Joan Barron
Latest from Joan Barron
Joan Barron: Does Trump Help Or Hurt Degenfelder?
Columnist Joan Barron writes, “Wyoming is Trump Country. Maybe with the backing of the sitting president, Degenfelder will crack the wall that has been keeping women out of the governor’s chair for decades.”
Joan BarronJuly 18, 2026
Joan Barron: 'Property Tax Initiative’ May Be Too Generous
Columnist Joan Barron writes, "Property taxpayers like me are confused. Property taxes pay a large share of the cost of public schools. That lost property tax money will need to be replaced — back-filled — most likely by sales taxes."
Joan BarronJuly 11, 2026
Joan Barron: Small Towns Will Get Penalized If They Don't Submit Audit Reports
Columnist Joan Barron writes, "Wyoming small towns would face stiff penalties if they fail to provide the state with annual audit reports. A new bill would block government entities from getting sales, use & lodging taxes if they don't submit audit reports"
Joan BarronJuly 04, 2026
Joan Barron: Carcinogen Cleanup Stalled In Cheyenne
Columnist Joan Barron writes, "A project to clean up an abandoned Atlas missile site west of Cheyenne has been at a standstill for the past two years. At issue is a carcinogen that airmen used to scrub nuclear warhead rockets during the 1950s and 1960s."
Joan BarronJune 27, 2026
Joan Barron: Revisiting Ebola, And 'The Hot Zone'
Columnist Joan Barron writes, "That old horror disease, Ebola, is back in the news, most unfortunately and prevention is on high alert. Given that there was nearly an outbreak of Ebola in this country years ago, these precautions are understandable."
Joan BarronJune 20, 2026
Joan Barron: Siting Council Could Rein In Data Centers
Columnist Joan Barron writes, "Wyoming’s glut of data centers has been the target of national publications lately, including the Wall Street Journal and the New York Post."
Joan BarronJune 13, 2026
Joan Barron: Hold The TV Candidate Ads. Please.
Columnist Joan Barron writes, "During every break, two campaign ads popped up: The first from Megan Degenfelder, the second from Frank Chapman. The campaign spiel was about the same — emphasis on Wyoming values and connections."
Joan BarronJune 06, 2026
Joan Barron: Where Did All The Lawyers Go?
Columnist Joan Barron writes, "18 lawyers served in the 1950 Legislature out of a total 83 lawmakers, or 22 percent. Currently there are 8 to 11 lawyers (depending on status) in the 93 member Legislature, making up about 9 to 12 percent. Where did the lawyers go?"
Joan BarronMay 30, 2026
Joan Barron: Seniors And Young Men Are Gambling More
Columnist Joan Barron writes, "It wasn’t too long ago that bingo, calcutta and parimutuel races were the only types of gambling that were legal in Wyoming. There’s no going back now. Not with all that money rolling in."
Joan BarronMay 23, 2026
Joan Barron: Time To look At Home Rule Again
Columnist Joan Barron writes, “The growing public concern over the crush of data projects, the huge man camps and gambling parlors show that the influx is too much to absorb, and needs to slow down.”
Joan BarronMay 16, 2026
Joan Barron: Deaf Interpreter Post Is Tough To Fill
Columnist Joan Barron writes, "A woman told of being arrested and jailed overnight in a domestic dispute. She was totally unable to communicate with the arresting officers, or apparently anyone else, although she said she tried writing notes. She spent a night in the county jail, unable unable to communicate with anyone."
Joan BarronMay 09, 2026
Joan Barron: We Don't Trust Nukes – For Good Reason
Columnist Joan Barron writes, “The lack of any major protests against construction of a nuclear energy plant in Kemmerer is surprising, given Wyoming’s history."
Joan BarronMay 02, 2026