Wyoming
Degenfelder Says Trans Rules, School Choice Among Top Priorities For Legislature
Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder believes it’s important to make her voice heard on legislation even though she can’t vote on it or draft it herself.
It’s an approach that Wyoming’s statewide elected officials have somewhat shied away from in the past, but one that others like Secretary of State Chuck Gray have fully embraced since taking office in 2023.
Degenfelder is now jumping into the mix.
“For too long, the executive branch has in many ways sat back and been reactive to the work of the Legislature,” Degenfelder said. “These issues are too important, especially when we think about education, we have to be proactive. We have to work in tandem with legislators to make sure that we’re getting these things across the finish line.”
Degenfelder shared her legislative priorities with Cowboy State Daily on Friday in an exclusive interview, which includes giving parental control over decisions made in the classroom, “protecting kids” and “ensuring Wyoming remains that beacon of freedom and excellence in education.”
Degenfelder said she’s had many conversations with legislators about her priorities for the upcoming session and believes they align with what they heard from constituents along the campaign trail.
“We can only do that if we partner with the legislative branch,” Degenfelder said.
Transgender Issues
Degenfelder wants a 2023 ban on transgender girls competing in female youth sports in Wyoming expanded to include the collegiate level. A women’s rugby coach at the University of Wyoming, Degenfelder said her desire to eliminate this participation is strictly about protecting athlete’s safety.
“When I think about my players, the No. 1 thing for me is their safety and we’ve got to protect those girls,” Degenfelder said.
When her team played an opponent that had a transgender member on their roster, Degenfelder said her players expressed safety concerns.
On Thursday, a federal court judge ruled that President Joe Biden’s changes to Title IX rules allowing transgender participation in sports and bathrooms facilities is illegal. Degenfelder said it’s important that Wyoming still address the issue to have its stance enshrined in law in case a future presidential administration acts in a similar manner.
“With all of this, it’s shown us how important it is to be proactive in our approach to project women and girls in these areas,” Degenfelder said. “We don’t know what will come next and so the more clear we can be in statute, the better.”
Degenfelder also wants to limit school bathroom access in Wyoming to biological sex.
Last legislative session, state Rep. Jeanette Ward, R-Casper, brought legislation that would have defined people’s sex as male or female by their biology at birth and forbid special accommodations for people who “identify” otherwise.
The bill didn’t get much traction for a few reasons, but since that time the Wyoming House has shifted significantly to the right, making it much more likely it could pass into law in the upcoming session. Ward was voted out of office, but Rep.-elect Jayme Lien, R-Casper, has brought it back for this session.
School Choice
Degenfelder also wants Wyoming to expand to universal school choice and lift the cap on the amount of charter schools that can operate in the state.
During the 2024 legislative session, the Legislature established income-based education savings accounts (ESAs), which provide public dollars to parents for their children to receive public education. Currently, the ESA money is restricted to certain income brackets, which Gov. Mark Gordon then narrowed further with line-item vetoes, drawing frustration from some ardent school choice supporters.
Since the application period opened for this program last week, Degenfelder said the state has already received more than 100 applications.
“We want to make sure that’s available to a greater population of folks,” she said.
Degenfelder wants these income restrictions removed so that all families in Wyoming, no matter how much money they make, receive money from the state if they want their children to seek private or charter education.
“What I want to do is create as much opportunity for a family to decide that, if it fits the needs of their child,” she said.
Guns In Schools
Degenfelder also supports a push to ban gun-free zones in Wyoming and expand concealed carrying of firearms in schools.
Rep. Jeremy Haroldson, R-Wheatland, is bringing legislation this session that would ban gun-free zones in Wyoming and allow people to carry firearms in governmental buildings and schools as long as they have a concealed carry permit.
Although the State Building Commission allowed concealed carry use in certain parts of the Capitol on Wednesday and has more rules on the way for other state buildings, Degenfelder said Haroldson’s bill is the most efficient and direct way to approach this topic.
Academic Excellence
Degenfelder also wants to enact comprehensive early literacy reforms to ensure students read at grade level and ban the use of cell phones during school instructional time, an issue Sen. Wendy Schuler, R-Evanston, is addressing with her own legislation.
