Government & Politics
News
Unless Gordon Vetoes Bill, Parents Can Spend Up To $6,000 For Private Schools
After some brief moments of tension, a bill giving Wyoming parents up to $6,000 per child to get private schooling advanced to Gov. Mark Gordon’s desk Friday. The bill as passed includes all schooling from pre-kindergarten up to 12th grade.
Leo WolfsonMarch 09, 2024
Wyoming Legislature Ends Contentious Session By Passing $10.6 Billion Budget
The Wyoming Legislature passed its $10.6 billion budget Friday, sending it Gov. Mark Gordon’s desk on the final day of the 2024 legislative session.
Leo WolfsonMarch 09, 2024
Wyoming Power Plants Can Charge Customers For Carbon Capture Retrofits
A bill allowing Wyoming utilities to recoup the cost of carbon-capture retrofits for coal-fired power plants passed Friday, despite resistance from the Freedom Caucus who are opposed to the concept of carbon capture.
Pat MaioMarch 09, 2024
Wyoming House 1 Vote Short Of Overturning Gordon Veto Of Charter School Funding Bill
The Wyoming House fell one vote short Friday of overriding Gov. Mark Gordon's veto of a bill that would have let state-authorized charter schools get their own grants and receive funding consistently from local districts.
Clair McFarlandMarch 09, 2024
Will Gordon Sign Or Veto Bill Eliminating Wyoming’s Gun-Free Zones?
A bill that would eliminate Wyoming’s gun-free zones is on Gov. Mark Gordon’s desk. Opinions in the Legislature are mixed on whether he’ll sign it, veto it or simply let it pass into law without a signature.
Mark HeinzMarch 09, 2024
Committee Slips School Choice Bill Into Budget After House Killed It
A day after the House Education Committee killed a proposal to allow for another charter school in Wyoming, it was slipped into the budget bill, where it’s so far survived.
Clair McFarlandMarch 08, 2024
Senate Will Close Loophole That Allowed Driskill To Remove Committee Chair
The Wyoming Senate will close a loophole before the next legislative session that allowed Senate President Ogden Driskill to remove Dave Kinskey as chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee last summer.
Leo WolfsonMarch 08, 2024
Affordable Housing Coming To Jackson After Historic Teton County Commission Vote
The Teton County Commission has approved regulations for development in the northern South Park area near Jackson — a major first step in installing affordable housing for which the region’s workforce has been pleading for years.
Clair McFarlandMarch 08, 2024
Legislature Still Hasn’t Passed A Budget, But Gordon Already Makes Veto To It
The Wyoming Legislature goes into the last day of what’s been a highly confrontational 2024 session Friday without having passed a budget, but that hasn’t stopped Gov. Gordon from already vetoing part of it.
Leo WolfsonMarch 08, 2024
Only A Veto By Gov. Gordon Can Keep Wyoming’s Gun-Free Zones
A bill to eliminate Wyoming’s gun-free zones easily passed its final vote before the state’s Senate Thursday, 28-8, and is headed to Gov. Mark Gordon’s desk where only his veto can stop it from becoming law.
Mark HeinzMarch 08, 2024
Wyoming Legislature Passes Bill To Ban Transgender Surgeries On Minors
The Wyoming legislature on Thursday passed a bill banning minors from receiving transgender treatments in the state. With the governor’s signature, Sen. Anthony Bouchard’s “Chloe’s Law” legislation will take effect July 1.
Leo WolfsonMarch 08, 2024
Legislator Says Wyoming Freedom Caucus Is ‘Weaponizing’ House Roll Call Votes
State Rep. Dan Zwonitzer, R-Cheyenne, said members of the Wyoming Freedom Caucus have been “weaponizing” the legislative process through the calling of roll call votes.
Leo WolfsonMarch 07, 2024
Mixed Feelings In Wyoming Legislature About Budget ‘Compromise’
A budget proposal finalized Tuesday may face some serious pushback in the House and Senate when it’s presented to the full Legislature on Thursday afternoon.
Leo WolfsonMarch 07, 2024
First Property Tax Relief Bill Of The Wyoming Leg. Session Headed To Gordon’s Desk
The Wyoming Senate passed and sent the first property tax bill to come out of the 2024 session to Gov. Mark Gordon’s desk for approval Wednesday, a bill that will cut property taxes for long-term homeowners by 50%.
Leo WolfsonMarch 07, 2024
Schools Can’t Keep Info. From Parents As Gordon Lets Law Pass Without Signature
Gov. Mark Gordon let a bill pass without his signature Tuesday requiring Wyoming schools to notify parents about changes to their children’s health status and get permission to teach about sexual orientation or gender identity.
Leo WolfsonMarch 07, 2024
Resurrected Gun-Free Zones Bill Advances, With Guns In Dorms And Hospitals Still OK
A bill that would eliminate Wyoming’s gun-free zones passed its second reading before the state Senate on Wednesday and is one vote away from heading to Gov. Mark Gordon’s desk.
Mark HeinzMarch 06, 2024
Wyoming Company Will Sue If Gordon Signs Ban On Altered Hemp Derivatives
A law that seeks to close a loophole that has some entrepreneurs adding THC additives like Delta-8 is on Gov. Mark Gordon’s desk for his signature. At least one Wyoming company says it will sue if the bill becomes law.
Renée JeanMarch 06, 2024
Changing Of The Guard? Infighting Sharply Divides Wyoming Senate
The rise of a faction opposing Senate President Ogden Driskill’s leadership has become a significant factor contributing to escalating infighting that’s dividing the body.
Leo WolfsonMarch 06, 2024
Largest Crowd In Memory Turns Out To Protest Casper Mountain Gravel Pit
Natrona County commissioners said the overflow crowd that turned out Tuesday to protest a controversial gravel pit proposal on state-owned land at the base of Casper Mountain was the largest they could remember.
Dale KillingbeckMarch 06, 2024
Fremont County Library Board Votes 3-2 To Keep Controversial Books
In a lively debate on Wednesday, the Fremont County Library Board voted 3-2 to keep two controversial books in the young adult section of the library that contain subject matter on child molestation, group sex, anal sex, oral sex, filming of pornography, and other topics.
Clair McFarlandMarch 06, 2024
Day After Senate Shakeup, New Budget Finalized By Legislative Committee
It only took a day for a new Senate Joint Conference Committee of the Wyoming Legislature to strike a compromise with the House on the biennial budget after the previous Senate appointees had failed to strike an agreement after four days.
Leo WolfsonMarch 06, 2024
Driskill Calls Effort To Revive Gun-Free Zone Bill "Absolutely Idiocy"
Wyoming Senate President Ogden Driskill said Tuesday’s move to override his ruling about reviving a bill to eliminate gun-free zones was “absolute idiocy” and the result of a “raw power struggle on the floor.” Sen. Dave Kinskey said it was nothing personal.
Leo WolfsonMarch 05, 2024
House Torches Bill To Add More Charter Schools In Wyoming
After a legislative committee killed a proposal to expand charter schools in Wyoming on Monday, the state House rejected an effort on Tuesday to resurrect it. Had it passed, the bill would have allowed a state commission to approve another charter school this year -- something proponents say is sorely needed.
Clair McFarlandMarch 05, 2024
Two Fremont County Library Books Challenged For Obscenity: Here’s What’s In Them
The Fremont County Library Board will consider challenges of two books in its young-adult section, “Smoke” and “Tricks,” on claims they are obscene with graphic depictions of drug use and sex. Cowboy State Daily has read and reviewed both books. Here’s what’s in them.
Clair McFarlandMarch 05, 2024