Government & Politics
News
Laramie Democrat Introduces Bill To Decriminalize Marijuana
State Rep. Karlee Provenza, D-Laramie, has introduced a bill to decriminalize marijuana in Wyoming. The likelihood of it passing is about zero for political reasons and the much higher threshold of getting a non-budget bill through a budget session.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 15, 2024
On-Again, Off-Again Plan To Charge Casper Landlords For Unpaid Utilities Off Again
After approving two readings of an ordinance that would make landlords responsible for unpaid utility bills to help recover $700,000 to $800,000 a year in losses, the Casper City Council is having second thoughts.
Dale KillingbeckFebruary 15, 2024
Freedom Caucus, House Dems Team Up To Kill Bill Outlawing Child Sex Changes
The Wyoming Freedom Caucus and five House Democrats formed an unexpected alliance Wednesday to torpedo a bill that would have prevented minors from receiving transgender surgeries in most scenarios in Wyoming.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 15, 2024
With Abortion In Wyoming Already In Court, New Bills Aim To Restrict It More
A handful of bills being considered in the 2024 legislative session aim to restrict, regulate or continue access to abortions in Wyoming, while its legal status continues to be fought in the courts.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 15, 2024
Wyoming Senate Committee Passes Bill Requiring Parents To Opt-In For Kids' School Health Services
A bill that instructs Wyoming public schools to notify parents about changes to the health status of their children, including help in gender-transitioning, passed the Senate Education Committee on Wednesday morning.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 14, 2024
With Alcohol-Involved Crimes Up, Casper Councilmember Says It’s ‘Our Way Of Life’
As the city’s police chief briefed the Casper City Council that alcohol-related crimes are on the rise, Councilmember Gena Jensen said there may be a reason for that: Drinking in Wyoming is “our way of life.”
Dale KillingbeckFebruary 14, 2024
Bill Calls For $50 Million For Wyoming To Sue Feds Over Land Use Policy
Wyoming should set aside $50 million, earmarked for lawsuits against the federal government when federal policy hurts Wyoming’s interest, legislators say.
Mark HeinzFebruary 14, 2024
Wyoming Outdoor Rec Fund Gets $6M Every Two Years, But No Way To Manage It
The Legislature is considering ways to pay out $6 million in grants for outdoor recreation and tourism. A Senate bill to do that failed by 3 votes Monday. Now it’s up to the House.
Renée JeanFebruary 14, 2024
Legislature Wastes No Time Debating Property Tax Reform
After tackling Gov. Mark Gordon’s $10.8 billion budget, the largest issue for Wyoming legislators this session is property tax reform, and they wasted no time Tuesday getting into more than a dozen proposed bills.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 14, 2024
Hageman Chosen As Impeachment Manager For Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas
Shortly after the U.S. House voted to impeach Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, it was announced Wyoming congresswoman Harriet Hageman will be a Senate trial manager, if needed.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 14, 2024
Down The Tubes: Wyoming House Kills Record 13 Committee Bills On Introduction
Some state lawmakers are upset that 13 committee bills were killed on the first day of the 2024 Wyoming Legislature on Monday, calling it a waste of state resources and potential money for communities.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 14, 2024
Wyoming Senate Will Hear Bill To Outlaw 'Sexual Contact' As Prostitution
Only the Wyoming Senate’s two Democrats voted against a bill that would add "sexual contact" to the definition of prostitution, with one saying laws to protect prostitutes from exploitation would be better.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 13, 2024
Some Wyoming Republicans Say Gordon’s State Of State Full Of ‘Hypocrisy’
Gov. Mark Gordon said all the right things in his State of the State speech Monday, which has some Wyoming Republicans calling out as “hypocrisy” and inconsistent with his recent energy stances.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 13, 2024
Proposal To Give $150,000 To Help Solve 150 Wyoming Cold Cases Advances
A bill that would allocate $150,000 to develop and maintain a Wyoming database for the estimated 150 unsolved cold cases dating back to 1972 has advanced to committee.
Jen KocherFebruary 13, 2024
Barrasso Votes Against $95 Billion Foreign Aid Package; It Passes Anyway
Sen. John Barrasso voted against a $95 billion foreign aid package early Tuesday morning, saying the U.S. needs to take care of the crisis at its southern border “before helping other nations secure theirs.” The bill passed 70-29.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 13, 2024
Bill Introduced To Discourage Child Custody For People Who Allow Gender-Change Treatments
Thirteen Wyoming legislators have signed-on to the "Best Interests Of A Child" bill that would sway child-custody battles in favor of parents and guardians who won't allow children to receive gender-change treatments.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 13, 2024
‘Free Palestine’ Protesters At Wyoming Capitol Accuse Gordon, Hageman Of Genocide
About 40 people gathered outside the Wyoming Capitol on Monday to accuse Gov. Mark Gordon and U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman of committing genocide by supporting Israel’s war with Hamas.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 13, 2024
Wyoming Senate Overturns Driskill, Reinstalls Kinskey As Appropriations Chair
Despite an emotional plea from Senate President Ogden Driskill not to overturn a decision he made to remove Dave Kinskey as chairman of the Appropriations Committee, they voted 17 - 14 to reinstall him on Monday.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 13, 2024
‘Red Flag’ Gun Law Money Could Lead To Arbitrary Gun Seizures, Legislator Says
Republican state Rep. Mark Jennings says Wyoming should flatly refuse any federal money tied to “red flag” gun control laws because it could lead to people losing their firearms without due process.
Mark HeinzFebruary 12, 2024
Gordon State Of The State Address: Biden Threatening Wyoming's "Very Way Of Life"
In his State of the State address on Monday, Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon criticized President Biden's energy polices as “warped,” “unwise” and — borrowing from Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf — “unadulterated bovine scatology.”
Leo WolfsonFebruary 12, 2024
Freedom Caucus Questions If State Agency Is Pushing Property Tax Bill
Leading members of the Wyoming Freedom Caucus are concerned the Wyoming Department of Revenue may be lobbying county assessors to support a property tax that will be considered in the upcoming legislative session.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 11, 2024
Religious Freedom Expert To Speak In Cheyenne Tuesday
The attorney fighting major and controversial religious freedom cases in the U.S. is speaking at a conference in Cheyenne on Tuesday to discuss religious freedom in the U.S. and how it can be safeguarded for the future.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 11, 2024
$10.8 Billion Budget, 205 Bills To Start 2024 Wyoming Legislature Session On Monday
When Wyoming legislators begin their 2024 session Monday, they’ll start with Gov. Mark Gordon’s proposed $10.8 billion budget and 205 bills already introduced.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 10, 2024
Park County Citizens Push To Ditch Voting Machines In Favor Of Hand-Count Ballots
With the 2024 elections coming up fast in Wyoming, a group of Park County residents and state senator are reviving an effort there to replace electronic vote tabulators with the human hand-counts.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 09, 2024