Wyoming State Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder recently stepped into the SVI Radio studio to discuss her decision to run for Governor of Wyoming.

(0:00) Weekday wake up on the SVI radio network and heading into this hour’s guest (0:04) interview segment and current Wyoming state superintendent of public (0:07) instruction and candidate for governor of Wyoming. (0:10) That’s Megan Degenfelder in the studio today. (0:12) Megan, good morning.

(0:13) How are you doing this today? (0:14) Good morning. (0:15) It’s great to be here. (0:16) I appreciate you making some time to stop by while you’re in Lincoln (0:19) County and the Star Valley area.

(0:21) Tell us what you’ve been up to so far and on this Western (0:23) trip that you’re on right now. (0:25) Well, it’s been great. (0:26) I was in Jackson yesterday and then came to Afton today and have had visits (0:29) to the senior center with different members of the community and then have a (0:34) meet and greet tonight at the civic center.

(0:35) And it’s just great to be in Afton and Star Valley, you know, all too often (0:39) folks out here feel like the, the roads only go one direction to Cheyenne. (0:43) And so, you know, this part of the state is just as important as others. (0:47) And so it’s, it’s important for me to be here.

(0:48) Love it. (0:48) Appreciate you taking some time. (0:50) So let’s talk about your candidacy for governor and of course, wrapping up your (0:53) term as state superintendent of public instruction, walk us through your (0:57) decision process to put your hat in the ring for the governor’s position.

(1:00) Well, I love Wyoming and I think that she’s worth fighting for. (1:03) And so I know that I can bring to this position, my expertise (1:07) in energy and education. (1:08) Education will continue to be a top priority for me because that truly is (1:12) foundational to, to how we operate as a state.

(1:15) But I mean, you know, I’m, I’m running for governor to fight for our values, our (1:18) conservative values and our way of life. (1:20) You look what’s happening across this country and it’s cause for concern. (1:23) We’ve got to have leaders who are willing to stand up and fight for our values (1:26) here in the state of Wyoming.

(1:27) Well, let’s start with education since that’s what you’ve been in. (1:30) Uh, there’s a battle going on right now in the state of Wyoming over (1:34) how should education be funded? (1:36) And it’s always a topic of discussion, but it’s, it’s even been heightened recently. (1:39) What do you see moving forward in the Cowboy state with, with the, with the (1:43) legislature and the state as a whole? (1:44) And what would you like to see happen? (1:46) Well, of course this past legislative session, the (1:48) recalibration bill was passed.

(1:50) I think there’s some areas that do need to be tweaked in, in that bill. (1:53) And so I think that’s what will occur this interim and into next session. (1:56) But the good news is, is we were able to increase funding for education and ensure (2:00) that teacher salaries were increased as well.

(2:03) It will continue to be a discussion about the legislature being the, the (2:06) determinating factor in education funding rather than the judicial branches. (2:10) We still have education finance being litigated in, in the highest courts. (2:15) Um, so this will continue to be a discussion over time.

(2:17) And I always, you know, I go back to what funds our education system and in the (2:20) lion’s share of tax revenue comes from the mineral industry. (2:23) And so if we want strong schools, uh, we, we’ve got to have a thriving mineral (2:27) industry. (2:27) We have to ensure that we’re developing more energy in the state of Wyoming to (2:30) pay for it.

(2:31) We’re seeing some changes there as well, right? (2:33) Even right here in Lincoln County, uh, we’re seeing some good things happen in (2:36) the coal industry across the state and the nation, but here in Lincoln County, (2:39) there’s still some big question marks as far as what the future of coal is in (2:43) Kemmerer and in this side of the state. (2:45) So when it comes to natural resources and energy production, what would be your (2:49) direction? (2:50) And I’m actually headed to Kemmerer to the coal mine tomorrow. (2:53) I actually began my career in the coal industry.

(2:55) I worked for a coal company up in Gillette. (2:57) And so, um, whether it’s coal or oil and gas that I’ve also worked in, that’s in (3:01) my blood. (3:01) That’s something I’m very passionate about.

(3:03) And, and really with one simple goal of producing more Wyoming energy. (3:06) Now, how do we do that? (3:07) I came out a few weeks ago with a comprehensive energy plan to do that. (3:11) Wyoming is, is so very much owned by the federal government.

(3:14) And so number one is ensuring that we can work with our federal delegation with the (3:18) president administration. (3:19) I’m really honored to have the support and endorsement of president Trump and (3:22) Harriet Hageman, um, and work with them to be able to produce our, our minerals, (3:26) particularly when it’s, it’s federal resources or on federal land. (3:29) Perfect.

(3:30) And, uh, public access, speaking of federal lands, uh, how do you see that? (3:34) And what, what role was, does the governor play in your mind when it comes to making (3:37) sure that Wyoming residents can continue to have access to lands around us? (3:42) It’s all about prioritizing multiple use. (3:44) That’s something that I believe really strongly in, you know, in addition to (3:47) building my career in the coal and oil and gas industry, I’m a lifelong outdoors (3:50) woman. (3:50) I’ve been big game hunting since I was a teenager.

