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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 Sonntag for Cowboy State DailyFebruary 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
Change To Ballot Drop Box Ban Would Allow Drop Slots At Wyoming Courthouses
A significant change was made to a bill that would ban ballot drop boxes in Wyoming. It would allow for ballots to be deposited into courthouses from the outside, not unlike a safety deposit box or night depository at a bank.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 19, 2025
Wyoming Legislative Recap — Day 25
The 2025 Wyoming legislative session reached the 25-day mark Tuesday, advancing a bill that bans gun-free zones while a House member chastised his colleagues for not debating bills enough and taking “marching orders” from the Freedom Caucus.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 19, 2025
Landon Brown Blasts House Members For Taking “Marching Orders” From Freedom Caucus
State Rep. Landon Brown’s frustration boiled over Tuesday as he blasted some of his fellow state House members for not debating bills enough. He also chided them for taking “marching orders” on how to vote from Wyoming Freedom Caucus leadership.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 19, 2025
First 15 Bills Of 2025 Session Hit Governor’s Desk, 260 Other Bills Still Alive
The final stretch of the 2025 Wyoming legislative session is approaching with the first 15 bills hitting Gov. Mark Gordon’s desk for approval. There are still 260 bills remaining to be decided.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 19, 2025
Repeal of Wyoming’s Gun-Free Zones Clear Major Hurdle, Headed To Senate
A bill to repeal Wyoming’s gun-free zone was unanimously approved by a Wyoming Senate committee on Tuesday, and will head to the Senate Floor. Testimony included input from “More Guns, Less Crime” author John Lott.
Mark HeinzFebruary 19, 2025
Mike Gierau Is A True Wyoming Political Underdog — A Democrat From Jackson
State Sen. Mike Gierau is a good example of a political underdog in the Wyoming Legislature. He’s one of only two Democrats in the Senate — and he’s also from Jackson.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 18, 2025
Postmaster General, Who Gave Himself An “A” For Gutting Rural Mail Delivery, Is Quitting
Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, who gave himself an “A” for the controversial Delivery For America plan that gutted rural delivery, announced on Monday he is quitting. Wyoming leaders are thrilled.
Renée JeanFebruary 18, 2025
Full Senate To Debate Bill Banning Illegal Immigrants From Driving In Wyoming
A bill to ban illegal immigrants from driving in Wyoming easily passed a Senate committee Tuesday. But not before hearing some heated testimony from those who oppose it. Next stop for the bill is the full Senate for debate.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 18, 2025
Family Of Murdered Casper Man Says Wyoming Needs Missing Person Law
The family of a Casper man who went missing before finally being found murdered says Wyoming needs better protocols to handle cases like his. That’s why they support a new law to do that moving through the Legislature.
Jen KocherFebruary 18, 2025
Conversation With WYDOT Director Darin Westby
Jake Nichols had WYDOT Director Darin Westby on his program to discuss the latest on the Green River tunnel crash.
Jake NicholsFebruary 18, 2025
Wyoming Not Immune From Trump and Musk’s Downsizing Of Federal Government
Federal agencies in Wyoming like the U.S. Forest Service and National Park Service aren’t immune from the sweeping downsizing President Donald Trump and Elon Musk are doing from Washington, D.C. Some probationary and seasonal workers have been cut.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 18, 2025
Trump Calls Bo Biteman A ‘Patriot’ For Universal School Vouchers Bill
President Donald Trump on Sunday called Wyoming Senate President Bo Biteman a "patriot" for his efforts to pass the Wyoming Freedom Scholarship Act, a bill that would bring universal school vouchers to Wyoming.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 16, 2025
Wyoming Must 'Close The Door' On Running Over Wolves With Snowmobiles, Schmid Says
Though his bill to ban running predators over with snowmobiles failed, Wyoming Rep. Mike Schmid says he’s determined to “close the door” on the practice in Wyoming.
Mark HeinzFebruary 16, 2025
Wyoming Confirms First Human Case Of Bird Flu, 3rd Hospitalization In U.S.
Wyoming’s first human case of bird flu was caused by an infected poultry flock in Platte County. The person is hospitalized in another state, and is the nation’s third hospitalization.
Renée JeanFebruary 16, 2025
In Montana, If You Kill Someone In A Duel, You Have To Provide For His Family
Montana legislators are taking aim at an antiquated law that says if you kill or maim someone in a duel, you have to then provide for his family. That it’s still on the books elicited laughter from the Legislature when the bill to repeal the law was introduced.
David MadisonFebruary 15, 2025