McKay Erickson, Wyoming House of Representatives-District 21

04/04/2026

Wyoming can show up and be heard!

122,718 People, that’s 27% of Wyoming’s eligible voters making decions for the WHOLE STATE OF WYOMING. Were you one of them??
The future is decided by those who show up.

03/16/2026

Session Update from Cheyenne

The Wyoming Legislature has officially adjourned, and I wanted to take a moment to update the people of Star Valley and House District 21 on what we accomplished and the work still ahead.

Budget & State Spending
This session we considered 335 bills and resolutions and ultimately passed 114. We also approved the state’s two-year budget totaling about $10.1 billion, including $3.46 billion from the general fund.

The final budget came in about $33.8 million lower overall and $1.9 million lower in general fund spending than the requests submitted by the Governor and Judicial Branch. Much of that adjustment came because people across Wyoming spoke up and made it clear they did not support some of the more extreme cuts that had been proposed to important programs and institutions across the state.

Education Funding
The Legislature also passed education funding measures, including a recalibration of the school finance model. This adds about $275 million to the School Foundation Program and roughly $393.7 million for K-12 school facilities across Wyoming.

While education spending increased, I still have concerns with parts of the recalibration bill—particularly where it reduces local control. Wyoming schools are doing many great things for our students, and I strongly believe we should continue trusting local educators, school boards, parents, and communities who know their kids and schools best.

Supporting Law Enforcement
Another issue that received significant attention involved a bill that would have allowed individuals to sue law enforcement agencies that participated in federal gun enforcement actions.

All 23 county sheriffs in Wyoming opposed the bill. Even though some out-of-state gun lobby groups tried to frame the debate as a Second Amendment issue, the real concern was maintaining our constitutional rights while still supporting the state and local law enforcement officers. These officers play a critical role in supporting ICE cooperation, border security efforts, and some domestic violence cases. I believe they are trained to make the right decision and should be supported.

Representing District 21
Throughout the session, I approached every vote the same way—independently and with the people of House District 21 in mind. My votes are my own and are not directed by outside caucuses or special interest groups. The only people I answer to are the citizens who sent me to Cheyenne.

Looking Ahead
Thank you for trusting me to represent Star Valley and House District 21. It is truly an honor to serve you!

I will be serving on two interim committees, where I will continue working on education funding as well as federal land use and implementation. I am also heavily involved in local issues with the Game and Fish, along with land and economic development opportunities in our region.

In the months ahead, I will also be working on common-sense legislation that will be considered during the 2027–28 legislative session.

I’m excited to share that I will be running for reelection! I look forward to continuing to work hard for our communities and I welcome your input, ideas, and concerns on all issues.

Thank you!

03/10/2026

03/07/2026

Let’s be clear: this bill does not strengthen or protect your Second Amendment rights.

The current law already prevents enforcement of unconstitutional federal gun laws. Law enforcement understands that and follows it.

What this new proposal does is something very different. It removes the “unconstitutional” standard and could expose Wyoming state, county, and local law enforcement to civil liability simply for cooperating with federal partners during criminal investigations where a firearm is involved.

All 23 Wyoming sheriffs and numerous police chiefs have raised serious concerns. They warn this bill could weaken multi-agency investigations used to pursue violent criminals, traffickers, and fugitives across state lines.

Protecting the Second Amendment matters. But we should not pass laws that put Wyoming officers at risk or undermine the partnerships that help keep our communities safe.

CASPER, Wyo. — Law enforcement agencies across the state are watching closely as a bill advances through the state legislature that they say would

03/03/2026

From the beginning, I opposed the House version of the budget. Through hard work and the spirit of what’s best for the state of Wyoming, we improved it. There are many good people here in the House, Senate and Governor’s office. I’m glad to be a part of it all!

The Wyoming House and Senate just passed the budget. What a win for Wyoming! And what a win for the citizens across the state who got involved with their government, after the Freedom Caucus-controlled Joint Appropriations Committee members made sweeping cuts to an already lean budget, and came forward letting their voices be heard to their representatives.

I extend my gratitude to the members of the House who courageously opposed the proposed cuts and insisted on asking the tough questions, even late into the night. Questions that focused on transparency as well as, critically, the underlying reasons for making those cuts. These questions struck a chord statewide and were powerfully voiced right here in Cheyenne by citizens from across Wyoming.

I want to also thank the Senate, whose stalwart leadership paved the way to this amazing victory.

The budget passed today restored almost all budget recommendations for the people of Wyoming and, as one Senator said, is only $53M below my overall recommendation. By my back-of-the-napkin calculations, that’s close to 99%.

Wyoming's future is indeed bright. We must continue to invest in our potential, grow our industries, preserve our small-town identity, and stand firm against the hysteria of national groups seeking to undermine our state.”

