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
Wyoming Legislative Recap: Day 18
Tensions flared on Day 18 of the Wyoming Legislature as lawmakers sparred over the supplemental budget and parental choice.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 07, 2025
House Advances Bill To Create New State Monument, Mount Rushmore-Sized Optional
A legislative committee advanced a bill on Thursday that would create a group to study building a "Monument to America" in Wyoming. The amended bill removes the requirement the statue be as large as Mount Rushmore, however.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 07, 2025
Senate Saves Resolution Calling On Congress To Give Wyoming All Public Lands Except Yellowstone
On a razor thin 16 - 15 vote, the Wyoming Senate revived a bill on Thursday calling on Congress to hand over all public lands to the state, except Yellowstone. The bill had been rejected earlier in the day on a 16-14 vote.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 06, 2025
House Advances Bill Giving Political Parties More Say In Filling Vacancies
The House Appropriations Committee, by a 6 - 1 margin, advanced a bill on Thursday that would give local and state political parties more power in filling political vacancies in Wyoming
Leo WolfsonFebruary 06, 2025
Bills To Ban Voting Machines Killed In Committee
Two bills that would’ve banned voting machines and mandate hand count elections in Wyoming were rejected by Senate and House committees on Wednesday night. Legislators cited costs and vulnerabilities as reasons for striking the bills down.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 06, 2025
Wyoming Legislative Recap - Day 17
Discussion of the supplemental budget was a major focus of the Wyoming Legislature on Wednesday, as were two bills that could ban abortion in Wyoming.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 06, 2025
Halfway Point: New Conservative Majority vs Old Guard Minority In 2025 Legislative Session
The 2025 Wyoming legislative session will reach its halfway mark on Thursday. The session looks and feels distinctly different from years’ past, with a majority made of Freedom Caucus Republicans, wielding power in the House for the first time.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 06, 2025
Wyoming Republicans Taking New Approach To Trying To Ban Abortion
The Wyoming Legislature considered two different bills on Wednesday that take new approaches in trying to ban abortions. The Legislature passed two separate bans on most forms of abortion in 2022 and 2023 but both are currently being held up in court.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 06, 2025
House Advances Bill To Make Wyoming Attorney General An Elected Position
The House Judiciary Committee advanced a bill on Wednesday, by a 6 - 3 margin, that would make the Wyoming Attorney General an elected position. Supporters of the bill have criticized Wyoming AG Bridget Hill for either taking too long to file lawsuits or not filing enough.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 05, 2025
Wyoming Legislative Recap — Day 16
Day 16 of the 2025 Wyoming Legislature on Tuesday featured passionate debates on Second Amendment protections and state license plates. It also saw the Senate pass a 50% cut to property taxes.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 05, 2025
Dueling Gun Groups Strike Truce To Push Wyoming Second Amendment Rights Bill
A pair of gun rights groups in Wyoming that have feuded over state Second Amendment legislation have struck a brief truce. Gun Owners of America and Wyoming Gun Owners are both pushing a bill that would ban state officials from enforcing federal gun laws.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 05, 2025
Senate Passes 50% Property Tax Cut, Would Be Largest In Wyoming History
The Wyoming Senate passed a property tax bill Tuesday that at a 50% cut would be the largest in state history. Opponents say not providing money to replace that revenue will devastate communities, while supporters say it’s a true tax cut.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 04, 2025
“Threw Me Under The Bus”: Park County Clerk Says Rep. Wrong About 2020 Ballots
The Park County Clerk says state Rep. Ken Pendergraft “threw me under the bus” last week when he told a legislative committee she “prematurely” destroyed 2020 election ballots. The clerk was legally allowed to, but he says he stands by the accusation.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 04, 2025
