Guest Columnists
Points of view on Wyoming issues from Wyoming people.
Guest Column: Freedom Is Not Free
State Sen. Cheri Steinmetz writes, "I grew up hearing stories about my Great Uncles John, Harold and Ed who fought against Hitler and the Nazis in World War II to defend us from the scourge of communism."
CSD StaffJuly 03, 2024
William Perry Pendley: Ansel Adams, Wyoming, and Ronald Reagan
William Perry Pendley writes, "President Reagan and Wyoming's own James Watt set a record, yet unbroken, for issuing federal oil and gas leases. By 2019, their efforts yielded American energy independence." Photographer Ansel Adams was not a fan.
William Perry PendleyJuly 03, 2024
Guest Column: I've Seen A Key Part Of Wyoming's All-Of-The-Above Energy Strategy
State Rep. J.T. Larson writes, "Wyoming has the key ingredients to grow durable energy businesses that will pay family-sustaining wages for decades. Our state has invested in carbon capture and sequestration from the beginning."
CSD StaffJune 27, 2024
Guest Column: Innovation and Integrity -- The Future of Our City's Governance
Vic Miller writes, "Our campaign is not a "stunt" or a "circus," but a serious, forward-thinking approach to civic leadership. Vic Miller is the legal candidate for mayor, fully compliant with Wyoming law."
CSD StaffJune 23, 2024
Guest Column: When Dealing With Feds, Wyoming Should Recall The Serenity Prayer
Guest columnist Samuel Western writes, "Maybe Wyoming should start listening to markets rather than tilting at windmills. Let’s stop throwing money at studies and policies that prop up struggling industries."
CSD StaffJune 16, 2024
Guest Column: Why I Support Parental Rights In Education
Guest columnist Rep. Jeanette Ward writes, "Building trust and a partnership between parents and schools is a good thing, and it requires protecting the rights of parents to direct the upbringing of their kids."
CSD StaffJune 14, 2024
Guest Column: Deemphasizing DEI At UW Was the Right Decision
Guest columnist Ray Hunkins writes, "The decision to eliminate the Office of DEI at the University of Wyoming is welcome news to many university supporters, myself included. The considerable money spent on DEI and its bureaucracy can now be spent on academic programs, UW’s core mission."
CSD StaffJune 11, 2024
Guest Column: Compare My Record To My Opponent's
Rep. Tomi Strock writes, "This race has been described as a 'rematch' of the 2022 race in which I defeated former Rep. Clausen. For the sake of the voters, I’m grateful for this rematch, as my record, like my opponent’s, is available for close inspection."
CSD StaffJune 10, 2024
Guest Column: Thank You, School Board, For Working With Parents
Guest columnist Nathan Winters writes, "Recently, an op-ed by Joan Barron claimed that there is broad disagreement with a proposed new book policy for school libraries in LCSD#1. Nothing could be further from the truth."
CSD StaffJune 07, 2024
Guest Column: Why The Trump Verdict Is Bogus
Rep. Jeanette Ward writes, "After President Trump was convicted on 34 bogus felony counts last week, elitists in the press and in academia seemed confused by the reaction of us ordinary people to this miscarriage of justice."
CSD StaffJune 05, 2024
Guest Column: Cutting Red Tape to Grow Wyoming’s Trona Industry
Rep. Jon Conrad writes, "The potential of trona mining and development to create jobs and strengthen Wyoming’s economy, however, is being squandered as projects continue to get stuck in the regulatory quagmire that is our nation’s federal permitting process."
CSD StaffJune 03, 2024
Daily Smile: Friday, May 31, 2024
Ain't got no time for the slow feed dog bowl....
CSD StaffMay 31, 2024
Guest Column: Another Rocky Mountain Rate Hike – Here We Go Again!
Rep. Harriet Hageman writes, "Stop me if you’ve heard this one before, but Rocky Mountain Power wants to raise your electric bill by double digit … yet again. This is not the first rate increase that RMP has proposed, and it will not be the last."
CSD StaffMay 27, 2024
Saturday Morning Dance Party: Earth, Wind & Fire -- Let's Groove
Earth, Wind & Fire -- Let's Groove
CSD StaffMay 25, 2024
Guest Column: Wolf Issue Will Be Addressed In Legislature With Wyoming Values In Mind
Rep. John Winter writes, "I have received barrage of hateful and nasty phone calls and emails from all across this country. As a result, I thought I should try to clarify a few things and put this issue into perspective."
