Welcome to Advocacy Corner, a monthly series of nonpartisan advocacy posts by the Natrona Collective Health Trust, aimed at advancing our mission of improving the health of Natrona County residents. Each month, we explore key issues that impact community well-being, providing insights and information to empower residents. If you have a topic suggestion or question, please reach out to Rachel Bouzis, Director of Policy & Learning.
When the 2025 legislative session kicks off Tuesday, Jan. 14, Wyoming’s elected officials will be hard at work. With many new faces—particularly on the House side—and a packed agenda that includes voting on Governor Gordon’s supplemental budget and many other important bills (view all bills) including a proposed ban on cell phones in schools and the Wyoming imagination library program, the next few months promise to be eventful. These decisions, whether we realize it or not, affect all of us. That’s why it’s critical for nonprofits to maintain strong relationships with our legislators.
But when it comes to forging new connections, the session itself may not be the best time to start. As Senator Charles Scott explains, “Once we get to Cheyenne, we get overwhelmed.” Scott, a veteran of Wyoming’s citizen legislature (meaning that members are elected to serve part-time without accommodations like support staff), notes that during a session, hot-button issues can generate more than 1,000 emails, so responding to all those messages is impossible. His advice? “The best thing is getting a hold of us before we go down to Cheyenne.”
Outgoing long-time Representative Tom Walters emphasizes the importance of meaningful relationships. “Invite your legislator to coffee or breakfast so you can tell them how your organization benefits the community,” Walters says. By building these connections outside of the legislative session, your elected officials can do interim work with a solid understanding of what you and your clients need, which can be handy in January and February. “Stay in touch with legislators with a quick hello email during session. That way, if something relevant comes up, you’re top of mind for a potential phone call.”
During this odd-year regular session, members will be voting on the recently proposed supplemental budget (read a WyoFile summary), and as a seasoned Joint Appropriations Committee member, Walters acknowledges that budget discussions can be tough to follow, but they’re critical decisions. He says it’s usually easier to listen in to JAC conversations as opposed to trying to track them in writing or through amendments. These discussions will kick off the first week of session, and voting on individual items will occur later.
As significant as the budget is to our state, the 93 part-time members are responsible for legislating an enormously broad range of issues—state highways, social issues, public health, voting, etc. Given this range, they rely on subject-matter experts for input, so Representative Steve Harshman highlights the importance of educating legislators about your mission. “There are so many issues out there, and they’re all important. If you’ve never had a family member in hospice, for example, you probably don’t know what it is.” Harshman advises nonprofits to invite legislators to events like legislative lunches or host local gatherings to foster direct communication.
“Face-to-face meetings are invaluable,” Harshman adds. “Explain your history and your plans for the future. Part of the legislative process is solving problems, but a big part is preventing them. Nonprofits play a huge role in our communities. They make our state and communities better. Keep that education process going.”
With approximately one-third of the House turning over every couple of years, educating legislators is a continuous effort. “Make sure people know who you are and what your mission is,” Harshman says. “It’s a never-ending process of bringing new representatives up to speed.”
As you set your priorities for 2025, make connecting with your legislators a key part of your agenda. Attend the 2025 Legislative Breakfast Friday, January 17, to build connections and raise awareness of Wyoming’s nonprofit sector, and consider joining the Advocacy in Action Workshop Thursday, January 30, for hands-on support in developing your advocacy strategy. Stay informed about legislative developments in January and February, then reach out to your legislators starting in the spring. Your advocacy today could make all the difference for your community tomorrow.
