Leo Wolfson
Leo Wolfson is the State Government and Politics Reporter for Cowboy State Daily and is based in Cheyenne. He is responsible for covering Wyoming politics on a federal and statewide level.
Leo led Cowboy State Daily's coverage of the 2022 Wyoming primary election, including the highly contentious race between former congresswoman Liz Cheney and her successor U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman. He also managed CSD's coverage of the 2023 State Legislature, which was by far the most extensive and timely media coverage of a legislative session in the state's history.
Before joining Cowboy State Daily, Leo was a general assignment reporter for the Cody Enterprise Newspaper in Cody from 2018-2022. Prior to that, he reported for a suburban newspaper outside Denver.
Latest from Leo Wolfson
Prosecutor Says No Evidence Of Antifreeze After Woman Nearly Dies From Spiked Drink
Park County, Wyoming, officials say there’s no evidence that a woman was poisoned with antifreeze from a spiked drink at a Cody bar New Year’s Eve. But the woman nearly died, and her mother questions the investigation.
Leo WolfsonMarch 05, 2025
Wyoming Legislative Recap Day 35
Day 35 of the Wyoming Legislature saw overrides on a few of Gov. Mark Gordon’s vetoes from the previous night and a few other bills sent to his desk.
Leo WolfsonMarch 05, 2025
Senate Kills Seven Election Bills, Including Ban On Ballot Drop Boxes
It was a mass-killing of bills in one sitting when the Wyoming Senate let seven election security bills die going into the last week of the session. They were part of a slate of election bills pushed by Chuck Gray, who criticized the move.
Leo WolfsonMarch 04, 2025
Gordon To Sign Bill To Provide $7,000 Per Child School Vouchers For K-12
Gov. Mark Gordon says he’ll sign a bill that creates a universal school voucher system for K-12 and expand the state’s existing pre-K program. That means $7,000 per child to pay for private education for parents who choose it.
Leo WolfsonMarch 04, 2025
Gordon Vetoes Bill Requiring Women To Get Ultrasounds Before Abortions
Gov. Mark Gordon vetoed a bill Monday night that would require women in Wyoming get ultrasounds before getting the abortion pill. He called the proposal “personally invasive” and an “often medically unnecessary procedure.”
Leo WolfsonMarch 04, 2025
Wyoming Legislative Recap — Day 34
With only days left in the 2025 Wyoming legislative session, tempers Monday were flaring over the supplemental budget being scrapped and what that means for the items inside it.
Leo WolfsonMarch 04, 2025
Gordon Reluctantly Allows New Law Voiding Out-Of-State Driver’s Licenses For Illegals
Gov. Mark Gordon reluctantly let a bill pass into law that voids out-of-state driver’s licenses for illegal immigrants. He says he’s concerned the new law will violate a compact Wyoming has with other states.
Leo WolfsonMarch 04, 2025
Driskill, Bear Throw Down With Accusations Of Lying, Wasting Tax Money
Ogden Driskill and John Bear spent part of the weekend accusing each other of lying and wasting tax money. Ogden Driskill and John Bear spent part of the weekend accusing each other of lying and wasting tax money.
Leo WolfsonMarch 03, 2025
Senate Rejects Last-Ditch House Compromise To Salvage Wyoming Budget
A last-ditch House compromise to salvage a supplemental budget from this Wyoming legislative session was rejected by the Senate on Monday. It paves the way for a mad dash to cram pieces of the budget into other bills.
Leo WolfsonMarch 03, 2025
Wyoming Legislative Recap — Day 33
Day 33 of the 2025 Wyoming legislative session featured emotional testimony about closing Wyoming’s oldest K-8 school and money for a state shooting complex gutted.
Leo WolfsonMarch 01, 2025
Wyoming Workers Rally At Capitol To Protest Legislature, Trump Cuts
Around 150 Wyoming workers gathered outside the Capitol on Friday to protest moves by the Wyoming Legislature and Trump administration cuts.
Leo WolfsonMarch 01, 2025
Wyoming To Make Rodeo-Themed License Plate In Response To PETA Rodeo Protest
A new Wyoming license plate that will be available next year will feature a rodeo theme. The lawmaker who pushed for new license plates says it was in response to a PETA effort to strip the bucking horse logo from plates because it glorifies rodeo.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 28, 2025
Property Tax Cut Bill Headed To Gov’s Desk, But Not Without Senator Calling It "Fertilizer"
A bill that would cut property taxes by 25% is officially headed to the governor’s desk, but not without some last-minute opposition from state Sen. Larry Hicks, who compared it to "fertilizer" for failing to provide backfill funding.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 28, 2025
Wyoming Legislative Recap — Day 32
The 32nd day of the 2025 Wyoming legislative session saw Gov. Mark Gordon let a bill banning gun-free zones pass into law and lawmakers scrambling to smush parts of the supplemental budget that was thrown out on Wednesday into other bills.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 28, 2025
Gordon Slams Legislators As He Lets Bill Banning Gun-Free Zones Go Into Law
Wyoming Gov Mark Gordon on Thursday let a bill banning gun-free zones go into law without his signature. In announcing his decision, he said the bill wasn’t about self-defense, rather it was about legislators “grabbing power.”
