Wyoming
Freedom Caucus Questions If State Agency Is Pushing Property Tax Bill
When state Rep. Barry Crago, R-Buffalo, started devising his property tax relief bill last year, he and Rep. Steve Harshman, R-Casper, reached out to Wyoming Department of Revenue Director Brenda Henson to see if it would be feasible to enact his legislation immediately for the 2024 tax year.
“We tried to work with the people that actually have the power to implement the law we have to pass,” Crago said.
This led Henson to direct her staff Jan. 3 to host a presentation to the 23 Wyoming county assessors on how this bill, if it passes, would be implemented.
That’s drawn some questions from leading members of the Wyoming Freedom Caucus, who sent a letter to Henson demanding an explanation for spending state resources on something that hasn’t happened yet, or could never happen.
“Regardless of the merits of the bill, the process undertaken by your department creates the appearance of corruption and lacks the transparency needed to appropriately enact legislation,” the letter reads.
In the letter sent to Henson on Jan. 24, Reps. John Bear, R-Gillette, and Rachel Rodriguez-Williams, R-Cody, accuse Henson of lobbying Wyoming’s county assessors to support the bill and prematurely establishing rules and regulations for it.
“The appearance is that the department began to promulgate rules prior to a bill being introduced, debated or voted on,” Bear told Cowboy State Daily.
Despite the sharp tone of the letter, Bear said it was only sent to give Henson a chance to clear up any misconceptions about the situation.
In their letter, the legislators remind Henson what the stated purpose of her property tax division is and that “there is clearly a difference between training and guiding local governmental agencies and lobbying county elected officials.”
Henson’s Response
In a Jan. 31 response, Henson thanks the legislators for stating the role of her department, but denies most of the accusations.
She said her staff talked to the county assessors about the bill to show that the current state database used by the assessors would be capable of immediately executing Crago’s House Bill 45 if it were to pass into law.
“These discussions help to ensure there are no unintended consequences,” Henson wrote.
Bear and Rodriguez-Williams also accuse the department staff of threatening assessors to support House Bill 45 or they will be blamed for not providing tax relief. Henson denied that allegation and said the warning the Freedom Caucus is concerned about was actually made by an individual county assessor, not her office.
Henson also said her department has not established any new rules ahead of the legislative session, but did ask assessors where terminology in the rules may need some clarifying to implement the proposed legislation.
To make HB 45 happen, Henson said her department will need to adopt emergency rules, adding that “communication and transparency during the early stages benefits all.”
For Bear, this is still a step too far, as he believes the presentation should have been hosted by Crago and Harshman. Any action by Department of Revenue staff, he said, should wait until the bill passes into law.
“Presenting how the bill could be implemented by the assessors should be considered training and should have fallen into the ‘emergency rulemaking’ time frame once a bill has passed,” he said. “The potential to waste valuable government resources on a bill that has not been introduced, debated or voted on is high. The percentage chance of a personal bill passing is quite low.”
What Does The Bill Do?
Crago’s sweeping bill establishes a property tax exemption for single-family residential structures based on their prior year assessed value and forbids tax growth from the prior year to exceed 5%, serving the same function as a cap.
HB 45 has been endorsed by the Wyoming Caucus of which Crago is a member.
One of the most significant aspects of the bill is that if signed by Gov. Mark Gordon, it would go into effect immediately for the 2024 tax year. This would require county assessors to mail tax assessment schedules no later than April 22.
At the earliest, Gordon likely couldn’t sign HB 45 into law until late February. The short window between then and April 22 is what led the lawmakers to reach out, Henson and Crago said, and her department to reach out to the assessors for input and verify internally whether acting on the bill would be possible.
Locke’s Bill
While he appreciates the fact that Crago’s bill would provide property owners tax relief as soon as possible, Bear said he greatly prefers a property tax bill brought by Rep. Tony Locke, R-Casper, which like Crago’s bill, would go into effect for the current tax year.
It would apply to all residential and commercial real estate property in Wyoming and include a lower 3% cap based on tax growth or the rate of change in median household income for the county where the property is located, whichever is lower.
Although he doesn’t believe the actions Henson took were in consideration of Locke’s bill, he believes they would apply all the same.
Crago and Locke’s bill are both classified as tax exemptions, as a normal tax cap would likely infringe on the Wyoming Constitution and likely require a constitutional amendment for enactment.
A constitutional amendment on a property tax measure passed last year will go before the voters this fall.
There are at least a dozen property tax bills that will be introduced and considered in the upcoming legislative session.
Although he was already considering bringing the legislation, Crago said input and a draft proposal from the county assessors was what pushed him to finalize the bill.
On Thursday, the Wyoming County Assessor’s Association issued a press release saying it supports all forms of property tax relief proposed for the upcoming session.
Fremont County Assessor Tara Berg said she supports both Crago’s and Locke’s bills, but still has questions how Locke’s could be implemented.
“I support anything that helps our taxpayers,” Berg said.
Receiving Input
Henson said she regularly receives questions from legislators about potential bills and Crago said reaching out to state officials is something legislators should do for all of their bills before introducing them.
Crago said he would’ve still reached out even if his bill didn’t go into effect until the 2025 tax year.
“It’s what’s called good legislating,” he said. “We need to work with our partners in the executive branch.”
Bear agrees, and said he believes the actions Henson and her staff took came from “genuinely attempting to ensure” that the assessors were capable of implementing Crago or Locke’s bill. But because Crago’s bill was the only tax legislation addressed by the department, he believes the effort doesn’t pass the smell test.
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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