wyoming politics

In the last few weeks, the WPR politics team has written stories about interim committees, cloud seeding, a drag show fundraiser in Laramie, and much, much more. How well have you been following the latest political developments in the Cowboy State?

A bill that would incentivize property owners in Wyoming to refurbish abandoned buildings was reconsidered in a Joint Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions Committee meeting on Monday.

A drag show bingo event in Laramie has been happening annually for years. It raises money for AIDS and HIV testing in Wyoming, and to support those living with the virus. Recently, however, it’s come under fire from ultraconservative state legislators.

The 2024 legislative budget session ended last month, but the impacts of the bills that passed – or died – are still being felt across Wyoming. How much do you know about this year’s session and the history of the state Capitol?

If Ivan Posey wins in Nov., he’ll be the only Native American representative in the state Legislature. He’s running as a conservative Democrat against Rep. Sarah Penn (R-Lander) for House District 33, which encompasses part of the Wind River Reservation.

The House voted 27 to 35 against returning to Cheyenne this summer, while the Senate voted 16 to 15 in favor of the idea.

In a combative committee hearing, U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman (R-Wyoming) spoke in favor of a bill last week that would bar transgender athletes from competing in the Olympics.

A bill that requires teachers in Wyoming to notify parents of changes in their students’ physical, mental or emotional health has passed into law without Gov. Mark Gordon’s signature. It also mandates educators in the state to obtain parental consent to teach classes on gender identity and sexual orientation.

Gov. Mark Gordon vetoed a bill this week that would have placed regulations on clinics that provide procedural abortions. It would've meant the temporary closure of the only clinic providing that care in Wyoming, according to staff.

This week, Gov. Mark Gordon signed a bill that would ban gender-affirming procedures for minors. The ban outlaws gender-affirming surgeries and other forms of care for those under 18 in the state, like puberty blockers and hormone therapy.