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Public health cuts hit communities across Wyoming
The Legislature cut more than $100 million from the Wyoming Department of Health’s budget this session, including tens of millions from mental health and substance abuse programs while the state is experiencing a suicide crisis.
The silver lining of Wyoming’s new voter ID law: A path to online registration
Wyoming’s new voter ID law will suppress turnout, as similar laws have in other states. But by forcing Wyoming residents to show IDs at the polls, the new law also eliminates the main argument against Wyoming adopting online voter registration, which increases youth voter turnout.
Wyo Senate scuttles education funding bill, sparing school cuts
In a last-day legislative surprise, lawmakers from the Wyoming House and Senate failed to agree on the details of a bill that would have dramatically cut public education funding. As a result of legislators’ failure to govern, K-12 schools will be spared budget cuts for now. But the structural problem of our education funding model remains.
Wyo Legislature looks to end fifth straight session with deep education cuts
The House and Senate have come up with two different versions of an education funding bill: One that cuts public school budgets, and another that cuts them even more. Lawmakers will end the session tomorrow debating which version will prevail.
A single vote stops Wyo. Medicaid expansion, but a movement grows
Two identical bills to update Wyoming’s Medicaid program came before the same Senate committee this session. A senator who supported the first bill flipped and killed the second. But not before a movement coalesced that will continue to fight for affordable healthcare access in Wyoming.
Wyoming’s “budget crisis” is fake
Even as fossil fuel tax revenues plummet, Wyoming remains a rich state with no urgent reason to cut public services from struggling and vulnerable people. It also just received more than a billion dollars in federal aid. Why then, are Wyoming lawmakers eager to cut public funding? Because they want to.
Far-right full-court press fails to stop Wyo Medicaid bill’s advance
Members of the “Freedom Caucus” mounted a vigorous attempt to stop a bill to extend Wyoming Medicaid coverage to low-income residents on Wednesday, comparing poor people to livestock and simply denying any problem exists. But they failed, and for the first time ever, a Medicaid expansion bill passed the Wyoming House.
Dollars and care: Wyoming House gives initial approval to Medicaid upgrade
Many lawmakers explained that they had opposed similar measures in the past. But Wyoming has failed to find an alternative solution, the federal government is offering more funding, and tens of thousands of people in the state still lack access to healthcare. So this year is different.
Second Medicaid update bill clears Wyoming Legislative committee
Two separate bills to extend insurance coverage to tens of thousands of Wyomingites have advanced thanks to public support and increased federal funding.
Minerals committee hijacks bill to help Wyoming transition from fossil fuels
The proposal would have created an independent task force to explore how Wyoming workers and communities can persevere through the global transition away from fossil fuels. Instead, the Legislature’s House Minerals Committee—which works hand-in-hand with industry—amended the bill to put the “transition” task force under its own control.
Abortion pill ban is part of suite of anti-choice bills before the Wyoming Legislature
A proposal to ban medical abortion would effectively end Wyoming women’s ability to terminate pregnancy in the state. Similar laws passed in other states have all been found unconstitutional.
Patients’ stories propel cannabis bill past Wyoming House committee
Personal liberty, access to treatment, and the high cost of locking up users all helped motivate Wyoming lawmakers to advance a bill that would fully legalize cannabis in the state.
The Legislature’s plan to keep Wyoming burning coal (whether we like it or not)
The Legislature has been working hard—and failing—since 2019 to prop up Wyoming’s coal industry. This year, proposals to support carbon capture, ban renewable energy, sue states that decrease coal use, and force coal-fired plants to stay open are all on the table.
New funding, public outcry prompt Wyoming Senate committee to advance Medicaid bill
Dozens of people showed up Monday to demand the Legislature take advantage of COVID-19 relief funds that would cover the cost of updating Wyoming’s Medicaid program to insure low-income residents.
Wyoming Legislature continues its quest to punish renewable energy
Want to hurt businesses? Create an environment of uncertainty. That’s the plan for Wyoming lawmakers intent on kneecapping our wind and solar industries.