Government & Politics
News

Wyoming LGBTQ Advocacy Group Holds Protest In Opposition To Transgender Sports Bill
Opponents of a bill that would ban biological males from competing in girls public-school sports said they accept that their battle may be a losing one as the bill continues to steamroll forward.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 28, 2023

$10 Million Shooting Sports Complex One Step Closer As Bill Moves To Gordon’s Desk
Those who argued that a multi-million dollar shooting sports complex would be a big shot in the arm for Wyoming tourism are closer to getting their wishes, as a bill that could lay the groundwork for the facility is headed for Gov. Mark Gordons desk.
Mark HeinzFebruary 28, 2023

Chemical Abortion Ban Clears First House Vote After Lengthy Debate
The Wyoming House of Representatives on Monday approved the first reading of a bill outlawing chemical abortions. Senate File 109 would make it a misdemeanor to prescribe or dispense abortion drugs in Wyoming, except in cases of rape, incest, or severe health risks.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 27, 2023

Wyoming House Committee Advances Ban On Biological Boys In Girls’ School Sports
A committee of Wyoming lawmakers on Monday advanced a bill that would prohibit biological males from participating in girls school sports in Wyoming.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 27, 2023

Ethics Complaint Filed Against Sen. Anthony Bouchard After He Calls Person “F**king Idiot”
A Green River woman filed a complaint with the Legislative Management Council Sunday after she said Cheyenne state Sen. Anthony Bouchard cursed at her over a dispute on his "Chloe's Law" bill in a private text message on Saturday night.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 27, 2023

“Shame On You!” Legislator Says Technique To Substitute Bill Thwarted Will Of People
State Sen. Bo Biteman lashed out at the House Appropriations Committee for substituting a bill rather than offering amendments. Just vote it up or vote it down but to do this after hearing all the testimony and pull this on a fellow legislator, its not OK and its not how we do business around here.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 26, 2023

Hageman Nudges Sommers To Quit Sitting On Bills: “This Is About Protecting Our Children”
Congresswoman Harriet Hageman on Saturday urged Speaker of the House Albert Sommers to take action on bills addressing gender identity, gender surgeries, and school vouchers. "This is about protecting our children. In Congress, Im fighting for these very issues. I hope the Wyoming legislature will do the same," she said.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 26, 2023

Laramie County GOP Calls On Wyo Dems To Return Bankman-Fried Donation One Month After Dems Returned It
The Laramie County Republican Party this week called upon the Wyoming Democratic Party to give back nearly $10,000 in donations from accused fraudster Sam Bankman-Fried. But the Dems gave it back more than a month ago.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 25, 2023

End To Crossover Voting Bill Close To Hitting Gordon’s Desk, But Will He Sign It?
A bill that will restrict voters from changing party affiliation to influence the results of other parties primary elections has reached its farthest point in the Wyoming Legislature. But Gov. Mark Gordon has so far been noncommittal on whether hed sign, veto or let it pass unsigned.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 25, 2023

Another Attempt To Override Wyoming House Speaker Defeated
Staunch conservatives have been trying every trick in the book to get past Wyoming House Speaker Albert Sommers, who is blocking some bills from being heard or assigned to a committee. None have worked so far.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 24, 2023

More Wyoming Ranchers Could Get Money For Wolf Losses If Gordon Signs Bill
Compensation for livestock animals killed by wolves has been available only to ranchers adjacent to Yellowstone National Park, but a bill sent to Gov. Mark Gordons desk would extend that across Wyoming.
Mark HeinzFebruary 24, 2023

House Considers ‘Big Three’ Drug Bill That Would Allow Homicide Charge For Dealers In Overdose Deaths
The Wyoming House of Representatives is considering a bill imposing a homicide charge on drug dealers whose customers die of fentanyl, heroin or methamphetamine overdose.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 24, 2023

Bill Banning Transgender Students From Girls School Sports Clears Committee
After more than two hours of debate and a few tears shed, the House Education Committee has advanced a bill banning biological males from competing in girls' school sports in Wyoming.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 24, 2023

Wyoming Legislators OK First Per Diem Rate Increase Since 2005
A joint conference committee of the Wyoming Legislature voted Friday to support increasing the per diem rate paid to state lawmakers and other officials citing concerns that people may be dissuaded from public service because they may fear it would be a financial drain.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 24, 2023

Bouchard Calls For House Speaker To Be Censured For Inaction On Child Sex Change Bill
State Sen. Anthony Bouchard is outraged that his bill to forbid doctors from performing gender-change treatments on children has been subjugated to the bottom of the Speaker of the Houses drawer with a do not pass recommendation from the House Appropriations Committee.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 24, 2023

988 Suicide Trust Fund Established; Now All It Needs Is Money
Gov. Mark Gordon signed a raft of 2023 bills into law Thursday, including House Bill 65, which establishes two 988 suicide call centers that, at the time of the bill signing, has no funding.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 24, 2023

Sommers Explains Why He Won’t Allow Transgender Education Bill To Be Debated On Floor
The speaker of the House says he has stifled a few bills for very specific reasons. That includes Senate File 117 which would prohibit public schools from teaching young children about gender identity or sexual orientation.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 23, 2023

Stuck In Cheyenne Since Monday, Long-Haul Trucker Says “We’re Brothers In Arms”
Whenever long-haul trucker Zayy Bullard drives through Wyoming in the winter, if Interstate 80 is closed he hopes he gets as far as Little America between Green River and Evanston because it's a "small town for truckers." He didn't make it that far this time...
Wendy CorrFebruary 23, 2023

Crossover Voting Continues To Cause Contention With Wyoming Lawmakers
Resurrected after failing in a committee, an effort to get rid of crossover voting for Wyoming primary elections is close to landing on Gov. Mark Gordons desk. But that hasnt stopped heated debate with supporters saying it protects the integrity of political parties and opponents claiming its outright corruption.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 23, 2023

Wild Wyoming Storm Strands Four Snowplows And a Wrecker
While plowing the roads and highways around Carbon county on Wednesday, a WYDOT snowplow got stuck. Then another. Then a third. Then a fourth. Then a wrecker large enough to pull the snowplows out got stuck...
Greg JohnsonFebruary 23, 2023

Wyoming Abortion Bills Survive Legislative Committees – With Major Changes
The House Revenue Committee altered and advanced Senate File 109, which would ban chemical abortions if it becomes law. And the Senate Ag Committee added rape and incest exemptions into House Bill 152.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 23, 2023

Workers Lobby Against Bill, Say Wyoming Has Legacy Of Being Anti-Union
Despite passionate testimony from nearly two dozen construction workers and plumbers, Wyoming state lawmakers advanced a bill Wednesday that would prohibit government entities from bidding union-specific projects.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 23, 2023

Ban On Wyoming Transgender Treatments For Kids Voted Down; Chance For Resurrection Exists
A Wyoming state House committee voted to kill the much-debated Chloes Law on Wednesday, which would have banned transgender-related treatments for minors, but the House may still have an opportunity to hear it before the legislative session ends.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 23, 2023

Jackson Democrat Says If You Vote Against Per Diem Hike, You Shouldn’t Get It
Rep. Mike Yin, D-Jackson, pushed through an amendment to a bill that would raise the per diem for state legislators. His amendment would make it so those who voted against it, would not get the per diem increase.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 22, 2023
