© 2022 Wyoming Public Media800-729-5897 | 307-766-4240Wyoming Public Media is a service of the University of WyomingPlay Live Radio0:000:00Available On Air StationsThe Wyoming Legislature has approved a bill that changes how health orders are issued. It gives the governor and county commissioners power to approve extended health orders in a pandemic.But the House and Senate agreed to take legislative approval out of the mix, despite the insistence of some that the lawmakers need to have some say. Casper Rep. Chuck Gray complained that the legislature was giving too much authority to the...…© 2022 Wyoming Public Media800-729-5897 | 307-766-4240Wyoming Public Media is a service of the University of WyomingPlay Live Radio0:000:00Available On Air StationsThe Wyoming Legislature has approved a bill that changes how health orders are issued. It gives the governor and county commissioners power to approve extended health orders in a pandemic.But the House and Senate agreed to take legislative approval out of the mix, despite the insistence of some that the lawmakers need to have some say. Casper Rep. Chuck Gray complained that the legislature was giving too much authority to the...WW…

© 2022 Wyoming Public Media800-729-5897 | 307-766-4240Wyoming Public Media is a service of the University of WyomingPlay Live Radio0:000:00Available On Air StationsThe Wyoming House of Representatives has given final approval to a bill that would expand Medicaid in the state and provide health care coverage to an estimated 25,000 people.The bill passed despite concerns about long-term costs and whether the federal government will continue paying its share of the plan.Wheatland Rep. Jeremy Haroldson claimed that he knows people who rejected higher paying jobs so that they wouldn't lose...…© 2022 Wyoming Public Media800-729-5897 | 307-766-4240Wyoming Public Media is a service of the University of WyomingPlay Live Radio0:000:00Available On Air StationsThe Wyoming House of Representatives has given final approval to a bill that would expand Medicaid in the state and provide health care coverage to an estimated 25,000 people.The bill passed despite concerns about long-term costs and whether the federal government will continue paying its share of the plan.Wheatland Rep. Jeremy Haroldson claimed that he knows people who rejected higher paying jobs so that they wouldn't lose...WW…

© 2022 Wyoming Public Media800-729-5897 | 307-766-4240Wyoming Public Media is a service of the University of WyomingPlay Live Radio0:000:00Available On Air StationsA Wyoming Senate committee has started working on a bill that is intended to slow the closures of coal plants in the state.It requires utilities to convince the Wyoming Public Service Commission that if they're planning to close a coal plant, that there would indeed be significant cost savings for consumers and not threaten power reliability.The committee is considering a number of amendments to clarify some things in the bill,...…© 2022 Wyoming Public Media800-729-5897 | 307-766-4240Wyoming Public Media is a service of the University of WyomingPlay Live Radio0:000:00Available On Air StationsA Wyoming Senate committee has started working on a bill that is intended to slow the closures of coal plants in the state.It requires utilities to convince the Wyoming Public Service Commission that if they're planning to close a coal plant, that there would indeed be significant cost savings for consumers and not threaten power reliability.The committee is considering a number of amendments to clarify some things in the bill,...WW…

© 2022 Wyoming Public Media800-729-5897 | 307-766-4240Wyoming Public Media is a service of the University of WyomingPlay Live Radio0:000:00Available On Air StationsThe Wyoming House and Senate adopted a new state budget that reduces over $400 million from the existing two-year budget. The two sides did agree to restore money back into the Wyoming Department of Health for some popular programs including home services for the elderly and added some money for Community Colleges and the University of Wyoming.Some in the House complained that a conference committee gave up too much to the Senate...…© 2022 Wyoming Public Media800-729-5897 | 307-766-4240Wyoming Public Media is a service of the University of WyomingPlay Live Radio0:000:00Available On Air StationsThe Wyoming House and Senate adopted a new state budget that reduces over $400 million from the existing two-year budget. The two sides did agree to restore money back into the Wyoming Department of Health for some popular programs including home services for the elderly and added some money for Community Colleges and the University of Wyoming.Some in the House complained that a conference committee gave up too much to the Senate...WW…

