Articles written by Tom Coulter
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Lawmakers weighing options for 2021 general session
CHEYENNE — After state lawmakers decided last month to delay most of the 2021 general session beyond January due to COVID-19 concerns, plans for the 66th Wyoming Legislature are still up in the air, with a couple main options being considered by... Full story
U.S. Senate candidates Lummis, Ben-David debate over COVID-19 response, health care reform
CHEYENNE – With just a few weeks remaining until Election Day, the pair of candidates vying to become Wyoming’s next U.S. senator discussed their approaches to the federal COVID-19 response, health care reform and several other issues during a... Full story
State Public Health Officer defends masks in schools, death statistics in talk with lawmakers
CHEYENNE – Wyoming State Public Health Officer Dr. Alexia Harrist reiterated the need for students to wear masks in schools and then faced criticism from a couple lawmakers on the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic during a virtual meeting... Full story
Revenue Committee rejects multiple tax proposals amid historic budget shortfall
CHEYENNE – With Wyoming bracing for its largest revenue decline in state history, lawmakers rejected every tax-raising proposal on their agenda during a committee meeting Tuesday. Due to long-term declines in its energy industries and the economic... Full story
Lawmakers advance bills to help agribusinesses, meat processing facilities
CHEYENNE — Lawmakers advanced legislation Friday aiming to boost the state’s meat processing facilities and provide more financial relief to agriculture industries. But the ultimate call on whether to stand up such programs will be left to Gov.... Full story
Budget cuts could throw State Public Defender's office back into constitutional crisis
CHEYENNE — Just a few months removed from a Supreme Court decision forced by heavy caseloads and understaffing for the agency, the Wyoming Public Defender’s office could soon be thrust into another constitutional crisis, thanks to the 10% budget... Full story
Four women are finalists for Wyoming congressional seats
CHEYENNE — For the first time in Wyoming history, voters will be choosing from only female candidates in the state’s two federal races in November. Tuesday’s primary election also confirmed Wyoming will have its first female delegate in the... Full story
State releases initial guidance for fall reopening of K-12 schools
CHEYENNE — Lunch in classrooms, widespread hand sanitizer stations and face coverings are just a few of the features Wyoming students can expect to see if the state’s schools return to in-person instruction this fall. The Wyoming Department of Ed... Full story
Legislators approve three bills in final day of special session
CHEYENNE – The Wyoming Legislature’s first special session since 2004 ended Saturday night with three bills headed to the desk of Gov. Mark Gordon for his consideration, as lawmakers wrapped up their initial attempts to respond to issues related... Full story
Committee advances bill establishing grant, loan programs ahead of special session
CHEYENNE – With the end of the financial turbulence caused by the COVID-19 pandemic nowhere in sight, Wyoming business owners and their employees could soon gain a boost. When the Wyoming Legislature meets in a mixed format for its special... Full story
Gov. urges caution as businesses open more
CHEYENNE – With some statewide public health orders being eased at the end of the week, Gov. Mark Gordon asked the public Wednesday to be careful as the state’s economy begins to reopen. The three updated statewide orders, set to take effect... Full story
COVID-19 underscores Wyoming gender disparities as female unemployment surges
CHEYENNE – In the first weeks of the coronavirus closures, the share of women filing unemployment claims in Wyoming skyrocketed to levels far above historical norms, suggesting women face unique struggles in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.... Full story
Election officials prep for increase in absentee voting in August primary
CHEYENNE – Wyoming will not be making a complete shift to mail-in voting for its August primary, but state election officials, anticipating a jump in absentee voting amid the COVID-19 pandemic, are preparing to ensure voters have a wide range of op... Full story
Protesters at Capitol demand reopening the state
CHEYENNE – A large crowd of protesters gathered at the front steps of the Wyoming State Capitol on Monday to demand a full reopening of businesses, schools and other industries that have temporarily closed amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The rally,... Full story
Land deal bill wins final approval from Legislature
CHEYENNE — It remains to be seen whether the state will decide to buy roughly 1 million surface acres and 4 million mineral acres in southern Wyoming, but the process is now in place for the state to begin exploring such a purchase. On the final... Full story
Statewide lodging tax bill headed to governor's desk
By Tom Coulter CHEYENNE — A 5% lodging sales tax proposal won final approval from the Senate on Friday afternoon, marking passage of the only tax measure aimed at putting a small dent in the roughly $200 million revenue deficit facing the state in... Full story
Plan to use Cheyenne schools as pilot program for Medicaid reimbursements moves forward
By Tom Coulter Wyoming Tribune Eagle Via Wyoming News Exchange CHEYENNE – Wyoming could soon join the other 49 states that charge Medicaid for special education services if legislation moving through the Capitol becomes law, and Laramie County... Full story
Gordon outlines 'window of opportunity' for energy, education in State of the State address
CHEYENNE – Gov. Mark Gordon gave his second State of the State address Monday morning, offering proposals to protect Wyoming’s energy industries and emphasizing the state’s need to find long-term ways to fund its education system. Gordon’s...
Legislator proposes hunting, firearm safety classes; session begins Monday
CHEYENNE — A Republican state lawmaker has introduced a resolution that would encourage the Wyoming Department of Education to offer voluntary gun and hunting safety classes in the state’s high schools. If passed during the legislative...
Lawmakers reject GPA-based incentives for Hathaway Scholarship
CHEYENNE – State legislators on the Joint Education Interim Committee turned down a bill Thursday that would have let college students receive more Hathaway Scholarship money if they reached certain GPA benchmarks. The bill, which failed by a 8-5 v... Full story
Education Committee rejects school security policies bill
CHEYENNE — Lawmakers on the Joint Education Interim Committee spent more than an hour Friday discussing school safety, though they ultimately rejected a bill requiring school districts to adopt certain security policies. The bill, which failed by... Full story
Wyoming lawmakers reject proposed alcohol tax increase
CHEYENNE — A bill that would have essentially doubled the state’s excise tax on alcohol in order to provide more funding for substance use treatment programs was rejected by lawmakers during a committee meeting Wednesday. The bill would have... Full story
Legislative committee supports task force to look at mental health services
CHEYENNE – A committee of state lawmakers voted Thursday in support of a bill that would establish a task force to study Wyoming’s mental health services. The bill would create a 12-member group consisting of legislators, mental health-care... Full story
Committee votes to advance Medicaid expansion bill
CHEYENNE — State lawmakers on the Joint Revenue Interim Committee voted 8-5 Tuesday to move forward with a bill authorizing Gov. Mark Gordon to expand Medicaid coverage in Wyoming. If approved by the full Legislature next year, the bill would... Full story
Wyoming students testing above national average
CHEYENNE — An education report released Wednesday shows Wyoming students scored higher than national averages on standardized reading and math tests. Wyoming students outperformed students nationwide on the National Assessment of Educational... Full story
