Politics

Featured Thumbnail image for Wyoming scrambles after losing ‘Obamacare’ legal challenge

Wyoming scrambles after losing ‘Obamacare’ legal challenge

July 3, 2012

While Wyoming’s all-Republican congressional delegation decried the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision late last week to uphold the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and vowed to repeal …

Featured Thumbnail image for Top Wyo official says Pavillion fracking investigation motivated by ‘greed’

Top Wyo official says Pavillion fracking investigation motivated by ‘greed’

June 6, 2012

Wyoming’s top oil and gas supervisor said he believes Pavillion area residents are motivated by greed in the ongoing groundwater contamination investigation, angering town residents.

Featured Thumbnail image for Wyoming open records: Press and government battle over exemptions

Wyoming open records: Press and government battle over exemptions

June 5, 2012

The Wyoming Legislature has frequently exempted itself from disclosing information on its’ behind-the-scenes processes. State press and government watchdog groups say that the growing number …

Featured Thumbnail image for The state of open records laws: Access denied

The state of open records laws: Access denied

June 5, 2012

An investigation from The Center for Public Integrity reveals that the move toward open records exemptions in Wyoming is part of a nationwide trend.

Policy Thumbnail image for GOP bills seek to speed approval of energy projects

GOP bills seek to speed approval of energy projects

April 24, 2012

House Republicans seek to accelerate national energy development. However, their measures are at odds with the oil and gas leasing reforms at the heart of …

Featured Thumbnail image for Shake-up in alcohol, tobacco and suicide prevention services rankles providers

Shake-up in alcohol, tobacco and suicide prevention services rankles providers

April 10, 2012

A major shake-up is coming in how a federal grant to help prevent suicide and the use of alcohol and tobacco will be administered in …

Featured Thumbnail image for Health on Hold: Lawmakers put the brakes on health insurance exchange effort

Health on Hold: Lawmakers put the brakes on health insurance exchange effort

April 3, 2012

After nearly two years of study and building a wide coalition of stakeholders, Wyoming’s Health Insurance Exchange Steering Committee is temporarily on hold. Some say …

Featured Thumbnail image for 10th Circuit Upholds Ruling in Voting Rights Case Fremont County Officials Face Difficult Decision

10th Circuit Upholds Ruling in Voting Rights Case Fremont County Officials Face Difficult Decision

February 24, 2012

A federal appeals court on Wednesday, February 22, affirmed a 2010 U.S. district court decision that found discrimination against Native American voters in Fremont County …

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

House panel bars filmmaker from Wyo. pollution hearing

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 …

Featured Thumbnail image for Wyoming Billionaire Backs Santorum

Wyoming Billionaire Backs Santorum

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 …

Featured Thumbnail image for Wyoming cautiously reviews insurance exchanges

Wyoming cautiously reviews insurance exchanges

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 …

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

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

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.

Policy Thumbnail image for Landing a Land Transaction

Landing a Land Transaction

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 …

Featured 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?

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.

Policy Thumbnail image for Approaches to Safety

Approaches to Safety

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 …

Featured 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

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 …

Politics Thumbnail image for Tongue River Water War

Tongue River Water War

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 …

Economy Thumbnail image for Partisan Split on Public Broadcasting

Partisan Split on Public Broadcasting

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 …

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

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

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 …