The Wyoming Taxpayers Association’s mission is to promote sound tax policy for a healthy Wyoming economy. We oppose Wyoming Initiative 1, Homeowner’s Primary Residence Property Tax Exemption Measure, also known as Prop 1. We know property owners want meaningful, long-term solutions for property taxes; Prop 1 is NOT a solution.
Why we are opposed
Since 1937, the Wyoming Taxpayers Association has provided the essential non-partisan connection and information source for Wyoming taxpayers and policymakers. We evaluated Prop 1 based on our Cornerstones of Taxation, Justified – Equitable – Stable – Transparent.
We understand many Wyoming homeowners faced dramatically rising property tax burdens even though nothing about their property has changed. The Wyoming Legislature took significant action in 2024 and 2025 to provide much-needed relief to homeowners. In 2025, this amounted to nearly $216 million of property tax exemptions and relief through five programs. We are committed to exploring additional, meaningful tax reform that is fair to all voters and taxpayers and continues to sustain all our communities.
However, Prop 1 does not provide meaningful tax relief. No evidence has been presented that any increased economic activity from tax savings will generate enough revenue to offset the losses of property tax revenue for local governments. Every Wyoming citizen is likely to experience an even further reduction in services, including schools, law enforcement, libraries, hospitals, infrastructure, and roads and bridges.
At a time when workforce and economic development continue to be challenges Wyoming faces, cutting into the revenue source that allows workers to be educated and communities to be vibrant to attract this workforce does not align with the mission of the Wyoming Taxpayers Association to foster a healthy Wyoming economy.
What is Prop 1?
Prop1 would establish a homeowner’s property tax exemption that exempts 50% of a primary residence’s assessed value from property taxation.
- Is there a justified need for the tax and is it fiscally prudent?
- Are existing government funds spent efficiently before considering a new tax?
- Is the primary goal of the tax to generate revenue or does it mostly influence or reinforce policy?
- Does the tax impose equal and uniform liabilities upon similarly situated taxpayers?
- Is the tax constitutional?
- Does the tax disadvantage one taxpayer over another?
- Will the tax distort economic behavior?
- Is the tax stable and predictable under changing political, economic, regulatory and environmental conditions?
- Does the tax result in diversification in taxation?
- Is the tax visible, measurable and auditable?
- Is the tax easy to understand, administer and cost effective to collect?