Legislative

  U-S Senator John Barrasso continues to be critical of the Obama administration over environmental regulations that he says will cost Wyoming and the energy industry jobs. 

During an appearance on Wyoming Public Radio, Barrasso was asked why Wyoming would not be able to capitalize on regulations that could benefit the state’s low sulfur coal reserves.

“When the administration goes against what’s coming out of coal fired power plants and their closing across the country.  The makes it harder to sell any coal and use any coal.”

Wyoming lawmakers are considering further reforms to the state’s pension system. This year, the legislature lowered pension benefits for new employees  and changed the way cost-of-living adjustments are made.

But Cheyenne Representative Bryan Pedersen  says he is convinced that even with the changes, Wyoming won’t have e

“This will at best float us three to five years. It’s a band-aid that will kick the can further down the road. And that’s with the plan fully performing at the eight percent estimated average annual return.”

    Wyoming Congresswoman Cynthia Lummis urged the U-S House Natural Resources Committee not to allow the two-percent royalty rate for soda ash to increase six percent, as is being proposed by the Obama Administration.  Lummis told the committee Thursday that the two percent royalty rate has helped the industry.

Wyoming lawmakers are sitting on pins and needles as the Supreme Court takes up the health care law this week. Democrats passed the law, and Republicans despise it and are resting their political fortunes on overturning it.

MARCH 6: SUPER TUESDAY 
Ten states will hold Republican contests on Tuesday, March 6th. Wyoming Public Radio and NPR will offer special coverage from 7--8 PM. Our coverage will feature candidate speeches, news maker interviews, and expert analysis from NPR Contributors E.J. Dionne (The Washington Post) and Matthew Continetti (The Weekly Standard). We’ll also hear from NPR’s Mara Liasson and Ron Elving. 

The Wyoming House of Representatives gave final approval to a new legislative redistricting plan Friday.  It makes subtle changes across the state,and House members voted to accept a plan that also keeps Senators Curt Meier and Wayne Johnson from being combined into one Senate seat. 

Representative Pete Illoway oversaw the House effort and he admits he has mixed emotions about what they did to preserve the Senate seats.

Wyoming Governor Matt Mead says it is doubtful that his office will propose legislation for the 2012 session on how the state should handle Juvenile offenders. Some reports have claimed that Wyoming incarcerates more Juveniles than any other state. Governor Mead says his office is trying to verify that information and is closely looking at good practices that are taking place in some of the counties in the state. Mead says it has been a difficult issue to resolve, but he does want to find a solution.