She also wants to expand career and technical education opportunities and launch a blockchain partnership for competency-based learning and technology instruction in Wyoming.
The topic of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) mandates and environmental, social governance (ESG) scores have come center stage in Wyoming in recent years. Degenfelder said she wants to eliminate the presence of both in state education and law.
The Legislature has made the presence of DEI at UW a particular focus over the past year, leading to the school scrapping its DEI office, which Degenfelder supported.
“This is a land grant university and so that should be our focus area,” she said. “Moving away from these political ideologies that are spreading into higher education, we really need to refocus on what we do best as a land grant university.”
Although Degenfelder and Gordon have had a positive relationship in the past, some cracks formed in their relationship last November over the issue of the Kelly Parcel in Teton County. Gordon got his way on the issue as the state ended up selling the Kelly Parcel to the federal government, which resulted in a net-gain of land for the government, the main source of Degenfelder’s frustration.
“The way this went down, we lost all leverage to use that swap as leverage for a trade that best fits our needs,” Degenfelder said.
The money from this sale will be used to pursue the purchase of federal land in the Powder River Basin for mineral opportunities.
Rep. Dalton Banks, R-Cowley, is bringing a bill for the upcoming session that would prohibit any exchange of state lands that creates a net-gain for the U.S. government.
Gordon will still hold the veto power for the upcoming legislative session, but Degenfelder’s views more closely align with the majority of members in the House.
“I want to work with everybody,” Degenfelder said. “I fundamentally want to do what’s best for the state of Wyoming. Anyone who wants to join in that effort, protect our conservative values here in the state, I’m ready and willing to work with them on that.”
Leo Wolfson can be reached at leo@cowboystatedaily.com.
If you’re planning on visiting Wyoming, for a truly authentic experience, you must include at least one of the state’s awesome downtowns in your travel plans. Positioned at the southern end of the 60-mile-long valley known as Jackson Hole, the character-rich town of Jackson is one such place to consider. A wonderful place to explore on foot, Jackson’s unique downtown, with its Old West vibe, spreads out from the intersection of Broadway and Cache Street. While it consists of just a few blocks, it is jam-packed with fun things to do, no matter what time of year you visit. Its impressive elk arch makes for an excellent photo opportunity, while the charm of its Old West heritage exudes from the historic buildings, cowboy-themed bars, and art installations across town. The wild past also comes to life in Jackson during the Jackson Hole Shootout at the Town Square, a tradition that has endured since 1957.
Town Square And The Elk Antler Arches
Though Jackson’s Central Park is officially known as George Washington Memorial Park, locals and visitors alike prefer to call it Town Square. Dedicated in 1934, this centrally located public space occupies the block at Broadway and Cache and is famous for the elk antler archers set at each of its corners.
Made entirely from naturally shed elk antlers, the first arch was erected by local Boy Scouts and Rotary Club members in 1953, with the other three added a few years later. Each consists of around 2,000 antlers collected from the nearby National Elk Refuge and is among the most photographed landmarks in Wyoming.
For a truly memorable experience, try to time a visit to coincide with ELKFEST. Held in May, this community-wide celebration attracts visitors from across the country for events like the Mountain Man Rendezvous, a reenactment of the state’s early fur trading years.
The main event, though, is the highly anticipated Elk Antler Auction. Bidders from far and wide turn up at Town Square to purchase antlers, which are then used to make everything from furniture to jewelry (proceeds going back to the Elk Refuge).
Jackson’s Cowboy Heritage
From Memorial Day through Labor Day, Town Square becomes the backdrop of the famous Jackson Hole Shootout. This fun (and free) mock gunfight has been entertaining visitors since 1957 and includes several costumed outlaws and lawmen shooting it out (with blanks, of course). You can add to the experience by hopping aboard the Jackson Hole Stagecoach, a ride aboard a century-old coach that loops around downtown.