CSD StaffMay 20, 2024
Guest Column: What And How Matters Not The Who
Guest columnist Doug Gerard writes, "Tom Lubnau's recent screed against anonymity in politics is at odds with American history, and his focus on anonymous legislator-rating websites is misplaced."
CSD StaffMay 14, 2024
Guest Column: Defending Wyoming’s Access to our Public Lands
U.S. Sen. John Barrasso and Rep. Harriet Hageman write, "The BLM’s Rock Springs Resource Management Plan is essentially a land lockdown, turning thousands of acres of federal land in Wyoming from multiple-use into non-use."
CSD StaffMay 13, 2024
Your Wyoming Sunrise: Monday, May 6, 2024
Today's Wyoming sunrise was captured by Adam Ashmore in Hartville, Wyoming.
CSD StaffMay 06, 2024
Harriet Hageman: I'm Endorsing Sen. John Barrasso For Re-Election And Here's Why
In a guest column for Cowboy State Daily, U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman writes, “I am happy to join President Trump in endorsing my friend and working partner in Congress, U.S. Sen. John Barrasso, for re-election in November."
CSD StaffMay 05, 2024
Guest Opinion: These Are The Dumbest Campus Protests Of All Time
Radio host Clay Travis says, "If Hamas actually had a state, most of the people protesting in support of them would have no human rights there. This may be the dumbest American campus protest of all time."
CSD StaffMay 02, 2024
Guest Column: The Campus Protests Are A Cluster**** And I Couldn't Be Happier
Guest columnist Tom Bentley writes, "These campus protests are a cluster**** decades in the making, and I couldn’t be happier. They're just the appetizer though. The main course will come at the Democrat convention. Load up on popcorn, that’s gonna be fun."
CSD StaffMay 02, 2024
Guest Column: The Good Ship Wyoming Deserves Better Captains
Guest columnist Rep. Ben Hornok writes, "Any spending strategy for Wyoming should not be based on how big a tantrum 'capable Republican' politicians can throw in the checkout lane of the supermarket when they are trying to get what they want."
CSD StaffApril 30, 2024
Jonathan Lange: IVF, Abortion And The Will Of The People
Columnist Jonathan Lange writes, "President Trump’s long-anticipated statement on abortion was released earlier this month. After a brief spin cycle, it has largely fallen from the headlines. Nevertheless, we should not let the month end without some comment."
CSD StaffApril 26, 2024
Guest Column: Innocent Beings Should Never Be Tortured Or Killed -- Period
Rep. Jeanette Ward writes, "The abortion clinic in Casper brags that it performs surgical abortions up to 23 weeks gestation. At 15 weeks, unborn babies can feel pain. At 22 weeks, they can recognize the voice of their mother. An abortion committed at 23 weeks involves dismembering the baby..."
CSD StaffApril 11, 2024
Chuck Gray: Only Wyomingites Should Be Voting In Wyoming Elections
In a guest column, Secretary of State Chuck Gray writes, "We must protect ourselves from the insecurity of the invasion affecting all 50 states. I urge the governor to adopt these rules and help secure Wyoming’s elections."
CSD StaffApril 11, 2024
Guest Column: Balancing Development and Conservation: Worth the Hard Work
Guest columnist Steff Kessler writes, "We can take pride and guidance in looking at how Wyoming has addressed these challenges in the past. But we also need to recognize when some things aren’t working and it’s time to come up with new ways of doing things."
CSD StaffApril 09, 2024
Guest Column: Abortion Is A Public Health Crisis - And The Chief Executive Enables It
Guest columnist Rep. Rachel Rodriguez-Williams writes, House Bill 148 (Regulation of Surgical Abortions) passed both chambers overwhelmingly. The veto by the chief executive of Wyoming raises concerns about the need for Wyoming to return to our three branch system of government."
Rep. Rachel Rodriguez-WilliamsApril 09, 2024
Guest Column: Defending The Reputation Of Your Opponent Elevates Your Own
Guest columnist Jonathan Lange writes, "Whether politicians are calling their constituents deplorables and knuckleheads, or constituents are defaming the reputations of elected officials, both should be ashamed of themselves."
CSD StaffApril 06, 2024
Guest Column: Somebody Has To Say It
Guest columnist Ray Peterson writes, "When I see a Facebook post from current legislators, calling out the traitors or turn coats that voted against the special session, my skin begins to crawl."
Ray PetersonApril 06, 2024
Guest Column: Fact vs. Fiction -- 2024 Budget Session
Guest columnist Rep. Tomi Strock writes, "I am writing this in order to filter the facts from the fiction spouted by liberal lawmakers and repeated by their allies in the press – one of the most frequently parroted fiction out there has to do with committee bills being killed."
