Latest news with #CowboyState
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Cowboy State Republican who mounted gubernatorial bid 'isn't conservative enough,' Freedom Caucus chair says
Wyoming state Sen. Eric Barlow, a Republican and Marine Corps veteran who previously served as the state House speaker, has launched a gubernatorial bid in the Cowboy State. "Eric Barlow is running for Governor because he believes Wyoming deserves strong, respectful leadership rooted in service, not politics," his campaign website states. Barlow has served in the state Senate since 2023, and previously served multiple terms in the state House. Why See Wyoming? Here Are Some Of The Cowboy State's Top Attractions State Rep. Rachel Rodriguez-Williams, who chairs the conservative Wyoming Freedom Caucus, blasted Barlow in a statement that she emailed to Fox News Digital, claiming that he is not "conservative enough for" the state. "If the last two election cycles in Wyoming have taught us anything, it's that Wyomingites want real, conservative leadership. Senator Barlow isn't conservative enough for Wyoming, and the Wyoming Freedom Caucus is confident that come 2026, the people will elect a true conservative for governor," she asserted, referring to Barlow as "a liberal Republican who loves big government." Read On The Fox News App Wyoming Has Clean And Very Affordable Natural Gas That Can Be Exported, Sen. Lummis Says "During his tenure in the Wyoming Legislature, Barlow made it a priority to fight against conservative principles. He's consistently fought for ever-growing state spending, votes against state sovereignty, sponsors woke legislation, and as Speaker of the House, presided over a special session during Gordon's COVID lockdowns that failed to protect the rights of the people of Wyoming," she asserted. Barlow pushed back in a statement, asserting that his record demonstrates that he is "a conservative Republican." "Wyoming's challenges are too important for us to get bogged down in personal attacks. The Wyomingites I am hearing from are tired of the 'us and them' debate and are ready for leadership that brings folks together. I'm not interested in going low or tearing others down — I'm focused on building Wyoming up. As covered by Cowboy State Daily, 'if it gets ugly, it's not going to come from me, and I won't get caught up in smear and misinformation campaigns,'" Barlo said in the statement obtained by Fox News Digital after publication on Thursday. Gop Governor Greenlights State Troopers To Join Ice In Immigration Crackdown "My record shows I am a conservative Republican who is committed to listening to my constituents and working on the issues that matter most to them. I've fought to defend the rights of all Wyomingites, including the Second Amendment, the sanctity of life, private property rights, and safeguarding public lands— because that's what matters to the people I serve," he continued. "This campaign isn't about labels or political scorekeeping. It's about ensuring Wyoming remains strong, free, and prosperous for future generations. I'll continue focusing on the issues that affect our families, our communities, and our way of life, and I welcome honest, respectful debate about the best path forward for our great state." Wyoming's gubernatorial contest will take place next year. The state's current governor, Republican Mark Gordon, has served in the role since article source: Cowboy State Republican who mounted gubernatorial bid 'isn't conservative enough,' Freedom Caucus chair says
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Wyoming schools may lose $24.5M after Trump administration withholds federal funds
CHEYENNE — Wyoming officials say the Cowboy State stands to lose more than $24.5 million after the Trump administration withheld more than $6 billion in funds supporting various education programs earlier this week. Kim Amen, president of the Wyoming Education Association, said she was blindsided by the decision, and now Wyoming K-12 public school districts, as well as her organization, are in a 'scramble' to determine budgets before school begins across the state in just a few weeks. Nationally and in Wyoming, the funds withheld support professional development for teachers, support for English learners, offer student support and academic enrichment grants, and support after-school and summer enrichment programs. 'This all comes back to our students, and they're the ones that are going to suffer,' Amen said. '... Everything we do in our schools is to support our students.' She said Wyoming's public school districts will now face tough decisions about where to put their money. There is potential for teachers or paraprofessionals to lose their jobs, or other services may be cut for some school districts to continue after-school programs or professional development, if they choose to do so, Amen said. This scramble may be more pronounced in rural areas of Wyoming, as many may not have access to other services for after-school care like a YMCA and typically rely more heavily on the type of federal funds withheld by the Trump administration in this move, Amen said. The Wyoming Department of Education is encouraging school districts to not obligate any funds beyond existing carryover funds for Title II-A, Title III and 21st Century Community Learning Centers, a federal program under Title IV. Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder commented on the decision in a written statement to the WTE. 'We are constantly in contact with our partners at the federal level, and while we do not yet know the details of this review of funds, President Trump's education priorities are Wyoming's priorities, and I continue to support his leadership,' she wrote. The WDE provided the following figures that will not be allocated to the state if the funds are not distributed: • Title II-A, professional development for teachers — $10,835,611 • Title III, support for English learners — $500,000 • Title IV-A, student support and academic enrichment grants — $6,659,535 (the state was actually given allocation figures for this grant in May, but they rescinded that while they review) • Title IV-B (21st Century Community Learning Centers), after-school and summer enrichment programs — $6,515,398 • Total: $24,510,544 For Amen, she said she could see the burden falling on the state, and Wyoming taxpayers, to continue to fund services provided by Wyoming's public schools. 'We were told by some people in leadership in this state that the gutting of the (U.S.) Department of Education was actually a good thing for the state of Wyoming because it would mean that all the money would come back to the states and that we would get to decide how that money was spent. And we are seeing that that is not the case,' she said.