I would like to personally thank the members of the House who stood for Employee Compensation on third reading: Representatives Brown, L, Byron, Campbell, E., Chestek, Clouston, Connolly, Davis, Erickson, Filer, Fornstrom, Geringer, Harshman, Jarvis, Larsen, L., Larson, JT, Lawley, Lien, Nicholas, Posey, Provenza, Riggins, Sherwood, Singh, Storer, Styvar, Tarver, Thayer, Washut, Williams, Wylie and Yin.

And I would like to personally thank the members of the Senate who stood for restoring the Governor’s budget recommendations on second reading: Senators Anderson, Barlow, Brennan, Case, Cooper, Crago, Crum, Dockstader, Driskill, Gierau, Jones, Kolb, Landen, Love, Nethercott, Olsen, Pappas, Rothfuss, Schuler, Scott.

02/24/2026

Capitol Update – House District 21

Last weekend was intense, with 240+ budget amendments debated. We worked through Saturday evening and ultimately passed a House budget bill. The sheer number of amendments made one thing clear: many legislators did not agree with how the original budget was drafted or presented. It lacked meaningful input from agencies and the communities affected.

The good news is that we are now much closer to the Governor’s and Senate’s proposals, which puts us in a better position for negotiations and helps avoid a special session. I will continue pushing for the common-sense priorities many of you have contacted me about.

Here are examples of cuts in the original draft that do not reflect Wyoming values and that we worked to restore:
• OSHA safety training for state employees
• Funding to reseed land and fight invasive weeds after devastating wildfires
• Legal support to defend Wyoming’s water, grazing, and grizzly delisting interests
• Community college funding to help train and attract a skilled workforce
• $120 SNAP benefits that help feed hungry kids
• Cooperative trail funding for multi-use community trails
• Business loan and economic development programs
• University of Wyoming funding tied to program control

The Senate recalibration bill is now before us. While there are good elements included, we must stay focused to ensure we don’t slide backward toward policies that undermine public education. The public has spoken clearly in favor of stronger support for our students and their future.

I’ve appreciated hearing from so many folks from Star Valley who have reached out or stopped by the Capitol—your voices matter.

Today was especially meaningful as Representative Byron and I hosted student leaders from Star Valley Middle School. We toured the Capitol, answered questions, and discussed how bills are developed. A big thank-you to their teachers—Mr. Milne, Mr. Johnson, and Mrs. Taylor—for bringing such a prepared and engaged group.

My votes come easy because I work for the good people of Star Valley. Please keep reaching out with questions, comments, and concerns—I’m always listening.

02/19/2026

Quick update from the Capitol City

A campaign-contribution controversy on the House floor has unfortunately consumed significant time and attention—time we desperately need to pass a responsible budget. Until the investigation is complete, I remain focused on the work you sent me here to do. No matter how it turns out, the optics are not good. That said, the vast majority of representatives and public servants are working hard every day to do what’s right for the people of Wyoming.

We have just completed second reading of the budget, and there are currently three versions in play:
• The Governor’s proposal is balanced and adds $250 million to savings.
• The Senate passed a budget that closely mirrors the Governor’s approach.
• In the House, the Joint Appropriations Committee took a very different path, making deep cuts across state government, including reductions to the University of Wyoming and nearly eliminating the Wyoming Business Council.

This is only the beginning of the process. During floor debate, we have been working to restore some of that funding and move the House version closer to the Senate and Governor’s budgets.

One example: Wyoming state employees are already paid well below the regional market average. Further reductions make it even harder to recruit and retain the people who provide essential public services.

My biggest concern is the growing gap between these budget versions. If we get too far apart, reaching a practical, common-sense compromise becomes much more difficult. Wyoming deserves better than cuts made simply to make a point or for vindictive purposes. We need real problem-solving and a responsible, long-term plan.

Over the next few days, we will continue second and third reading of the remaining bills before sending them to the other chamber. I will provide a more detailed update this weekend once the dust settles.

Please keep reaching out—your input matters. My focus remains where it has always been: representing Star Valley, not special interests, caucuses, or political agendas.

Thank you for trusting me with this responsibility and allowing me to serve the great state of Wyoming.

02/16/2026

Hello Star Valley,

This week saw approximately 200 non-budget bills introduced. Of those, 89 were successfully introduced, 55 failed to receive the required 2/3 majority, and 52 were held back and never heard.

I voted to kill many of these bills because we simply do not have the time during a budget session. It was a bloodbath, as every bill mattered deeply to someone. Controversy over campaign checks being handed out on the House floor also consumed valuable time that should have been spent considering legislation- all while nobody has officially filed to run for office yet.