Cowboy State Daily Conversations With Legislative Leaders: Scott Heiner
VIDEO: Cowboy State Daily's State Politics Reporter Leo Wolfson catches up with Majority Floor Leader Scott Heiner, R-Green River, to learn more about what got him into politics and his vision for the future of the House under the Wyoming Freedom Caucus majority.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 04, 2025
Wyoming Legislative Recap — Day 15
The 15th day of the Wyoming Legislature saw extended debate on many controversial topics like sex books in school libraries and transgender sports bans.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 04, 2025
Legislative Committee Kills “Make Carbon Dioxide Great Again” Bill
Fearing it could actually lead to more federal regulation, a Wyoming Senate committee killed the “Make Carbon Dioxide Great Again” bill. It would have cut low-carbon energy standards in the state and treated CO2 as a nutrient, not a pollutant.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 04, 2025
Proposed Change To School Construction Would Mean Locals Passing Bonds
The Senate Education Committee advanced a constitutional resolution Monday that would change how schools get built in Wyoming. It would make all public school building projects require locals to approve and fund them through bonds.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 03, 2025
Wyoming Legislative Recap — Day 14
The 14th day of the Wyoming Legislature on Friday featured Congresswoman Harriet Hageman telling legislators it’s been an “incredibly exciting” time on Capitol Hill. Also, a debate is raging over whether judges in the state should be elected.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 01, 2025
Hageman Tells Legislature It’s An “Incredibly Exciting” Time To Be On Capitol Hill
Wyoming congresswoman Harriet Hageman spoke to Wyoming legislators Friday at the Capitol in Cheyenne. She described President Donald Trump’s first two weeks in office as an “incredibly exciting” time on Capitol Hill.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 01, 2025
Wyoming Could Become First State To Ban Electronic Voting Machines
A House committee considered a bill on Friday that could make Wyoming the first state to ban electronic voting machines. If it passes, the bill would force ballots to be hand-counted.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 31, 2025
Property Tax Relief Bill Called For 25% Cut, Was Boosted To 50%, Now Back To 25%
A bill to slash residential property taxes in Wyoming is yo-yoing its way through the state Senate. It called for a 25% tax cut, then was boosted to 50%, and is now back to 25% after a Friday vote.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 31, 2025
Wyoming Legislative Recap — Day 13
On the 13th day of the 2025 Wyoming legislative session Thursday a tearful owner of a dog killed by a beaver trap testified about trapping reform, while a plan that would base property taxes on a home’s purchase price passed out of committee.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 31, 2025
Wyoming Blockchain Billionaire Has Big Political Plans, To Launch PAC
Wyoming billionaire blockchain mogul Charles Hoskinson, who owns a ranch in Wheatland, has his eye on becoming a player in Wyoming politics. He told Cowboy State Daily on Thursday that he’s launching a PAC and has big plans.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 30, 2025
Ballot Drop Boxes A Step Closer To Being Banned Across Wyoming
The Wyoming House overwhelmingly approved a bill Thursday that would ban the use of ballot drop boxes in the state. Despite opposition from county clerks, the House voted 51-10 to advance the bill on to the Senate.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 30, 2025
House Passes Bill Requiring Ultrasounds For Women To Get Abortion Pills
The Wyoming House passed a bill Thursday requiring women to have ultrasounds before getting the abortion pill. Supporters say it’s a health safety issue, while opponents claim it’s designed to shame women.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 30, 2025
Bill To Base Wyoming Property Taxes On Purchase Price Passes House Committee
A controversial proposal to base Wyoming property tax rates on a home’s fair market value and purchase price passed a House committee Thursday. Opponents call the plan “an affront” that would “bankrupt local communities.”
