Politics

Thumbnail image for House panel bars filmmaker from Wyo. pollution hearing

House panel bars filmmaker from Wyo. pollution hearing

by Environment & Energy Daily February 2, 2012

The House Science subcommittee hearing on water contamination in Pavillion, Wyo., took an unusual turn Wed. morning when filmmaker and drilling opponent Josh Fox was handcuffed and led away by …

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Thumbnail image for Wyoming Billionaire Backs Santorum

Wyoming Billionaire Backs Santorum

by Ben Gose January 21, 2012

Friess has made national headlines in recent weeks thanks to his contributions to a super PAC that supports Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum. Friess is the main benefactor of the …

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Thumbnail image for Wyoming cautiously reviews insurance exchanges

Wyoming cautiously reviews insurance exchanges

by Emilene Ostlind January 17, 2012

There are approximately 83,000 uninsured people in Wyoming — a situation that puts families at risk of illness, bankruptcy and death — and an insurance exchange could make insurance more …

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Thumbnail image for Wyoming Delegation: Rep. Cynthia Lummis among Richest Members of Congress

Wyoming Delegation: Rep. Cynthia Lummis among Richest Members of Congress

by Gregory Nickerson December 13, 2011

An examination of public records reveals how Cynthia Lummis became one of the richest members of Congress, with a wealth of business holdings throughout Wyoming.

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Thumbnail image for Landing a Land Transaction

Landing a Land Transaction

by High Country News November 29, 2011

A Wyoming congressional representative is trying to resurrect a federal land sale act to reduce the budget deficit and help the National Park Service end a long quest to capture …

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Thumbnail image for Enjoy Wyoming (at Your Own Risk): Does State law give too much protection to outdoor-recreation providers?

Enjoy Wyoming (at Your Own Risk): Does State law give too much protection to outdoor-recreation providers?

by Ben Gose November 2, 2011

Some critics wonder if the Wyoming Recreation Safety Act’s “inherent risk” doctrine goes too far in protecting against death and injury lawsuits.

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Thumbnail image for Approaches to Safety

Approaches to Safety

by Ben Gose November 2, 2011

Few outdoor-recreation organizations have a finer reputation for safety and professionalism than the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS). Even so, the Lander-based nonprofit notched a sad milestone in September—its 12th …

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Thumbnail image for Right to Know: Press, officials seek consensus on reforms to meetings, records laws

Right to Know: Press, officials seek consensus on reforms to meetings, records laws

by Ruffin Prevost June 21, 2011

Elected officials, members of the news media and others are working this summer to reach consensus on a broad plan to reform Wyoming’s public records and open meetings laws. Among …

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Thumbnail image for Tongue River Water War

Tongue River Water War

by High Country News May 31, 2011

“First in time, first in right” guides how water is divvied up within states but doesn’t always apply across borders. Wyoming and Montana instead rely on the 1950 Yellowstone River …

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Thumbnail image for Partisan Split on Public Broadcasting

Partisan Split on Public Broadcasting

by Dustin Bleizeffer April 5, 2011

Wyoming Public Media general manager Jon Schwartz said he believes the real motive to defund is driven more by ideology than economics.

“This House bill that passed is, in an ironic …

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Thumbnail image for Farm subsidies a complex mix of financial aid, politics & markets

Farm subsidies a complex mix of financial aid, politics & markets

by Ruffin Prevost March 29, 2011

Since the 1930s, the federal government has managed an increasingly complex system of subsidies, direct payments, incentives and other financial assistance to American farmers, all with the goal of making …

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Thumbnail image for Construction industry continues to struggle

Construction industry continues to struggle

by Ruffin Prevost March 29, 2011

“The outlook for construction in general nationwide is still very dismal. In Wyoming, we’re certainly in a downward trend right now,” said Shawn Warner, division manager of Sletten Construction of …

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Thumbnail image for Workers question double standard in unemployment vote

Workers question double standard in unemployment vote

by Ruffin Prevost March 29, 2011

Aid Debate Overview | ‘Double Standard’ | Construction Struggles | Farm Subsidies
CODY — Before Wyoming felt the cumulative effects of the 2007 credit crunch, the 2008 real estate collapse and …

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Thumbnail image for Advocates praise increase in Wyoming mental health funding, see room for improvement

Advocates praise increase in Wyoming mental health funding, see room for improvement

by Ruffin Prevost March 15, 2011

Despite the strong current fiscal outlook and overall increased spending and focus on mental health care in recent years, providers and patient advocates say Wyoming continues to face formidable challenges …

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Thumbnail image for BLM pressed on alleged ethics violations by former Wyoming manager

BLM pressed on alleged ethics violations by former Wyoming manager

by Environment & Energy Daily March 8, 2011

The Interior Department is being accused by a government watchdog group of ignoring possible ethics violations by a former Bureau of Land Management Casper field office manager who allegedly accepted …

