Tom Lubnau
Latest from Tom Lubnau
Tom Lubnau: If Lawmakers Aren't Being Puppeted By DC, Let Them Show It
Columnist Tom Lubnau writes: "I am calling on all the members of the House to release any written, email or text message documents which indicate Wyoming Freedom Caucus positions on bills. Demonstrate to the public they are doing nothing wrong."
Tom LubnauFebruary 19, 2025
Tom Lubnau: The Freedom Caucus Unleashes Big-Government Control
Columnist Tom Lubnau writes, "Here are five examples of how the Freedom Caucus is less about freedom, and more about 'being the boss of you.'"
Tom LubnauFebruary 16, 2025
Tom Lubnau: Wyoming House Leadership – Promises Made, Promises Broken
Columnist Tom Lubnau writes, "95 bills died in the Speaker’s drawer – bills that were created at the request of constituents to be considered by the Wyoming legislature. Speaker Neiman substituted his judgment for the wisdom of the entire body."
Tom LubnauFebruary 12, 2025
Tom Lubnau: Freedom Caucus’ Policies Enticing For Bad Actors
Columnist Tom Lubnau writes: “In the desperate pursuit of their agenda, the Freedom Caucus is inadvertently creating the perfect environment for extremist activities. Imagine this fictional scenario…”
Tom LubnauFebruary 05, 2025
Tom Lubnau: The Wyoming House Needs To Think, Not Grandstand
Tom Lubnau writes, "The consequences of House Bill 164 are stunning. If a doctor injects a dementia patient with a muscle paralyzer with the intent of paralyzing the patient’s lungs so they can’t breathe and they die, the doctor can’t lose his job or lose his license for killing patients. It's euthanasia legalized."
Tom LubnauJanuary 29, 2025
Tom Lubnau: This Year’s Abortions Bills Are More Political Theater
Tom Lubnau writes, "These bills are not about abortion, but about creating election issues - again. Anyone who speaks against the stupidity of these bills will see slanderous videos and flyers flooding every inbox, labeling them abortionists.”
Tom LubnauJanuary 27, 2025
Tom Lubnau: The Legislature's Odd Maneuvers Look Like Political Theater
Tom Lubnau writes, "It seems like the legislature is scrambling to create campaign issues on hot-button topics rather than solving problems for run of the mill folks."
Tom LubnauJanuary 22, 2025
Tom Lubnau: Short-Sighted Bills Have Us Barreling Toward A Wyoming Income Tax
Tom Lubnau writes, "The Legislature is looking at 'backfilling' property tax cuts with state savings and funds from taxpayers. The reason it's 'backfilling' is because some lawmakers do not want to bear the consequences of their decisions."
Tom LubnauJanuary 18, 2025
Tom Lubnau: Electing An Attorney General Is A Horrible Idea.
Columnist Tom Lubnau writes, "House Bill 102, sponsored by many members of the Freedom Caucus, proposes the attorney general become an elected official. This horrible piece of legislation should die an early death, never to be seen, again."
Tom LubnauJanuary 15, 2025
Tom Lubnau: Legislative Leaders Must Race The Clock To Pass Good Laws
Tom Lubnau writes, "Estimated at a conservative figure of 300 bills introduced, one gets a grand total of 18.6 minutes per bill of time available for debate on each bill. That is precious little time to consider multi-page laws that will be placed on our books affecting our individual rights."
Tom LubnauJanuary 08, 2025
Tom Lubnau: I Predict The Uprising Of Straw Villains In 2025
Columnist Tom Lubnau writes, "To retain their power, the new folks will have to cast themselves as heroes trying to vanquish some feigned evil. I predict 2025 is going to be the year of the imaginary straw man villain."
Tom LubnauJanuary 01, 2025
Tom Lubnau: Understanding Where Your Property Tax Dollars Go.
Columnist Tom Lubnau writes, "With property tax relief the centerpiece of political gamesmanship this year, we should all understand how the property tax system works."
Tom LubnauDecember 25, 2024
Tom Lubnau: An Amazing Secret Petroglyph Shows Summer Is Coming
At a secret spot in Wyoming at sunrise on the winter solstice an amazing thing happens. When the sun just crests over the horizon, the sunlight points to a spot on a native American petroglyph which shows the days will start getting longer.
Tom LubnauDecember 19, 2024
Tom Lubnau: Military Academy Candidate Interviews Were An Inspiration
Columnist Tom Lubnau writes, "Last weekend, I had the great pleasure of serving on the military academy interview committee. The committee interviewed 21 young people seeking to get a nomination to a military academy. Those 21 young adults were a true inspiration."
Tom LubnauDecember 11, 2024
Tom Lubnau: The Wyoming House Stalling Committee Appointments Is A Bad Idea
Tom Lubnau writes: "The Speaker of the House should appoint committees based on the strengths of his members, not some perceived fear of what the Senate might do. The Senate is going to do what the Senate does, and they don’t give a damn what the House thinks."
