Government & Politics
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2023 Legislature By The Numbers: 500 Bills, 23 Vetoes (So Far) & More Than 3,000 Cups Of Coffee
From gender identity to health care and property taxes, Wyoming lawmakers plowed through high-profile issues in a 37-day session. Along the way, they considered nearly 500 bills fueled by more than 3,000 cups of Capitol coffee.
Leo WolfsonMarch 06, 2023
Wyoming Freedom Caucus, House Democrats Kill Bill To Charge Drug Dealers For Adult OD Deaths
In a rare union, Wyoming House Democrats and the Freedom Caucus teamed up to kill a bill that would have allowed charging drug dealers whose customers die from overdose with manslaughter.
Clair McFarlandMarch 06, 2023
“It’s A Time Machine”: There’s No One Better To Give A Tour Of The Capitol Than Rep. Steve Harshman
State Rep. Steve Harshman, who has represented Casper for 20 years in the Legislature, takes a special interest in the history of the Wyoming Capitol as he has helped oversee many of its recent restoration projects.
Leo WolfsonMarch 05, 2023
Who Are The Guys That Read Out The Bills During The Legislative Session?
There are two voices likely heard more than any other in the Wyoming Legislature, yet their names are rarely uttered on the two chamber floors. The two reading clerks announce the title and number of each bill assigned in the House and the Senate.
Leo WolfsonMarch 05, 2023
If Gov Gordon Signs Bill, Wyoming Will Be First State In Nation With Its Own Digital Coin
If approved, Wyoming would be the first state in the nation with a digital coin. That could set the Cowboy State up for a $9 billion payday, advocates say. But Gordon has already vetoed Wyomings stable token once before.
Renée JeanMarch 04, 2023
Lloyd Christmas Would Be Proud: Freshman Legislator Starts Cringeworthy “Flashy Friday” Tradition
One outfit in particular looked like Lloyd Christmas' from the movie 'Dumb and Dumber.' But no one was filming a sequel in the Wyoming State Capitol, it was just something a freshman legislator called "Flashy Friday."
Leo WolfsonMarch 04, 2023
Gov. Gordon Criticizes Out-Of-State Influences; Rep. Bear Calls Gordon “Arrogant” For Criticism
In remarks to the Legislature on Friday, Gov Gordon criticized legislation that was modeled on bills already passed in other states. Rep. John Bear said Gordon's remarks were "arrogant" and an excuse for "more conservative bills not passing."
Leo WolfsonMarch 04, 2023
With Time Running Out, Dockstader & Storer Led Successful Effort For Property Tax Reform
Maybe bipartisanship can work after all. Sen. Dan Dockstader, R-Afton, praised the efforts of Rep. Liz Storer, D-Jackson, for her "hard work and perseverance" to adapt his original tax reform bill to make it a more comprehensive solution. "We all worked together to make this happen," he said.
Renée JeanMarch 03, 2023
Gordon “Scolds” Two Senators For Getting Appointee Voted Down But Victorious In The End
Things got testy after two Park County senators were successful in getting one of Gov Gordon's appointees shot down. But after a successful campaigning effort, Gordon's appointee got voted back in, much to the displeasure of the senators.
Leo WolfsonMarch 03, 2023
Biteman Puzzled By Indifference To ‘Woke Capitalism’ Movement While Biden Goes Gung-Ho For It
Sen. Bo Biteman said he doesn't understand the reluctance among some legislators to support legislation that would prohibit Wyoming from supporting companies that actively oppose coal, oil, and gas.
March 03, 2023
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