(3:53) I have been recreating and in Wyoming all of my life, and we know how to do it in (3:57) Wyoming. (3:58) We know how to produce our minerals and ensure that, that we have, um, an (4:01) environment that, that we can enjoy and recreate in. (4:03) And so it’s all about that balance.

(4:05) We do it well. (4:06) Um, we’re really a model for the rest of the country. (4:08) And so making sure that we prioritize that, that it’s all about multiple use on (4:11) our lands.

(4:12) Wyoming state superintendent of public instruction and candidate for Wyoming (4:14) governor in studio today on the weekday wake up, uh, Megan, as you’ve traveled (4:19) around the state of Wyoming, you’ve had a chance to talk with, with the (4:22) residents during your campaign. (4:24) What have been some of the, maybe one or two common concerns that people bring up (4:28) to you and how would you plan to address those as governor? (4:31) Well, one of the biggest concerns that I share in, and one of the reasons I (4:34) decided to run for governor is that I’m tired of young people leaving the state (4:38) of Wyoming and everyone has experienced it. (4:41) We’ve got to keep our young people here, but to do that, we have to have jobs (4:44) available for them.

(4:45) We have to ensure that we are training them for jobs that actually exist here. (4:48) And then we have to ensure that you can afford to live here. (4:51) Can a young family even buy a house, let alone afford the property taxes? (4:55) Those are real questions that have to be answered if we want to keep our (4:58) young people here.

(4:59) And, um, and that’s something that I’m committed to. (5:01) I’m glad you brought up property tax. (5:03) It’s been a huge discussion, especially on this side of the state with as close (5:06) as we are to Teton County and, uh, the Lincoln County property tax increase.

(5:10) Uh, have you liked what you’ve seen the direction the state has gone so far and (5:14) maybe what direction would you like to see it go moving forward? (5:16) I have. (5:17) I’ve been very supportive of the recent moves to reduce property tax. (5:21) You know, we’ve got folks all across the state of Wyoming that are being (5:23) pushed out of their homes, homes they’ve lived in for decades.

(5:26) And this is a problem. (5:27) Again, our young people can’t afford their property taxes. (5:29) And so where are they going to live? (5:31) And so that, that is necessary.

(5:33) Property tax release is necessary for folks, particularly (5:36) on this side of the state. (5:38) You know, and I’m also not willing to jeopardize our basic goods and services. (5:41) And so now I’m going to sound like a broken record, but we’re going (5:43) to go back to the mineral industry.

(5:44) That is how we’re able to have reduced property taxes while still maintaining (5:49) our basic goods and services and, and having ensuring that that fire truck (5:52) comes to your house when your fire, when, when a fire is, is going, or, or (5:56) someone picks up the line at nine one one. (5:58) Um, we can do that if we have a thriving mineral industry. (6:02) Megan, what sets you apart from the other candidates that (6:04) are running for governor? (6:05) You know, I say often, I don’t look like your average career politician, but I (6:08) think that’s exactly what Wyoming needs right now.

(6:11) Um, I am not your status quo candidate. (6:13) Uh, if you’re looking for status quo, you’re not going to find it in me. (6:16) I bring energy experience, education experience, and in my role as (6:20) superintendent, having run one of the state’s largest state agencies, I know (6:24) how state agencies work and how we can better reform them to make them (6:27) operate like the private sector.

(6:29) If someone wants to learn more about you and your campaign and your (6:31) candidacy for governor, how do they do that? (6:33) Megan Degenfelder.com. (6:34) We’re also on all of the socials. (6:36) And, uh, so here to provide information and, and encourage folks to look us up (6:40) and, and contact me if you’ve got questions. (6:42) Perfect.

(6:42) Anything we missed, we’ve covered quite a few issues. (6:44) Anything else that you’d like to mention while we have you today? (6:47) We have, you know, I just, I would just close with that. (6:50) I just think Wyoming is truly worth fighting for.

(6:52) And in our way of life here, we want to protect that. (6:54) Um, that means so much to me. (6:55) My family’s been ranching in the state since the late 1800s and, um, has (6:59) always brought me up with this idea of you build something greater than (7:02) yourself and that will outlive you for generations to come.

(7:05) That’s what we’re building here in the state of Wyoming. (7:07) And this country folks across the nation are looking for states for (7:12) unapologetic leaders to step up and lead the future of this country. (7:15) And Wyoming has a track record.

(7:17) You know, we were the first state in the country that (7:18) granted women the right to vote. (7:19) We didn’t care what any other state said. (7:21) We did what was best for Wyoming.

(7:22) That’s the kind of bold leadership that I’m looking to (7:24) bring to the governor’s office. (7:26) State Superintendent of Public Instruction and candidate for (7:28) governor of Wyoming, Megan Degenfelder this morning. (7:30) It’s the weekday wake up SVI radio.