CSD StaffApril 05, 2024
Guest Column: Wheatland Has The Funding to Address Failing Water Tank
In a guest column, Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon writes, "Despite claims to the contrary, my line item veto of [the Wheatland water tower project] in the 2024 budget was not punitive, but rather a reflection of the adequate support the State has already provided..."
CSD StaffApril 04, 2024
Letter To The Editor: We All Benefit from Wyoming’s Diversified Energy Portfolio
Dear editor, "Our future depends on remaining competitive and keeping Wyoming open for business by not picking winners and losers regarding industries. All industries and innovation bring value to Wyoming, its communities and families."
CSD StaffApril 02, 2024
Letter To The Editor: Analyzing The So-Called 'Shoshoni Speed Trap'
Dear editor, "Instead of being known for milkshakes and malts, Shoshoni is now famous, or maybe infamous, for our 'speed trap.'"
CSD StaffApril 02, 2024
Guest Column: What a "Nay" Vote on the Special Session Means
Guest columnists Reps. Haroldson, Rodriguez-Williams and Knapp write, "A vote against the special session is a vote AGAINST property tax relief, AGAINST the Second Amendment, AGAINST protecting pre-born babies, FOR Biden’s 30x30 land grab, and FOR an all-powerful governor who operates in the absence of checks and balances."
CSD StaffApril 01, 2024
Letter To The Editor: Sheridan County Land Exchange Is A Bad Idea
Dear editor, "The Wyoming State Treasurer’s Office now has $28.5 billion in investments. So why are we trying to sell/trade the Columbus Peak parcel of state land?"
CSD StaffApril 01, 2024
Guest Column: Why We Voted Against The Special Session
In a guest column, leadership of the Wyoming House wrote, "We were open to a special session solely focused on revising SF 54. However, the obstructionists in the freedom caucus would not agree to that, calling for a minimum of 4-6 different bills, including the budget bill."
CSD StaffApril 01, 2024
Guest Column: We Need The Beef Checkoff For The Future
Mark Eisele writes, "Opponents of the Beef Checkoff have allied themselves with radical animal rights activists to push for the deceptively named OFF Act. I know some people don’t like the Checkoff, but being on the same side as known animal rights groups is making a deal with the devil."
CSD StaffMarch 31, 2024
Letter To The Editor: Gordon Is A True Cowboy
Dear editor: "Currently there is one real cowboy in the governor’s office doing his job. Like him or not, Gov. Gordon is looking out for Wyoming."
CSD StaffMarch 30, 2024
Guest Column: Three Reasons Wyoming Citizens Should Demand A Special Session
State Sen. Cheri Steinmetz writes, "The governor ran as a Republican but governs and vetoes like a Democrat. Actions speak louder than words. Mark Gordon offers a stunning example of this prevalent hypocrisy."
CSD StaffMarch 29, 2024
Megan Degenfelder: University of Wyoming Must Respond to Concerns Over DEI
Guest columnist Megan Degenfelder writes, "Our universities should not presume the righteousness of only one side, promote a sense of guilt and division among students, neglect important context in order to obscure the whole story, or legitimize fringe ideas."
CSD StaffMarch 28, 2024
Letter To The Editor: Gratitude And Reflection On Our Legislative Journey For Behavioral Health
Dear editor, "We owe a debt of gratitude to Governor Mark Gordon, whose unwavering vision for a Wyoming where behavioral health services are prioritized and strengthened has been a source of hope for us all."
CSD StaffMarch 28, 2024
Letter To The Editor: 'Fairness In Farming Act' Is Target Of Flat Out Lies
Dear editor: There are exciting initiatives in the works to stop the decline of beef cattle numbers and cattle ranching operations as well as independent cattle feeding and beef processing businesses.
CSD StaffMarch 27, 2024
Guest Column: Why We Think A Special Legislative Session Is A Bad Idea
Senate President Ogden Driskill and House Speaker Albert Sommers write, "Without special rules governing the special session, it’s likely to be a Pandora’s Box scenario devolving into a mini-session akin to what we witnessed in the 2021 special session, where 41 bills were filed, and only one passed."
CSD StaffMarch 27, 2024
Guest Column: Why We Will Not Call A Special Session
Senate President Ogden Driskill and House Speaker Albert Sommers write, "A special session would require 8 - 10 days and cost approximately $35,000 a day. Should we spend $350,000 of taxpayer money because we couldn’t get our job done within the calendar that we had agreed upon?"
