Government & Politics
News
Archeological Group Says Bill To Protect Site Near Ghost Town In Platte County Could Endanger It
A nonprofit group says a bill that would fence in and protect an archeological site in Platte County is not only unnecessary, but potentially detrimental, and that they plan to oppose it.
Renée JeanFebruary 05, 2023
Prosecutor: Riverton Walmart Has One Of The Highest Theft Rates in Nation; Criminals Say They Don’t Care If Caught
Longtime prosecutor in Fremont County Ember Oakley said there is a big increase in organized retail theft at Riverton's Walmart and offenders have admitted that a few days in jail is a small price to pay for all the shoplifting they get away with.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 05, 2023
Down, But Not Out: Legislator Tries Again To Opt Wyoming Out Of CDC Health Mandates
Rep. Jeanette Ward saw her first attempt to push back on COVID-19 public health measures fail but by a razor thin margin. So, she's trying again. Her new bill would give the governor the option to ignore federal mandates.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 05, 2023
Wyoming Lawmakers Vote To Spend $550 Million Over Original Budget; Earmarks $1 Billion Into Savings Too
Spenders and savers squared off over the $550 million extra dollars put into the 2023 supplemental budget that passed through the Wyoming House of Representatives on Friday evening.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 05, 2023
‘Convention of States’ Passes Senate Committee, Barlow Says “Bring Gov’t Back To The People”
Speaking in favor of the Convention of States resolution, Sen. Eric Barlow, who has attended four national conferences on the convention, said, "I find great comfort that it comes back to the states and the people. They get to ultimately make this decision.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 04, 2023
Harriet Hageman Starting To Show Some Humor And Personality On Social Media
Freshman Congresswoman Harriet Hageman is starting to show some personality on her Twitter feed. From mocking the movement to ban gas stoves to lampooning the Biden administration on the Chinese spy balloon, Hageman is interspersing humor along with policy statements.
Jimmy OrrFebruary 04, 2023
Biteman’s Anti-Woke Investment Bills Keep On Truckin’ : ‘ESG Is The Invisible Gun To Your Head’
Both of Sen. Bo Biteman's bills that would prohibit Wyoming from contracting with companies or investment managers that engage in economic boycotts of fossil fuel industries passed first and second readings by wide margins on the Senate floor this week.
February 04, 2023
Wyoming Legislators Try And Fail – Again – To Defund UW Gender Studies Program
Wyoming lawmakers tried and failed Friday to defund UW's gender studies program which include courses titled: Introduction to LFBTQ Studies, Feminist Theories, Queer Theory, Pop Music & Sexualities, and Intimate Relationships.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 04, 2023
Convicted Wife Beater Loses Appeal That Court Shouldn’t Have Considered Rape Evidence
After arguing that police had no right to seize his journals and a state district court judge had no right to consider rape charges that didnt stick, a convicted wife beater has lost his appeal to the Wyoming Supreme Court.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 04, 2023
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