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
Bill To Give Parents More School Choice, $7K Per Kid Vouchers Advances — Barely
The Senate Education Committee advanced a school choice bill Wednesday that would give parents $7,000 per child vouchers, but just barely. The 3-2 vote means the Senate will debate allowing parents to have public money to seek private education.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 12, 2025
Wyoming Legislative Recap — Day 21
The 21st day of the 2025 Wyoming legislative session featured animated discussions on making significant changes to the state’s elections and important decisions regarding the supplemental budget.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 12, 2025
Bill Would Create Runoff Elections In Wyoming, Including For Governor
The Wyoming House passed a bill on second reading Tuesday that would create separate runoff elections for the state’s highest elected officials, including governor. A runoff would be triggered if no candidate gets 50% or more of the vote in a primary.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 12, 2025
LDS Church Admits Cody Official Gave Bad Advice That Led To Approval Of Temple
An attorney representing the LDS church told the Wyoming Supreme Court on Tuesday that a city official gave bad advice that led to approving a controversial 101-foot steeple for the temple the church is building there.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 12, 2025
Gordon Says “Never Say Never” About Political Future After Second Term
During an interview with Cowboy State Daily on Monday, Gov. Mark Gordon said he’d “never say never” about what his political future may hold after finishing his second term in 2026.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 11, 2025
Lifting Protection For Otters Expanded To Other Species By Senate Committee
A bill that would lift the protected status of Wyoming otters was expanded and advanced Tuesday by a state Senate committee. The new proposal would remove protections for other species, like the black-footed ferret and wolverines.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 11, 2025
Wyoming Legislative Recap: Day 20
Monday was the deadline for bills to get their first reading in the Legislature, which paved the way for some lengthy and colorful floor discussions.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 11, 2025
Legislator Concerned Property Tax Cuts Will Hurt Wyoming’s Future Generations
State Rep. J.D. Williams, R-Lusk, says he's concerned that his fellow lawmakers aren’t considering Wyoming’s future generations with the way they’re making property tax cuts in this year’s legislative session.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 11, 2025
State House Dumps Wyoming Cloud Seeding Program
Citing a lack of evidence that it works, the Wyoming House slashed all funding for the state’s cloud-seeding program on Monday.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 10, 2025
Steve Harshman Calls Out John Bear For Labeling Legislators as "Lobbyists"
Rep. Steve Harshman criticized fellow lawmaker Rep. John Bear on Monday for an op-ed where Bear labeled some legislators as "lobbyists." Harshman said it was a "reprehensible" accusation and could file a formal complaint.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 10, 2025
The Best Mustaches Of The Wyoming Legislature
There are a number of state legislators who have some scruff above their upper lip in the 68th Wyoming Legislature. Two magnificent mustaches, however, rise above the fold.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 09, 2025
Wyoming Senate Outspends House By $109 Million In Supplemental Budget
The Wyoming Senate and House wrapped up their supplemental budgets on Friday night, with the Senate outspending the lower chamber by $109 million. Both added some support for local governments and schools in the event that a major property tax relief bill passes into law
Leo WolfsonFebruary 08, 2025
Wyoming Legislative Recap: Day 19
Supplemental budget discussions took up most of Day 19 at the Wyoming Legislature, while some critical bills were also killed in committee hearings.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 08, 2025
Bill Would Give Wyoming Strongest Laws In Country To Fight Frivolous Defamation Lawsuits
A Wyoming legislative committee advanced a bill on Friday that legal experts say would give Wyoming the toughest laws in the country to prevent the filing of frivolous defamation lawsuits.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 07, 2025
Wyoming Legislative Recap: Day 18
Tensions flared on Day 18 of the Wyoming Legislature as lawmakers sparred over the supplemental budget and parental choice.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 07, 2025
House Advances Bill To Create New State Monument, Mount Rushmore-Sized Optional
A legislative committee advanced a bill on Thursday that would create a group to study building a "Monument to America" in Wyoming. The amended bill removes the requirement the statue be as large as Mount Rushmore, however.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 07, 2025
Senate Saves Resolution Calling On Congress To Give Wyoming All Public Lands Except Yellowstone
On a razor thin 16 - 15 vote, the Wyoming Senate revived a bill on Thursday calling on Congress to hand over all public lands to the state, except Yellowstone. The bill had been rejected earlier in the day on a 16-14 vote.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 06, 2025
House Advances Bill Giving Political Parties More Say In Filling Vacancies
The House Appropriations Committee, by a 6 - 1 margin, advanced a bill on Thursday that would give local and state political parties more power in filling political vacancies in Wyoming
Leo WolfsonFebruary 06, 2025
Bills To Ban Voting Machines Killed In Committee
Two bills that would’ve banned voting machines and mandate hand count elections in Wyoming were rejected by Senate and House committees on Wednesday night. Legislators cited costs and vulnerabilities as reasons for striking the bills down.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 06, 2025
Wyoming Legislative Recap - Day 17
Discussion of the supplemental budget was a major focus of the Wyoming Legislature on Wednesday, as were two bills that could ban abortion in Wyoming.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 06, 2025
Halfway Point: New Conservative Majority vs Old Guard Minority In 2025 Legislative Session
The 2025 Wyoming legislative session will reach its halfway mark on Thursday. The session looks and feels distinctly different from years’ past, with a majority made of Freedom Caucus Republicans, wielding power in the House for the first time.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 06, 2025