Leo WolfsonJanuary 30, 2025
Wyoming Legislative Recap — Day 12
On Wednesday, the 12th day of the Wyoming legislative session, a bill giving parents $7,000 a child for universal school choice passed the House. Legislators also are exploring how to slash property taxes without gutting schools and local services.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 30, 2025
Legislature Explores How To Slash Taxes Without Gutting Schools, Local Services
The Wyoming Legislature is working through a number of bills that would slash property taxes. Legislators are also exploring how to do that without gutting local governments and schools.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 30, 2025
School Choice Bill Giving $7,000 Per Child Passes Wyoming House
The Wyoming House passed a bill Wednesday that will bring universal school choice to Wyoming, giving parents $7,000 per child to seek private education services. The proposal moves to the Senate for consideration.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 30, 2025
Senate Committee Narrowly Passes Bill To Save Oldest K-8 School In Wyoming
Despite its local school district and University of Wyoming lobbying hard against it, the Senate Education Committee narrowly passed a bill Wednesday to save the UW Lab School. It’s likely the oldest continuously existing K-8 school in Wyoming.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 29, 2025
Wyoming Legislative Recap — Day 11
Day 11 of the 2025 Wyoming legislative session saw a bill to ban forcing employees to use a coworker’s “preferred” pronouns advance, as well as a bill to outlaw torturing wolves and other predators.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 29, 2025
House Supports Bill Making Wyoming’s “Sore Loser” Election Law Obsolete
The House passed on first reading Tuesday a bill to move the date to file as an independent candidate in Wyoming to well before the primary election. That means people couldn’t run in a general election after losing a primary.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 29, 2025
Gordon Has “Grave Concerns” About Wildfire Relief Through Loans Instead Of Grants
Gov. Mark Gordon wants $130 million in grants as relief for Wyoming ranchers and families impacted by the devastating 2024 wildfires. On Tuesday, he expressed “grave concerns” over a plan to scrap that in favor of $100 million in loans.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 28, 2025
Cowboy State Daily Coversations With Legislative Leaders: Bo Biteman
VIDEO: Cowboy State Daily's State Politics Reporter Leo Wolfson catches up with Senate President Bo Biteman, R-Ranchester, to learn more about his background and how he came to be Senate president.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 28, 2025
Proposal To Triple State’s Part Of LaPrele Dam Rebuild To $90 Million Advances
A Wyoming House committee advanced a proposal Tuesday to triple the state’s contribution to the $182 million rebuild of crumbling LaPrele Dam to $90 million. The 115-year-old dam is close to failing.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 28, 2025
Wyoming Legislative Recap - Day 10
The 10th day of the Wyoming Legislature featured passionate debates on hand-counted elections, making Wyoming’s school choice program universal, and restricting public school bathroom usage by biological sex.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 28, 2025
Chuck Gray And Curt Meier Spar Over ESG Legislation, Policies
State Treasurer Curt Meier and Secretary of State Chuck Gray on Monday disagree over a bill that would restrict Wyoming’s investment managers from investing in any company that supports environmental, social and governance (ESG) policies.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 28, 2025
House Advances Bill Allowing Hand-Counted Recounts Of Wyoming Elections
By a 6 -1 margin, the Wyoming House Appropriations Committee advanced a bill on Monday that would allow for recounting elections by hand. Currently, recounts can only be performed by election machines.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 27, 2025
Despite Pardon, House Subcommittee Could Force Liz Cheney To Testify About Jan. 6
A new U.S. House subcommittee will investigate the events that took place before and after Jan. 6, 2021, which could involve requiring former Wyoming Congresswoman Liz Cheney to testify. "Buckle up," said U.S. Rep. William Timmons.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 27, 2025
Wyoming Legislature Recap — Day 9
The ninth day of the Wyoming Legislature on Friday saw the Freedom Caucus meet its “Five and Dime” plan goal, biological sex bathroom bills pass and legislators killing an immigration bill Wyoming sheriffs hated.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 25, 2025
Freedom Caucus Bills Breezing Through House As “Five And Dime” Plan Done Early
Wyoming Freedom Caucus bills are breezing through the state House so far this session. The group’s touted “Five and Dime” plan of passing five core pieces of legislation in the first 10 days has been realized early.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 25, 2025
Sanctuary Cities One Step Closer To Being Banned In Wyoming
There are no designated “sanctuary cities” to protect illegal immigrants in Wyoming, and it will stay that way if a bill banning them in the state passes into law. It took a step closer to that when it passed a House committee 7-1 Friday.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 24, 2025
Bill To Keep Abortion Drugs Out Of Water Supply Passes House Committee
A bill requiring testing of Wyoming water supplies for the presence of abortion drugs passed a House committee Friday. Rep. John Bear, the bill’s sponsor, says it’s to protect women, while opponents say it’s to shame them.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 24, 2025
Even Sheriffs Who Work With ICE Hate Legislation To Make Them Work With ICE
Wyoming sheriffs who work well with immigration authorities on Thursday torched two bills that would force them to sign federal immigration contracts. They characterized the bills as government overreach and short-sighted.
