Government & Politics
News
Wyoming Veterans Hopeful Hegseth Will Make U.S. Military Great Again
Wyoming veterans told Cowboy State Daily that years of social programs and diversity initiatives have weakened the military and they hope that’s over. They want to see the return of high standards, greater access to mental healthcare and more help transitioning veterans post-service.
Jen KocherFebruary 23, 2025
Hageman Receives Hero's Welcome At Conservative Political Action Conference
Wyoming Congresswoman Harriet Hageman received a standing ovation Saturday speaking at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington, D.C. The crowd roared when she mentioned Liz Cheney was nowhere to be found in Wyoming.
Jimmy OrrFebruary 22, 2025
Colorado Senate Passes Sweeping Ban On Semiautomatic Firearms
Colorado lawmakers are one step closer to passing a sweeping gun ban on semiautomatic rifles, shotguns and pistols. A Wyoming gun rights advocate called it one of the nation’s most restrictive gun laws.
Mark HeinzFebruary 22, 2025
Wyoming House Members Getting Antsy As Senate Holds Onto State Budget
The Wyoming House is starting to get a little antsy over how long the state Senate is holding onto the supplemental budget without taking any action on it. The Senate has had the $680 million plan for two weeks.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 22, 2025
Wyoming Legislative Recap — Day 28
The 28th day of the 2025 Wyoming legislative session Friday saw significant discussions about bills banning DEI programs and restricting abortion. The House also is getting impatient for the Senate to address the supplemental budget.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 22, 2025
Bill Proposes Massive Overhaul To Base Property Taxes On Home Price, Not Valuation
While the most attention has been on a proposed 50% property tax cut moving through the Wyoming Legislature, another bill proposes a much larger overhaul of the system. It would base property taxes on a home’s purchase price, similar to auto registrations.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 22, 2025
Repeal Of Gun-Free Zones Is Close To Gov. Gordon’s Desk — Will He Veto It Again?
For the second year in a row, the Wyoming Legislature is close to giving Gov. Mark Gordon a bill to eliminate gun-free zones in the state. Gordon vetoed it last year, but isn’t saying if he’ll sign, veto or let it pass without a signature this year.
Mark HeinzFebruary 21, 2025
USPS Does About-Face, Now Won’t Move Mail Processing Out Of Cheyenne, Casper
The U.S. Post Office did an about-face Friday on its controversial plan to move local mail processing out of Wyoming’s main hubs. Cheyenne and Casper now won’t ship local mail to other states.
Renée JeanFebruary 21, 2025
Getting DEI Out Of Wyoming, UW “A Long Time In Coming,” Says Sponsor Of Ban
A bill to ban DEI programs and policies from Wyoming agencies — with exceptions for nonprofits that get public money — easily passed a House committee Friday. The bill’s sponsor says getting DEI out of Wyoming and UW has “been a long time in coming.”
Leo WolfsonFebruary 21, 2025
Barrasso Helps Pass Budget As Part Of War On “Wasteful Washington Spending”
Sen. John Barrasso helped the U.S. Senate pass a 10-year budget resolution 52-48 Friday after an all-night debate. He said he agrees with reining in wasteful spending, but is making sure the administration "understands how important it is to keep national parks, forests and federal lands adequately staffed."
Sean BarryFebruary 21, 2025
Wyoming Closer To Requiring ID To Verify Age To Access Porn Sites
The pornography industry did not show up to challenge a Wyoming bill that would require porn websites to verify ages with IDs before allowing access. After unanimously passing out of committee Thursday, the bill will be debated by the full Senate.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 21, 2025
Why Cheyenne Had To Give Up Putting Windshield Barnacles On Cars
With tens of thousands of dollars in unpaid parking tickets, Cheyenne started using the high-tech windshield Barnacle device on cars. Less than three years later, that’s been abandoned because too many Wyoming windshields are chipped or cracked.
Renée JeanFebruary 21, 2025
Wyoming Legislative Recap — Day 27
On the 27th day of the 2025 Wyoming legislative session, the Senate rejected the changes made to a major property tax cut bill. Also, a woman taunted a male legislator by calling him “madame” while testifying about the “What is a Woman Act.”
Leo WolfsonFebruary 21, 2025
Senate Rejects House Changes To Huge 50% Property Tax Cut
After the Wyoming House spent more than five hours debating 21 amendments before passing a huge 50% property tax bill Wednesday, the Senate took minutes to reject it Thursday. Now the two chambers will have to negotiate.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 21, 2025
'Clean Kill' For Predators Bill Advances — Without Wolf-Whacking Ban
A controversial “clean kill” for predators bill advanced Thursday. That it doesn’t include a ban running over wolves with snowmobiles — aka wolf whacking — remains a sticking point for many.
Mark HeinzFebruary 21, 2025
Woman Calls Male Legislator 'Madame' During 'What Is A Woman Act' Debate
Debate grew tense Thursday when a woman insisted on calling a male legislator "Madame" at the beginning of her testimony against the "What is a Woman Act." The Wyoming Senate will debate the bill next.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 20, 2025
Wyoming Legislator Pushes Back On Claim Shooting Prairie Dogs Is “Psychopathic”
A retired professor told a Wyoming legislative committee Thursday that shooting prairie dogs is “psychopathic.” That raised the hackles of the sponsor of a bill to allow shooting the critters from vehicles. It’s about pest management, he says.
Mark HeinzFebruary 20, 2025
Wyoming Republicans Divided On How To Best Achieve Property Tax Relief
How to best achieve property tax relief has been the driving issue of the 2025 legislative session so far, and is dividing Wyoming Republicans. The main sticking points are whether to backfill deficits created by the cuts, and if so, how much.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 20, 2025
Wyoming Legislative Recap — Day 26
The 26th day of the 2025 Wyoming legislative session Wednesday featured more than five hours of discussion on a 50% property tax cut bill, which the House passed.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 20, 2025
After Marathon Debate, Wyoming House Passes Massive 50% Property Tax Cut
After a marathon debate that lasted into the night, the Wyoming House passed a massive 50% property tax cut. It’s a win for the Freedom Caucus but critics say it would drive Wyoming off a fiscal cliff.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 20, 2025
Senate To Hear Bill Banning Sexually Explicit Shows From Getting Public Money
The Wyoming Senate got a bill Wednesday that would ban public money going to support sexually explicit events and entertainment. The bill would also keep government buildings from hosting those events in their spaces.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 20, 2025
Snowmobilers About To Pay More To Ride Wyoming’s Premier Trials
A bill that hikes annual registration fees for snowmobilers to ride Wyoming’s premier trails has passed both the state House and Senate. Proponents say it’s needed to keep up with the growing costs of keeping those trails among the nation’s best.
Zakary SonntagFebruary 20, 2025
Homeschool Parents Closer To Not Having To Submit Plans To Local Districts
A bill that would mean Wyoming homeschool parents won’t have to submit their curricula to local school boards is sailing through the Legislature. Having already passed the house, the Wyoming Homeschool Freedom Act moved to the full Senate on Wednesday.
Dale KillingbeckFebruary 19, 2025
Wyoming Anti-Squatter Bills Close To Becoming Law
A bill that would help law enforcement remove squatters passed the Wyoming House on Wednesday. If the Senate approves late changes to it, it will head to the governor's desk. Another bill targeting fake landlords is pending in the House.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 19, 2025