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As water shortages loom, Wyo seeks water-bank bill
Worried by growing demands and shrinking water supplies in the Colorado River Basin, Wyoming lawmakers are seeking legislation to authorize water banking in Wyoming and declare it a “beneficial use.”...
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Mead unfazed by Zinke’s sage grouse plan
Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke’s proposed reworking of greater sage grouse conservation plans are “minor tweaks” and not the “wholesale changes” Gov. Matt Mead lobbied against, the governor said...
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Wyo’s top cop leans on citizen board for records fees
A citizen advisory board that oversees a branch of the Department of Environmental Quality ended its holdout last week over new rules requiring fees for public records requests. Following appearances...
View ArticleTwo groups sue Wyo auditor seeking public spending records
Two groups sued Wyoming State Auditor Cynthia Cloud on Wednesday over a public records request the organizations allege is being slow-walked even after they paid $7,820 in records fees. American...
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Public land ski resort bills draw fire
Proposed federal legislation that would require the U.S. Forest Service to spend more than half the money it receives from renting land to ski areas on approving ski-area developments and offsetting...
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Friess suggests election-law change following loss
The morning after his GOP primary election loss, Foster Friess asked other state party gubernatorial candidates whether they would support banning Democrats from switching parties on primary day. In an...
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Senate revenue chairman Peterson ousted over school funding
Sen. Ray Peterson (R-Cowley) lost his reelection bid last week, halting a 13-year Senate career and ensuring the Legislature’s Joint Revenue Committee will see new leadership at a critical point in the...
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Why a wrinkle in Wyo water law is worth millions
Lawmakers and water developers, citing well-founded concerns about an increasingly arid future, are considering multiple high-priced water development projects and a sweeping water law rewrite. But...
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Tribes confront incarceration problem
The tribal jail in Fort Washakie, which serves the entire Wind River Indian Reservation, has a capacity problem. But the three judges of the newly resurrected Wind River Tribal Court say detainee...
View ArticleWanted: Wall Street mavens seeking state government salaries
Lawmakers who met in Buffalo on Sept. 19 are angling to bring management of Wyoming’s investments in-house — cutting out the contracted financiers who collect tens of millions of dollars in fees...
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Going for a hike? It may soon cost you
State lawmakers are considering a first-of-its-kind fundraising measure: Charge hikers, bikers, horseback riders and others for using trails. At least one prominent outdoor recreation user group is on...
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Criminal justice reform solutions await lawmaker action
Outside experts from the Council of State Governments presented lawmakers last week with targeted solutions to stem Wyoming’s ever-deepening prison crisis: Invest in substance abuse and mental health...
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As Zinke touts migration safeguards, conservationists protest
MORAN — Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke touted his agency’s new wildlife migration and winter range preservation strategy in Wyoming on Saturday, efforts critics say he has already undercut by...
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Enzi economic development hire draws criticism, defenders
Brad Enzi’s selection as the new president and CEO of the Laramie Chamber Business Alliance has raised eyebrows among the city’s elected officials, at least one of whom is concerned by his tenure with...
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Analysis: Westmoreland bankruptcy shows county vulnerability
Westmoreland Coal Company’s filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last week could leave Lincoln County holding the bag for millions in unpaid taxes — making them the latest Wyoming community caught between...
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Analysis: Will pricey consultants pay off? Ask Kansas, Louisiana
Wyoming isn’t the first state to bring in corporate consulting giant Alvarez & Marsal in hopes of building a leaner, cheaper government. The state this month signed a $1.8 million contract with the...
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Spending to save: State commits $1.8 million to consultants
Gov. Matt Mead’s office this month signed a one-year, $1.8 million dollar contract with management consulting firm Alvarez & Marsal, with elected officials hoping the expense will stem some of the...
View ArticleJudge strikes down ‘data trespass’ laws as unconstitutional
The District Court of Wyoming has ruled controversial data trespass laws passed by the Wyoming Legislature violate the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and has blocked the state from enforcing...
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Revenue report erases Wyo’s general government budget deficit
Barring any sharp changes by January, lawmakers will convene in Cheyenne next year with a fresh $958 million on state balance sheets, according to the fine print of the annual October state revenue...
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Energy industry throws campaign cash to Gordon over Throne
Though both major party gubernatorial candidates have ties to the energy industry and are vocal proponents of coal, gas and oil production, the industry is betting its money on Republican candidate...
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