Dear Friend,
Before we give you an update on what's happening in the states, please help us spread the word. Encourage your friends and family to sign up for our newsletter. Just share this link with them: https://statefreedomcaucus.org/sign-up/ |
WYOMING
The 2025 legislative session is coming to a close, and the Wyoming Freedom Caucus has secured several amazing victories. Here are some bills that recently passed and became law: |
- Universal school choice (HB 199)
- Homeschool Freedom Act (HB 46)
- Broad-based property tax cut (SF69)
- Banned DEI for all government agencies (HB 147)
- Banned drivers licenses for illegal aliens (HB 116)
- Banned Central Bank Digital Currencies (HB 264)
- Repeal of "Gun Free Zones" (HB 172)
- Protect Women's Spaces (HB 72)
|
Passing most, if not all of the above bills, was unthinkable two years ago. On school choice in particular, the former Wyoming House speaker unilaterally killed it in 2023. And while the legislature passed school choice in 2024, liberal "Republican" Governor Gordon line-item vetoed almost all of it. But because of the Wyoming Freedom Caucus's unwavering commitment to conservative reforms, they kept pushing and got it across the finish line this year. That's great news and a testament to the Wyoming Freedom Caucus's principled leadership, but not everything got signed into law because the State Senate killed some great bills. They include: |
- A bill that would require primary runoff elections (HB 249)
-
A ban on ballot drop boxes (HB 131)
- Prohibition of tax dollars to fund drag shows (HB 134)
- More hospital price transparency (HB 121)
- A ban on foreign ownership of property (HJ 2)
- Repeal of state carbon capture mandates (HB 209)
|
But like school choice, the Wyoming Freedom Caucus will keep pushing these bills and other conservative priorities in the months and years to come to make them a reality. |
SOUTH DAKOTA One of the South Dakota Freedom Caucus's top priorities this year was to pass a bill that would protect landowners from eminent domain abuse. It's a long story, but they have been fighting this issue for almost two years because a green energy company was using the force of government to take private property from landowners so they could build a CO2 pipeline. It was such a hot issue that 14 liberal Republicans who supported the pipeline lost their primary elections last fall.
Despite some setbacks, the legislature finally got the message and passed HB 1052 that would ban eminent domain abuse. We believe the liberal Governor Larry Rhoden (who recently replaced Kristi Noem) could veto the bill. The State House has the votes to override the veto, but the State Senate is a close call. We'll update you once we learn more. |
MARYLAND
Last week, we told you that the Democrat supermajority in Maryland was trying to pass an insane bill that would make condoms available in elementary schools. The Maryland Freedom Caucus was very vocal in their opposition, even drawing national attention, and it worked! The Democrats realized that, while they may love the bill, they knew their voters were adamantly opposed to it. |
The Maryland Freedom Caucus's victory on this issue compelled me to write a lengthly post on Twitter explaining why we need freedom caucuses in blue states. I recommend you read the whole thing, but here's an excerpt:
"A state freedom caucus forces other Republican lawmakers to be more accountable to their voters. A lot of Republican lawmakers in blue states have resigned themselves to accept "crumbs" from the Democrats if they aren't too loud in their opposition to the Left's insane, woke policies. Like pork projects and PAC money. Having a blue state freedom caucus means that voters will ask these wayward Republican lawmakers, "Why did you side with the Democrats instead of your freedom caucus colleagues on Issue X?" By requiring more accountability, a freedom caucus can force all Republican lawmakers to either adhere more closely to the GOP platform or get defeated in a GOP primary for being too liberal."
|
ARIZONA
The Arizona Freedom Caucus - led by Reps. Alex Kolodin and Joseph Chaplik - sponsored a common sense bill that would take the concept of DOGE down to the state level. Their legislation would repeal various boards and councils that aren't a core function of government. A couple of examples contained in the bill include the "Arizona Iceberg Lettuce Research Council" (yes, really) and the "Arizona Commission on the Arts".
Unfortunately, the Arizona House killed the bill, 17-42. There were simply too many liberal Republicans who sided with the Democrats. But that didn't stop the AZ Freedom Caucus from loudly educating the public about how politicians are wasting tax dollars on this nonsense. |
Folks, while some states like Wyoming and South Dakota are winding down their legislative sessions, we are still in the thick of it across our various states. So more updates to come! Also, do you know the many ways you can support us? A one time gift or a monthly gift to our Foundation that is completely tax deductible. Or you can support the Network so that you can help State Freedom Caucuses pass strong, pro-liberty legislation.
To give, please click on one of the links below. For stock donations or IRA distributions, contact Dana Craycroft at [email protected] or Sara Prinzi at [email protected].
|
We'll be back with another update next week. Until then, please be sure to support our efforts so that we can support our State Freedom Caucuses! In Liberty, |
Andy Roth President
State Freedom Caucus Network |
|
|
|