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The Equality State Policy Center (ESPC), a Wyoming nonprofit corporation, is a nontraditional coalition of Wyoming organizations working together on state government accountability and citizen access issues.

Policy initiatives were begun in 1994 under the direction of Sarah Gorin, ESPC board chair and part-time staff. During the fall of 1998, Tom Throop, former director of the Wyoming Outdoor Council (an ESPC member group) and former state representative and county commissioner, was hired as ESPC director. Tom Throop retired during summer of 2005, and Dan Neal, former editor of the Casper Star Tribune, Wyoming's statewide newspaper, was hired, with considerable enthusiasm and fanfare, as the ESPC's new executive director. Sarah Gorin remains as board chair and on staff part-time as research director. The ESPC coalition currently is comprised of 28 member organizations..

The ESPC is a progressive "think tank" that utilizes research, public education and advocacy to advance a cooperative work program designed to establish and maintain accountability in state government and to substantially increase citizen participation in and influence over public-policy decision-making.

The ESPC publishes the Wyoming LAP* Book (Legislative Accountability Project), a compilation of each legislator's campaign contributions and voting record on key legislative issues. In addition, the ESPC is working on "good government" legislation, including Wyoming's government ethics and lobbyist disclosure laws, and state tax policy and accountability.

" At a time when politics seems to offer little meaning and civility, the Equality State Policy Center speaks with a different voice: one of cooperation, inclusiveness and participation. Change happens when people work together to achieve it."
- Sarah Gorin, board chair Equality State Policy Center

" The Equality State Policy Center's accountable government work is the precedent-setting reform that will make all other public policy reforms possible in Wyoming."
- Dan Petegorsky, Executive Director, Western States Center

"The ESPC is the most exciting new public policy initiative in memory. The climate is perfect and the partnerships are in place to make the most significant changes since statehood in how the business of public policy is conducted in Wyoming."
- Steve Thomas, Wyoming Field Representative Greater Yellowstone Coalition, former Teton County Commissioner

" The people of Wyoming overwhelmingly supported government ethics reform with the Wyoming Ethics Initiative. The ESPC is continuing with the important work of bringing accountable government to Wyoming." - Linda Stoval, Campaign Manager, Wyoming Ethics Initiative

ESPC Mission Statement

The Equality State Policy Center, a broad-based coalition of Wyoming interests, works through research, public education and advocacy to hold Wyoming state and local governments accountable to the people they represent, and to encourage and assist state residents to participate effectively in public policy decision-making.


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Equality State Policy Center
340 West B Street Suite 203
Casper WY 82601
307-472-5939
www.equalitystate.org