3 minute read
Constitutional amendments
Two constitutional amendments are on November’s ballot
Let local governments invest in stocks? Raise judges’ retirement age? Voters to decide.
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By Jonathan Gallardo Gillette News Record Via Wyoming News Exchange
GILLETTE — Voters will get the chance to decide on two amendments to the Wyoming Constitution in the general election.
Amendment A allows cities, counties, towns, school districts and other political subdivisions to invest money in stocks and equities.
And Amendment B would increase the mandatory retirement age for judges from 70 to 75.
The state has invested money in its permanent funds in equities since the 1990s. In 2016, voters approved an amendment that allowed Wyoming to invest its state agency pool, which includes hundreds of non-permanent funds, into stocks and equities.
If Amendment A passes it would allow local governments to do the same thing, giving them an opportunity to increase revenue without increasing taxes.
For a constitutional amendment to get onto the ballot in Wyoming it needs to get a two-thirds supermajority from both the House and Senate.
Amendment A was introduced as House Joint Resolution 9 in the 2021 legislative session. The House approved it on a 43-16 vote, and the Senate passed it with a vote of 25-5.
Right now, judges are required to retire when they turn 70 years old. If Amendment B passes, it would raise that age to 75.
A local judge had to retire due to this rule. In 2020, District Judge Michael N. “Nick” Deegan retired because he turned 70.
Thirty-one states have mandatory retirement ages for judges. Vermont has the highest, at 90 years old.
Montana, Idaho, Nebraska and North Dakota don’t have mandatory retirement.
In Utah the age is 75 years old. Colorado’s is 72, and South Dakota’s is 70.
This was introduced as House Joint Resolution 1 in the 2022 legislative session.
The House passed it on a 54-5 vote, while the Senate approved it on a 20-10 vote.
For an amendment to pass it needs a majority of all voters in the election to support it. This means that if a voter leaves this part of the ballot blank, that is essentially the same as a vote against the amendment.
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Luther has been an incredible advocate for firefighters. Everything from air quality in the station to our recent push in the county for fair and equitable wages — he was our number one supporter in all of those.” Austin Sessions, president of Local 5067
I am proud to advocate for firefighters and other county employees. Some of my priorities include: • Putting a measure on the 2022 SPET ballot to replace the outdated fire houses in Hoback and Wilson. • Acquiring four wildland firefighting trucks to better protect the community from wildfire. • Securing fair pay for firefighters, including a 6% raise and $1,200 bonus this year.
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Luther, center, with John Tobey and Tyler Hartz, officers with Jackson Hole Professional Firefighters.
