Cooper addresses out of state money influencing Wyoming legislature

Sen. Ed Cooper, R-Ten Sleep, addressed an issue about out-of-state money trying and occasionally succeeding in influencing legislation and elections.  

Cooper stated the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in 2010 on Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission changed finance restrictions. It allows corporations and other outside groups to spend money with no limits on elections. “The Supreme Court said there could be no restraints due to the First Amendment on election spending. Now we have no control over where the money comes from, who it comes from  and how much is spent. So, they can attack or support any legislator. As long as they don’t give directly to that legislator.” 

He said that is why voters received so many mailers during the 2024 election season from out-of-state dark money. It’s why he introduced SJ0008. “A JOINT RESOLUTION requesting Congress to propose a constitutional amendment to authorize states and Congress to establish reasonable limits on political contributions made to influence elections.” 

Cooper continued, “Let’s get this out in the open and talk about it. So people can understand exactly where this money is coming from and the fact that we can’t control it.” He added it is important to give the sovereignty back to the states so they can control election spending and integrity at the state level. It is the largest threat to election integrity across the United States. Twenty-two states have similar resolutions. Eleven states are considering a resolution. 

The money that is poured in is designed specifically to influence our elections and it is doing it. “My constituents feel dark money has changed Wyoming elections and it is time for our state to have the right to regulate spending in our elections,” Sen. Cooper said. “As former U.S. Senator Al Simpson has said, ‘Money’s dominance over politics is the number one problem our nation faces. It is a growing crisis that prevents us from tackling anything else.’”

The resolution passed the second reading in the Senate on Monday, Feb. 10 and passed the third reading on Tuesday, Feb. 11. 

Cooper added, “It did what exactly what it was intended to do. It created a lot of conversation. It is not strictly a Republican or Democrat issue. It is a bi-partisan issue. $2.8 billion dollars was spent in dark money during the 2024 elections across the United States. It looks like around $4 million was spent on the house and the senate elections in Wyoming.” 

BUDGET 

Cooper reported that mirror budgets went to the House and the Senate at the same time. The Senate budget is around $109 million higher than the House budget. 

“I haven’t seen the House side of it yet. It appears that a lot of the difference is the restoration of the emergency firefighting funds. We (Senate) put quite a bit of money back in the budget to replenish our firefighting funds.” 

The senator added that it is a lot of money. At the same time if the state doesn’t have money for firefighting efforts the state will be in serious trouble in 2026.  He believes the big fires aren’t going away. The bi-annual fund was completely depleted this year due to all the fires. 

Cooper explained that the Senate put money back into the Large Project Funding as well. This is Wyoming Energy Authority money. “We spent about $90 million out of this program over the last few years. It has returned roughly $270 million in private and federal funding to the state in matching funds.” This resulted in 3 to 1 return on investment. It is a good deal and is bringing large energy projects to the state.” 

Regarding property taxes Cooper said, “What passed out of the Senate was basically the same thing as the People’s Initiative to Limit Property Tax.” Cooper shared. The initiative gives a 50% cut in property taxes for qualified Wyoming homeowners.  There will be no backfill by the state on communities, districts, etc., that are likely to lose tax dollars.   

The initiative was certified by Secretary of State Chuck Gray. It will appear on the 2026 general election ballot. Cooper added that what passed in the House was less severe. It allowed for some backfill. 

Cooper explained further, “In the budget, some of us from the small counties, brought forth an amendment to at the very least, put some money back in the budget to backfill for hospitals, fire districts, emergency services and senior centers. The rest of the special districts, city and towns will take a severe cut if the initiative passes in 2026. All services will be impacted.”

The senator said  there was an agreement in the Senate for just a 25% cut with no backfill. But when it came up for vote it was back at 50% and it passed. He thinks 50% is too severe of a cut. 

“I understand that people are wanting relief on property taxes. At the same time, the relief on property taxes also means we have to take a severe cut in the services we are receiving. We have to figure out which services people need. Who has to take the cut? Is it Weed & Pest? Is it a cemetery board? Do we not need a dump? All these things are impacted by this.” 

Cooper said monies for backfill will have to come out of the state’s Legislative Stabilization Reserve Account (LSRA) — aka Rainy Day Fund.  “If we continue to spend it that rainy day will get here,” said Cooper. “This is not a really good alternative.” 

UPCOMING WEEK 

For the week of Feb. 10, Cooper noted that all the House Bills will be coming over to the Senate and visa versa. He strongly believes that some of the bills coming from the House are designed to dismantle education in Wyoming. He does not support those bills. “I’ll be a very strong no on those three bills,” he said.

Recently TV ads are running that ask viewers to “Tell state senators: Pass House Bill 199.” It is paid for by Club for Growth. The phone number listed on their web pages has a 202 area code and a Washington DC address. The senator remarked this is more dark money trying to influence the people of Wyoming.