Government & Politics
News
Wyoming Committee Kills 'Sweeping And Almost Vindictive' Anti-Obscenity Law
A Wyoming Legislative committee killed a broad anti-obscenity bill on Friday. Republican Rep. Tom Kelly said lawmakers shouldn't lose sight of the real problem of sexually-graphic books in kids' library sections, but the solution isn't to advance a “sweeping and almost vindictive law."
Clair McFarlandFebruary 08, 2025
Appropriations Committee Advances Sweeping Immigration Bill That Would Make It Felony To Harbor Illegals
A Wyoming immigration bill that would levy state-level felony charges against people who harbor or transport illegal immigrants kept its $1 million price tag Friday, when the Senate Appropriations Committee approved it. The state Senate will debate the bill next.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 07, 2025
Feds Will Listen To Wyoming This Time About BLM Rock Springs Plan, Former Trump Interior Official Says
A former high-ranking Dept of Interior official told Cowboy State Daily that the BLM's Rock Springs area plan will likely be heavily revised toward Wyoming’s liking and will be "very respectful" of Gov. Mark Gordon's recommendations.
Mark HeinzFebruary 07, 2025
Bill Would Give Wyoming Strongest Laws In Country To Fight Frivolous Defamation Lawsuits
A Wyoming legislative committee advanced a bill on Friday that legal experts say would give Wyoming the toughest laws in the country to prevent the filing of frivolous defamation lawsuits.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 07, 2025
Sidelined By Open-Heart Surgery, Casper Rep. J.R. Riggins Hopes To Return By Last Week Of Session
Casper. Rep. J.R. Riggins, elected to the legislature in November, spent one week on the job before open heart surgery. He hopes to return the last week of the session.
Dale KillingbeckFebruary 07, 2025
Wyoming Legislative Recap: Day 18
Tensions flared on Day 18 of the Wyoming Legislature as lawmakers sparred over the supplemental budget and parental choice.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 07, 2025
House Advances Bill To Create New State Monument, Mount Rushmore-Sized Optional
A legislative committee advanced a bill on Thursday that would create a group to study building a "Monument to America" in Wyoming. The amended bill removes the requirement the statue be as large as Mount Rushmore, however.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 07, 2025
University of Wyoming 'Will Have No Problem Complying' With NCAA Transgender Sports Ban
The NCAA on Thursday barred males from participating in women's sports. The University of Wyoming, which forfeited two women's volleyball matches last fall against a team with a trans player, said it will have “no problem complying.”
Clair McFarlandFebruary 07, 2025
Senate Saves Resolution Calling On Congress To Give Wyoming All Public Lands Except Yellowstone
On a razor thin 16 - 15 vote, the Wyoming Senate revived a bill on Thursday calling on Congress to hand over all public lands to the state, except Yellowstone. The bill had been rejected earlier in the day on a 16-14 vote.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 06, 2025
Without Stiffer Trespass Law, There Could Be Gunfights, ‘Blood On The Prairie,’ Lawmaker Says
A bill that would have stiffened Wyoming’s hunting trespass penalties died in committee on Thursday. The bill’s sponsor warned of violence if more isn’t done to curb trespassing. "I fear there will be shootouts and blood on the prairie,” Rep. Allemand said
Mark HeinzFebruary 06, 2025
Fremont County Library Director Publicly Scolded After Speaking Against Obscenity Bill
The library director for Fremont County was scolded Thursday for not clarifying she was speaking personally, when she criticized a proposed state law seeking to punish librarians for exposing kids to obscenity. Anita Marple said she'd clarify her position, and learn from the experience.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 06, 2025
House Advances Bill Giving Political Parties More Say In Filling Vacancies
The House Appropriations Committee, by a 6 - 1 margin, advanced a bill on Thursday that would give local and state political parties more power in filling political vacancies in Wyoming
Leo WolfsonFebruary 06, 2025
Bills To Ban Voting Machines Killed In Committee
Two bills that would’ve banned voting machines and mandate hand count elections in Wyoming were rejected by Senate and House committees on Wednesday night. Legislators cited costs and vulnerabilities as reasons for striking the bills down.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 06, 2025
Wyoming Legislative Recap - Day 17
Discussion of the supplemental budget was a major focus of the Wyoming Legislature on Wednesday, as were two bills that could ban abortion in Wyoming.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 06, 2025
Halfway Point: New Conservative Majority vs Old Guard Minority In 2025 Legislative Session
The 2025 Wyoming legislative session will reach its halfway mark on Thursday. The session looks and feels distinctly different from years’ past, with a majority made of Freedom Caucus Republicans, wielding power in the House for the first time.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 06, 2025
Wyoming Republicans Taking New Approach To Trying To Ban Abortion
The Wyoming Legislature considered two different bills on Wednesday that take new approaches in trying to ban abortions. The Legislature passed two separate bans on most forms of abortion in 2022 and 2023 but both are currently being held up in court.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 06, 2025
Wyoming Delegation Applauds Trump's Trans Athlete Ban
Wyoming's congressional delegation cheered President Donald Trump's Wednesday executive order defunding schools that let males play female-only sports. ”The far left’s attack on female athletes is the women’s rights issue of our time,” Sen. Lummis said.
Sean Barry & Clair McFarlandFebruary 05, 2025
Huge Immigration Bill Gets A Makeover; Wyoming Sheriffs Still Hesitant
A Senate committee proposed changes Tuesday to a massive Wyoming immigration bill that would make sheltering or transporting illegal immigrant a felony, among other mandates. The state's law enforcers can work within the new version, but they'd "hesitate" to say they support it, their lobbyist said.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 05, 2025
House Advances Bill To Make Wyoming Attorney General An Elected Position
The House Judiciary Committee advanced a bill on Wednesday, by a 6 - 3 margin, that would make the Wyoming Attorney General an elected position. Supporters of the bill have criticized Wyoming AG Bridget Hill for either taking too long to file lawsuits or not filing enough.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 05, 2025
Wyoming Legislative Recap — Day 16
Day 16 of the 2025 Wyoming Legislature on Tuesday featured passionate debates on Second Amendment protections and state license plates. It also saw the Senate pass a 50% cut to property taxes.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 05, 2025
Degenfelder Hopes Trump Will Eliminate U.S. Dept Of Education
Wyoming Superintendent Of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder told Cowboy State Daily on Tuesday that she hopes President Trump eliminates the U.S. Dept of Education. States should determine their own rules for federal funding, she said.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 05, 2025
Wyoming License Plates Would Be Mailed, Not Redone Every 8 Years Under Proposal
State legislators are considering a bill that would not require a redesign of license plates every eight years. That means you can keep your plates until they wear out. Also, people would get them via mail, not their county treasurers.
Renée JeanFebruary 05, 2025
Hageman Supports Trump’s Crackdown On “Insidious Organization” USAID
Rep. Harriet Hageman says she supports President Trump’s crackdown to cut the fund for the U.S. Agency for International Development. She calls USAID an “insidious organization” that has supported terrorism.
Sean BarryFebruary 05, 2025
Dueling Gun Groups Strike Truce To Push Wyoming Second Amendment Rights Bill
A pair of gun rights groups in Wyoming that have feuded over state Second Amendment legislation have struck a brief truce. Gun Owners of America and Wyoming Gun Owners are both pushing a bill that would ban state officials from enforcing federal gun laws.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 05, 2025