Government & Politics
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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
Hageman Says Bidens Are "Most Corrupt Family In Position Of Power in U.S. History"
Rep. Harriet Hageman, who played a key role in interrogating Hunter Biden last week, said the president’s son’s story doesn't add up. “You don’t pay a crackhead $1 million a year to be on a board in a foreign country unless you’re getting something for it.”
Leo WolfsonMarch 05, 2024
Wyoming State Senate Committee Kills Bill Eliminating Gun-Free Zones
After passionate testimony on both sides, the Wyoming Senate Judiciary Committee late Monday evening rejected a bill that would have eliminated the state’s gun-free zones by a 3-2 margin. In stark contrast, the House passed the bill 57-4.
Mark HeinzMarch 05, 2024
Barrasso To Run For Whip, Not Leader
Though mentioned as one of the favorites to replace Sen. Mitch McConnell as Senate Republican leader, Wyoming's senior Sen. John Barrasso announced early Tuesday he's seeking the Republican whip position instead.
Clair McFarlandMarch 05, 2024
Chaos In Wyoming Senate After Driskill Boots Budget Team
Members of the Wyoming Senate reached a boiling point Monday night over failure to bridge a $1.1 billion gap in budget negotiations with the House. Senate President Ogden Driskill then fired his budget team and replaced them with new members.
Leo WolfsonMarch 05, 2024
Each Wyoming School District Could Get $10,000 To Store Guns, Train Staff
A bill moved to the Wyoming House floor Monday would give school districts $10,000 each to safely store firearms in schools, and also help pay to train staff how to use them.
Mark HeinzMarch 05, 2024
Wyoming House OKs Bill Allowing Power Companies To Charge For Carbon Capture
The Wyoming House on Monday passed a bill that would push back carbon-capture retrofits for power plants by three years, and for utilities to recoup the cost of it from customers.
Pat MaioMarch 05, 2024
Bill Targeting Deepfake AI Fraud Dies In Wyoming Committee
A bill that would’ve given Wyoming the most expansive law in the nation targeting fraudulent deepfake artificial intelligence videos died in committee Monday.
Clair McFarlandMarch 05, 2024
Ban On Trans Treatments For Kids In Wyoming Close To Becoming Law
A bill that would prohibit doctors from performing gender transitioning treatments on minors in Wyoming is close to becoming law. Sen. Anthony Bouchard's legislation passed a House committee on Monday and is all but certain to pass the House.
Leo WolfsonMarch 05, 2024
Bill To Ban Tracking Of Wyoming Gun, Ammo Sales Heads To House Floor
Speaking in support of a bill that would ban the tracking of gun and ammo sales, Sen. Anthony Bouchard said "everything you buy is tracked and data is sold. The problem is on the gun side, that data could be used for nefarious purposes.”
Mark HeinzMarch 04, 2024
Hageman Applauds Supreme Court Ruling That Trump Can’t Be Left Off Ballots
Rep. Harriet Hageman told Cowboy State Daily she found the U.S. Supreme Court’s unanimous ruling Monday that former President Trump cannot be barred from states’ election ballots to be a “common sense decision.”
Leo WolfsonMarch 04, 2024
A Frustrated Driskill Says Wyoming Senate Has Become ‘Divisive, Mean’
Wyoming Senate President Ogden Driskill says he’s frustrated and very discontent with the state of affairs in the state Senate, which he says has become a “divisive, mean” group.
Leo WolfsonMarch 02, 2024
Gordon Signs First Three Bills Of 2024 Legislature Into Law
On Friday afternoon, Gov. Mark Gordon signed the first three bills into law to come out of the 2024 legislative session.
Leo WolfsonMarch 02, 2024
Proposed One-Time 25% Property Tax Cut Would Include Most Wyoming Homes
A bill that would allow a one-time, 25% cut of property taxes for homes worth $3 million or less in Wyoming advanced Friday.
Leo WolfsonMarch 02, 2024
‘No-Brainer’: Bill To Restore Concealed Carry For Some Felons Passes Easily
A bill to restore the rights of non-violent felons to concealed firearms permits was described as “awesome” and a "no-brainer" by members of both parties in a Legislative committee that passed it Friday.
Mark HeinzMarch 01, 2024
Sponsor Of Bill To Pay For Private School Won’t Support It After Rash Of Changes
State Rep. Ken Clouston of Gillette said his educational savings account bill, which would give parents money for private schools, has been changed to the point that he won’t support it anymore.
Leo WolfsonMarch 01, 2024
200 Rally Against Gravel Pit, Say It Would Ruin Casper Mountain Public Land
About 200 area residents gathered in Casper on Thursday night to rally against a proposal to mine gravel on state-owned land near Casper Mountain. They say it could impact property values, water quality and public safety.
Dale KillingbeckMarch 01, 2024
Bill Would Help Wyoming Judges Block Parents From Abducting Their Own Kids
A bill that would help Wyoming judges freeze passports and issue other orders to block child abductions by parents or guardians is moving quickly through the Legislature with almost no resistance.
Clair McFarlandMarch 01, 2024
Trio Of Wyoming Property Tax Relief Bills Near Finish Line
Three property tax relief proposals were passed by a Senate committee Thursday, leaving only one more step before they head to the governor’s desk for review.
Leo WolfsonMarch 01, 2024
Wyoming House Asks Senate To Add A Whopping $651 Million To Close $1 Billion Gap
The Wyoming House played its first move in the biennial state budget negotiating process on Thursday, asking the Senate to add a whopping $651 million in spending to help close a $1 billion gap.
Leo WolfsonMarch 01, 2024
Barrasso In The Hunt To Replace McConnell As Top Senate Republican
Although Sen. John Barrasso isn't favored to replace Mitch McConnell as the top Republican in the U.S. Senate, analysts say if favorites Sen. John Cornyn and Sen. John Thune "beat each other up enough," Barrasso could rise to the top.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 29, 2024