CSD StaffMarch 25, 2024
Guest Column: Governor Gordon Unconstitutionally Plays Politics with People’s Lives
Guest columnist Rep. Jeremy Haroldson writes, "The governor issued a line-item veto to remove funding for an aging water tower in my home of Wheatland - a water tower that is in such poor shape, it could breach at any moment, destroying ten or more city blocks in its wake."
CSD StaffMarch 25, 2024
Guest Column: Choosing Substance Over Flash In Local Elections
Laramie County Commissioner Gunnar Malm writes, "As we approach election season, it's essential for voters and residents to take a step back from the noise of partisan rhetoric and carefully consider the qualifications of those running to serve ALL residents."
CSD StaffMarch 21, 2024
Guest Column: Wyoming Education Association Falsely Attacking My Voting Record
Rep. Jeanette Ward writes, "When it is suggested to children that boys can become girls, that mental anguish can be solved by degrading and mutilating their bodies, that America is an evil empire, and that the world is sure to end because of your mom’s SUV, mental health problems are sure to proliferate."
CSD StaffMarch 20, 2024
Guest Column: “Education Savings Accounts” Invite The Government Into The Church
Guest columnist Rep. Jerry Obermueller writes, "Education savings accounts are not a “wall of separation” as proponents suggest, rather the mechanism to transfer money from the public treasury to the collection plate, the largest church fundraiser ever in Wyoming."
CSD StaffMarch 19, 2024
Guest Column: State Sees 32% Increase in Government; Leaves Taxpayers Behind
Members of the Freedom Caucus write, "The Uniparty and their allies in the media don’t want you to know how much was just spent in Cheyenne– and how much of it was discretionary spending."
CSD StaffMarch 18, 2024
Guest Column: Chloe Reminded Us It’s About Children, Not Gender Change
Guest columnist Jonathan Lange writes, "Chloe Cole did not come to Wyoming as an 'anti-transgender' anything. She came to prevent the child-abuse that forever changed her life from happening to Wyoming kids."
CSD StaffMarch 17, 2024
Guest Column: Winter Fishing In Wyoming
Guest columnist Abby Roich writes, "Few alarms are likely going off at 5 am on a Saturday but mine is buzzing. I’m thankful for an automatic brewer as it’s already filling the air with the aroma of coffee. 'I get to go fishing today,' I think to myself..."
CSD StaffMarch 15, 2024
Guest Column: Budget Session Ends
State Sen. Cheri Steinmetz writes, "The committee restored roughly $340 million to the governor’s energy slush fund, gave back the gender studies program and the requirement of a standard budget at the University of Wyoming, approved $2.5 million for an air show at the Casper airport and approved a third raise for state employees."
CSD StaffMarch 11, 2024
Guest Column: Legislature Passes Conservative Budget, Largest Property Tax Reform In History
Senate President Ogden Driskill and House Speaker Albert Sommers write, "Despite political differences and policy disagreements, the Legislature passed a conservative, balanced budget that addresses our state’s needs and invests in the future."
CSD StaffMarch 11, 2024
Mandy Fabel: Adjusting to Chaos
Guest columnist Mandy Fabel writes, "One of my favorite self-reflection and coaching tools is a personality inventory called the Hogan Assessment. It includes a scale called Adjustment that measures how well you operate in times of uncertainty, complexity, and pressure."
Mandy FabelMarch 09, 2024
Guest Column: Wyoming Freedom Caucus Supports Senate Budget
Members of the Wyoming Freedom Caucus write, "We are strongly opposed to the Uniparty's position in the House of growing government by 30% over the next two years– after all, will your income grow that much over the next two years?"
CSD StaffMarch 05, 2024
Guest Column: Extreme Partisanship Is Hurting Wyoming Businesses
Rep. Trey Sherwood writes, “Many of my colleagues at the Capitol — and particularly in the radical Freedom Caucus — are actively trying to defund state agencies and programs that I have seen firsthand help Wyoming businesses flourish.”
CSD StaffMarch 04, 2024
Guest Column: Stop Playing Legislative Games
Guest columnist Rep. Harriet Hageman says the so-called border security bill "...was instead a classic bait and switch, whereby the Democrats received a windfall of additional funding for the military-industrial complex, Ukraine pork, and the ability to expedite the processing of illegal immigrants."
CSD StaffMarch 03, 2024
Guest Column: House Of Reason v. House Of Cards
Rep. Landon Brown writes, "You deserve to know what is happening with the budget bill. The type of wasteful grandstanding is exactly what we despise about our national Congress and now we are seeing it infiltrate Wyoming."
CSD StaffMarch 02, 2024
Guest Column: Wyoming Senate - No Longer Supportive of Energy Industries?
