Government & Politics
News
Lions And Coyotes And Wolves, Oh My – Trio Of Predator-Related Bills Signed Into Law
Wyomingites will soon be clear to chase mountain lions with hounds during the off-season, shoot coyotes through night vision scopes on public land, and ask for compensation for livestock killed by wolves anywhere in the state.
Mark HeinzMarch 03, 2023
Bill Giving Gun Rights Back To Nonviolent Felons Headed To Governor’s Desk
The Wyoming Senate won out over the state House of Representatives and now will send to Gov. Mark Gordon's desk a bill restoring nonviolent felons' gun and other rights five years after they complete their sentence, rather than immediately as the House majority hoped.
Clair McFarlandMarch 03, 2023
Gordon Allows Crossover Voting Bill To Pass Into Law Without Signature; Big Win For Chuck Gray
Although Gov Mark Gordon didn't sign the crossover voting bill on Thursday, he didn't veto it either. So it went into law without his signature. Stopping crossover voting was one of Chuck Gray's top priorities.
Leo WolfsonMarch 03, 2023
‘We Don’t Always Get What We Want’ – Two Abortion Bills Head To Gov’s Desk With Compromises
Two abortion bills, one banning chemical abortion drugs and another that's a targeted re-wording of last year's ban on nearly all abortions, are headed to Gov. Mark Gordon's desk.
Clair McFarlandMarch 03, 2023
Maybe Nonresidents Can Spend Week At $10 Million Wyoming Shooting Complex While Waiting To Hunt Shed Antlers
Nonresidents will have to wait a full week before joining the hunt for shed antler, after Gov. Mark Gordon signed a bill into law that called for that delay. Gordon on Thursday also signed a bill that could give Wyoming a $10 million shooting complex.
Mark HeinzMarch 03, 2023
Hageman’s Comments To State Legislative Members ‘Unheard Of’ In History Of Body
When U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman criticized members of the Legislature earlier this week, she did something that the congressional delegation never does -- get involved in their business. Former Sen. Al Simpson called it "embarrassing." Other former members said it was bad form.
Leo WolfsonMarch 02, 2023
Transgender Sports Ban Bill Heads To Governor’s Desk
A Wyoming bill banning biological males from girls school sports now is one step away from becoming law. Senate File 133 received final approval from the state Senate on Thursday.
Clair McFarlandMarch 02, 2023
Cheney To Become College Professor In Virginia; No Word On Possible 2024 Presidential Run
Former Wyoming Congresswoman Liz Cheney has accepted a job at the University of Virginia's Center for Politics where she will serve as a professor.
Leo WolfsonMarch 02, 2023
Wyoming Property Tax Reform Measure Back From Dead, Would Pave Way For Residential Relief
Lawmakers have been stymied when it comes to giving homeowners a break on property taxes amid double-digit tax rate increases. An unusual amendment, which replaces a still living bill with a bill that had been dead, may help change the situation going forward.
Renée JeanMarch 02, 2023
Wyoming Won’t Stop Employers From Requiring Staff To Receive Microchips
The Wyoming State House defeated a bill on Wednesday morning that would have prohibited employers from requiring their staff to implant microchips in their bodies.
Leo WolfsonMarch 02, 2023
Senate Passes Postpartum Medicaid Extension, Bill Headed To Governor’s Desk
A bill that would provide around six times more postpartum Medicaid coverage to new mothers in Wyoming was approved in the Senate on Wednesday afternoon by a razor thin 16-14 vote. It now heads to the governor's office to be signed into law.
Leo WolfsonMarch 02, 2023
Senate President Driskill Gives Anthony Bouchard Last Warning For Ethics Complaints
Senate President Ogden Driskill warned Cheyenne Republican Senator Anthony Bouchard in a letter Wednesday that he could face serious penalties, including expulsion from the Senate, if future ethics complaints against him are substantiated.
Leo WolfsonMarch 02, 2023
Strike 2! Bouchard Gets Hit With Ethics Complaint Over “Doctors For Grooming” Comment & More
A lobbyist filed an ethics complaint over comments Sen. Anthony Bouchard made on his Facebook page. One of his comments said members of the Wyoming Medical Society should call themselves "Doctors For Grooming" for their support of allowing children to undergo gender change surgeries and treatments.
Leo WolfsonMarch 01, 2023
Wyoming House Passes Law Designed To Keep American Indian Children Out Of Non-Native Foster, Adoptive Homes
Though Rep. Ben Hornok rallied a last-minute debate against it, the House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a state version of a federal law ordering courts to keep American Indian children out of non-native foster and adoptive homes when American Indian homes and institutions are available.
Clair McFarlandMarch 01, 2023
Analysis: Bill Banning Sex-Change Surgeries For Kids Was Not Dead, But Vastly Changed After Leaving Committee
Wyoming lawmakers are sparring over whether Chloe's Law, banning sex-change surgeries for kids, was already gutted when the House killed it Monday. Our analysis shows that the bill still contained one enforcement mechanism, but had major policy differences from its original version.
Clair McFarlandMarch 01, 2023
Wyoming Lawmakers Fight About Gold On House Floor
Advocates say committee amendments have gutted a bill that would have forced Wyoming Treasurer, Department of Revenue to accept mineral tax payments in gold.
Renée JeanMarch 01, 2023
Wyoming House Narrows Transgender Sports Ban To Only Apply To High School Girls’ Sports
In an effort to sway fellow legislators against voting for the transgender sports ban, Rep. Trey Sherwood said in a pole-vaulting competition between Rep. Provenza (left) vs Rep. Mike Yin (right), she would bet on Provenza.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 28, 2023
Convention Of The States Bill Killed In Monday Night Massacre; Fear Of Losing 2nd Amendment Rights Cited
Many conservative legislators abandoned state Sen. Dan Laursens, Convention of States bill on Monday. Many opponents said they feared a runaway convention that ends up stripping away Second Amendment rights.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 28, 2023
Mortuary Of Dead Bills Leads To Pointing Of Fingers At Wyoming State Legislature
It was a bloodbath for bills on Monday night as the Wyoming Legislature killed nearly a dozen bills. And legislators are blaming each other for the fatalities.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 28, 2023
House Advances Bill Restoring Gun, Civil Rights To Nonviolent Felons
The Wyoming House of Representatives on Monday advanced legislation that would restore nonviolent felons' gun and civil rights, but bill opponents worried about a provision that would take away those same rights under state law.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 28, 2023
House Freedom Caucus Votes With Democrats To End Voting – Killing Chloe’s Law
The Wyoming House Freedom Caucus on Monday voted to end first-reading debate on bills just hours before the deadline, killing multiple bills with the decision, including Chloe's Law, which child transgender treatments.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 28, 2023
House Votes Yes On Law To Keep Indian Children Out Of Non-Native Foster Homes
The state House approved its first reading of the Indian Child Welfare Act. Opponents argued that the law is racist against native children and causes them permanency problems. Proponents said it's necessary to preserve sovereign interests of American Indian tribes.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 28, 2023
Harriet Hageman Calls Out Another State Legislator; Second Time In Three Days
U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman made state Rep. Landon Brown, R-Cheyenne, her target on Monday after he called her out for criticizing Wyoming House Speaker Albert Sommers.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 28, 2023
Property Tax Relief? Not Really. Legislature Has Passed 1 Property Tax Bill Out Of 21 Introduced
House Bill 99 is the only bill for property tax reform to make it across the finish line in the 67th legislative session so far. That's despite there being a huge financial surplus in the state and legislators saying it was a "top priority."
Renée JeanFebruary 28, 2023