Legislature looks at school funding

Senate District 20 representative Wyatt Agar commented on the recent defeat of the bill meant to privatize the Wyoming Pioneer Home and the Wyoming Retirement Center in Basin.

Agar noted legislators from the Big Horn Basin worked hard to not only kill SF 112, but also returned funding in the budget bill and remove the study.

“I am proud of how well our delegation worked together,” he said. “We as a community now need to come together and work on a path forward. This is not the last we will hear of this issue, so we must be prepared.” Agar further stated having a plan in place will help the community take control of the Pioneer Home's destiny, should it become privatized, rather than being at the mercy of the State Health Department.

Agar also spoke to school funding, pointing out that much is still up in the air but amendments have been made in SF117 for smaller cuts to the budgets of rural school districts.

Another hot topic, Agar said, is SF 71 which would establish "stand your ground" statutes with regard to crimes and civil liability, as well as determining when defensive force can be used and immunity from liability for reasonable use of defensive force.

Agar noted the bill passed through the House almost intact, and changes coming from the Senate side will be taken up in conference committee.