© 2022 Wyoming Public Media800-729-5897 | 307-766-4240Wyoming Public Media is a service of the University of WyomingPlay Live Radio0:000:00Available On Air StationsThe Wyoming Senate voted Friday to cut funding to local governments for the coming year. The reduction is part of the need to address the loss of revenue to the state due to the downturn in the energy industry. The $10.5 million reduction will impact communities differently, but likely will impact things like staffing and services to the public.Laramie Senator Chris Rothfuss argued last year that the current funding formula...…© 2022 Wyoming Public Media800-729-5897 | 307-766-4240Wyoming Public Media is a service of the University of WyomingPlay Live Radio0:000:00Available On Air StationsThe Wyoming Senate voted Friday to cut funding to local governments for the coming year. The reduction is part of the need to address the loss of revenue to the state due to the downturn in the energy industry. The $10.5 million reduction will impact communities differently, but likely will impact things like staffing and services to the public.Laramie Senator Chris Rothfuss argued last year that the current funding formula...WW…

© 2022 Wyoming Public Media800-729-5897 | 307-766-4240Wyoming Public Media is a service of the University of WyomingPlay Live Radio0:000:00Available On Air StationsDespite the pandemic, Wyoming graduation rates rose again last year. State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jillian Balow said the statewide graduation rate was at 82.3 percent. It's the seventh straight year there was an increase."Eighteen of 48 school districts had above 90 percent graduation rate, and that is up from 15 school districts one year ago," She said.Balow added that she remains concerned about the 18 percent of...…© 2022 Wyoming Public Media800-729-5897 | 307-766-4240Wyoming Public Media is a service of the University of WyomingPlay Live Radio0:000:00Available On Air StationsDespite the pandemic, Wyoming graduation rates rose again last year. State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jillian Balow said the statewide graduation rate was at 82.3 percent. It's the seventh straight year there was an increase."Eighteen of 48 school districts had above 90 percent graduation rate, and that is up from 15 school districts one year ago," She said.Balow added that she remains concerned about the 18 percent of...WW…

How Wyoming Voters Are Reacting To Liz Cheney's Vote To Impeach Trump Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., is under criticism from lawmakers in her party after voting to impeach former President Donald Trump. NPR looks at how voters are reacting to her decision.Heard onFromToggle more optionsRep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., is under criticism from lawmakers in her party after voting to impeach former President Donald Trump. NPR looks at how voters are reacting to her decision.ARI SHAPIRO, HOST:In Wyoming, the name Cheney has been gold for decades. Liz Cheney has easily won all three of her congressional...…How Wyoming Voters Are Reacting To Liz Cheney's Vote To Impeach Trump Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., is under criticism from lawmakers in her party after voting to impeach former President Donald Trump. NPR looks at how voters are reacting to her decision.Heard onFromToggle more optionsRep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., is under criticism from lawmakers in her party after voting to impeach former President Donald Trump. NPR looks at how voters are reacting to her decision.ARI SHAPIRO, HOST:In Wyoming, the name Cheney has been gold for decades. Liz Cheney has easily won all three of her congressional...WW…

© 2022 Wyoming Public Media800-729-5897 | 307-766-4240Wyoming Public Media is a service of the University of WyomingPlay Live Radio0:000:00Available On Air StationsThe Wyoming House Revenue Committee has actually approved a tax bill. Committee members voted to send a 14 cents a pack increase on cigarettes to the House floor. The bill also increases the tax on smokeless tobacco by 12 cents.It's predicted to raise $5.6 million in new revenue for the state with $830,000 going to local governments. Some say the tax will negatively impact poorer people, while others are concerned that it will...…© 2022 Wyoming Public Media800-729-5897 | 307-766-4240Wyoming Public Media is a service of the University of WyomingPlay Live Radio0:000:00Available On Air StationsThe Wyoming House Revenue Committee has actually approved a tax bill. Committee members voted to send a 14 cents a pack increase on cigarettes to the House floor. The bill also increases the tax on smokeless tobacco by 12 cents.It's predicted to raise $5.6 million in new revenue for the state with $830,000 going to local governments. Some say the tax will negatively impact poorer people, while others are concerned that it will...WW…