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
Laramie County GOP Out Of State Party’s Doghouse, Raising Big Money
What a difference a year can make. That’s about how long it’s taken the Laramie County Republican Party to go from being an outcast and in the doghouse of the Wyoming Republican Party to hosting the upcoming state GOP convention in April.
Leo WolfsonMarch 12, 2024
To Veto Or Not To Veto: Gov Gordon Has 55 Bills On His Desk
Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon has 55 bills on his desk awaiting his signature, the veto pen, or he can allow them to go into law without a signature. They include a bills to outlaw gender change surgeries for minors, eliminate gun-free zones in the state, and state regulation of abortion clinics.
Leo WolfsonMarch 12, 2024
Lummis Teams Up With Fetterman To Cut Red Tape For Federal Home Repair Money
In a rare show of bipartisanship on Capitol Hill, Wyoming Sen. Cynthia Lummis is co-sponsoring legislation with Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman that would establish a five-year pilot program to make it easier for homeowners to get help with critical home repairs.
Leo WolfsonMarch 12, 2024
Govs Freudenthal, Sullivan Praise Legacy Of Former State Auditor Dave Ferrari
Former State Auditor Dave Ferrari died last week at age 80. Wyoming Govs. Sullivan and Freudenthal praised Ferrari as a champion of government efficiency and transparency. "He was remarkably ethical," Fruedenthal said.
Leo WolfsonMarch 11, 2024
Wyoming GOP Director Kathy Russell Announces Run For Legislature
Kathy Russell, the executive director for the Wyoming Republican Party, announced Monday she’s running for the state Legislature for the seat held by veteran Cheyenne legislator Rep. Bob Nicholas. She is considered to be much more conservative than Nicholas.
Leo WolfsonMarch 11, 2024
Legislature Passes Wyoming Property Tax Cap, Two More Tax Relief Bills
Wyoming homeowners may no longer have to fear large, unexpected increases on their property taxes after the Wyoming Legislature sent three more property tax relief bills to the governor’s desk for consideration Friday.
Leo WolfsonMarch 09, 2024
Unless Gordon Vetoes Bill, Parents Can Spend Up To $6,000 For Private Schools
After some brief moments of tension, a bill giving Wyoming parents up to $6,000 per child to get private schooling advanced to Gov. Mark Gordon’s desk Friday. The bill as passed includes all schooling from pre-kindergarten up to 12th grade.
Leo WolfsonMarch 09, 2024
Wyoming Legislature Ends Contentious Session By Passing $10.6 Billion Budget
The Wyoming Legislature passed its $10.6 billion budget Friday, sending it Gov. Mark Gordon’s desk on the final day of the 2024 legislative session.
Leo WolfsonMarch 09, 2024
Senate Will Close Loophole That Allowed Driskill To Remove Committee Chair
The Wyoming Senate will close a loophole before the next legislative session that allowed Senate President Ogden Driskill to remove Dave Kinskey as chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee last summer.
Leo WolfsonMarch 08, 2024
Legislature Still Hasn’t Passed A Budget, But Gordon Already Makes Veto To It
The Wyoming Legislature goes into the last day of what’s been a highly confrontational 2024 session Friday without having passed a budget, but that hasn’t stopped Gov. Gordon from already vetoing part of it.
Leo WolfsonMarch 08, 2024
Wyoming Legislature Passes Bill To Ban Transgender Surgeries On Minors
The Wyoming legislature on Thursday passed a bill banning minors from receiving transgender treatments in the state. With the governor’s signature, Sen. Anthony Bouchard’s “Chloe’s Law” legislation will take effect July 1.
Leo WolfsonMarch 08, 2024
Legislator Says Wyoming Freedom Caucus Is ‘Weaponizing’ House Roll Call Votes
State Rep. Dan Zwonitzer, R-Cheyenne, said members of the Wyoming Freedom Caucus have been “weaponizing” the legislative process through the calling of roll call votes.
Leo WolfsonMarch 07, 2024
Mixed Feelings In Wyoming Legislature About Budget ‘Compromise’
A budget proposal finalized Tuesday may face some serious pushback in the House and Senate when it’s presented to the full Legislature on Thursday afternoon.
Leo WolfsonMarch 07, 2024
First Property Tax Relief Bill Of The Wyoming Leg. Session Headed To Gordon’s Desk
The Wyoming Senate passed and sent the first property tax bill to come out of the 2024 session to Gov. Mark Gordon’s desk for approval Wednesday, a bill that will cut property taxes for long-term homeowners by 50%.
Leo WolfsonMarch 07, 2024
Schools Can’t Keep Info. From Parents As Gordon Lets Law Pass Without Signature
Gov. Mark Gordon let a bill pass without his signature Tuesday requiring Wyoming schools to notify parents about changes to their children’s health status and get permission to teach about sexual orientation or gender identity.
Leo WolfsonMarch 07, 2024
Changing Of The Guard? Infighting Sharply Divides Wyoming Senate
The rise of a faction opposing Senate President Ogden Driskill’s leadership has become a significant factor contributing to escalating infighting that’s dividing the body.
Leo WolfsonMarch 06, 2024
Day After Senate Shakeup, New Budget Finalized By Legislative Committee
It only took a day for a new Senate Joint Conference Committee of the Wyoming Legislature to strike a compromise with the House on the biennial budget after the previous Senate appointees had failed to strike an agreement after four days.
Leo WolfsonMarch 06, 2024
Driskill Calls Effort To Revive Gun-Free Zone Bill "Absolutely Idiocy"
Wyoming Senate President Ogden Driskill said Tuesday’s move to override his ruling about reviving a bill to eliminate gun-free zones was “absolute idiocy” and the result of a “raw power struggle on the floor.” Sen. Dave Kinskey said it was nothing personal.
Leo WolfsonMarch 05, 2024
Hageman Says Bidens Are "Most Corrupt Family In Position Of Power in U.S. History"
Rep. Harriet Hageman, who played a key role in interrogating Hunter Biden last week, said the president’s son’s story doesn't add up. “You don’t pay a crackhead $1 million a year to be on a board in a foreign country unless you’re getting something for it.”
Leo WolfsonMarch 05, 2024
Chaos In Wyoming Senate After Driskill Boots Budget Team
Members of the Wyoming Senate reached a boiling point Monday night over failure to bridge a $1.1 billion gap in budget negotiations with the House. Senate President Ogden Driskill then fired his budget team and replaced them with new members.
Leo WolfsonMarch 05, 2024
Ban On Trans Treatments For Kids In Wyoming Close To Becoming Law
A bill that would prohibit doctors from performing gender transitioning treatments on minors in Wyoming is close to becoming law. Sen. Anthony Bouchard's legislation passed a House committee on Monday and is all but certain to pass the House.
Leo WolfsonMarch 05, 2024