As Wyomingites are well aware, the Big Beautiful Bill passed by President Trump significantly altered federal tax and spending policies. This bill will, therefore, affect every industry in Wyoming, from energy to agriculture.
When looking at the energy sector, the bill eases subsidies and rules for the oil and gas industry. With a heightened ability to pursue hydrocarbon production, Sen. John Barrasso called it “unleashing American energy” during his speech at the opening of the rare earth minerals mine near Sheridan, the first of its kind in the U.S. in 70 years. The downside of this is the hit to renewable energy. With a focus being brought back to carbon-based energy industries and the production and distribution of these energy types in Wyoming, renewables are taking a major hit. With many previously held tax credits for wind and solar being abolished, electricity prices could begin to increase by roughly 29%, the highest of any state. In addition, carbon emissions will likely skyrocket in the context of the bill
Beyond energy, the bill also affects the medical sector. Despite the rural hospitals fund being set at roughly $50 billion, the bill also cuts $1.2 trillion from Medicaid and SNAP funding. This will likely lead to more health care costs being covered by families and individuals rather than insurance companies.
For the university, there are specific changes to look out for as students, faculty, and staff. Federal loans have been fixed rather than allowing students to take out more than $100,000 as graduate students. In addition, the variety of loan repayment plans is being replaced with just two. With many grad students being forced to pursue private loans and encouraged not to seek postgraduate degrees, the university will likely see drops in enrollment and revenue. This will also disproportionately affect low-income students due to changes in the PLUS loan programs, which historically have been essential for first-generation and rural community students.
The bill represents opportunity and risk simultaneously. With Wyoming having a much higher support for the Trump administration’s legislative decisions than many other states, there are both benefits and deficits to the bill. With reduced student access, loan limits, and lowered research funding, the university could struggle initially. However, workforce grants and energy sector training could help offset this. With subsidies to Wyoming’s main forms of energy and an encouragement to diversify investment into UW, the bill could have minimal negative long-term effects if Wyoming operates optimally.