Leo WolfsonFebruary 28, 2025
Parts Of Killed Supplemental Budget Getting Pushed Into Other Bills
Wyoming legislators were still grappling Thursday with their decision not to pass a supplemental budget. Instead, they’re trying to salvage parts of the budget by jamming them into other bills.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 28, 2025
Casper Legislator Back On House Floor After Open Heart Surgery
State Rep. J.R. Riggins was back on the Wyoming House floor Thursday after missing almost all of the 2025 session with open heart surgery. He was given an ovation by the House, and called the attention “embarrassing.”
Leo WolfsonFebruary 27, 2025
At 25%, Wyoming Senate, House Finally Agree On Property Tax Cut
After the Wyoming Senate and House couldn’t come together on a proposed property tax cut earlier in the week, they agreed on a 25% reduction Thursday. Now it appears on its way to the governor for approval.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 27, 2025
Wyoming Legislative Recap — Day 31
A huge announcement about the supplemental budget came on the 31st day of the 2025 Wyoming legislative session Wednesday with the Senate saying it won’t pass a supplemental budget.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 27, 2025
Wyoming Senate Drops Bombshell, Refuses To Pass Supplemental Budget
The Wyoming Senate dropped a bombshell Wednesday evening announcing that it won’t pass a supplemental budget this year. It could be the first time either the Senate or House has ever made such a move.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 27, 2025
Out-Of-State Group Texting Residents To Influence Wyoming Legislature
Texas-based American Action Fund has been sending out a large number of text messages and mailers to Wyoming residents. The messages urge people to pressure legislators on bills such as school choice.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 27, 2025
Wyoming Closer To Separate Primaries, Run-Offs For Top Offices, Including Gov.
A Senate committee passed a bill Wednesday that would create separate primary and run-off elections for the state’s top elected offices, including governor. A run-off would be triggered if nobody gets more than 50% of the primary vote.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 26, 2025
Wyoming Legislative Recap — Day 30
The 30th day of the 2025 Wyoming legislative session Tuesday featured a broken deal on a property tax cut bill and heated discussion about new non-citizen state IDs.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 26, 2025
Degenfelder Says Blocking Trans Participation In Female Sports Is About Safety
Megan Defenfelder, Wyoming’s top education official, says blocking transgender participation in female sports isn’t about disrespect. It’s about ensuring the safety of female athletes.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 26, 2025
Non-Citizen Status Will Be On Back, Not Front, Of Wyoming Licenses And IDs
Wyoming driver’s licenses and IDs will have a person’s non-U.S. citizen status printed on them under a new bill sent to the governor’s desk Tuesday. In a change to the original proposal, it will be in black on the back, not in color on the front.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 26, 2025
‘Hugely Disappointing’: House, Senate Can’t Agree On Deal To Cut Property Taxes
Members of the Wyoming Senate and House couldn’t agree over a proposed property tax cut Tuesday that has fluctuated between 25% and 50%. Thinking a deal had been struck at 25%, one state senator says House members backing off is “hugely disappointing.”
Leo WolfsonFebruary 25, 2025
Wyoming Legislative Recap — Day 29
The 29th day of the 2025 Wyoming legislative session Monday featured a die-in protest on the floor of the Capitol rotunda and passionate debate over property taxes and abortion.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 25, 2025
Protesters Stage 'Die-In' On Capitol Floor Over Banning Gun-Free Zones
About 20 protesters made up to resemble shooting victims lay on the floor of the Wyoming Capitol on Monday afternoon over a bill that would ban gun-free zones.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 25, 2025
New Trigger Bill Would Ban Abortion If Wyoming’s Earlier Ban Rejected In Court
A new trigger bill moving its way through the Wyoming Legislature aims to ban abortion in the event the Wyoming Supreme Court rules against the state’s 2023 law banning it. Abortion remains legal in the state as the ban is challenged in court.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 25, 2025
Senate Committee Rejects Proposal To Make UW Trustees Elected, Not Appointed
The Senate Education Committee rejected a proposal Monday that would have required University of Wyoming trustees be elected instead of appointed. Those recommending “do not pass” say they think it would be unconstitutional.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 24, 2025
Wyoming House Members Getting Antsy As Senate Holds Onto State Budget
The Wyoming House is starting to get a little antsy over how long the state Senate is holding onto the supplemental budget without taking any action on it. The Senate has had the $680 million plan for two weeks.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 22, 2025
Wyoming Legislative Recap — Day 28
The 28th day of the 2025 Wyoming legislative session Friday saw significant discussions about bills banning DEI programs and restricting abortion. The House also is getting impatient for the Senate to address the supplemental budget.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 22, 2025
Bill Proposes Massive Overhaul To Base Property Taxes On Home Price, Not Valuation
While the most attention has been on a proposed 50% property tax cut moving through the Wyoming Legislature, another bill proposes a much larger overhaul of the system. It would base property taxes on a home’s purchase price, similar to auto registrations.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 22, 2025
Getting DEI Out Of Wyoming, UW “A Long Time In Coming,” Says Sponsor Of Ban
A bill to ban DEI programs and policies from Wyoming agencies — with exceptions for nonprofits that get public money — easily passed a House committee Friday. The bill’s sponsor says getting DEI out of Wyoming and UW has “been a long time in coming.”
