McKay Erickson, representative for Wyoming House District 21, spoke with SVI and provided an update on various issues facing his constituency as prep work is underway for the 2026 budget session.

On of the items Erickson spoke about was the recalibration process for funding schools.

RELATED: RADIO INTERVIEW WITH REP. MCKAY ERICKSON –

“Recalibrations take place every five years,” he noted. “This is, where do we want to be spending money on education and how do we want to spend it. There is a major group in Wyoming in the Freedom Caucus and they do not see that what we spend on education as valid as the rest of us do.”

Also speaking on the education funding model, Erickson commented on the lawsuit currently filed against the state of Wyoming by the Wyoming Education Association (WEA) after the state was found to be underfunding the current model as mandated by the state constitution.

“We as the legislature was found to be pretty severely underfunding education so we have to meet those demands,” Erickson stated. “[With] declining enrollment and declining revenues; we need to find a way to shift things around and fill those responsibilities. Items like mental health in particular. We value education and we need to step up to the plate and find some ways. Wyoming has a lot of resources, now it’s a matter of prioritizing some of those things.”

Erickson is also part of the Federal Natural Resource Management Committee.

“I’ve learned a ton,” he said of his time in this group. “This focuses on policies and agencies of the state and federal government in terms of our natural resources. We are spending a lot of time on the forest services, the BLM, the Rock Springs Resource Management Plan. The forest service constantly keeps an eye on multiple use policies. We’ve been knee-deep with a lot of things going on all the time. I’ve found that very rewarding.”

Erickson emphasized that the people of the area have had strong interaction with him and the legislature on these topics.

“The people of Star Valley are very, very involved and very interested in providing multiple use in our federal and state lands,” he said. “People want to use the forest and use it to the fullest extent as they should. That’s always been a push of mine and it’s great to find so many of my constituents who share that.”

Erickson felt that there is legitimate movement on forestry issues unlike other times where there was only conversation.

“In terms of potential legislation, there is a lot of Good Neighbor Authority talk,” he said, referring to the United State Forest Service to enter into agreements with state forestry agencies to do critical management work. “There’s a severe underfunding in some areas and they can work with state agencies, such as the Wyoming Forestry [Division]. Wyoming can do the work and we are seeing some action happen. Not just talk about timber sales. We are seeing state agencies pick that up and getting it done. Hopefully we are working on some funding for some more state foresters on this side of the state. The closest one right now is in Pinedale and he is very busy.”

In working with the Travel, Recreation and Wildlife Committee, Erickson feels there will be statewide movement on what is being referred to as fair chase hunting, or believing the animal has a realistic chance of escape. Erickson said that feedback from many has indicated that technology is advancing to the point where this may not be the case.

“What is ethical?” he said.  “With the introduction of the technology we are seeing; we need to take a look at it. In talking with [Wyoming Game and Fish] Commissioner Roberts from Kemmerer, he says that as they go throughout the commissioner group nationwide, that is one of the biggest concerns.  We are moving further away from fair chase. There are people who are opposed to limiting that but the overwhelming majority of the feedback I get are concerned about the long-range shooting technology. The animal has some kind of opportunity to escape. With us especially in the big game area of mule deer, I don’t know that we want to head down that line and get any worse than we are. I’d like to see commissions handle that before a law is passed, but you definitely have to get people with like minds together and recognize just how much support there is for traditional hunting techniques. I think you’ll see that move considerably in the next couple years. There is so much criticism of hunting in general nationwide, we want to keep it reasonable to where we can honestly say this is a sport and provides for a lot of people.”

Finally, Erickson commented on property tax relief which was a primary part of his campaign.

“We needed to see a reduction with the drastic changes we were seeing,” he said. “From the 2024 session with some of the breaks they were able to give, some policies are coming to fruition now. You are seeing more of that taking place with the elderly and their homes and their property tax. Last year we passed the 25% decrease in property tax. That’s starting to hit.”

He also pointed out that there is an adjustment period with cuts such as these as vital services are often in the crosshairs.

“The towns and counties and schools are starting to adjust,” he continued. “There are some in stark need, a lot of them are making the effort and seeing where the cuts in spending need to be made. I do not want to see these districts dry up and go away; especially here in western Wyoming where I think we run things pretty efficiently.  I want to see them support our emergency services. I don’t anticipate they are able to cut much more. We need to find ways to adjust to that. I think more and more the feeling I get in the meetings that I’m in and feedback I get, people are recognizing the value of the services and I’d be surprised to see the big 50% cut to these things. They know we just can’t do that. A lot of times when cuts are sent down in government agencies, services get cut and the fluff doesn’t. We need to strike the balance.”

The 2026 Wyoming Legislative session begins on February 9 and is the budget session where the members of the legislature work to craft the two year budget.

“We are seeing some of the number and what we have to work with,” Erickson concluded. “I’m trying to become as prepared as possible and where we can spend money and where we can trim that back. A lot of work needs to be done between now and then.”