Lawmakers Reject Plan To Appoint Education Chief

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — The Wyoming House of Representatives won’t consider a bill to start the process of changing the state Constitution to allow the governor to appoint the state superintendent of public instruction.

The bill sponsored by Rep. Steve Harshman, a Casper Republican, failed to get the required two-thirds vote on Friday for consideration during the budget session.

Harshman said only 14 states still share Wyoming’s current system of having the state superintendent elected by the voters. He said giving authority to the governor would make sure the state gets the best education administrator.

Rep. Allen Jaggi, a Republican from Lyman, spoke against the bill. He says he supports voters in the state who believe they’re able to decide on the best person to run the department.