Tom LubnauDecember 05, 2024
Tom Lubnau: Wayne Newton, Up Close And Personal – An Evening Well Spent
Columnist Tom Lubnau writes, "I must admit that my reaction to the possibility of seeing Mr. Newton was a resounding 'Meh!' But that vanished within a minute of him taking the stage."
Tom LubnauNovember 27, 2024
Tom Lubnau: A Deeper Dive On The Wyoming Judge's Abortion Analysis
Columnist Tom Lubnau writes, "In a prior column, I examined the Wyoming district court abortion decision from a high level. Now I’ll look at it on a granular level."
Tom LubnauNovember 21, 2024
Tom Lubnau: The Wyoming Abortion Decision Explained
Columnist Tom Lubnau writes, "Without opining one way or another on the abortion issue itself, examination of the Court’s decision and the reasoning behind the 35-page decision is helpful to understanding this important decision."
Tom LubnauNovember 20, 2024
Tom Lubnau: A Statue Of A Barn Owl Sits On Law Books And the Bible in Cheyenne
Tom Lubnau writes: "The sculpture depicts a barn owl in flight, representing wisdom and the rural roots of these five legislators, the active role they played in Wyoming government, and their foundational belief in the Bible."
Tom LubnauNovember 14, 2024
Tom Lubnau: Unraveling The Mysterious Legislative Majority Leadership Selection Process
Columnist Tom Lubnau writes, "With recent shifts in Wyoming's political landscape, we may see experience powerful committee chairs replaced by new ones who are more ideologically aligned with the current majority, which could dramatically impact the legislative session."
Tom LubnauNovember 06, 2024
Tom Lubnau: Who Poses The Greatest Threat To Wyoming Jobs This Election?
Tom Lubnau writes, "The rallying-cry this campaign has been to cut the budget. Cutting the budget in Wyoming means cutting jobs. Dollars in Wyoming equal jobs. So, if the Legislature is serious about making meaningful cuts in the state budget, it is going to have to fire people."
Tom LubnauOctober 30, 2024
Tom Lubnau: Weston County Commissioners Can’t Ignore The U.S. Constitution
Tom Lubnau writes, "By demanding one representative and senator per county, Weston County is demanding 15 times the voting power for each of its citizens than they want to afford to the citizens of Laramie County. "
Tom LubnauOctober 22, 2024
Tom Lubnau: Sometimes Wyoming Urban Legends Are True
Columnist Tom Lubnau writes, "Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene said a few weeks ago, 'Yes, they can control the weather. It’s ridiculous for anyone to lie and say it can’t be done.' The Greene weather discussion prompted thoughts of Wyoming-based conspiracy theories. Of the many out there, three come to mind."
Tom LubnauOctober 16, 2024
Tom Lubnau: Wyoming Politics Has Been Californicated, And We Are Worse Off For It
Columnist Tom Lubnau writes, "The crystal ball of political future does not bode well for Wyoming politics being local. Chuck Gray and the Freedom Caucus proved high dollar out-of-state style politics wins elections in Wyoming."
Tom LubnauOctober 09, 2024
Tom Lubnau: A Celebration of the Life of Bruce Hauser and Sawmill Creek Band
Tom Lubnau writes, "We sought out Sawmill Creek in the Cowboy Saloon, Boot Hill, Cassie’s, the Sheridan Inn, the Beacon Club and the Fort. They played so often at the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar, if you put your ear up to pine knot in the bar, you heard a Sawmill Creek song."
Tom LubnauOctober 02, 2024
Tom Lubnau: How Sloppy Writing Cripples Wyoming’s New Abortion Law, Part 2
Tom Lubnau writes: "When these statutes reach the courts, as they already have, you will hear legislators claim it is 'activist judges' who are asking hard questions about these statutes. The truth is these legislators did not pass cogent laws."
Tom LubnauSeptember 25, 2024
Tom Lubnau: Regarding The New Abortion Law's Word Salads, Part One
Columnist Tom Lubnau writes: "While abortions are illegal in Wyoming, the statute contains eight or nine exceptions. But those are so messily worded it is hard for a doctor to interpret them. Which in real time, can have serious consequences."
Tom LubnauSeptember 18, 2024
Tom Lubnau: The Breakup Of The Mountain West Is A Symptom Of A Large Disease
Columnist Tom Lubnau writes: "While it is understandable these schools are jumping from the conference for a bigger payday, it is sad. With the worship of the dollar, we are seeing things more important than money start to vanish – competition, rivalry, loyalty and tradition. And we are worse off for it."
