Wyoming was the subject of national news this week. It will be the first state to issue a government-backed cryptocurrency.
“It is a government that is fully accessible,” Gov. Mark Gordon told the DC Blockchain Summit, where he appeared on stage.
Gordon touted our “ecosystem for development” and said that back in 2016, people came to Wyoming legislators with a “new opportunity.”
I remember watching it all unfold back then. The Wall Street veterans traveled to the Big Empty to testify with their painted red lips and newly purchased fringe. It wasn’t long before folks were voting for laws they didn't understand. It also wasn’t long before some of those same folks left their public service positions and entered into private sector positions with some of those same people.
I can’t say I know too much about the crypto world, but I think if we are one of the first, we should always ask why.
Wyoming made national news for being another first this week.
While Gordon prides himself on “Wyoming Stable Token,” he does not support Wyoming being the first state to require proof of U.S. citizenship to vote in elections. The governor allowed House Bill 156 to become law without his signature, though this legislation passed third reading with a sweeping 51-8 House vote and 26-4 in the Senate. The bill also added a durational residency requirement.
Secretary of State Chuck Gray appeared on Newsmax saying, “This really caps off a two-year process, a standoff really with the governor.”
In late 2023, Secretary Gray tried to bring rule-making authority as Chief Election Officer of Wyoming to require proof of residency to register to vote. These procedures would have stopped illegal aliens from voting, Gray said at the time. But, the governor vetoed that rule-making in April of 2024.
Secretary Gray went to the Freedom Caucus members and the House to implement the policies in state law this year.
“Luckily the governor ended up backing down,” Gray said. The governor didn’t veto the bill, but did allow it to enter law without his signature. “The people of Wyoming won,” said Gray.
“Though the governor is a Republican, correct?” Inquired the news anchor.
Gordon is far more concerned with stable coins and giving millions to Bill Gates and company for the next big wind project, which also made national news this week.
According to powermag.com, “A startup company whose investors include Breakthrough Energy Ventures, the group led by Microsoft founder Bill Gates, said it has received about $14 million in new funding in support of a pilot project in Wyoming.” The article continued: “The company also will receive $5 million in Energy Matching Funds from the state of Wyoming…” Powermag reported the project secured $7.5 million in financing with participation from entities including “WYVC,” otherwise known as Wyoming Venture Capital. This “quasi-governmental” operation provides funding through the Wyoming Business Council, according to its website.
Don’t forget, this legislative session the governor vetoed the elimination of his $152 million corporate welfare program that allows him to back private energy projects of his choosing. Freedom Caucus Rep. John Bear, R-Gillette, tried to divert $100 million of these energy matching funds back into the general fund to provide property tax relief for Wyoming citizens.
I thought we didn’t like those darn out-of-state influences and dark money? I also thought we didn’t like taking marching orders from DC? I guess that is only OK when the establishment tells us it is.
One thing we don’t have to wonder about is why most of the people the governor endorsed lost their races. Looks like he can pick winners and losers in business, but not in elections. With a priority list like this, it's no wonder the people of Wyoming had plenty to say at the ballot box.
The establishment reared its ugly head in more ways than one this week, plotting and threatening – clinging still to their position that we can be manipulated and controlled.
Right now, an invisible war is happening. A spiritual battle is being waged, and we are right in the middle of it. “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world.” Ephesians 6:12.
Cowboy State Daily columnist Cassie Craven is a University of Wyoming College of Law graduate who practices law in Wyoming. She can be reached at: longhornwritingllc@gmail.com.
