By Anthony McConnell

Trail Editor

There has been more than one rebellion in Wyoming’s history, most notably in Johnson County during the 1890s. That rebellion pitted the local farmers and ranchers against the cattle barons of the day.
More recently the members of the Wyoming Legislature rebelled against the leadership of the state. This uprising wasn’t about cattle, but about a proposed $13 million salary increase for the faculty and staff of Wyoming’s seven community colleges.
The salary increase was part of the supplemental budget Gov. Dave Freudenthal signed into law Tuesday, Feb. 27.
“We were quite gratified that the Legislature supported us this,” said Steve Thulin, president of Northwest College faculty and NWC history professor. “We worked very, very hard with the lawmakers because the governor did not recommend the extra money.”
He added, in addition to the governor, the leaders of both the House and Senate did not support the additional funds. Instead it was the lawmakers on both floors who worked to provide the $13 million raise.
“There was a little bit, I don’t want to stress this too strongly, but a little bit of a rebellion on the floor by what you might call the ‘rank and file’ lawmakers in favor of our amendment,” Thulin said.
These lawmakers went against the grain and pushed the budget amendment through both houses. In the Senate the amendment passed by close to a two-thirds vote and it cleared the House by just two votes, Thulin stated.
According to Thulin, in the past the Legislature has kept its focus on kindergarten through 12th grade education and the University of Wyoming.
“For me listening to the debate, it was heart warming to hear the statements, by so many lawmakers, of appreciation for what the colleges do in their communities,” Thulin said. “The (community) colleges are often treated as the ugly stepsister of Wyoming’s education system.”
He added the actions taken during the current legislative session could be a sign of a shifting focus in the state.