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The Wyoming Taxpayers Association has publicly rejected Ballot Initiative 1 — widely referred to as Prop 1 — arguing the proposal would not deliver a sustainable fix to rising property-tax bills and could shrink local government budgets. The group has launched an informational campaign to explain its objections and to show what current tax relief programs already mean for homeowners.
The association, which advocates for tax policies it says support a stable state economy, published its position this week and encouraged residents to review recently expanded exemption programs. In its statement, the group emphasized that while many homeowners have seen rapid valuation increases, broad, permanent exemptions could have far-reaching consequences for public services.
Recent state action and homeowner relief
Lawmakers moved in both 2024 and 2025 to ease property-tax pressure, the association notes. According to the group, exemptions and refund programs enacted in 2025 delivered nearly $216 million in taxpayer relief and reduced bills for many households.
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Those measures produced an average combined reduction of about $1,282.65 per homeowner through the Homeowner Exemption and refund programs, the association says. Officials also highlighted that two application windows — the Long-Term Homeowner’s Exemption and the Homeowner’s Exemption — opened on Oct. 1, with applications available through the Wyoming Department of Revenue.
Why the association opposes Prop 1
The core objection from the Wyoming Taxpayers Association is straightforward: Prop 1 would exempt 50% of residential structures from property taxation, a change the group believes would reduce revenue for counties and cities without reliable evidence that economic growth would replace those funds.
In practical terms, the association warns, a sustained drop in property-tax receipts could force local governments to scale back services residents depend on. Their public notice singled out several categories that could feel immediate pressure.
- Public safety: reduced funding for law enforcement and emergency services;
- Health and social services: budget constraints for hospitals and community care;
- Infrastructure: postponed road, bridge and municipal maintenance projects;
- Community amenities: cuts to libraries, parks and local programming that support quality of life;
- Workforce and economic development: fewer resources to invest in education and training that attract and retain workers.
The association argues these trade-offs are especially risky as Wyoming seeks to strengthen its workforce and attract new employers. “Reducing a primary revenue stream for local governments makes it harder to fund the schools, public safety and infrastructure that create competitive communities,” the group’s executive director, Hank Hoversland, said in the release.
What homeowners should check now
Officials urged residents to confirm their eligibility for existing relief before considering the ballot measure’s long-term implications. The association’s site reportedly provides a breakdown of current homeowner savings and guidance on the new applications.
Those who want to apply for exemptions can find program details and start applications on the Wyoming Department of Revenue’s website. The association also invited residents to review its analysis of how Prop 1 could affect municipal budgets and local services.
Hank Hoversland, executive director
Wyoming Taxpayers Association
