Government & Politics
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Outgoing Senator Puzzled Why House Speaker Killed Prostitution Bill
Outgoing State Sen. Affie Ellis on Wednesday said she remains baffled why House Speaker Albert Sommers killed a prostitution bill that passed overwhelmingly in the senate. Sommers said it was a matter of prioritization.
Clair McFarlandApril 03, 2024
Former Legislator Who Lost By 12 Votes In 2022 Wants His Seat Back
Former state Rep. JD Williams of Lusk lost by just 12 votes in the 2022 Republican primary, the closest race for the Wyoming Legislature. Now the Lusk resident says he’s running to win back his seat from incumbent Rep. Allen Slagle.
Leo WolfsonApril 03, 2024
Wyoming Families Desperate For Answers Put Hope In New Cold-Case Laws
A pair of new laws is giving Wyoming families of cold-case victims desperate for answers guarded hope that more money, public scrutiny can break cases.
Jen KocherApril 02, 2024
Legislators May Bring Back Blockbuster Property Tax Swap For Sales Tax Increase
A highlight from Monday’s Management Council meeting is that the Senate Revenue Committee may bring back a blockbuster proposal that would eliminate property taxes for 97% of homeowners in return for an increase in sales tax.
Leo WolfsonApril 02, 2024
Freedom Caucus Endorses Candidates In University Of Wyoming Student Election
The Wyoming Freedom Caucus has taken the unprecedented step of endorsing two candidates in the upcoming student government election at the University of Wyoming.
Leo WolfsonApril 01, 2024
No Special Session: Wyoming Legislature Votes Down Extra Time To Undo Gordon Vetoes
By a 50-43 vote, the Wyoming Legislature on Sunday rejected a proposal to call a special session to override some of the vetoes Gov. Mark Gordon made to bills passed during the 2024 legislative session.
Leo WolfsonApril 01, 2024
Crook County Residents Say Speed Racers On Rural Roads Will Kill People
Crook County residents say some drivers treat unpaved, winding county roads like the autobahn and will result in children getting killed. County commissioners say the Legislature has taken away their authority to set their own speed limits.
Jen KocherMarch 31, 2024
Legislative Council Says Gordon Should Reject Chuck Gray’s Voter Registration Rules
The Wyoming Legislature’s Management Council told Gov. Mark Gordon on Thursday that he should reject Secretary of State Chuck Gray’s proposed voter residency rules. They say Gray doesn't have the authority to make these changes.
Leo WolfsonMarch 29, 2024
After 18 Years, Wyoming Prisons Drops Health Provider That’s Been Sued 1,000+ Times
The longtime health care provider for Wyoming prisons has reportedly been sued over 1,000 times across the U.S., and after 18 years has been dropped in favor of another, possibly more expensive company.
Clair McFarlandMarch 29, 2024
Chuck Gray Blasts Gordon For Vetoes On Property Tax Relief, Abortion, Gun Rights
In a fiery letter to Gov. Gordon, Secretary of State Chuck Gray on Thursday said the governor's vetoes on property tax relief, abortion, and the elimination of gun free zones are sending Wyoming "in the wrong direction."
Leo WolfsonMarch 28, 2024
Ex-Natrona County Commissioner Runs For Charlie Scott’s Seat In Wyoming Legislature
Longtime Natrona County Commissioner Rob Hendry has announced he’s running for Senate District 30. There’s just one obstacle — Charlie Scott, who’s been in the Wyoming Legislature since 1979.
Leo WolfsonMarch 28, 2024
Hageman Votes To Ban Pride Flags From Being Displayed At US Embassies
U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman voted to prohibit LGBTQ Pride flags from being displayed at U.S. embassies. “An embassy is a country's highest level of diplomatic representation,” she said. “A pride flag is not our nation's flag."
Leo WolfsonMarch 27, 2024
Land Board Moves Meeting to Casper, Gravel Pit Opposition Hopes To Have Say
The controversial gravel pit proposal will be a hot topic at the next State Land Board meeting. Secretary of State Chuck Gray had encouraged opponents of the gravel pit to attend the meeting. Now, Gov Gordon has reportedly moved the meeting to Casper.
Dale KillingbeckMarch 27, 2024
Wyoming Legislature Will Vote On Calling A Special Session; Driskill, Sommers Oppose
Enough signatures have been tabulated Wednesday to officially call for a vote on whether to convene a special session of the Wyoming Legislature. Both Senate President Ogden Driskill and House Speaker Albert Sommers say they are opposed to a special session.
Leo WolfsonMarch 27, 2024
First Challenger To A Wyoming Freedom Caucus Seat In The Legislature Announces
House District 35 in Casper is the first seat in the Legislature where an incumbent member of the Wyoming Freedom Caucus has a challenger for the Republican primary.
Leo WolfsonMarch 27, 2024
What A Special Session Could Look Like For Wyoming Legislators
There have been loud demands for the Wyoming Legislature to convene a special session to undo Gov. Mark Gordon’s veto of a property tax relief bill, but what could that look like?
Leo WolfsonMarch 27, 2024
Biden's Transportation Chief Cancels Wyoming Visit After Baltimore Bridge Falls
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg had been scheduled to visit Wyoming on Tuesday and have a private tour with Gov. Mark Gordon until a Baltimore bridge collapsed, canceling his plans.
Leo WolfsonMarch 26, 2024
About Face: Driskill, Sommers Now May Call Special Session For Property Tax Bill
After saying Monday morning they wouldn't call for the Wyoming Legislature to reconvene for a special session, Senate President Ogden Driskill and House Speaker Albert Sommers say they're now considering it.
Leo WolfsonMarch 26, 2024
Legislator Calls Gordon Veto Of Wheatland Water Tower ‘Vindictive,’ ‘Reckless’
State Rep. Jeremy Haroldson says Gov. Mark Gordon was “vindictive” and “reckless” in vetoing $2 million to help replace a failing water tower in Wheatland.
Leo WolfsonMarch 26, 2024
Driskill, Sommers Won’t Call For Special Session To Overturn Governor’s Vetoes
Senate President Ogden Driskill and House Speaker Albert Sommers said Monday they won’t comply with requests from some Wyoming legislators to call for a special session to overturn Governor Gordon’s vetoes.
Leo WolfsonMarch 25, 2024
Clear-Cutting Cheyenne's Parks: 160+ Cottonwoods Chopped Down & More To Come
There aren’t many trees in Cheyenne. It’s hard to grow them. That’s what makes longtime Cheyenne resident Buck McVeigh so angry at the city for cutting down more than 160 cottonwoods and there’s more to come.
Renée JeanMarch 24, 2024
Wyoming Legislators Call For Special Session After Latest Round Of Gordon Vetoes
Sen. Cheri Steinmetz and Rep. John Bear on Saturday both called for a special session of the Wyoming Legislature citing Gov. Gordon's vetoes of bills which were overwhelmingly passed by legislators.
Jimmy OrrMarch 23, 2024
Gordon Vetoes Legislature's Defunding Of DEI Programming At University Of Wyoming
Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon on Saturday vetoed the legislature's defunding of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs at the University of Wyoming — but he still let the budget defund the DEI office. The latest veto prompted legislators to call for a special session.
Clair McFarlandMarch 23, 2024
Gordon Vetoes Bill To Repeal Gun-Free Zones In Wyoming
Gun rights advocates were furious after hearing that Gov. Mark Gordon vetoed a bill late Friday that would have repealed Wyoming’s gun-free zones. “Gordon broke a written campaign promise that he made to gun owners. Gordon is a liar,” a Wyoming Gun Owners spokesman said.
Mark HeinzMarch 23, 2024