Tom LubnauSeptember 12, 2024
Tom Lubnau: A Great Evening In The Black Hills With Starship And Marshall Tucker
Columnist Tom Lubnau writes, "The surprise of the concert was the ability of 86-year-old David Baldwin to hit all the high notes in the song 'Jane' – a song he wrote. His voice was strong and backup vocals and harmonies tight."
Tom LubnauSeptember 12, 2024
Tom Lubnau: Give The Freedom Caucus The Benefit Of The Doubt
Columnist Tom Lubnau writes: "I have learned to trust the collective wisdom of the Wyoming voters. They are the carny operating the ride. I may not understand why the voters made their choices, but I have learned there is a level of wisdom behind the voter’s choice, and to search for what that wisdom is."
Tom LubnauSeptember 04, 2024
Tom Lubnau: How To Spot Artificial Intelligence Bots And Paid Political Operatives On Social Media
Columnist Tom Lubnau writes, "Social media is full of cowardly trolls who set up fake profiles and comment, seemingly anonymously, to say what they don’t have the courage to say in person."
Tom LubnauAugust 28, 2024
Tom Lubnau: Identifying The Techniques Politicians Use To Dodge Tough Questions
Columnist Tom Lubnau writes, "Since the primary election is over, we should evaluate the political deflection techniques used by candidates in the heat of the election. A deflection technique is a way to redirect attention away from the real topic."
Tom LubnauAugust 21, 2024
Tom Lubnau: The Season Of The Absurd Campaign Advertisement Is Upon Us
Columnist Tom Lubnau writes, "Perhaps the most extreme example of the outrageous campaigning is calling House Speaker Albert Sommers a Chinese Communist."
Tom LubnauAugust 14, 2024
Tom Lubnau: If We Vote For Candidates In Bed With Liars, We Get What We Deserve
Columnist Tom Lubnau writes, "Candidates who remain silent while knowing lies are perpetuated about their opposition are committing lies of omission. They do not care about the integrity of the system. They do not care about truth. They only care about power."
Tom LubnauAugust 07, 2024
Tom Lubnau: Let's Step Up For The Men And Women From Wyoming Serving Overseas
Columnist Tom Lubnau writes, "For the first time since the Korean War, the entire 2-300 Field Artillery Brigade of the Wyoming National Guard is deploying overseas. What can we do to deserve their service?"
Tom LubnauJuly 31, 2024
Tom Lubnau: Once Upon A Time, The Wyoming Republican Party Organization Had Integrity
Cowboy State Daily columnist and former Wyoming Speaker of the House Tom Lubnau writes, "Once upon a time, the Wyoming Republican Party Organization had integrity. These days, not so much."
Tom LubnauJuly 29, 2024
Tom Lubnau: Why Are We At Each Other Throats These Days?
Columnist Tom Lubnau writes, "In an episode of Twilight Zone entitled “The Monsters are Due on Maple Street”, Rod Serling creates a mirror of society in 2024. Serling’s insight into the human personality is insightful and somewhat terrifying, even by today’s standards."
Tom LubnauJuly 24, 2024
Tom Lubnau: When Scientific Model Is Criticized, Keep Model And Change The Name!
Columnist Tom Lubnau writes, "Climate modeling used by policy makers in Washington, D.C. does not reflect reality. As a result, the environmental policy espoused by the government has little touch with the real world."
Tom LubnauJuly 17, 2024
Tom Lubnau: Out-Of-State Money Flooding Into Wyoming To Influence Elections
Columnist Tom Lubnau writes, " It’s funny, a disproportionate number of candidates who are endorsed by these out of state groups have only lived in Wyoming a couple years."
Tom LubnauJuly 10, 2024
Tom Lubnau: How The Supreme Court Changed UW Athletics, And What We Can Do To Help
Columnist Tom Lubnau writes, "For University of Wyoming athletics to remain competitive, robust funding for the NIL program is necessary. UW competes with universities who have no problem raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for their student athletes."
Tom LubnauJuly 03, 2024
Tom Lubnau: Catching Up With Michael DeGreve
Columnist Tom Lubnau writes, "Losing Michael DeGreve at the Hitching Post was a great loss to Wyoming’s history and culture. Now, we have an opportunity to hear Michael again as his first professional recording is being reissued."
Tom LubnauJune 26, 2024
Tom Lubnau: Wyoming's Future -- Diversification Or Destitution?
Columnist Tom Lubnau writes, "McCreary County, Kentucky, is a place where over 50% of the land and minerals are controlled by the federal government and the primary industry was fossil fuels. They have a lot of parallels to Wyoming. "
Tom LubnauJune 19, 2024
Tom Lubnau: How Does Wyoming Judicial Selection Protect Against A Political Judiciary?
Columnist Tom Lubnau writes, "A long time ago, Wyoming set up a process to establish an independent and non-political judiciary. Other states are not so lucky."
