NEWS from the Equality State Policy Center Jan. 11, 2007

ESPC, LWV applaud proposed House rule

Rule would require recording votes that change state spending

A bold proposal to start recording votes in the Wyoming House of Representatives on measures that raise or cut state spending will open more of the Legislature’s work to the public and hold legislators accountable for more of the votes they cast, according to the Equality State Policy Center and the Wyoming League of Women Voters.

Rep. Alan C. Jones, R- Powell, HD 25, asked the House Rules Committee Thursday to change the rules to require recording the “ayes and noes” on amendments to the biennial House budget bill. Jones noted that under current rules, the public sees only how a representative votes on the final budget bill but never knows how any legislator votes on the dozens of budget amendments proposed in the House.

Jones noted the Wyoming Senate already operates under a rule that requires a roll call vote on any amendment that directly increases or decreases state spending by a specific amount.

The Rules Committee asked Jones to prepare an amendment to House rules that simply mirrors the Senate rule. It will be considered Monday, said Speaker Roy Cohee.

“The committee’s request for the broader rule deserves kudos from the public,” said Dan Neal, the ESPC’s executive director. “Recording votes is the key to holding legislators responsible for the decisions they make.”

League of Women Voters lobbyist Marguerite Herman said her group is keenly aware that many important votes by Wyoming lawmakers are unrecorded, leaving no way for citizens to track their legislators’ performance.

“We strongly support Rep. Jones’ proposal to account for budget bill amendments, as the Senate has for years. Of course, this would take time, considering the number of budget bill amendments the House decides. If this passes, we hope the House will consider the benefits of electronic recording of votes.”

The House records votes on final passage of all bills but that’s only part of the story, particularly for appropriations that contain funding for most state programs.

“Writing programs and services into law is one thing. Funding them is another,” ESPC Board Chair Sarah Gorin said. “Because increasing or decreasing funding of a program is pivotal to its effectiveness, the people of Wyoming are entitled to know how their legislators vote.”

“We urge the House to adopt this amendment Monday when it approves the rules governing its operations during the 59 th Legislature,” Neal said.

Contact: Dan Neal, executive director, 307-258-2783; Sarah Gorin, chair, 307-745-8594 Marguerite Herman, LWV lobbyist, 307-630-8095; Kim Floyd , AFL-CIO, 307-214-7845

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.

Rules of the Senate

CALL FOR THE AYES AND NOES

14-3 (b) Except as provided by Senate Rule 11-5(a), the ayes and noes shall be taken on the motion to adopt any amendment which directly increases or decreases an appropriation by a specific dollar amount.