Clair McFarland & Leo WolfsonJanuary 24, 2025
Wyoming Legislature Recap — Day 8
On Day 8 of the legislative session, the Joint Appropriations Committee has slashed $195 million so far from the budget, banning gun-free zones advanced out of the House and Wyoming sheriffs bristled over immigration bills.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 24, 2025
Bill Banning Gun-Free Zones Blasts Through Wyoming House
A bill that would eliminate gun-free zones in places such as the Wyoming Capitol building, K-12 schools and on the University of Wyoming campus blasted through the House on third reading Thursday by a 50-10 vote.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 24, 2025
Freedom Caucus Chair Blasts Fellow Republican For Leaking Vote Stance Spreadsheet
State Rep. J.D. Williams says he made a mistake leaking a Moms For Liberty and Honor Wyoming voting stance spreadsheet to Democrats and county commissioners on Thursday. But that’s not enough for the leader of the Wyoming Freedom Caucus, who blasted him as “untrustworthy.”
Leo WolfsonJanuary 23, 2025
Freedom Caucus Making Good On Promises Of Cuts, Has Slashed $195M From Budget
The Joint Appropriations Committee has slashed $195 million from Wyoming’s supplemental budget, cutting energy projects, state employees and raises. Made up of Freedom Caucus members, the committee is making good on campaign promises to cut spending.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 23, 2025
Significant Property Tax Cuts Sailing Through Wyoming Legislature
The Wyoming Legislature has been advancing a series of property tax relief bills that will significantly cut tax bills for most residential property owners. Even so, legislators who support them still say they fall short of “real reform.”
Leo WolfsonJanuary 23, 2025
Wyoming Legislature Recap — Day 7
The seventh day of the 2025 Wyoming Legislature on Wednesday saw heated testimony on ballot drop boxes and property tax relief. Extending a ban on transgender sports participation through the college level also passed the Senate and to the House.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 23, 2025
Gray, County Clerks Accuse Each Other Of “Gaslighting” Over Ballot Drop Boxes
Emotions were high on Wednesday during a debate over the legality of ballot drop boxes, with Secretary of State Chuck Gray and some of Wyoming’s county clerks accusing each other of “gaslighting” the issue. A bill to ban the boxes passed a House committee 8-1.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 23, 2025
Committee OKs Bill Requiring Ultrasounds Before Giving Out Abortion Pills
A House committee advanced a bill Wednesday that would require women have ultrasounds no less than 48 hours before being prescribed abortion pills. House Bill 64 passed 7-1, but not before contentious testimony for and against it.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 22, 2025
Wyoming Legislature Recap — Day 6
Day six of the Wyoming Legislature saw emotional debate on the floor of the House and a bill banning foreign adversaries owning Wyoming property advancing out of committee.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 22, 2025
Despite Trump Now In Office, Wyoming DEQ Wants To Double Emission Fees
The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality is asking for a 108% hike in emission fees charged to energy producers. That’s despite President Donald Trump’s promises to reverse Biden’s energy policies.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 21, 2025
Bill Would Give Wyoming Political Parties More Say In Filling Vacancies
A Wyoming legislator wants to clear up what’s become a contentious process for filling political vacancies around Wyoming. Under a proposed bill, if a county commission or other elected body can’t pick from the local party’s finalists, the party will do it instead of a judge.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 21, 2025
Cowboy State Daily Legislative Roundup: House Speaker Chip Neiman
VIDEO: Cowboy State Daily's State Politics Reporter Leo Wolfson catches up with Wyoming House Speaker Chip Neiman, R-Hulett, the first in a series of legislative sit-downs during the 2025 legislative session.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 21, 2025
Wyoming Legislature Recap — Day 5
The fifth day of the Wyoming Legislature was marked by some of the most spirited debates seen so for on hot-button issues like private property rights.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 21, 2025