Leo WolfsonFebruary 21, 2025
Wyoming Legislative Recap — Day 27
On the 27th day of the 2025 Wyoming legislative session, the Senate rejected the changes made to a major property tax cut bill. Also, a woman taunted a male legislator by calling him “madame” while testifying about the “What is a Woman Act.”
Leo WolfsonFebruary 21, 2025
Senate Rejects House Changes To Huge 50% Property Tax Cut
After the Wyoming House spent more than five hours debating 21 amendments before passing a huge 50% property tax bill Wednesday, the Senate took minutes to reject it Thursday. Now the two chambers will have to negotiate.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 21, 2025
Wyoming Republicans Divided On How To Best Achieve Property Tax Relief
How to best achieve property tax relief has been the driving issue of the 2025 legislative session so far, and is dividing Wyoming Republicans. The main sticking points are whether to backfill deficits created by the cuts, and if so, how much.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 20, 2025
Wyoming Legislative Recap — Day 26
The 26th day of the 2025 Wyoming legislative session Wednesday featured more than five hours of discussion on a 50% property tax cut bill, which the House passed.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 20, 2025
After Marathon Debate, Wyoming House Passes Massive 50% Property Tax Cut
After a marathon debate that lasted into the night, the Wyoming House passed a massive 50% property tax cut. It’s a win for the Freedom Caucus but critics say it would drive Wyoming off a fiscal cliff.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 20, 2025
Change To Ballot Drop Box Ban Would Allow Drop Slots At Wyoming Courthouses
A significant change was made to a bill that would ban ballot drop boxes in Wyoming. It would allow for ballots to be deposited into courthouses from the outside, not unlike a safety deposit box or night depository at a bank.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 19, 2025
Wyoming Legislative Recap — Day 25
The 2025 Wyoming legislative session reached the 25-day mark Tuesday, advancing a bill that bans gun-free zones while a House member chastised his colleagues for not debating bills enough and taking “marching orders” from the Freedom Caucus.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 19, 2025
Landon Brown Blasts House Members For Taking “Marching Orders” From Freedom Caucus
State Rep. Landon Brown’s frustration boiled over Tuesday as he blasted some of his fellow state House members for not debating bills enough. He also chided them for taking “marching orders” on how to vote from Wyoming Freedom Caucus leadership.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 19, 2025
First 15 Bills Of 2025 Session Hit Governor’s Desk, 260 Other Bills Still Alive
The final stretch of the 2025 Wyoming legislative session is approaching with the first 15 bills hitting Gov. Mark Gordon’s desk for approval. There are still 260 bills remaining to be decided.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 19, 2025
Mike Gierau Is A True Wyoming Political Underdog — A Democrat From Jackson
State Sen. Mike Gierau is a good example of a political underdog in the Wyoming Legislature. He’s one of only two Democrats in the Senate — and he’s also from Jackson.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 18, 2025
Full Senate To Debate Bill Banning Illegal Immigrants From Driving In Wyoming
A bill to ban illegal immigrants from driving in Wyoming easily passed a Senate committee Tuesday. But not before hearing some heated testimony from those who oppose it. Next stop for the bill is the full Senate for debate.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 18, 2025
Wyoming Not Immune From Trump and Musk’s Downsizing Of Federal Government
Federal agencies in Wyoming like the U.S. Forest Service and National Park Service aren’t immune from the sweeping downsizing President Donald Trump and Elon Musk are doing from Washington, D.C. Some probationary and seasonal workers have been cut.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 18, 2025
Cheyenne Couple Loses Insurance After Truck Crashes Into Their House
A pickup truck crashed into a Cheyenne couple’s home last fall, causing at least $30,000 damage. Now State Farm Insurance is dropping their home coverage, and no other company will insure them.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 17, 2025
Trump Calls Bo Biteman A ‘Patriot’ For Universal School Vouchers Bill
President Donald Trump on Sunday called Wyoming Senate President Bo Biteman a "patriot" for his efforts to pass the Wyoming Freedom Scholarship Act, a bill that would bring universal school vouchers to Wyoming.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 16, 2025