The Old West theme is evident in other spots around the downtown core, too. Steps from Town Square, the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar has been around since 1937 and is set in what was once the town’s first bank in the late 1890s. Highlights include its hand-carved bar top with silver dollars embedded in it, as well as its cool saddle barstools. Live music is regularly scheduled on the stage that has seen such legends as Willie Nelson and Hank Williams Jr. perform.
The Wort Hotel is another downtown landmark you’ll want to include in your Jackson itinerary. A local fixture since 1941, it’s here you’ll find the famous Silver Dollar Bar with its custom-made S-shaped counter inlaid with 2,032 uncirculated (and therefore rare) 1921 silver dollars. You’ll also want to check out its priceless collection of original Western art.
Other Fun Stuff To Do In Downtown Jackson
In addition to its iconic bars, downtown Jackson also boasts a world-class food scene. Highlights include Persephone Bakery, its old-fashioned stone hearth turning out delicious baked goods, including croissants and artisanal bread. Also yummy, Cafe Genevieve occupies an old log cabin and serves breakfast and lunch with a Southern-inspired menu.
Jackson’s art scene is also worth a mention. Art galleries are plentiful in the downtown area, with establishments like Astoria Fine Art and Mountain Trails Galleries, both on Town Square, featuring works by local, national, and international artists. The Center for the Arts is another cultural high point and features performance spaces, visual arts studios, and an outdoor sculpture park.
Snow King Mountain
Another unique feature of Jackson’s downtown is its proximity to some of Wyoming’s best (and certainly most accessible) ski hills. The base of Snow King Mountain is just six blocks from Town Square and has been in use since 1936, and really took off when Wyoming’s first chairlift opened here in 1946.
Dubbed the “Town Hill” by locals, Snow King now consists of 500 skiable acres, 41 named runs, three chairlifts, an eight-passenger gondola, and night skiing. In warmer months, the action shifts to a thrilling Cowboy Coaster, a zipline, a treetop adventure ropes course, and an alpine slide.
The Snow King Observatory and Planetarium is another excuse to head for the hills from downtown Jackson. Located at the summit of Snow King Mountain, in addition to its large telescope, this must-see attraction features a planetarium theater and a rooftop observation deck boasting incredible views over Jackson and the Jackson Hole Valley.
Explore Jackson’s Not-So-Wild Side
Downtown Jackson has so much to offer visitors seeking an authentic slice of Wyoming life. From its unique elk antler arches to its art galleries and cowboy culture, as well as its unique position steps from the ski hills, few towns in the USA’s Mountain Region can match the long list of fun things to do in Jackson’s downtown core.
The expansion would open the spigot for 550,000 barrels per day of crude, the company says. Although the crude would mostly pass through eastern Wyoming, the venture opens opportunities for Wyoming oil producers in the region for more transportation access to U.S. refineries and shipping ports, according to Bridger and local industry officials.“It would be the biggest project in our history, if it comes to fruition,” Bridger Pipeline spokesperson Bill Salvin told WyoFile on Friday. “We are, however, in the really early stages of the project. But we’re very excited about it.”Industry trade groups speculate the Bridger Pipeline Expansion is part of a competitive scramble to fill a gap left by TC Energy’s Keystone XL project. That company, in 2021, abandoned the controversial project in the face of major opposition and protests. It would have transported Canadian tar-sands oil into the U.S. market via a route extending through Montana, South Dakota and Nebraska. Among many challenges for Keystone XL was acquiring new rights-of-way easements. Though the Bridger Pipeline Expansion proposal requires some new rights-of-way, that’s not the case for the 210-mile Wyoming segment, according to Salvin.“All of that distance is within, or parallel to, existing pipeline corridors,” Salvin said.
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The Wyoming segment would pass through Crook, Weston, Niobrara, Goshen and Platte counties.Bridger Pipeline, a subsidiary of Casper-based True Companies, submitted a notice of intent to the Montana Department of Environmental Quality in January and noted it will formally initiate environmental applications to the agency. Salvin told WyoFile he’s uncertain about the full spectrum of regulatory requirements in Wyoming.However, the company regards the Cowboy State as a great fit for the project, he said. “This [project proposal] just highlights how important the region is and how Wyoming is a very good place for energy projects like this.”Reached for comment, the Petroleum Association of Wyoming said the proposed pipeline only stands to benefit Wyoming producers and the state.“Investments like these, along with continued growth in areas like the Powder River Basin, show Wyoming will continue to play an important role in the nation’s energy markets,” PAW Vice President and Director of Communications Ryan McConnaughey told WyoFile. “Connecting in Guernsey allows product to be transported to refining hubs like Cushing, Oklahoma.” WyoFile is an independent nonprofit news organization focused on Wyoming people, places and policy.
