Lawmakers — and the public and press — have had their hands full tracking some 555 pieces of legislation this session. For some, all those bills present more opportunities for the best ideas to win. For others, the sheer quantity makes it hard to shape well-thought-out policies.

The Wyoming Legislature has passed the halfway point in its 40-day general session. To mark the occasion, three WyoFile and three Wyoming Public Radio reporters share moments that feel emblematic of the attitudes and energy of the session so far.

As the Legislature nears the halfway point of the general session, bills are starting to drop like flies. The carnage is exposing some fault lines between freshman and veteran lawmakers over both the content of the bills, and the lawmaking process itself.

Lawmakers are in the midst of deciding how much the state should spend on programs that impact people's lives across Wyoming — from wildfire recovery to energy projects to support for vulnerable children. WyoFile and Wyoming Public Radio compare what the governor recommended against what lawmakers cut, and where things go from here.

With its newfound power, the Wyoming Freedom Caucus set out to pass its top five priorities within the first 10 days of the legislative session. The group says it hit the mark within eight days. WyoFile and Wyoming Public Radio break down what the caucus pushed through the House and how a couple of those bills veered away from the Freedom Caucus' original aims.

With its newfound power, the Wyoming Freedom Caucus set out to pass its top five priorities within the first 10 days of the legislative session. The group says it hit the mark within eight days. WyoFile and Wyoming Public Radio break down what the caucus pushed through the House and how a couple of those bills veered away from the Freedom Caucus' original aims.

Things kicked off at the state Capitol in Cheyenne on Tuesday, Jan. 14 and already state lawmakers’ priorities are starting to take shape. But lawmakers aren’t the only ones with ideas about how they want Wyoming to run — officials in the executive and judicial branches have priorities, too. This week, we’ll hear what the governor, secretary of state, state superintendent and the head of the judicial branch want for Wyoming, and how their priorities align — and don’t — with lawmakers’.

The 68th Wyoming Legislature begins its general session on Jan. 14. The next two months are Wyoming lawmakers' one chance this year to set the policies that govern how our state operates — and the Wyoming Freedom Caucus has ambitious plans.

The 68th Wyoming Legislature begins its general session on Jan. 14. The next two months are Wyoming lawmakers' one chance this year to set the policies that govern how our state operates — and the Wyoming Freedom Caucus has ambitious plans. WyoFile's Maggie Mullen and Wyoming Public Radio's Jordan Uplinger review how this fast-paced lawmaking process works.Editor's note: This audio has been updated to correct a misstatement.

The Cheyenne Roundup podcast crew — WyoFile’s state government reporter Maggie Mullen, and Wyoming Public Media’s Chris Clements and David Dudley — welcomed special guest Bob Beck and a live audience for this extended overview of what turned out to be an unusual 2024 budget session.