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Thumbnail image for Wyoming to become fourth state allowing concealed guns without permit

Wyoming to become fourth state allowing concealed guns without permit

by Ruffin Prevost March 8, 2011

In what may be a growing trend in states around the country, Wyoming will soon join Alaska, Arizona and Vermont in allowing residents to carry concealed guns without a permit. …

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Thumbnail image for Over Objections from Tribal Leaders, Lawmakers Pass ‘Hybrid’ District Vote Bill

Over Objections from Tribal Leaders, Lawmakers Pass ‘Hybrid’ District Vote Bill

by Rone Tempest February 22, 2011

“After violating the civil rights of Indian voters for decades, the efforts by certain Fremont County officials to re-write state law to avoid another defeat in the pending lawsuit is …

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Thumbnail image for Fish & Wildlife nominee could face tough questions over wolves, other species

Fish & Wildlife nominee could face tough questions over wolves, other species

by Environment & Energy Daily February 15, 2011

Dan Ashe’s road to becoming director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service may hit speedbumps from northern Rockies senators, who likely will pose tough questions over plans to remove …

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‘Citizen lobbyists’ learn how pros influence, persuade lawmakers

by Ruffin Prevost January 31, 2011

Though residents in Wyoming enjoy virtually unparalleled access to their elected representatives, participating in person during the annual winter sessions is often hampered by weather, distance, timing and other factors, …

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Thumbnail image for Niobrara oil drilling saps county road budgets

Niobrara oil drilling saps county road budgets

by Gregory Nickerson January 18, 2011

Local officials know their rural roads were never meant to handle this kind of industrial traffic. “We’ve seen some of the roads disintegrate. These roads were designed for pickups and …

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Thumbnail image for Group with ready-made legislation spurs calls for more disclosure

Group with ready-made legislation spurs calls for more disclosure

by Ruffin Prevost January 11, 2011

Though members of Wyoming’s citizen Legislature pride themselves on being closely connected to their constituents, voters might be surprised to learn that some laws proposed and passed in Cheyenne are …

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Thumbnail image for ‘Cluster Developments’ Slow to Catch on in Bighorn Basin

‘Cluster Developments’ Slow to Catch on in Bighorn Basin

by Ruffin Prevost December 14, 2010

Six years after developers announced their plan to build a 104-lot gated subdivision on 550 acres between Cody and Yellowstone National Park, the Copperleaf subdivision is now owned by the …

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Thumbnail image for Hauling Gold on the Chief Joe: Montana Officials ‘Take Step Back’ to Review Transport Plan

Hauling Gold on the Chief Joe: Montana Officials ‘Take Step Back’ to Review Transport Plan

by Ruffin Prevost November 17, 2010

Montana officials have pledged to “take a step back” and re-evaluate a plan to haul tens of thousands of tons of contaminated mine tailings next summer from Cooke City, Mont., …

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Thumbnail image for Fremont County Voting Rights Case: County to Appeal, Fremont Citizens Will Pay the Bill

Fremont County Voting Rights Case: County to Appeal, Fremont Citizens Will Pay the Bill

by Dustin Bleizeffer November 2, 2010

Doug Thompson, chairman of the Fremont County board of commissioners, said the commission and the county attorney’s office estimate it will cost the county $25,000 to $40,000 to pursue the …

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Thumbnail image for Wyoming Liability Pool Reaches Limit – Nixes More Coverage in Fremont County Rights Case

Wyoming Liability Pool Reaches Limit – Nixes More Coverage in Fremont County Rights Case

by Rone Tempest October 30, 2010

“If Fremont County wants to pursue an appeal,” said Liability Pool executive director Mark Pring. “They will have to do it on their own.”

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Thumbnail image for Voting Rights Case Drags on in Fremont County: At What Cost to Other Counties and Towns?

Voting Rights Case Drags on in Fremont County: At What Cost to Other Counties and Towns?

by Rone Tempest October 26, 2010

The pending claims in the Fremont lawsuit are the largest in the Local Government Legal Liability Pool’s 23-year history. The issue of how much the pool—and therefore Wyoming counties and …

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Thumbnail image for First Amendment: “A Document for All Seasons.”