Guest columnist Rod Hendry writes, "In any event, [defunding the Energy Matching Fund] is a message that the Wyoming Senate no longer cares about the core Wyoming energy industries.
CSD StaffMarch 01, 2024
Guest Column: Fully Fund the 988 Suicide LIfeline and Save Lives
Guest columnist Rep. Jon Conrad writes, "By refusing to provide stable, long-term funding for the suicide lifeline, the Wyoming legislature is accepting the fact that loss of life is part of Wyoming culture. I refuse to accept that."
CSD StaffMarch 01, 2024
Guest Column: State Senate In Step With Wyoming Citizens
Sen. Cheri Steinmetz writes, "The way policies are vetted is through legislative process, not a budget footnote that creates a $430 million dollar slush fund for the governor."
CSD StaffFebruary 28, 2024
Guest Column: Do We Really Want Separate Mule Deer and Whitetail Hunting Seasons?
Guest columnist Earl DeGroot writes, "Senate File 111 proposes to offer separate licenses for mule deer and whitetail deer, whereas currently hunters must select one or the other. The bill is being debated with a lot of bias against whitetails."
CSD StaffFebruary 28, 2024
Guest Column: Bill Would Eliminate Property Taxes for Most Wyoming Residents
Guest columnist Steve Harshman writes, "This bill would create a $1 million exemption for single-family residences, thereby eliminating property taxes for 97 percent of Wyoming homeowners.
CSD StaffFebruary 24, 2024
Guest Column: Yes, Small Towns In Wyoming Should Exist
Senate President Ogden Driskill and House Speaker Albert Sommers write, "When discussing House Bill 70, Rep. Bear questioned if small towns need to receive funding from the state. He asked, 'should they exist?' Our answer is a resounding, Yes. Absolutely."
CSD StaffFebruary 19, 2024
Guest Column: Protecting The Kelly Parcel Is A Win-Win For Wyoming
Govs. Sullivan and Freudenthal write, "We urge the legislature to recognize the commitment of the Park Service and the Grand Teton National Park Foundation and facilitate a sale to Grand Teton National Park."
CSD StaffFebruary 18, 2024
Guest Column: Senate Bill Will Ensure Equitable Access to Public School Facilities
Sens. Affie Ellis and Evie Brennan write, "This week, we introduced legislation to ensure our public-school facilities remain accessible for public use. It would prohibit school districts from charging excessive rental and usage fees for school district property."
CSD StaffFebruary 16, 2024
Molly Hughes: Help Me Convince County Commissioners To Say Yes To My Future Habitat Neighbors
Guest columnist Molly Hughes writes, "Teton County has the opportunity for 45 acres of free private land given to non-profit housing developers for needed housing, proposed to be given by the Gill Family as part of a long overdue housing development. But it’s unclear if the majority of Teton County Commissioners will allow that needed housing to happen."
CSD StaffFebruary 14, 2024
Guest Column: Budget, Property Tax Top Priorities During Legislative Budget Session
Senate President Ogden Driskill and House Speaker Albert Sommers write, "Let’s be clear. Wielding the budget as a political litmus test or for ideological chest-thumping is not being conservative. That’s obstructionism. That may fly in DC but not here in Cheyenne."
CSD StaffFebruary 13, 2024
Guest Column: Appropriations Committee Trims Governor’s Proposals By Over $100 Million
Wyoming Appropriations Chairs Tara Nethercott and Bob Nicholas write, "Overall, the joint appropriations committee is recommending a budget for 2025-26 that spends $370 million less than the current 2023-24 budget."
CSD StaffFebruary 11, 2024
Guest Column: Wyoming Mining Industries NOT Headed For Showdown Over Property Rights
Rep. Ben Hornok writes, "I would like to set the record straight about my House Bill 69, 'Mine permit and reclamation plan changes – landowner approval.'"
CSD StaffFebruary 11, 2024
Guest Column: Stories We Tell
Guest columnist Susan Stubson writes, "Is an obituary for the living or for the dead, an opportunity to rewrite grandma’s story or a last ditch attempt to make nicey nice with the one you couldn’t while they were alive?"
CSD StaffFebruary 10, 2024
Guest Column: Wyoming Already Is Benefiting From Renewable Energy
Guest columnist and Rawlins Mayor Terry Weickum writes, "It’s long past time for an elitist state senator from Fremont County to stop his annual circus and to stop trying to undermine Carbon County’s economic future with his tired old disinformation about the renewable energy industry.
CSD StaffFebruary 10, 2024