Guest Columnists
Points of view on Wyoming issues from Wyoming people.
Your Wyoming Sunrise: Monday, May 6, 2024
Today's Wyoming sunrise was captured by Adam Ashmore in Hartville, Wyoming.
CSD StaffMay 06, 2024
Harriet Hageman: I'm Endorsing Sen. John Barrasso For Re-Election And Here's Why
In a guest column for Cowboy State Daily, U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman writes, “I am happy to join President Trump in endorsing my friend and working partner in Congress, U.S. Sen. John Barrasso, for re-election in November."
CSD StaffMay 05, 2024
Guest Opinion: These Are The Dumbest Campus Protests Of All Time
Radio host Clay Travis says, "If Hamas actually had a state, most of the people protesting in support of them would have no human rights there. This may be the dumbest American campus protest of all time."
CSD StaffMay 02, 2024
Guest Column: The Campus Protests Are A Cluster**** And I Couldn't Be Happier
Guest columnist Tom Bentley writes, "These campus protests are a cluster**** decades in the making, and I couldn’t be happier. They're just the appetizer though. The main course will come at the Democrat convention. Load up on popcorn, that’s gonna be fun."
CSD StaffMay 02, 2024
Guest Column: The Good Ship Wyoming Deserves Better Captains
Guest columnist Rep. Ben Hornok writes, "Any spending strategy for Wyoming should not be based on how big a tantrum 'capable Republican' politicians can throw in the checkout lane of the supermarket when they are trying to get what they want."
CSD StaffApril 30, 2024
Jonathan Lange: IVF, Abortion And The Will Of The People
Columnist Jonathan Lange writes, "President Trump’s long-anticipated statement on abortion was released earlier this month. After a brief spin cycle, it has largely fallen from the headlines. Nevertheless, we should not let the month end without some comment."
CSD StaffApril 26, 2024
Guest Column: Innocent Beings Should Never Be Tortured Or Killed -- Period
Rep. Jeanette Ward writes, "The abortion clinic in Casper brags that it performs surgical abortions up to 23 weeks gestation. At 15 weeks, unborn babies can feel pain. At 22 weeks, they can recognize the voice of their mother. An abortion committed at 23 weeks involves dismembering the baby..."
CSD StaffApril 11, 2024
Chuck Gray: Only Wyomingites Should Be Voting In Wyoming Elections
In a guest column, Secretary of State Chuck Gray writes, "We must protect ourselves from the insecurity of the invasion affecting all 50 states. I urge the governor to adopt these rules and help secure Wyoming’s elections."
CSD StaffApril 11, 2024
Guest Column: Balancing Development and Conservation: Worth the Hard Work
Guest columnist Steff Kessler writes, "We can take pride and guidance in looking at how Wyoming has addressed these challenges in the past. But we also need to recognize when some things aren’t working and it’s time to come up with new ways of doing things."
CSD StaffApril 09, 2024
Guest Column: Abortion Is A Public Health Crisis - And The Chief Executive Enables It
Guest columnist Rep. Rachel Rodriguez-Williams writes, House Bill 148 (Regulation of Surgical Abortions) passed both chambers overwhelmingly. The veto by the chief executive of Wyoming raises concerns about the need for Wyoming to return to our three branch system of government."
Rep. Rachel Rodriguez-WilliamsApril 09, 2024
Guest Column: Defending The Reputation Of Your Opponent Elevates Your Own
Guest columnist Jonathan Lange writes, "Whether politicians are calling their constituents deplorables and knuckleheads, or constituents are defaming the reputations of elected officials, both should be ashamed of themselves."
CSD StaffApril 06, 2024
Guest Column: Somebody Has To Say It
Guest columnist Ray Peterson writes, "When I see a Facebook post from current legislators, calling out the traitors or turn coats that voted against the special session, my skin begins to crawl."
