Government & Politics
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Montana GOP Pushes To Display Ten Commandments At Public Schools
Debate is heating up in the Montana Legislature over a bill that would require putting the Ten Commandments in every classroom in the state. Republicans are pushing the bill, while Native Americans want to include the “Indian Ten Commandments.”
David MadisonFebruary 03, 2025
Two Proposed Wyoming Transgender Sports Bans Advance In State House
The Wyoming House on Monday sent a proposed transgender sports ban to the state Senate. It would expand the current law from seventh to 12th grades, to kindergarten through college. Another similar bill focusing just on college also advanced.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 03, 2025
Barrasso Hopeful RFK Has The Votes As Nailbiter Cabinet Votes Set
Sen. John Barrasso told Fox News on Sunday that he’s impressed with the breakneck speed President Trump’s administration is moving. He also said he hopeful RFK has the votes to be confirmed to head Health and Human Services.
Sean BarryFebruary 03, 2025
Proposed Change To School Construction Would Mean Locals Passing Bonds
The Senate Education Committee advanced a constitutional resolution Monday that would change how schools get built in Wyoming. It would make all public school building projects require locals to approve and fund them through bonds.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 03, 2025
Bill Banning Access To Sex Books For Minors In Wyoming Back With A Vengeance
Librarians and educators on Monday testified against a bill that seeks to toughen Wyoming’s crimes against exposing minors to obscenity, and to remove protections that keep librarians and teachers from being charged with the crime.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 03, 2025
Internal Poll Shows Hageman With Huge Lead In Potential Governor's Race
If Rep. Harriet Hageman decides to run for governor of Wyoming in 2026, she’d be the overwhelming favorite, according to a national political polling firm. A polling memo says she has a 30-plus point lead over any other candidates.
Jimmy OrrFebruary 03, 2025
Bill Would Open Post-Conviction DNA Testing To More Wyoming Felons
A bill is moving through the Wyoming Legislature to give access to post-conviction DNA testing to more Wyoming felons. The measure was headed to the Senate floor Monday.
Jen KocherFebruary 03, 2025
Wyoming Legislative Recap — Day 14
The 14th day of the Wyoming Legislature on Friday featured Congresswoman Harriet Hageman telling legislators it’s been an “incredibly exciting” time on Capitol Hill. Also, a debate is raging over whether judges in the state should be elected.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 01, 2025
Hageman Tells Legislature It’s An “Incredibly Exciting” Time To Be On Capitol Hill
Wyoming congresswoman Harriet Hageman spoke to Wyoming legislators Friday at the Capitol in Cheyenne. She described President Donald Trump’s first two weeks in office as an “incredibly exciting” time on Capitol Hill.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 01, 2025
Lawmakers Push To Make Wyoming Judges Run For Election
A handful of Wyoming Republican lawmakers are asking the state’s judges and justices run for election, which hasn’t happened for 52 years. Many lawyers hate the idea, while proponents say it would force more transparency on judges.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 01, 2025
Wyoming Could Become First State To Ban Electronic Voting Machines
A House committee considered a bill on Friday that could make Wyoming the first state to ban electronic voting machines. If it passes, the bill would force ballots to be hand-counted.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 31, 2025
Barrasso Says Trump's Tariffs — Or Just Threats — Could Be "Effective Tactic"
John Barrasso says Trump’s promised tariffs on China, Canada and Mexico — or just threats of them — could be an “effective tactic.” Tariffs also could impact Wyoming because its largest export market is Canada.
Sean BarryJanuary 31, 2025
Lobbyist: Tracking Sales Part Of ESG Scheme To Put Gun Stores Out Of Business
A Second Amendment advocate says Wyoming’s law against tracking credit card sales of guns and ammunition is “weak” and plays into an ESG scheme to put gun stores out of business. He also says it could put people at risk of getting on a federal registry.
Mark HeinzJanuary 31, 2025
Property Tax Relief Bill Called For 25% Cut, Was Boosted To 50%, Now Back To 25%
A bill to slash residential property taxes in Wyoming is yo-yoing its way through the state Senate. It called for a 25% tax cut, then was boosted to 50%, and is now back to 25% after a Friday vote.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 31, 2025
Senate Committee Advances Bill Banning DEI Mandates In Wyoming Government
A Wyoming legislative committee advanced a bill Thursday that would ban diversity, equity and inclusion mandates across the state's agencies and colleges. It would also ban UW and colleges from using most money, even private donations, on DEI.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 31, 2025
Wyoming Legislative Recap — Day 13
On the 13th day of the 2025 Wyoming legislative session Thursday a tearful owner of a dog killed by a beaver trap testified about trapping reform, while a plan that would base property taxes on a home’s purchase price passed out of committee.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 31, 2025
Campbell County High School In Gillette Is Falling Apart
Campbell County High School in Gillette is falling apart. The Wyoming House sent a proposed $165.4 million rebuild plan to the Senate for approval Tuesday — but amid fears that the Legislature's property tax cuts could torpedo the project.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 31, 2025
Wyoming Blockchain Billionaire Has Big Political Plans, To Launch PAC
Wyoming billionaire blockchain mogul Charles Hoskinson, who owns a ranch in Wheatland, has his eye on becoming a player in Wyoming politics. He told Cowboy State Daily on Thursday that he’s launching a PAC and has big plans.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 30, 2025
Less Than A Year After Dog Named Jester Died In Trap, Trapping Reform Moves Forward
A tearful Becky Barber of Afton, Wyoming, testified for a state Senate committee about how her dog Jester had his throat crushed by a beaver trap last February. She was among those supporting a trapping reform bill, which unanimously passed.
Mark HeinzJanuary 30, 2025
Ballot Drop Boxes A Step Closer To Being Banned Across Wyoming
The Wyoming House overwhelmingly approved a bill Thursday that would ban the use of ballot drop boxes in the state. Despite opposition from county clerks, the House voted 51-10 to advance the bill on to the Senate.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 30, 2025
House Passes Bill Requiring Ultrasounds For Women To Get Abortion Pills
The Wyoming House passed a bill Thursday requiring women to have ultrasounds before getting the abortion pill. Supporters say it’s a health safety issue, while opponents claim it’s designed to shame women.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 30, 2025
Bill To Base Wyoming Property Taxes On Purchase Price Passes House Committee
A controversial proposal to base Wyoming property tax rates on a home’s fair market value and purchase price passed a House committee Thursday. Opponents call the plan “an affront” that would “bankrupt local communities.”
Leo WolfsonJanuary 30, 2025
Wyoming Legislative Recap — Day 12
On Wednesday, the 12th day of the Wyoming legislative session, a bill giving parents $7,000 a child for universal school choice passed the House. Legislators also are exploring how to slash property taxes without gutting schools and local services.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 30, 2025
Legislature Explores How To Slash Taxes Without Gutting Schools, Local Services
The Wyoming Legislature is working through a number of bills that would slash property taxes. Legislators are also exploring how to do that without gutting local governments and schools.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 30, 2025