Government & Politics
News

Freedom Caucus Bills Breezing Through House As “Five And Dime” Plan Done Early
Wyoming Freedom Caucus bills are breezing through the state House so far this session. The group’s touted “Five and Dime” plan of passing five core pieces of legislation in the first 10 days has been realized early.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 25, 2025

Bills To Keep Boys Out Of Girls’ Bathrooms, Locker Rooms Headed To Floor Debate
A pair of bills that would separate the use of public bathrooms, showers and locker rooms by biological sex cleared committees Friday in the Wyoming House and Senate. One bill focuses just on schools, while the other is for all public spaces.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 25, 2025

Wyoming Delegation Shows Out To Support National March For Life
Wyoming’s congressional delegation expressed support for the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C., on Friday, vowing to continue the fight to end abortion. Barrasso thanked the thousands of marchers for their “remarkable dedication.”
Sean BarryJanuary 25, 2025

Sanctuary Cities One Step Closer To Being Banned In Wyoming
There are no designated “sanctuary cities” to protect illegal immigrants in Wyoming, and it will stay that way if a bill banning them in the state passes into law. It took a step closer to that when it passed a House committee 7-1 Friday.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 24, 2025

Committee Kills Bill That Would Have Forced Sheriffs Into Immigration Contracts
After vocal opposition from sheriffs around Wyoming, a legislative committee Friday killed a bill that would have required every sheriff in the state to enter into federal immigration contracts. Another, similar bill is still pending in the Legislature.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 24, 2025

Bill To Keep Abortion Drugs Out Of Water Supply Passes House Committee
A bill requiring testing of Wyoming water supplies for the presence of abortion drugs passed a House committee Friday. Rep. John Bear, the bill’s sponsor, says it’s to protect women, while opponents say it’s to shame them.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 24, 2025

Even Sheriffs Who Work With ICE Hate Legislation To Make Them Work With ICE
Wyoming sheriffs who work well with immigration authorities on Thursday torched two bills that would force them to sign federal immigration contracts. They characterized the bills as government overreach and short-sighted.
Clair McFarland & Leo WolfsonJanuary 24, 2025

Wyoming Legislature Recap — Day 8
On Day 8 of the legislative session, the Joint Appropriations Committee has slashed $195 million so far from the budget, banning gun-free zones advanced out of the House and Wyoming sheriffs bristled over immigration bills.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 24, 2025

Bill Banning Gun-Free Zones Blasts Through Wyoming House
A bill that would eliminate gun-free zones in places such as the Wyoming Capitol building, K-12 schools and on the University of Wyoming campus blasted through the House on third reading Thursday by a 50-10 vote.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 24, 2025

Senate Confirms Ratcliffe for CIA As Democrats Still Holding Up Noem, Hegseth
The U.S. Senate on Thursday confirmed President Donald Trump’s choice of John Ratcliffe to lead the CIA, but Democrats continued to draw out Trump’s nominations of Pete Hegseth to run the Pentagon and South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem to head up the Department of Homeland Security.
Sean BarryJanuary 23, 2025

Bill Allowing Wyoming Homeschool Parents More Freedom Heads To Senate
The Wyoming House overwhelmingly passed the “Homeschool Freedom Act” over to the state Senate for discussion. The bill would eliminate requirements for homeschool parents to check in with their local school districts.
Dale KillingbeckJanuary 23, 2025

Freedom Caucus Chair Blasts Fellow Republican For Leaking Vote Stance Spreadsheet
State Rep. J.D. Williams says he made a mistake leaking a Moms For Liberty and Honor Wyoming voting stance spreadsheet to Democrats and county commissioners on Thursday. But that’s not enough for the leader of the Wyoming Freedom Caucus, who blasted him as “untrustworthy.”
Leo WolfsonJanuary 23, 2025

Freedom Caucus Making Good On Promises Of Cuts, Has Slashed $195M From Budget
The Joint Appropriations Committee has slashed $195 million from Wyoming’s supplemental budget, cutting energy projects, state employees and raises. Made up of Freedom Caucus members, the committee is making good on campaign promises to cut spending.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 23, 2025

Wyoming Legislators Unanimous On Closing Protection Order Loopholes
Protection orders are getting a makeover by the Wyoming Legislature this session. Sailing through are bills to close loopholes that can leave victims unprotected and allow for permanent protection orders.
Jen KocherJanuary 23, 2025

Barrasso, Lummis Help Advance Trump Picks on Energy, Interior and EPA
Wyoming U.S. Sens. John Barrasso and Cynthia Lummis helped push through a group of President Donald Trump’s Cabinet picks Thursday. Nominees to for the Departments of Energy, Interior and EPA sailed through their committees.
Sean BarryJanuary 23, 2025

Significant Property Tax Cuts Sailing Through Wyoming Legislature
The Wyoming Legislature has been advancing a series of property tax relief bills that will significantly cut tax bills for most residential property owners. Even so, legislators who support them still say they fall short of “real reform.”
Leo WolfsonJanuary 23, 2025

Wyoming Legislature Recap — Day 7
The seventh day of the 2025 Wyoming Legislature on Wednesday saw heated testimony on ballot drop boxes and property tax relief. Extending a ban on transgender sports participation through the college level also passed the Senate and to the House.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 23, 2025

Gray, County Clerks Accuse Each Other Of “Gaslighting” Over Ballot Drop Boxes
Emotions were high on Wednesday during a debate over the legality of ballot drop boxes, with Secretary of State Chuck Gray and some of Wyoming’s county clerks accusing each other of “gaslighting” the issue. A bill to ban the boxes passed a House committee 8-1.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 23, 2025

Inspired By ‘Little Siberia’ Schoolhouse, Support Grows For Rural Wyoming Schools
After the success of a one-room schoolhouse in remote north Albany County, Wyoming is poised for more across the state. A bill to create more rural schools passed the House Education Committee unanimously Wednesday.
Mark HeinzJanuary 23, 2025

Barrasso Promises Weekend Sessions If Dems Keep Holding Up Trump Cabinet Picks
Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso, the second-ranking Republican in the Senate, on Wednesday called Democrat efforts to hold up Trumps Cabinet picks “Shameful.” He promised to keep senators there through the weekend if they don’t move quickly to confirm.
Sean BarryJanuary 22, 2025

Committee OKs Bill Requiring Ultrasounds Before Giving Out Abortion Pills
A House committee advanced a bill Wednesday that would require women have ultrasounds no less than 48 hours before being prescribed abortion pills. House Bill 64 passed 7-1, but not before contentious testimony for and against it.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 22, 2025

Bill Requiring Wyoming Blood Banks To Store Donations Clears Committee
If it becomes law, House Bill 135 would require blood banks to transfer the blood people's loved ones donate to them for specific procedures. It cleared a Wyoming House committee Wednesday amid some safety and government overreach concerns.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 22, 2025

Hageman Blasts Feds For “Weaponized” Intimidation Of Ranch Family Over Fence
Harriet Hageman is calling out federal officials for an armed federal agent in tactical gear showing up on a South Dakota ranch over a fence line dispute. She condemns the “weaponized” response and wants the feds to explain themselves.
Mark HeinzJanuary 22, 2025

Wyoming Industries Applaud Trump’s “National Energy Emergency” Declaration
Wyoming’s energy industry is applauding President Donald Trump declaring a “national energy emergency.” They’re calling on Wyoming’s BLM office to immediately approve delayed permits and deferred lease sales.
Renée JeanJanuary 22, 2025