Ray PetersonApril 06, 2024
Guest Column: Fact vs. Fiction -- 2024 Budget Session
Guest columnist Rep. Tomi Strock writes, "I am writing this in order to filter the facts from the fiction spouted by liberal lawmakers and repeated by their allies in the press – one of the most frequently parroted fiction out there has to do with committee bills being killed."
CSD StaffApril 05, 2024
Guest Column: Wheatland Has The Funding to Address Failing Water Tank
In a guest column, Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon writes, "Despite claims to the contrary, my line item veto of [the Wheatland water tower project] in the 2024 budget was not punitive, but rather a reflection of the adequate support the State has already provided..."
CSD StaffApril 04, 2024
Letter To The Editor: We All Benefit from Wyoming’s Diversified Energy Portfolio
Dear editor, "Our future depends on remaining competitive and keeping Wyoming open for business by not picking winners and losers regarding industries. All industries and innovation bring value to Wyoming, its communities and families."
CSD StaffApril 02, 2024
Letter To The Editor: Analyzing The So-Called 'Shoshoni Speed Trap'
Dear editor, "Instead of being known for milkshakes and malts, Shoshoni is now famous, or maybe infamous, for our 'speed trap.'"
CSD StaffApril 02, 2024
Guest Column: What a "Nay" Vote on the Special Session Means
Guest columnists Reps. Haroldson, Rodriguez-Williams and Knapp write, "A vote against the special session is a vote AGAINST property tax relief, AGAINST the Second Amendment, AGAINST protecting pre-born babies, FOR Biden’s 30x30 land grab, and FOR an all-powerful governor who operates in the absence of checks and balances."
CSD StaffApril 01, 2024
Letter To The Editor: Sheridan County Land Exchange Is A Bad Idea
Dear editor, "The Wyoming State Treasurer’s Office now has $28.5 billion in investments. So why are we trying to sell/trade the Columbus Peak parcel of state land?"
CSD StaffApril 01, 2024
Guest Column: Why We Voted Against The Special Session
In a guest column, leadership of the Wyoming House wrote, "We were open to a special session solely focused on revising SF 54. However, the obstructionists in the freedom caucus would not agree to that, calling for a minimum of 4-6 different bills, including the budget bill."
CSD StaffApril 01, 2024
Guest Column: We Need The Beef Checkoff For The Future
Mark Eisele writes, "Opponents of the Beef Checkoff have allied themselves with radical animal rights activists to push for the deceptively named OFF Act. I know some people don’t like the Checkoff, but being on the same side as known animal rights groups is making a deal with the devil."
CSD StaffMarch 31, 2024
Letter To The Editor: Gordon Is A True Cowboy
Dear editor: "Currently there is one real cowboy in the governor’s office doing his job. Like him or not, Gov. Gordon is looking out for Wyoming."
CSD StaffMarch 30, 2024
Guest Column: Three Reasons Wyoming Citizens Should Demand A Special Session
State Sen. Cheri Steinmetz writes, "The governor ran as a Republican but governs and vetoes like a Democrat. Actions speak louder than words. Mark Gordon offers a stunning example of this prevalent hypocrisy."
CSD StaffMarch 29, 2024
Megan Degenfelder: University of Wyoming Must Respond to Concerns Over DEI
Guest columnist Megan Degenfelder writes, "Our universities should not presume the righteousness of only one side, promote a sense of guilt and division among students, neglect important context in order to obscure the whole story, or legitimize fringe ideas."
CSD StaffMarch 28, 2024
Letter To The Editor: Gratitude And Reflection On Our Legislative Journey For Behavioral Health
Dear editor, "We owe a debt of gratitude to Governor Mark Gordon, whose unwavering vision for a Wyoming where behavioral health services are prioritized and strengthened has been a source of hope for us all."
CSD StaffMarch 28, 2024
Letter To The Editor: 'Fairness In Farming Act' Is Target Of Flat Out Lies
Dear editor: There are exciting initiatives in the works to stop the decline of beef cattle numbers and cattle ranching operations as well as independent cattle feeding and beef processing businesses.
