Government & Politics
News
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
Senate Passes 50% Property Tax Cut, Would Be Largest In Wyoming History
The Wyoming Senate passed a property tax bill Tuesday that at a 50% cut would be the largest in state history. Opponents say not providing money to replace that revenue will devastate communities, while supporters say it’s a true tax cut.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 04, 2025
“Threw Me Under The Bus”: Park County Clerk Says Rep. Wrong About 2020 Ballots
The Park County Clerk says state Rep. Ken Pendergraft “threw me under the bus” last week when he told a legislative committee she “prematurely” destroyed 2020 election ballots. The clerk was legally allowed to, but he says he stands by the accusation.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 04, 2025
Cowboy State Daily Conversations With Legislative Leaders: Scott Heiner
VIDEO: Cowboy State Daily's State Politics Reporter Leo Wolfson catches up with Majority Floor Leader Scott Heiner, R-Green River, to learn more about what got him into politics and his vision for the future of the House under the Wyoming Freedom Caucus majority.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 04, 2025
Bill Banning Suspicious Drones Over Critical Wyoming Infrastructure Advances
The Wyoming Senate is considering a bill criminalizing drone operators from loitering and photographing over critical infrastructure. A legislative committee voted unanimously Tuesday to send the bill to the Senate floor.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 04, 2025
Wyoming Legislative Recap — Day 15
The 15th day of the Wyoming Legislature saw extended debate on many controversial topics like sex books in school libraries and transgender sports bans.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 04, 2025
Tariff Trade War On Hold With Mexico, Canada; Wyoming Lawmakers Declare Victory
Monday was a tumultuous day for the stock market, but Trump walked away with some big concessions from Canada and Mexico — just as Wyoming lawmakers predicted he would.
Renée JeanFebruary 04, 2025
In Brief: Bill To Regulate Out-Of-State Fishing Passes House
A bill intended to prevent Wyoming’s prized fishing waters from being mobbed by out-of-state guides passed the Wyoming House on Monday and is headed for the Senate.
Mark HeinzFebruary 04, 2025
Shooting Complex Budget Swells To $19.5M, Including $3.5M More From State
The anticipated budget for a “world-class” shooting complex near Cody, Wyoming, is up from $10 million to $19.5 million, including another $3.5 million from the state.
Mark HeinzFebruary 04, 2025
Legislative Committee Kills “Make Carbon Dioxide Great Again” Bill
Fearing it could actually lead to more federal regulation, a Wyoming Senate committee killed the “Make Carbon Dioxide Great Again” bill. It would have cut low-carbon energy standards in the state and treated CO2 as a nutrient, not a pollutant.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 04, 2025
Wyomingites Could Concealed Carry In All 50 States Under Bills Trump Favors
Wyomingites might be able to carry concealed firearms in all 50 states, if Trump-backed legislation passes Congress. A pair of bills making their way through Congress would make concealed carry permits valid in all states.
Mark HeinzFebruary 04, 2025
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