by Maya Shimizu Harris, WyoFile
Every year, Wyoming’s senators, representatives and five statewide elected officials submit financial disclosures to the Secretary of State ahead of the legislative session.
These disclosures are required by state statute. Under the law, legislators and statewide elected officials have to list businesses in which they hold a 10% or greater interest and contracts with the state for services and supplies valued at more than $5,000.
Elected officials in Wyoming’s executive branch — the governor, secretary of state, state treasurer, state auditor and superintendent of public instruction — file an additional code of ethics form disclosing items or services received in excess of $250. Those forms are due Feb. 15.
These financial disclosures allow the public to monitor for potential conflicts of interest. WyoFile requests these documents every year to share with the public. Only one disclosure form — that of Sen. Troy McKeown (R-Gillette) — was missing from the request that WyoFile received on Feb. 8.
Most lawmakers and state executives don’t have much to report.
Though the business doesn’t currently have a contract exceeding $5,000, Sen. Cale Case (R-Lander) disclosed that the Inn at Lander, which he partially owns, sometimes supplies lodging, food and conference facilities to Wyoming agencies, boards, elected officials and other divisions of the state. He’s reported that in the past.
Rep. Barry Crago (R-Buffalo) disclosed that the firm where he works and has an ownership stake — Crago Law Offices — has a contract to provide legal services for the Town of Kaycee.
For the most part, though, the public can learn more about where lawmakers work, what businesses they own and from where they’ve earned money.
Financial statements and code of ethics forms provided to WyoFile through a public records request are available below. See something fishy? Missing? Send any tips to editor@wyofile.com.
House of Representatives
Wyoming Senate
Troy McKeown
Executive offices
Superintendent Megan Degenfelder
This article was originally published by WyoFile and is republished here with permission. WyoFile is an independent nonprofit news organization focused on Wyoming people, places and policy.
