; and to the CWC trustees for their Resolution. SF 69, as originally presented, would decrease our budget by about $1 million. The property tax bill was passed in the Senate and moved to the House where some are trying to amend it to make it less detrimental on the colleges, roads, police, fire departments, water/sewer, etc.
The Executive Director of the Wyoming Association of Community College Trustees (WACCT), Erin Taylor, has been doing an amazing job for all the colleges’ 56 trustees. She created a very useful Property Tax FAQs that explains that many tax relief bills were passed last year that are only now starting to take effect. It begs the question, “How much relief is needed?”
WACCT and the college presidents are chiming in for reasonable considerations regarding DEI (SF 103), concealed carry (HB174), free speech (HB194), medical standards (HB115) and so much more.
A Few Board Packet Tidbits
Community Impact: Dr. Kathy Wells did a great job presenting her annual Community Impact Monitoring Report to the Board. Be sure to click the embedded links to read about the good work of Workforce Development/Customized Training, CCR, R-Rec, Institute of Tribal Learning, CWC-Wind River, CWC-Lander/ASI, Dubois, and Jackson. CWC truly works hard to support our communities.
Solar Panels for CWC: In this month’s Board Packet, you can read details from VP Willie Noseep on the college’s steps to get, for free, solar panels and reduced utility bills for the Health Sciences, ProTech, and Student Center facilities in Riverton and on the building at the Lander Center. Plans are in the early stages for the new building in Jackson.
New Scholarship: Dr. Cory Daly reported this month that CWC rolled out a new scholarship thanks to a new donor couple in Jackson. They provided $50,000 to 11 students collegewide.
Rustler Radio: Jennifer Marshall reported that CWC’s radio station is now available in Hot Springs, 88.7 KTHE. The new station was a joint idea between WPBS Chief Engineer Lon Fairfield and Rustler Radio Station Manager John Gabrielsen. Fairfield had brought up the idea of expanding the signal into Thermopolis. After the successful application for the license, Fairfield and WPBS Engineer Josh Williams were instrumental in the technical and paperwork side.
Student of the Year: CWC’s Student of the Year, Lindsey Stewart, received accolades and recognition at the State Capitol and the recent CWC board meeting. Lindsey was on the Let’s Talk Fremont County radio show, recounting how she gained a passion for local food and agriculture while earning her degree at CWC. Learn more about Lindsey here.
Thank you all for the important work you do.