We did see the process work as intended on several bills. Some began poorly but were amended into popular and constitutional legislation. This reinforces the rule of law and shows how government works best when all three branches stay in their own lanes and do their jobs without overstepping. I remain focused on this principle.

For this week, attention turns to budget bills, along with limited further work on non-budget bills. Budget reviews of state agencies will also continue. I will be watching the Senate version of the school recalibration bill, which has a strong chance of incorporating changes supported by many school districts and teachers. The House version lacked viable amendments and was defeated again.

It is always a pleasure to welcome Star Valley residents to the Capitol. Emma Hunsaker was here receiving Shaping Wyoming’s Future Award through Western Wyoming Community College. Tyler Schwab presented work from Libertas International to both the House and Senate, then testified before my committee on behalf of children who are being s*x trafficked and abused. I also met with county commissioners and representatives from the Towns of Afton and Thayne. Lincoln County truly has the best of the best!

Your feedback continues to shape the issues I focus on. Daily legislative business is posted at wyoleg.gov, where you can watch live floor sessions, committee meetings, and sign up to testify.

Please stay involved, speak up, and reach out. Wyoming is too valuable to lose without a plan to make it better. We can do this as a citizen legislature!

02/11/2026

Legislature 2026 Budget Session
Day 2 Update
Here’s a quick update. I continue to be very selective of the bills that we can pass and work through to the final end result. It is unlikely that we will have the time to consider a fraction of the bills. For this reason, I am an advocate of severely limiting the non-budget bills that we can consider during this time. We are trying to absorb as much information as we can in the short time.
I own my votes and do the best I can. 
Remember, these votes now are to select the best of the non-budget related issues. Some are really good but, a lot are either repeat of similar laws or need lots of work to get them to be constitutional. An example of this includes House Bill 8 (stalking of Minors) and Bill 9. HB 8 was cleaning up and definition stalking of minors. HB 9 (grooming of children -amendments) was to further define the offense. I was advised that HB 9 was repetitive and not needed to fully punish the offender. I voted yes on HB 8 and no on HB 9. They both got the 2/3 majority vote needed for further consideration. I now have been assured by lawyers and the mother of the son involved that HB 9 will be strengthened in committee and come back to the floor for a final vote in better shape than it went in. I, of course, will vote for it. To assume otherwise, is malicious and irresponsible!

I will continue to vet each of these bills to the best of my ability and vote my conscience. I am not afraid or too proud to ask more knowledgeable and experienced people for help in my constitutional decision-making. I also do my homework. As I said before, I always look forward to and value the ideas and opinions from you all in my district.

Stay strong and trust in this great system of the rule of law. We have a long way to go in this session. I value the trust and confidence you have in me doing this work. Updates from Thursday and Friday’s budget introduction bills will be coming this weekend.

02/10/2026

This House bill missed the target of improving education for our students. We are hoping that a mirror bill in the senate can improve the effort. I’m watching it closely. Everyone has room to improve but burning down public education without a plan to really make it better is not the Wyoming way.

A narrow one-third minority of Wyoming state House representatives voted Monday to block the state’s new proposed method of funding public K-12 schools.…

02/09/2026

Western Wyoming!
This series of meetings are very important that we express our concern for this plan that phases out elk feedgrounds and lowers herd objectives. Both would be very detrimental to sportsmen and property owners.

JACKSON, Wyo. — The Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) will host two public meetings at the end of February to discuss updates on the elk Feedground Management Action Plan (FMAP) process. The public workshops in Pinedale and Jackson will provide an opportunity for the public to engage in conv...

02/07/2026

This is a budget year for the 2026 Legislative Session, which means the budget will take up most of our time and attention.

Because of that, non-budget bills are not a priority. During a budget session, non-budget bills must receive a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote just to be introduced. Even then, they take significant time and focus away from the work we are required to do—passing a responsible budget. For that reason, I will be voting no on many non-budget bills. That doesn’t mean every bill is bad, but staying focused matters if we’re going to do this job right.

This will also be a challenging legislative cycle. A large number of legislators are bringing forward bills that are either extreme or poorly written and would fundamentally change the way Wyoming has been successful in governing. On top of that, we will have our hands full with the education recalibration bill, which, as written, clearly misses the target.

My focus is on how budget decisions and major policy changes affect Star Valley and the people who live here. I want to hear from you, because your concerns and priorities are what my votes will be based on.

You can reach me by email at [email protected] or by text at 307-884-6119. Please don’t hesitate to reach out.

https://wyoleg.gov/Calendar/20260209/Floor/House?fbclid=IwdGRjcAPzf9dleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeTKZUq0_KdDrhooVihwE0zAoYvo-LtQUFa0Y0NLWN2XUYPOaG10FP51b-LEM_aem_TAFTzD-8BgnwexE06qCxKg