Effort to Save and Reform Business Council Advances as Freedom Caucus Presses to Defund It

A Senate committee passed a measure Monday to reform the Wyoming Business Council rather than eliminate it, sending Senate File 125 to the full Senate after an hour of public testimony—all of it supportive of the embattled agency. The 4-1 vote came as lawmakers continue to grapple with dueling proposals that range from restructuring the council to defunding it entirely.

The bill is among three introduced last week aimed at defusing a Freedom Caucus-led effort to dismantle the state’s primary economic development agency. It would require the council to provide a full accounting of its work by April 15 and originally called for a task force to recommend reforms. But Sen. Chris Rothfuss, D-Laramie, successfully amended it to create a Minerals subcommittee of lawmakers to handle the review instead.

“For business and economic development, this is one of the agencies that we oversee,” Rothfuss said. “In my 16 years in the Legislature, I’ve been on countless task forces and working groups, and the ones that are most effective at drafting legislation are the ones that are structured this way.”

Despite winning support for the amendment, Rothfuss cast the lone vote against advancing the bill. He objected to provisions that would block the agency from expanding programs starting in July and impose a “hard stop” on all council work by April 2027 unless the Legislature intervenes.

“I do not support pausing or restricting the Wyoming Business Council while we consider ways to improve it,” Rothfuss said. “The programs are too valuable for our communities and our businesses.”

The committee also tabled Senate File 100, a companion bill with a more expedited review timeline. Still in play is House Bill 150, which closely mirrors that approach and is expected before the House Appropriations Committee on Wednesday.

Local leaders testified passionately in support of the council. Shoshoni Mayor Joel Highsmith credited Business Ready Community grants with funding a sewer line that freed up town dollars for a housing development. “We were sort of dying, but with all their help, trying to keep things going in central Wyoming,” he said.

Cheyenne Mayor Patrick Collins said the council’s persistence helped land Meta’s data center investment after years of courting. “Having certified economic development specialists available when the opportunities arise … has helped Cheyenne succeed,” he said.

Energy Capital Economic Development CEO Rusty Bell warned that the uncertainty already has consequences. After the Joint Appropriations Committee recommended defunding the council in January, a prospective business partner asked, “Is Wyoming still open for business?”

On the House floor Friday, defunding proponents remained adamant. Rep. Ken Pendergraft, R-Sheridan, argued the entire staff must go, likening the organization to a football team with a coach who has instilled a “particular mentality.” Rep. Lee Filer, R-Cheyenne, countered that there’s been no evaluation of specific employees or divisions. “We’re going to eliminate 44 jobs?” he asked. “We’re going to eliminate those people that are working for the state?”

The fate of the Business Council remains uncertain as budget negotiations continue.