CSD StaffMarch 27, 2024
Guest Column: Why We Think A Special Legislative Session Is A Bad Idea
Senate President Ogden Driskill and House Speaker Albert Sommers write, "Without special rules governing the special session, it’s likely to be a Pandora’s Box scenario devolving into a mini-session akin to what we witnessed in the 2021 special session, where 41 bills were filed, and only one passed."
CSD StaffMarch 27, 2024
Guest Column: Why We Will Not Call A Special Session
Senate President Ogden Driskill and House Speaker Albert Sommers write, "A special session would require 8 - 10 days and cost approximately $35,000 a day. Should we spend $350,000 of taxpayer money because we couldn’t get our job done within the calendar that we had agreed upon?"
CSD StaffMarch 25, 2024
Guest Column: Governor Gordon Unconstitutionally Plays Politics with People’s Lives
Guest columnist Rep. Jeremy Haroldson writes, "The governor issued a line-item veto to remove funding for an aging water tower in my home of Wheatland - a water tower that is in such poor shape, it could breach at any moment, destroying ten or more city blocks in its wake."
CSD StaffMarch 25, 2024
Guest Column: Choosing Substance Over Flash In Local Elections
Laramie County Commissioner Gunnar Malm writes, "As we approach election season, it's essential for voters and residents to take a step back from the noise of partisan rhetoric and carefully consider the qualifications of those running to serve ALL residents."
CSD StaffMarch 21, 2024
Guest Column: Wyoming Education Association Falsely Attacking My Voting Record
Rep. Jeanette Ward writes, "When it is suggested to children that boys can become girls, that mental anguish can be solved by degrading and mutilating their bodies, that America is an evil empire, and that the world is sure to end because of your mom’s SUV, mental health problems are sure to proliferate."
CSD StaffMarch 20, 2024
Guest Column: “Education Savings Accounts” Invite The Government Into The Church
Guest columnist Rep. Jerry Obermueller writes, "Education savings accounts are not a “wall of separation” as proponents suggest, rather the mechanism to transfer money from the public treasury to the collection plate, the largest church fundraiser ever in Wyoming."
CSD StaffMarch 19, 2024
Guest Column: State Sees 32% Increase in Government; Leaves Taxpayers Behind
Members of the Freedom Caucus write, "The Uniparty and their allies in the media don’t want you to know how much was just spent in Cheyenne– and how much of it was discretionary spending."
CSD StaffMarch 18, 2024
Guest Column: Chloe Reminded Us It’s About Children, Not Gender Change
Guest columnist Jonathan Lange writes, "Chloe Cole did not come to Wyoming as an 'anti-transgender' anything. She came to prevent the child-abuse that forever changed her life from happening to Wyoming kids."
CSD StaffMarch 17, 2024
Guest Column: Winter Fishing In Wyoming
Guest columnist Abby Roich writes, "Few alarms are likely going off at 5 am on a Saturday but mine is buzzing. I’m thankful for an automatic brewer as it’s already filling the air with the aroma of coffee. 'I get to go fishing today,' I think to myself..."
CSD StaffMarch 15, 2024
Guest Column: Budget Session Ends
State Sen. Cheri Steinmetz writes, "The committee restored roughly $340 million to the governor’s energy slush fund, gave back the gender studies program and the requirement of a standard budget at the University of Wyoming, approved $2.5 million for an air show at the Casper airport and approved a third raise for state employees."
CSD StaffMarch 11, 2024
Guest Column: Legislature Passes Conservative Budget, Largest Property Tax Reform In History
Senate President Ogden Driskill and House Speaker Albert Sommers write, "Despite political differences and policy disagreements, the Legislature passed a conservative, balanced budget that addresses our state’s needs and invests in the future."
CSD StaffMarch 11, 2024