Government & Politics
News
Boom, Boom: Out Go The Lights! Wyoming Capitol Goes Dark, Power Outage Hits Cheyenne
The State Capitol went dark on Friday as a power outage hit Cheyenne at around 2pm. Legislators kept on working though. Some said they even preferred the atmosphere.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 03, 2023
‘Groomed And Preyed Upon:’ Detransitioner Who Had Double Masectomy At 16 Shares Regret
After emotional debate, a proposed Wyoming law that would prohibit doctors from prescribing transgender-related treatments to minors unanimously passed its first legislative committee hearing Friday.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 03, 2023
Author C.J. Box Says Wyoming Missed Out On An Enormous Payday By Not Having Film Incentives
Best-selling author CJ Box on Thursday said Wyoming missed out on $90 million in on-the-ground spending for the productions of "Big Sky" and "Joe Pickett" because production companies shot his shows in Canada and New Mexico.
Renée JeanFebruary 03, 2023
Woman Disrupts Senate, Yells Obscenities After Bill Passes Criminalizing Child Sex-Change Operations
A woman started swearing loudly in the Wyoming Senate Chambers on Thursday in response to the passage of a bill that would criminalize child sex change surgeries.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 03, 2023
State to Pull $3 Million From St. Stephen’s Indian School, Give To Tribal DFS Instead
Citing constitutional concerns now that the school is under federal control, Wyoming lawmakers are on track to pull about $3 million in state funding from St. Stephens Indian School on the Wind River Indian Reservation.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 02, 2023
Rep. Provenza Confronts GOP Official About Role In Alleged Political Spy Ring
Rep. Karlee Provenza confronted longtime GOP official Marti Halverson about a New York Times story last year which identified Halverson as being part of scheme to spy on Gov. Mark Gordon and others, including Provenza.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 02, 2023
Lawmakers Kill, Stall Bills Targeting ‘Porn’ In Wyoming Schools And Libraries
Two legislative committees this week shut down two proposed laws aimed at keeping obscenity out of public libraries and schools. Detractors said the best way to handle the issue was at the local level.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 02, 2023
Medicaid Expansion Amendment Dies; Becoming Annual Tradition In Wyoming
Attempts for Medicaid expansion failed on Wednesday night despite State Sen. Cale Case's emotional plea for the measure. Every Medicaid Expansion bill over the last 10 years has failed in Wyoming.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 02, 2023
Bill Making Ballot Harvesting A Felony Passes Committee
The House Corporations Committee passed legislation by an 8 - 1 vote that would make ballot harvesting a felony in Wyoming.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 02, 2023
“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