After abortion ruling, lawmaker tries to deny Wyoming court security funding
CHEYENNE—On the first day of the 2026 legislative session, Wyoming Chief Justice Lynne Boomgaarden asked lawmakers to “listen with open minds, honor the distinct roles of each branch, debate vigorously, yet respectfully, recognize that the people bring cases, issues and evidence to the courts. Judges do not choose them.”
Her words came about a month after the Wyoming Supreme Court struck down two statewide abortion bans, ruling that they are unconstitutional. The high court came under heat for the decision. Hard-line Republican lawmakers with the Wyoming Freedom Caucus, for instance, called the justices “weak judges” and “woke attorneys,” accusing the court of making an “engineered” decision.
Boomgaarden underscored in her speech the challenge of weighing in on controversial laws. “Understand that judicial decisions are not political statements,” she said. “Avoid demonizing judges for unpopular rulings.”
It appears that plea went unheeded by some lawmakers. On Saturday, Rep. Rachel Rodriguez-Williams, R-Cody, proposed deleting about $3.6 million in additional court security funding — an earmark that the Joint Appropriations Committee had recommended — from the state’s next two-year budget. The money would pay for security improvements at courthouses across the state.
https://wyofile.com/after-abortion-ruling-lawmaker-tries-to-deny-wyoming-court-security-funding/
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