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Wyoming Legislative Recap — Day 32
The 32nd day of the 2025 Wyoming legislative session saw Gov. Mark Gordon let a bill banning gun-free zones pass into law and lawmakers scrambling to smush parts of the supplemental budget that was thrown out on Wednesday into other bills.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 28, 2025
Gordon Slams Legislators As He Lets Bill Banning Gun-Free Zones Go Into Law
Wyoming Gov Mark Gordon on Thursday let a bill banning gun-free zones go into law without his signature. In announcing his decision, he said the bill wasn’t about self-defense, rather it was about legislators “grabbing power.”
Leo WolfsonFebruary 28, 2025
Parts Of Killed Supplemental Budget Getting Pushed Into Other Bills
Wyoming legislators were still grappling Thursday with their decision not to pass a supplemental budget. Instead, they’re trying to salvage parts of the budget by jamming them into other bills.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 28, 2025
Hageman, Barrasso And Lummis Busy Helping Throw Out Biden’s Oil and Gas Rules
Hageman, Barrasso and Lummis are among Republicans who’ve been busy this week helping throw out Biden-era energy rules. They also helped defeat a Democrat-led challenge to Trump’s energy emergency declaration.
Sean BarryFebruary 28, 2025
Casper Legislator Back On House Floor After Open Heart Surgery
State Rep. J.R. Riggins was back on the Wyoming House floor Thursday after missing almost all of the 2025 session with open heart surgery. He was given an ovation by the House, and called the attention “embarrassing.”
Leo WolfsonFebruary 27, 2025
Wyoming Delegation Applauds Choice of UW Grad To Lead Forest Service
A University of Wyoming graduate has been picked as the new head of the U.S. Forest Service. Wyoming’s congressional delegation says Tom Schultz will “make America’s forests healthy and productive again.”
Sean BarryFebruary 27, 2025
Wyoming Trans Bathroom Bans Headed To Governor's Desk
Wyoming legislators passed a bill Thursday that allows people to sue local governments if they allow biologically-born males to use women’s restrooms in public facilities, and vice versa.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 27, 2025
At 25%, Wyoming Senate, House Finally Agree On Property Tax Cut
After the Wyoming Senate and House couldn’t come together on a proposed property tax cut earlier in the week, they agreed on a 25% reduction Thursday. Now it appears on its way to the governor for approval.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 27, 2025
Wyoming Legislative Recap — Day 31
A huge announcement about the supplemental budget came on the 31st day of the 2025 Wyoming legislative session Wednesday with the Senate saying it won’t pass a supplemental budget.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 27, 2025
Wyoming Senate Drops Bombshell, Refuses To Pass Supplemental Budget
The Wyoming Senate dropped a bombshell Wednesday evening announcing that it won’t pass a supplemental budget this year. It could be the first time either the Senate or House has ever made such a move.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 27, 2025
Anti-Wolf Torture Bill Clears The Legislature, Headed To Gordon’s Desk
A bill calling for possible felony charges against people who torture predators cleared the Legislature on Wednesday and is headed to Gov. Mark Gordon’s desk.
Mark HeinzFebruary 27, 2025
Forest Service Chief’s Departure Fine By Us, Says Wyoming Delegation
Wyoming’s congressional delegation say they’re just fine with Wednesday’s surprise announcement that U.S. Forest Service chief Randy Moore is quitting. Rep. Harriet Hageman said it was welcome news as he mismanaged the agency.
Sean Barry & Mark HeinzFebruary 27, 2025
Out-Of-State Group Texting Residents To Influence Wyoming Legislature
Texas-based American Action Fund has been sending out a large number of text messages and mailers to Wyoming residents. The messages urge people to pressure legislators on bills such as school choice.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 27, 2025
Montana Bill Would Charge Women With 'Abortion Trafficking' For Going Out Of State
A Montana bill would charge women with abortion trafficking for seeking abortions in other states. Opponents flooded a Wednesday hearing claiming overreach, supporters say it's needed to keep minors from being taken for secret abortions.
David MadisonFebruary 26, 2025
Wyoming Closer To Separate Primaries, Run-Offs For Top Offices, Including Gov.
A Senate committee passed a bill Wednesday that would create separate primary and run-off elections for the state’s top elected offices, including governor. A run-off would be triggered if nobody gets more than 50% of the primary vote.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 26, 2025
Wyoming Legislative Recap — Day 30
The 30th day of the 2025 Wyoming legislative session Tuesday featured a broken deal on a property tax cut bill and heated discussion about new non-citizen state IDs.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 26, 2025
Degenfelder Says Blocking Trans Participation In Female Sports Is About Safety
Megan Defenfelder, Wyoming’s top education official, says blocking transgender participation in female sports isn’t about disrespect. It’s about ensuring the safety of female athletes.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 26, 2025
Wyoming Delegation Pushes To Halt Federal Money For Sanctuary Cities
A bill introduced in Congress on Tuesday would block federal money going to sanctuary cities. Wyoming’s delegation, along with those from four bordering states, are pushing to pass the bill.
Sean BarryFebruary 26, 2025
Lummis, Barrasso Not Happy With iPhone Voice To Text That Replaces ‘Racist’ With ‘Trump’
When some iPhone users tried to voice-dictate the word “racist” on Tuesday, the word “Trump” appeared momentarily. U.S. Sen. Cynthia Lummis said the apparent software issue “sets a dangerous precedent" and Sen. John Barrasso called it "appalling."
Clair McFarlandFebruary 26, 2025
Non-Citizen Status Will Be On Back, Not Front, Of Wyoming Licenses And IDs
Wyoming driver’s licenses and IDs will have a person’s non-U.S. citizen status printed on them under a new bill sent to the governor’s desk Tuesday. In a change to the original proposal, it will be in black on the back, not in color on the front.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 26, 2025
Legislature Making It Harder For Power Companies To Take Land For Power Lines
A bill landed on Gov. Mark Gordon's desk Tuesday that makes it harder for power companies to use eminent domain in Wyoming to take land to build power lines. Legislators say the goal is to protect property rights while preserving energy production.
David MadisonFebruary 25, 2025
Bill Aims To Protect Wyoming Rodeo From Animal Activists
Cody Republican Rachel Rodriguez-Williams says Wyoming’s rodeos need protection from animal rights activists. Her bill to protect rodeo passed out of committee Tuesday, while detractors claim it could open the door to puppy mills and dog fighting.
Mark HeinzFebruary 25, 2025
‘Hugely Disappointing’: House, Senate Can’t Agree On Deal To Cut Property Taxes
Members of the Wyoming Senate and House couldn’t agree over a proposed property tax cut Tuesday that has fluctuated between 25% and 50%. Thinking a deal had been struck at 25%, one state senator says House members backing off is “hugely disappointing.”
Leo WolfsonFebruary 25, 2025
Wyoming Legislative Recap — Day 29
The 29th day of the 2025 Wyoming legislative session Monday featured a die-in protest on the floor of the Capitol rotunda and passionate debate over property taxes and abortion.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 25, 2025