First Amendment: “A Document for All Seasons.”

by WyoFile April 27, 2010

UPDATE: 4:30pm (MT), 4/30/10

Casper–”To be a free people, we must have the courage to exercise our constitutional rights,” Chief Wyoming US District Judge William F. Downes said at the conclusion …

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Thumbnail image for Gov Dave’s Long Goodbye Poses Problems for Wyoming Democrats

Gov Dave’s Long Goodbye Poses Problems for Wyoming Democrats

by Jim King March 16, 2010

Laramie–The decision by Governor Dave Freudenthal not to seek a third term has dramatically changed the contest for the state’s chief executive.  The Cheyenne Tribune-Eagle reported the three announced Republican …

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Thumbnail image for In Conservative Idaho Democrat Allred A Surprise Candidate

In Conservative Idaho Democrat Allred A Surprise Candidate

by WyoFile March 16, 2010

“A big surprise”: That was the Idaho Statesman’s headline last December, when Keith Allred announced his candidacy for Idaho governor –– running as a Democrat in one of the most …

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Thumbnail image for Blogging Cheyenne: Blogs on the Legislative Budget Session

Blogging Cheyenne: Blogs on the Legislative Budget Session

by WyoFile February 12, 2010

…a number of journalists, state politicians, policy wonks, environmental activists and political party henchmen are blogging the 2010 Budget Session of the Wyoming Legislature now in full swing in Cheyenne.

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Thumbnail image for Will He, Won’t He? Question Looms Over 2010 Gov Race

Will He, Won’t He? Question Looms Over 2010 Gov Race

by Bill Sniffin January 22, 2010

The 2010 Wyoming governor’s race is difficult to handicap. The main uncertainty is whether two-term Gov. Dave Freudenthal will challenge the state law for term limits which prevents him from …

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Thumbnail image for Tom Stroock Dies: Wyoming Leader and Iconoclast

Tom Stroock Dies: Wyoming Leader and Iconoclast

by WyoFile December 14, 2009

He was an easterner who took Wyoming as his home, or as he might have said in his fluent Spanish, his querencia, the place in the ring where the bull …

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Thumbnail image for Feds Gone Wild, Part III: RIP, RIK? New Bill Would Kill Industry’s Darling

Feds Gone Wild, Part III: RIP, RIK? New Bill Would Kill Industry’s Darling

by WyoFile September 16, 2009

For more than a decade, West Virginia Democratic U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall watched powerlessly as the Bush administration and a Republican Congressional majority made Royalty in Kind the main method …

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Thumbnail image for Feds Gone Wild Part II: A True Story

Feds Gone Wild Part II: A True Story

by WyoFile September 1, 2009

When President Bill Clinton signed the Federal Oil and Gas Royalty Simplification and Fairness Act of 1996 into law in Jackson Hole, his Washington, D.C.-based Minerals Management Service director, Cynthia …

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Thumbnail image for Feds Gone Wild

Feds Gone Wild

by Laton McCartney September 1, 2009

On a cold, blustery January 28, 2009, the newly appointed Secretary of the Interior of the United States, Ken Salazar, arrived at the headquarters of Minerals Management Service at the …

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Thumbnail image for Wyoming News Reader

Wyoming News Reader

by WyoFile July 15, 2009

NEW: For the best, hand-picked, eclectic selection of current news about Wyoming from newspapers, magazines and websites…

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GUEST COLUMN: Bring Severance Tax Rates Into State Budget Discussions

by Equality State Policy Center June 22, 2009

Bring Severance Tax Rates Into State Budget Discussions
Hikes should be part of an overall review of revenues and tax investments
By Dan Neal and Sarah Gorin
No more Centennial Singers?
No more Geology …

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Teton County Tops Party Leaderships, Petersen Heads Dems, Vaughan GOP

by Rone Tempest May 19, 2009

Leslie Petersen

When it comes to running for statewide office in Wyoming, hailing from tony Teton County can be a voter turnoff.
Just ask Jackson Hole Democrat Gary Trauner, who was crushed …

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Is Sweetwater County Getting Shafted? Report Urges Wyoming Tax Reforms

by Samuel Western April 20, 2009

Impacts of Energy Development in Wyoming

An extensive report by Headwaters Economics, an independent regional research organization, recommends that Wyoming follow Alaska’s example to revamp its severance tax formula and direct …

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Wyoming Legislature: Of Leaf -Cutter Bees and Helium Tax, Small Issues Embraced, Big Ones Avoided

by Geoffrey O'Gara March 16, 2009

Cheyenne — In a lengthy and multifaceted session, Wyoming’s 60th legislature dealt with storage of carbon gases from energy production, ignition interlocks that require convicted drunks to test for alcohol …

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Editorial: WyoFile Calls for Reform of Severance Tax

by WyoFile February 23, 2009

Get Involved! Ask Your Lawmaker for Change Here!
Wyoming has not raised its basic severance tax for oil, gas, and coal for 28 years.
WyoFile would like to see that change.
Right now, …

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Winslow Friday’s Eagle

by Deb Donahue June 16, 2008

Wind River Sun Dance and Religious Freedom
Laramie – For centuries, the Northern Arapaho Tribe has conducted the Sun Dance, of which the centerpiece is the offering of an eagle to …

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