Members of the Wyoming State Senate and House of Representatives have finalized their committee assignments for the 67th state legislature, and officials from Uinta County are among those placed on committees.  

Fifteenth district Sen. Wendy Schuler will act as chair of the Travel, Recreation, Wildlife and Cultural Resources (TRW) Committee, simultaneously holding a position on the Judiciary Committee. House District 49 Rep. Ryan Berger will sit on the Education and Transportation, Highways and Military Affairs (THMA) Committees. District 19 Rep. Jon Conrad will be involved in the Agriculture, State and Public Lands and Water Resources (ASPW) Committee. Conrad and District 18 Rep. Scott Heiner will be on the Minerals, Business and Economic Development (MBED) Committee. 

When asked in what direction she will take the TRW Committee, Schuler said, “I believe there are a number of issues that will be important.” She wishes to continue protecting Wyoming lakes from aquatic invasive species, and hopes to approach migration corridor issues, particularly with the mule deer. Schuler aims to alter hunting license allocations, deal with trail funding issues, increase marketing and opportunities for off-road trails and offer possible film incentives for companies looking to work in Wyoming.  

She also intends to handle avian flu and die-offs in the bird population, streamline the state’s camping reservation process, analyze data on sage grouse and other species, examine issues with the increased numbers of grizzly bears and the problems inherent from those numbers and continue working with the Wyoming Arts Council and all of the groups that provide cultural opportunities in Wyoming. 

In the Judiciary Committee, Schuler said, “Two issues I believe will come to the forefront will be the corner crossing versus private property issue and the problems of Wyoming’s high rate of juvenile crime and high rate of recidivism.” She admitted that she has not yet seen as much of the data as is necessary to formulate a solution,adding “but we need to tackle this issue.”  

Schuler said that staffing at state facilities, including Wyoming Penitentiary, is an issue worth addressing, as is the ongoing fentanyl crisis. “The amount of fentanyl that is streaming into Wyoming will be a huge issue to deal with,” she said. “I have a bill that will be increasing the penalties for selling and for crimes associated with deaths from overdoses.” Schuler concluded, “Not having served on this committee before will be a challenge for me, but I will get up to speed as quickly as possible.” 

“I am very honored and excited to be appointed to the Education Committee and the THMA Committee,” said Berger. He says he has a positive outlook and feels that his committees “have a bright future for the agencies they represent and the people of Wyoming.”  

In his first term as a representative, Berger said he will bring a voice to the people of House District 49. “Being a first-term legislator, it will be very important for me to uphold the office and the oath that I take.” He also said it is important for him to commit himself to learning the legislative process “so I will be able to make the best decisions possible for Evanston and Uinta County.” Thirdly, Berger said he understands that he will sacrifice much of his time and is willing to do so to ensure that the people of House District 49 are well-represented. He added that listening and being available is important to him.  

When asked what the most pressing issue for Wyoming education is, Berger said, “ensuring that we follow the Wyoming State Constitution and knowing that the Wyoming State Constitution guarantees the children of Wyoming equal opportunity to a quality education…” He added that it is important for education to be appropriately, fairly and equitably funded by our legislature. Berger finished by vowing to “bring a wealth of knowledge, passion and determination to move bills out of the Education Committee to be heard on the House floor.” 

Conrad said that in his first term on the ASPW and MBED Committees, he will provide leadership, experience, knowledge and accountability. The crux of his agenda, he said, is “advocating for Uinta County, specifically through fact-based, constituency-based decision making.” On the ASPW Committee, Conrad said he will protect existing water rights “in the face of increasing pressure from the Colorado River Compact.” He additionally said he will find ways to protect families from increased taxes burdens, while also “securing a brighter future for our children and finding solutions to educate and prevent the alarming rate of suicides.” His motto entering his first term, he said, is “integrity first, service before self, excellence in all I do.” 

Conrad is optimistic about his appointment to the MBED Committee. “Our opportunities in Lincoln County are target rich,” he said. “Uinta County has the opportunity to seize multiple endeavors which can positively impact our communities.” He cited the workforce necessary for Kemmerer’s new TerraPower nuclear plant, expansions in soda ash industries and development of Evanston’s 1,000-acre site. 

Conrad said his appointment to MBED will grant the committee his 30 years of mineral experience, “while also enabling myself to be a conduit for existing and prospective businesses and promote opportunities for economic development from the local and state perspectives.”  

As part of the MBED Committee, Heiner said that the most pressing current issue is providing for infrastructure needs, particularly “for future development projects that could bring an influx of temporary and permanent workers to our area.” He said his first term taught him the importance of citizen involvement in politics and “the tremendous influence that they can have as they communicate with legislators and government officials.” He finished by extolling citizens’ individual power. “Never underestimate what one voice can do as we all strive to make Wyoming better for future generations.”