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
Wyoming Lawmakers Vote To Spend $550 Million Over Original Budget; Earmarks $1 Billion Into Savings Too
Spenders and savers squared off over the $550 million extra dollars put into the 2023 supplemental budget that passed through the Wyoming House of Representatives on Friday evening.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 05, 2023
âConvention of Statesâ Passes Senate Committee, Barlow Says âBring Govât Back To The Peopleâ
Speaking in favor of the Convention of States resolution, Sen. Eric Barlow, who has attended four national conferences on the convention, said, "I find great comfort that it comes back to the states and the people. They get to ultimately make this decision.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 04, 2023
Worldâs Largest, Most-Advanced Vertical Farming Facility To Be Built In Laramie
A new research facility in Laramie was announced on Thursday for whats promised to be the worlds largest and most advanced indoor agricultural research center. The company has already raised $1 billion for the facility.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 04, 2023
Boom, Boom: Out Go The Lights! Wyoming Capitol Goes Dark, Power Outage Hits Cheyenne
The State Capitol went dark on Friday as a power outage hit Cheyenne at around 2pm. Legislators kept on working though. Some said they even preferred the atmosphere.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 03, 2023
Woman Disrupts Senate, Yells Obscenities After Bill Passes Criminalizing Child Sex-Change Operations
A woman started swearing loudly in the Wyoming Senate Chambers on Thursday in response to the passage of a bill that would criminalize child sex change surgeries.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 03, 2023
Rep. Provenza Confronts GOP Official About Role In Alleged Political Spy Ring
Rep. Karlee Provenza confronted longtime GOP official Marti Halverson about a New York Times story last year which identified Halverson as being part of scheme to spy on Gov. Mark Gordon and others, including Provenza.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 02, 2023
Medicaid Expansion Amendment Dies; Becoming Annual Tradition In Wyoming
Attempts for Medicaid expansion failed on Wednesday night despite State Sen. Cale Case's emotional plea for the measure. Every Medicaid Expansion bill over the last 10 years has failed in Wyoming.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 02, 2023
Bill Making Ballot Harvesting A Felony Passes Committee
The House Corporations Committee passed legislation by an 8 - 1 vote that would make ballot harvesting a felony in Wyoming.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 02, 2023
âSpending Like Drunks!â Supplemental Budget Grows To $481 Million After Daylong Debate
That more money was added to the budget bill riled up some of the more conservative members of the House, like Rep. Chris Knapp who said some lawmakers spend like drunks.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 02, 2023
Bill That Would Allow Nonviolent Felons With Multiple Convictions To Vote Passes Committee
A bill that would allow Wyoming residents convicted of multiple nonviolent felonies to vote once released from their term of incarceration narrowly passed committee on Wednesday by a 5 - 4 margin.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 01, 2023
âWestern Heritageâ Bill Passes Committee; Would Prohibit Communities From Banning Rodeos
House Bill 95 would make it so local governments couldnt ban rodeos just because it doesnt align with their certain ideology, said bill sponsor Rachel Rodriguez-Williams. An animal rights activist said Wyoming needs some "Californication."
Leo WolfsonFebruary 01, 2023
Wyoming Lawmakers Vote To Reduce Early Voting Window, Require Post-Election Audits
Wyoming elections would be subject to post-election audits and early voting windows would be shortened under a bill advanced by a legislative committee Tuesday.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 31, 2023
Wyoming Lawmakers Kill Anti-Vax Discrimination Bill
House Bill 66, which would have prohibited Wyoming businesses, health care facilities and schools from enforcing COVID-19 restrictions, failed its third reading on the House floor by a narrow 31-29 vote.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 31, 2023
Crossover Voting Bills Advance, But Weaker Than Some Wyoming Conservatives Want
A bill that will restrict crossover voting in Wyoming passed through a legislative committee on Monday. The bill would allow voters to change their party affiliation up to 45 days before the primary election.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 31, 2023
Rep. Western, County Commissioner Novotny Named In Campaign Finance Probe
The Sheridan Prosecuting Attorneys office wont pursue complaints after an investigation that named Rep. Cyrus Western, R-Sheridan, and Johnson County Commissioner Bill Novotny for their possible involvement in sending out an attack mailer.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 30, 2023
Wyomingâs Anti-COVID Mandate Bill Chooses âOur Freedomâ Over Federal Money, Says Sponsor
By a narrow two-vote margin, the Wyoming House of Representatives has advanced legislation that would prohibit hospitals, businesses, schools and any other facility in the state from mandating COVID-19 vaccinations and other related health requirements such as the wearing of face masks.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 30, 2023
Legislator Wants To Put Teton County Fairgrounds Under State Control; Worried Town Council Will Kill Rodeo
Citing its importance to Wyoming heritage and Wyoming rural heritage, Rep. John Winter wants to make the Teton County Fairgrounds a state historic site. There is concern by some that Jackson residents want to turn the fairgrounds into affordable housing and eliminate the rodeo.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 28, 2023
Wyoming Lawmakers Consider Lowering Bar For Tax Relief
The state House Revenue Committee passed a bill Thursday that would make it easier for Wyoming residents to receive property tax rebates.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 27, 2023
Donât Buy Property Next To A Farm, Then Complain That Animals Have Sex Outdoors, Bouchard Says
Sen. Anthony Bouchard attempted humor to highlight a serious concern of his: residential development encroaching on agriculture operations, then complaining that theyre smelly, noisy and bothersome to their sensibilities.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 27, 2023
Bill Allocating $5.25 Million Of Wyoming Money To Help Build Border Wall Passes Committee
A bill dedicating $5.25 million to help Arizona and Texas build a border wall and transport migrants to other places passed a Wyoming legislative committee on Thursday afternoon. Gov Gordon said he supports the legislation.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 27, 2023
Chuck Gray Wants To Do Away With âPredatoryâ Campaign Tactic Used By Cheney
While some call sending unsolicited absentee ballots to voters a predatory campaign practice, others say its just being accommodating. Legislators are debating the tactic used by Liz Cheney and whether her mailers were unethical.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 26, 2023