CHEYENNE— Governor Mark Gordon signed a proclamation Thursday afternoon to have the Wyoming State Legislators convene for a special session on Friday, May 15, in relation to COVID-19 Coronavirus.

The special session will be conducted electronically, anchored at the Capitol in Cheyenne. It will begin at 8 am.

According to Article 3, Section 7 of the Wyoming Constitution, the Governor has the authority to convene the legislature in a special session in a grave emergency in the affairs of the state.

“I’m looking for the help of the legislature to devise programs that can be very responsive to the special needs of the people of Wyoming, and be able to deploy those resources to the people of Wyoming when they’re needed, which is right now,” Governor Gordon said.

The main item of business in the special session will be to consider appropriation of federal funds made available to the state from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

They will also be amending and creating programs to be administered by the state to help businesses and residents that have been impacted by COVID-19.

Another item of business will be looking at providing assistance to certain businesses and residents that have been negatively affected by COVID-19.

Lastly, the legislature will be looking to provide state budgetary flexibility, retention, and transfer of funds to prepare state and local governments for the public health emergency and resulting economic devastation.