Continuing the Crook County News Since 1884

Articles written by Hannah Shields


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  • State lawmakers debate whether climate hearing is a legislative event

    Hannah Shields, Wyoming Tribune Eagle Via Wyoming News Exchange|Feb 8, 2024

    CHEYENNE — Sen. Cheri Steinmetz, R-Lingle, announced on Tuesday that a public hearing on Feb. 13 would be an official meeting of the Legislature, but legislative leaders clarified they were never notified of the hearing. Steinmetz said in Tuesday’s news release that the Legislature’s Joint Agriculture State and Public Lands and Water Resources Committee would hold an “Oversight Hearing...on the Environmental Impact of ‘Net-Zero’ and ‘Carbon Negative’ Policies,” as well as the Annual Forest Health Briefing on Feb. 13 upon adjournment. Howe...

  • Latest forecast: $13.3M less available for state spending

    Hannah Shields, Wyoming Tribune Eagle Via Wyoming News Exchange|Jan 18, 2024

    CHEYENNE - In advance of the upcoming budget session, the Wyoming Legislature's wallet to appropriate funds for budget requests is expected to shrink by $13.3 million. An updated Consensus Revenue Estimating Group (CREG) report informed members of the Legislature's Joint Appropriations Committee they had $37.3 million in discretionary funds to spend this year. The CREG report is a forecast of the state's total revenue and assets. It includes estimates of Wyoming's mineral prices and production,...

  • Lawmakers split over advanced legislation banning delta-8

    Hannah Shields, Wyoming Tribune Eagle Via Wyoming News Exchange|Nov 16, 2023

    CHEYENNE — State lawmakers advanced a bill draft on Monday that aims to ban all hemp-products containing any psychoactive properties, including delta-8, without providing a distinction between “synthetic” and “naturally occurring” properties. Members of the Legislature’s Joint Judiciary Committee were divided in their opinions of the bill. Some members said the draft was a necessary step toward protecting youth, while others hesitated over the bill’s broad language. Committee co-Chairman Rep. Art Washut, R- Casper, said the bill was “not read...

  • Bills would add voter requirements, expand campaign donor reporting

    Hannah Shields, Wyoming Tribune Eagle Via Wyoming News Exchange|Nov 2, 2023

    CHEYENNE — Will potential voters be required to live in Wyoming for at least 30 days in order to vote? Do people need to register as a PAC if they spend more than $1000 in an election? After some heavy deliberation Thursday, members of the Legislature’s Joint Corporations, Elections and Political Subdivisions Committee advanced bill drafts that could create significant changes to existing Wyoming election laws. 30-day residency requirement Legislators forwarded a bill to next year’s budget session that, as written, would add a 30-day resid...

  • Homeowners speak in favor of a new property tax system, lawmakers move to draft new bill

    Hannah Shields, Wyoming Tribune Eagle Via Wyoming News Exchange|Oct 5, 2023

    CHEYENNE — Members of the Joint Revenue Committee moved to draft legislation during their Monday meeting that would amend the state constitution and implement an acquisition value property tax system in Wyoming. An acquisition value property tax system assesses a property at its market value from the time the property was purchased, with limited annual tax increases until the property is resold, according to the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy. Acquisition value is defined under HB 100 as “the purchase price paid for the acquisition of pro...

  • Initiative to reduce property tax criticized by lawmakers

    Hannah Shields, Wyoming Tribune Eagle Via Wyoming News Exchange|Sep 14, 2023

    CHEYENNE — Wyoming state legislators criticized an initiative to reduce property taxation for homeowners by 50%, arguing the bill’s passage would ultimately strip state funding for public schools. The proposed initiative, formally dubbed the “People’s Initiative to Limit Property Tax in Wyoming through a Homeowner’s Property Exemption,” was conditionally certified by Secretary of State Chuck Gray at the end of last month. Spearheaded by Brent Bien, a former Wyoming governor candidate, alongside committee applicants Cheryl Aguiar and Richard...

  • Cowboy Challenge restart on hold due to staffing concerns

    Hannah Shields, Wyoming Tribune Eagle Via Wyoming News Exchange|Sep 7, 2023

    CHEYENNE — Officials from the Wyoming Military Department advised legislators against restarting the Wyoming Cowboy Challenge Academy until sufficient staffing for the residential program for at-risk youth is secured. Maj. Gen. Greg Porter, the state’s adjutant general, stressed to the Joint Transportation, Highways and Military Affairs Committee that a restart of the program isn’t possible until the staffing issue is resolved. “What I would offer — and I would tell the governor of Wyoming the same thing — until we are able to solve the s...