Tom LubnauJune 12, 2024
Tom Lubnau: Who Are The Boots In The Ground Behind Wyoming Gun Owners, Inc.?
Columnist Tom Lubnau writes, "Even though Federal Court has allowed WYGO to keep names of their donors secret, knowing more about WYGO might be helpful to discerning voters wanting to make informed choices about candidates."
Tom LubnauJune 05, 2024
Tom Lubnau: Wyoming Tactical Rifle Championship – A Hidden Wyoming Gem
Columnist Tom Lubnau writes, "One of the most intense competitions of skill, concentration and physical ability will take place on the Wyoming-Montana Border in mid-July. Thirty teams will compete in the Wyoming Tactical Rifle Championship."
Tom LubnauMay 29, 2024
Tom Lubnau: School Of Energy Resources – A Wyoming Success Story
Columnist Tom Lubnau writes, "In 2006, the State of Wyoming and the University of Wyoming collaborated to create a one-of-a-kind school, dedicated to enhancing the Wyoming economy. It offers one of the fastest growing bachelor's degrees to train graduates to work in energy development."
Tom LubnauMay 22, 2024
Tom Lubnau: The Day A Camel Met A Bronc Who Went On To Become The Pirate
Columnist Tom Lubnau writes, "On a rainy Friday night in 1976, the Gillette Camels met the Cody Broncs on the football field. On the Bronc sidelines was a sophomore linebacker named Mike Leach who went on to become one of the greatest football coaches in history."
Tom LubnauMay 16, 2024
Tom Lubnau: Anonymous Websites and Rating Services
Columnist Tom Lubnau writes, "It takes a particular brand of arrogance to hide behind the cloak of secrecy, and tell people in Wyoming which candidates have 'integrity' or can call themselves 'Republicans.'"
Tom LubnauMay 11, 2024
Tom Lubnau: What It Takes To Be A Successful Legislator – Thoughts From A Leader
Columnist Tom Lubnau writes, "In his 2011 address to the Wyoming Legislature, Speaker Pro Tempore Keith Gingery explained the skills it takes to be a good legislator. Keith has graciously given his permission to share these thoughts."
Tom LubnauMay 08, 2024
Tom Lubnau: State Level Political Risks
Columnist Tom Lubnau writes, "Many of our state-level policy makers continue to shoot our state in the foot. The quest for power has gotten in the way of a stable climate necessary to attract outside investment."
Tom LubnauMay 01, 2024
Tom Lubnau: EPA Increases Wyoming Industry Political Risk, Again
Columnist Tom Lubnau writes, ""On Thursday, the EPA announced all coal-fired power plants must be shuttered by 2032, or be converted to gas and shuttered by 2039. But, fossil fuel driven power plants can add carbon sequestration facilities and stay open."
Tom LubnauApril 25, 2024
Tom Lubnau: The Fetterman Battle – Lessons For Our Times
Columnist Tom Lubnau writes, "Before one barges in and arrogantly starts telling people how to do things, one must develop an understanding of why things are the way they are."
Tom LubnauApril 17, 2024
Tom Lubnau: Wyomingite Changed Japanese Economy, Saved U.S. Car Industry
Columnist Tom Lubnau writes, "Powell's W. Edwards Deming was one of the great business thinkers of the twentieth century. He developed a business process which known as Total Quality Management which changed the Japanese economy and saved the U.S. car industry."
Tom LubnauApril 10, 2024
Tom Lubnau: Choosing Our Media Sources
Columnist Tom Lubnau writes, "These days, if one media outfit says the sky is blue, the other media outlet will say the sky is red. Every day, with every media story, we obtain different information based on our confirmation bias."
Tom LubnauApril 03, 2024
Tom Lubnau: Why Did The Senate Pass A Gun Bill It Knew Was Defective?
Columnist Tom Lubnau writes, "Why, on such an important issue, did the Senate shirk its duties to pass the best bill forward to the governor? Why did the Senate want to force the governor to veto the Gun Free Zones bill?"
Tom LubnauMarch 27, 2024
Tom Lubnau: Can Someone Be Against Gun Free Zones, And Against A Poorly Written Bill?
Columnist Tom Lubnau writes, "For some readers, only the bill title, 'Gun Free Zones' is enough to garner support. For those folks who don’t care about the language of the bill, don’t waste your time reading why the bill had some defects. If you are interested in why the bill was vetoed, read further."
Tom LubnauMarch 26, 2024
Tom Lubnau: The Headline For Failure -- The Wyoming Republican Party
Columnist Tom Lubnau writes, "the Wyoming Republican Party, with its supermajority, starts to do funny things. The Party starts to eat its own. Conservatives are not conservative enough. Republicans are not Republican enough. Factions and interest groups start to form within the Party."
Tom LubnauMarch 20, 2024