Leo Wolfson
Leo Wolfson is the State Government and Politics Reporter for Cowboy State Daily and is based in Cheyenne. He is responsible for covering Wyoming politics on a federal and statewide level.
Leo led Cowboy State Daily's coverage of the 2022 Wyoming primary election, including the highly contentious race between former congresswoman Liz Cheney and her successor U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman. He also managed CSD's coverage of the 2023 State Legislature, which was by far the most extensive and timely media coverage of a legislative session in the state's history.
Before joining Cowboy State Daily, Leo was a general assignment reporter for the Cody Enterprise Newspaper in Cody from 2018-2022. Prior to that, he reported for a suburban newspaper outside Denver.
Latest from Leo Wolfson
Casper Legislator Back On House Floor After Open Heart Surgery
State Rep. J.R. Riggins was back on the Wyoming House floor Thursday after missing almost all of the 2025 session with open heart surgery. He was given an ovation by the House, and called the attention “embarrassing.”
Leo WolfsonFebruary 27, 2025
At 25%, Wyoming Senate, House Finally Agree On Property Tax Cut
After the Wyoming Senate and House couldn’t come together on a proposed property tax cut earlier in the week, they agreed on a 25% reduction Thursday. Now it appears on its way to the governor for approval.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 27, 2025
Wyoming Legislative Recap — Day 31
A huge announcement about the supplemental budget came on the 31st day of the 2025 Wyoming legislative session Wednesday with the Senate saying it won’t pass a supplemental budget.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 27, 2025
Wyoming Senate Drops Bombshell, Refuses To Pass Supplemental Budget
The Wyoming Senate dropped a bombshell Wednesday evening announcing that it won’t pass a supplemental budget this year. It could be the first time either the Senate or House has ever made such a move.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 27, 2025
Out-Of-State Group Texting Residents To Influence Wyoming Legislature
Texas-based American Action Fund has been sending out a large number of text messages and mailers to Wyoming residents. The messages urge people to pressure legislators on bills such as school choice.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 27, 2025
Wyoming Closer To Separate Primaries, Run-Offs For Top Offices, Including Gov.
A Senate committee passed a bill Wednesday that would create separate primary and run-off elections for the state’s top elected offices, including governor. A run-off would be triggered if nobody gets more than 50% of the primary vote.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 26, 2025
Wyoming Legislative Recap — Day 30
The 30th day of the 2025 Wyoming legislative session Tuesday featured a broken deal on a property tax cut bill and heated discussion about new non-citizen state IDs.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 26, 2025
Degenfelder Says Blocking Trans Participation In Female Sports Is About Safety
Megan Defenfelder, Wyoming’s top education official, says blocking transgender participation in female sports isn’t about disrespect. It’s about ensuring the safety of female athletes.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 26, 2025
Non-Citizen Status Will Be On Back, Not Front, Of Wyoming Licenses And IDs
Wyoming driver’s licenses and IDs will have a person’s non-U.S. citizen status printed on them under a new bill sent to the governor’s desk Tuesday. In a change to the original proposal, it will be in black on the back, not in color on the front.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 26, 2025
‘Hugely Disappointing’: House, Senate Can’t Agree On Deal To Cut Property Taxes
Members of the Wyoming Senate and House couldn’t agree over a proposed property tax cut Tuesday that has fluctuated between 25% and 50%. Thinking a deal had been struck at 25%, one state senator says House members backing off is “hugely disappointing.”
Leo WolfsonFebruary 25, 2025
Wyoming Legislative Recap — Day 29
The 29th day of the 2025 Wyoming legislative session Monday featured a die-in protest on the floor of the Capitol rotunda and passionate debate over property taxes and abortion.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 25, 2025
Protesters Stage 'Die-In' On Capitol Floor Over Banning Gun-Free Zones
About 20 protesters made up to resemble shooting victims lay on the floor of the Wyoming Capitol on Monday afternoon over a bill that would ban gun-free zones.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 25, 2025
New Trigger Bill Would Ban Abortion If Wyoming’s Earlier Ban Rejected In Court
A new trigger bill moving its way through the Wyoming Legislature aims to ban abortion in the event the Wyoming Supreme Court rules against the state’s 2023 law banning it. Abortion remains legal in the state as the ban is challenged in court.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 25, 2025
Senate Committee Rejects Proposal To Make UW Trustees Elected, Not Appointed
The Senate Education Committee rejected a proposal Monday that would have required University of Wyoming trustees be elected instead of appointed. Those recommending “do not pass” say they think it would be unconstitutional.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 24, 2025
Wyoming House Members Getting Antsy As Senate Holds Onto State Budget
The Wyoming House is starting to get a little antsy over how long the state Senate is holding onto the supplemental budget without taking any action on it. The Senate has had the $680 million plan for two weeks.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 22, 2025
Wyoming Legislative Recap — Day 28
The 28th day of the 2025 Wyoming legislative session Friday saw significant discussions about bills banning DEI programs and restricting abortion. The House also is getting impatient for the Senate to address the supplemental budget.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 22, 2025
Bill Proposes Massive Overhaul To Base Property Taxes On Home Price, Not Valuation
While the most attention has been on a proposed 50% property tax cut moving through the Wyoming Legislature, another bill proposes a much larger overhaul of the system. It would base property taxes on a home’s purchase price, similar to auto registrations.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 22, 2025
Getting DEI Out Of Wyoming, UW “A Long Time In Coming,” Says Sponsor Of Ban
A bill to ban DEI programs and policies from Wyoming agencies — with exceptions for nonprofits that get public money — easily passed a House committee Friday. The bill’s sponsor says getting DEI out of Wyoming and UW has “been a long time in coming.”
Leo WolfsonFebruary 21, 2025
Wyoming Legislative Recap — Day 27
On the 27th day of the 2025 Wyoming legislative session, the Senate rejected the changes made to a major property tax cut bill. Also, a woman taunted a male legislator by calling him “madame” while testifying about the “What is a Woman Act.”
Leo WolfsonFebruary 21, 2025
Senate Rejects House Changes To Huge 50% Property Tax Cut
After the Wyoming House spent more than five hours debating 21 amendments before passing a huge 50% property tax bill Wednesday, the Senate took minutes to reject it Thursday. Now the two chambers will have to negotiate.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 21, 2025
Wyoming Republicans Divided On How To Best Achieve Property Tax Relief
How to best achieve property tax relief has been the driving issue of the 2025 legislative session so far, and is dividing Wyoming Republicans. The main sticking points are whether to backfill deficits created by the cuts, and if so, how much.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 20, 2025