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LARAMIE — Nasir Meyer converted a three-point play with 35 seconds remaining to give Wyoming Cowboys men’s basketball the lead for good, and Wyoming held Air Force Falcons men’s basketball scoreless over the final two minutes to secure a 66-62 victory Saturday night.
The win marked the 13th home victory of the season for Wyoming, which improved to 16-13 overall and 7-11 in conference play.
“Air Force deserves all the credit and let’s talk about a team that has every reason not to fight, but thats why they are Air Force and the cadets and I have a lot of respect for them,” Wyoming coach Sundance Wicks said. “They were not going to quit, and I didn’t drive that message home enough and hats off to Air Force because they deserved to win. We snuck away with a win. Adam Harakow showed when we need him and he was massive for us. Simm-Marten was made big plays and Naz was clutch for us late.”
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Wyoming shot 35% from the field and went 7 of 28 from 3-point range, making just two from beyond the arc in the second half. Air Force shot 49% overall and 44% from 3, hitting eight shots from long distance. The Cowboys made 13 of 16 free throws (81%) and scored 22 points off 15 Air Force turnovers while holding a 39-36 edge in rebounding.
Damarion Dennis led Wyoming with 16 points and three assists, going 7 of 8 from the free-throw line. Meyer finished with 14 points and tied a career best with eight rebounds. Adam Harakow added 14 points off the bench on 5-of-6 shooting, his first double-figure scoring game since the first meeting with Air Force. Simm-Marten Saadi had nine points in 13 minutes, and Kiani Saxon grabbed seven rebounds.
Air Force opened with back-to-back 3-pointers to take a 6-0 lead. Meyer scored Wyoming’s first basket, and Leland Walker added a 3-pointer to make it 8-5 with 16 minutes left in the first half.
Wyoming responded with a 9-0 run over nearly four minutes, with Saadi and Harakow each connecting from beyond the arc to give the Cowboys an 11-8 lead with under 14 minutes remaining. Air Force regained a 12-11 advantage as Wyoming went scoreless for more than two minutes.
Harakow’s second 3-pointer pushed the lead to 22-16 with nine minutes left in the half, and Wyoming used a 6-0 run while holding the Falcons without a field goal for more than four minutes to build a 28-18 lead with six minutes remaining. The Cowboys closed the half on a defensive stand, keeping Air Force scoreless for the final two minutes to take a 35-25 lead into the break. Wyoming scored 15 first-half points off turnovers.
The teams traded 3-pointers early in the second half, and Air Force cut the deficit to 40-31 with under 17 minutes left before trimming it to seven 90 seconds later. Walker answered with a 3-pointer to make it 43-33 with 15 minutes to go.
Air Force used a 9-0 run during a stretch in which Wyoming went more than 3 1/2 minutes without a point to pull within one with nine minutes left. The Falcons later tied the game at 51-51 with 5:30 remaining after forcing six straight missed shots.
A pair of free throws by Meyer and a basket from Saadi gave Wyoming a 57-53 lead with under four minutes to play. Air Force answered with three consecutive 3-pointers from Kam Sanders to take a 62-59 lead with two minutes left.
Meyer scored with 90 seconds remaining to cut the deficit to one. On the next trip, he converted an and-one to give Wyoming a 64-62 lead with 35 seconds left. The Cowboys added late free throws to close out the 66-62 win.
Sanders led Air Force with 16 points and nine rebounds, going 4 of 5 from 3-point range. Eli Robinson added 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting.
Wyoming closes its home schedule Tuesday against Nevada Wolf Pack men’s basketball at 8 p.m. as part of a doubleheader with the Cowgirls.
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