Government & Politics
News
“Spending Like Drunks!” Supplemental Budget Grows To $481 Million After Daylong Debate
That more money was added to the budget bill riled up some of the more conservative members of the House, like Rep. Chris Knapp who said some lawmakers spend like drunks.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 02, 2023
Biteman’s Anti-Woke Investment Bills Clear Committee Unanimously
The Senate Revenue Committee passed two of Sen. Bo Biteman's bills that would prohibit the State of Wyoming from contracting with companies or investment managers who engage in economic boycotts of fossil fuel industries or otherwise put politics over fiduciary responsibility.
February 02, 2023
Wyoming’s Grandparent Visitation Law Survives Repeal Effort Despite ‘Heartbreaking’ Testimony
Saying the Wyomings laws outlining grandparent visitation rights desperately need an overhaul, Sen. Bo Biteman call a legislative committees narrow 3-2 vote to axe his bill very heartbreaking.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 01, 2023
Bill That Would Allow Nonviolent Felons With Multiple Convictions To Vote Passes Committee
A bill that would allow Wyoming residents convicted of multiple nonviolent felonies to vote once released from their term of incarceration narrowly passed committee on Wednesday by a 5 - 4 margin.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 01, 2023
House Judiciary Narrowly Passes Pro-Life Bill Wednesday Over Objections Of Pro-Life Legislator
Pro-life legislator Rep. Barry Crago said the Life Is a Human Right Act could cost unborn lives while constitutional issues keep it stuck in the courts.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 01, 2023
Bill Would Allow Homicide Charges For Drug Dealers When Their Customers Die
State Sen. Cale Case was the lone no in a 4-1 committee vote to advance a bill to the Senate floor expanding the criminal charges available for adults who deal deadly drugs. He says Senate File 181 isnt specific enough to distinguish offenders who act with malice.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 01, 2023
Powell Police Chief Supports Adult ‘Amber Alert’ System That Would Help Alzheimers Patients
Powell Police Chief Roy Eckert knows firsthand the heartbreak of watching a loved one succumb to Alzheimers disease and other forms of dementia. Now he and other Wyoming law enforcement officers are pushing for a statewide alert system to protect vulnerable adults.
Wendy CorrFebruary 01, 2023
Wyoming Sheep Rancher Says Wolves Decimated Family Business, Pushes For Compensation
A sixth-generation Wyoming sheep rancher told state legislators that wolves have all but ruined her family's 6th-generation sheep ranching business. She said they used to run 14,000 ewes but now they only have 740 ewes.
Mark HeinzJanuary 31, 2023
Wyoming Lawmakers Vote To Reduce Early Voting Window, Require Post-Election Audits
Wyoming elections would be subject to post-election audits and early voting windows would be shortened under a bill advanced by a legislative committee Tuesday.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 31, 2023
Mental Health Bills Moving Thru Wyoming Legislature, But Where Is Money Coming From?
While philanthropy is one part of the complex mental health funding machine, lawmakers told Cowboy State Daily they dont factor it into their funding strategies at the Capitol.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 31, 2023
One Giant Leap For Wyoming – Bill Would Make July 20 ‘Moon Landing Day’
The designation wouldnt create a new state holiday, says Sen. Affie Ellis, who sponsored Senate File 95. What it does is recognize one of the greatest accomplishments for mankind.
Renée JeanJanuary 31, 2023
Wyoming Lawmakers Kill Anti-Vax Discrimination Bill
House Bill 66, which would have prohibited Wyoming businesses, health care facilities and schools from enforcing COVID-19 restrictions, failed its third reading on the House floor by a narrow 31-29 vote.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 31, 2023
Crossover Voting Bills Advance, But Weaker Than Some Wyoming Conservatives Want
A bill that will restrict crossover voting in Wyoming passed through a legislative committee on Monday. The bill would allow voters to change their party affiliation up to 45 days before the primary election.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 31, 2023
Rep. Western, County Commissioner Novotny Named In Campaign Finance Probe
The Sheridan Prosecuting Attorneys office wont pursue complaints after an investigation that named Rep. Cyrus Western, R-Sheridan, and Johnson County Commissioner Bill Novotny for their possible involvement in sending out an attack mailer.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 30, 2023
Wyoming’s Anti-COVID Mandate Bill Chooses ‘Our Freedom’ Over Federal Money, Says Sponsor
By a narrow two-vote margin, the Wyoming House of Representatives has advanced legislation that would prohibit hospitals, businesses, schools and any other facility in the state from mandating COVID-19 vaccinations and other related health requirements such as the wearing of face masks.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 30, 2023
Committee Passes On Bill Banning ‘Gummies,’ Other THC Products For Youth
A Wyoming legislative committee on Friday tabled a proposed law that was intended to penalize buying and selling of synthetic THC-derived products for people under 21.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 29, 2023
Efforts Underway To Ensure Wyoming Residents Get First Crack At Shed Antlers
Once considered a niche activity, shed hunting for elk and deer antlers has become profitable and exploded in popularity. So much so that some legislators say Wyoming residents should have a three-day head start over non-residents
Mark HeinzJanuary 29, 2023
Interstate 80 Closed Until Monday; Multi-Vehicle Accidents, Winter Storms To Blame
Two multi-vehicle crashes which resulted in one fatality on Interstate 80 on Saturday have resulted in nearly the entire stretch of highway being closed until Monday evening.
Jimmy OrrJanuary 29, 2023
Bill Criminalizing Child Sex Changes In Wyoming Squeaks Through Senate Committee
A proposed Wyoming law criminalizing transgender-related treatments for minors narrowly survived its first legislative committee vote Friday, passing on a 3-2 vote.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 27, 2023
Don’t Buy Property Next To A Farm, Then Complain That Animals Have Sex Outdoors, Bouchard Says
Sen. Anthony Bouchard attempted humor to highlight a serious concern of his: residential development encroaching on agriculture operations, then complaining that theyre smelly, noisy and bothersome to their sensibilities.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 27, 2023
Bill Allocating $5.25 Million Of Wyoming Money To Help Build Border Wall Passes Committee
A bill dedicating $5.25 million to help Arizona and Texas build a border wall and transport migrants to other places passed a Wyoming legislative committee on Thursday afternoon. Gov Gordon said he supports the legislation.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 27, 2023
Bill Targeting Critical Race Theory In Wyoming Public Schools Sails Through To Senate Floor
Sen. Lynn Hutchings said she sponsored the anti-CRT bill because factions through the nation are spreading divisive and destructive, instruction to young people in a way that undermines gains made by Black people in America.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 26, 2023
Banning Foreign Ownership Of Ag Land, Mineral Resources Not So Easy Even In Wyoming
Although some may think in red-state Wyoming that banning foreign ownership of ag land would be a slam dunk, one bill barely made it out of committee on a 5 - 4 vote because of constitutionality concerns.
January 26, 2023
Chuck Gray Wants To Do Away With ‘Predatory’ Campaign Tactic Used By Cheney
While some call sending unsolicited absentee ballots to voters a predatory campaign practice, others say its just being accommodating. Legislators are debating the tactic used by Liz Cheney and whether her mailers were unethical.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 26, 2023