Government & Politics
News
Legislature Could Replace Traditional Roll Calls With Push-Button Voting
The House Rules and Procedure Committee passed a rule Wednesday that will set the stage for potentially using electronic, push-button voting at the Legislature. Votes are now conducted by a traditional roll call.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 16, 2025
Bills To Tighten Voter Registration In Wyoming Sail Through House Committee
Two bills that would tighten requirements to register to vote in Wyoming sailed through a House committee on Wednesday. They would require living in the state for at least 30 days and prove U.S. citizenship to vote.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 15, 2025
Harshman Introduces Bill To Build A Mount Rushmore-Type Monument In Wyoming
Rep. Steve Harshman told Cowboy State Daily that his bill to build a "Monument to America" in Wyoming would create a monument "similar in size and scope to Mount Rushmore" and feature important historical American figures.
Mark HeinzJanuary 15, 2025
House Committee Passes Wyoming’s “What Is A Woman Act” After Confrontational Testimony
Wyoming’s “What is a Woman Act” to define men and women biologically cleared its first hurdle Wednesday, passing out of a House committee. But not before the national Gays Against Groomers group took shots at Wyoming’s LGBTQ advocacy organization.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 15, 2025
Wright On Track: Trump’s Pick For Energy Secretary Headed For Confirmation
President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for energy secretary, oil company executive and technology innovator Chris Wright, sailed through a Senate confirmation hearing Wednesday.
Sean BarryJanuary 15, 2025
Freshman Lawmakers Vote Down Court Program For Offenders With Mental Illness
Five freshman legislators on the Wyoming House Judiciary Committee voted down a bill Wednesday that would have given courts an option to send people who commit minor crimes into mental health treatment before they’re convicted.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 15, 2025
Gordon Asks Legislature To Not Be “Cheap, Short-Sighted” With His $692M Budget Ask
Gov. Mark Gordon urged legislators during his State of the State speech Wednesday to use common sense and not be “cheap, short-sighted” with his $692 million supplemental budget request.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 15, 2025
Wyoming Doubles Down On Wind Blade Disposal In Coal Mines, Tabling Alternative
Wyoming legislators tabled a bill Wednesday that would have created landfill deposits at wind farm sites to dispose of their worn-out turbine blades. State agencies say coal mine disposal — just approved by federal government — is better.
Renée JeanJanuary 15, 2025
Head Of Wyoming Democrats Slams GOP State Vice Chair For Racist Post
The head of the Wyoming Democratic Party is slamming as racist a post shared by state GOP Vice Chair David Holland. Holland says the post was a joke, isn’t racist and that people are too uptight about being politically correct.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 15, 2025
Governor Mark Gordon's State Of The Union
Gov. Mark Gordon is addressing the Wyoming Legislature via Wyoming PBS
January 15, 2025
Bill Would Hike Wyoming Hunting License Application Fees By 300% To 400%
Hunting license application fees could see huge increases in Wyoming, jumping 300% for Wyomingites and 400% for nonresidents under a legislative bill. Game and Fish would put that money to good use, proponents say.
Mark HeinzJanuary 15, 2025
Hageman Cheers House Passing Her Bill Banning Males In Women’s Sports
U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman, R-Wyoming, cheered the House passing a bill Tuesday aimed at preventing males from competing in girls’ and women’s sports. She said it’s a victory over “the left’s anti-woman agenda.”
Sean BarryJanuary 15, 2025
First-Day Fireworks In Wyoming Senate Over Abortion, Pick For Committee Leader
An attempt to prevent Eric Barlow from nomination for chairman of the Senate Health, Labor and Social Services Committee sparked fireworks Tuesday on the first day of the Wyoming Legislature’s 2025 session. The attempt, based on his abortion stance, failed.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 15, 2025
Politicking Already In Full Swing As Legislature Sworn In, Begins 2025 Session
The 68th Wyoming Legislature was sworn in Tuesday, officially opening the first session for the Freedom Caucus holding a majority. And politicking is already in full swing at the state Capitol in Cheyenne.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 14, 2025
Pete Hegseth Grilled In Senate Hearing For Defense Secretary; Lummis, Barrasso Support
Donald Trump’s pick for Defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, was grilled in a testy Senate hearing on Tuesday. Sen Cynthia Lummis joined Sen. John Barrasso in support of his confirmation.
Sean BarryJanuary 14, 2025
Wyoming Legislature To Consider Two Transgender Bathroom Bans
The Wyoming Legislature, which convened Tuesday, will consider two bans on biological males entering women's multi-stall bathrooms, and vice versa. One focuses on schools, while another stretches into prisons and other government facilities.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 14, 2025
Wyoming Closely Watching Aggressive Colorado Bill To Ban Semiautomatic Weapons
Wyoming gun owners are watching the progress of an aggressive proposed ban on semiautomatic firearms in Colorado. It would ban many guns with detachable magazines, including many modern pistols and even some duck hunters' shotguns.
Mark HeinzJanuary 14, 2025
Expect An Even More Conservative Focus With A Freedom Caucus Majority In House
The 68th Wyoming Legislature begins its 37-day session Tuesday with the Freedom Caucus holding a majority of seats and leadership positions in the Wyoming House. The group has a number of conservative issues on its agenda.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 14, 2025
Cynthia Lummis, Chuck Gray Team-Up To Oppose Corporate Disclosure Rule
U.S. Sen. Cynthia Lummis and Secretary of State Chuck Gray have teamed up to oppose the federal Corporate Transparency Act. The two filed a Supreme Court brief opposing the act, calling it an "unconstitutional intrusion" by the federal government.
Sean BarryJanuary 13, 2025
Barrasso Backs All Of Trump’s Cabinet Picks, Says They Need Confirmation ASAP
Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso, the No. 2-ranking Republican in the Senate, said on “Face the Nation” Sunday that he backs all of Trump’s cabinet picks. He also said they need to be confirmed ASAP.
Sean BarryJanuary 13, 2025
Price Tag For University Of Wyoming Projects Over Past 10 Years Nearly $900M
Construction on a new $65 million swim center is underway at the University of Wyoming. It’s the 11th capital project in 10 years for Wyoming’s only public university, with a combined price tag of nearly $900 million.
Dale KillingbeckJanuary 13, 2025
Degenfelder Says Trans Rules, School Choice Among Top Priorities For Legislature
Wyoming schools chief Megan Degenfelder wants to expand a ban on trans participation in female sports and limit bathrooms to biological sex. She also says school choice and getting rid of gun-free zones are top priorities for the Legislature.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 11, 2025
In Brief: Barrasso Says Use Unspent COVID Money To Finish U.S.-Mexico Wall
Wyoming’s senior senator introduced a bill Thursday that would use unspent COVID-19 money to finish the southern border wall, if it passes. John Barrasso says it’s critical to protect U.S. citizens from “dangerous criminals and cartels.”
Clair McFarlandJanuary 11, 2025
Montana Trans Bill Goes Beyond Bathrooms, Includes Prisons And College Campuses
Montana’s Legislature heard testimony Friday on what could become one of the most far-reaching transgender bills in the nation. House Bill 121 goes beyond requiring use of bathrooms by sex at birth at schools, it includes all public spaces.
David MadisonJanuary 10, 2025