Wyoming
With supplemental budget axed, electeds try to rehome funding priorities
After the Wyoming Senate declined to pass the supplemental budget bill on Feb. 26, legislators in both chambers are scrambling to find new homes for funding priorities in existing bills.
That includes money to restore land damaged by wildfires. Wyoming’s last wildfire season was “historic,” according to the governor, who asked the state Legislature for $130 million in wildfire aid and another $50 million to replenish an exhausted emergency account.
Funding to accomplish a similar goal was added to a Senate bill, SF 152, which would establish a wildfire management task force to evaluate impacts and fire response tactics.
The amended measure would allow for $100 million in loans for wildfire mitigation to individuals and local governments.
It would also add one full time employee and four part time employees to the Office of State Lands and Investments for fire response.
And it would deposit about $49 million to the Wyoming Wildlife and Natural Resource account for grants to conservation districts trying to restore grasses damaged by fires.
The amended Senate bill was sent to the governor on March 3 for his signature or veto.
Gordon recently let a separate Senate bill, SF 195, become law. It creates an emergency loan program for businesses hit hard by natural disasters.
Aside from wildfire response funds, legislators’ policy rehoming extended to healthcare monies, too.
One such appropriation gives nearly $8 million in state and federal dollars to provide services to Wyomingites with developmental disabilities who might otherwise not be able to afford some healthcare. The money was originally found in the supplemental budget bill.
Those dollars were amended into a Senate bill, SF 125, which defines abortion as not being healthcare.
But Rep. Ken Chestek (R-Laramie) said during debate on the House floor on Feb. 27 that the amendment has a big flaw.
“This amendment is a different topic than abortion,” said Chestek. “It is a completely different topic. If we put this into this bill we have a two-subject bill, which violates the Wyoming Constitution.”
Appropriations that ordinarily would’ve been in the supplemental budget can only be attached to other bills if they’re germane to the individual issues those measures seek to address, according to the Wyoming Manual of Legislative Procedures. Other representatives objected to Chestek’s reading of the rules.
“The title of the bill is ‘Defining health care and protecting the people’s welfare,’ so I believe this amendment is appropriate,” said Rep. Clarence Styvar (R-Cheyenne).
The amendment later passed.
The bill itself passed the House and had its amendments approved by the Senate in a 26 to 5 concurrence vote on March 4. It now heads to the governor for his signature or veto.
If the measure becomes law, it would function as a trigger law that would go into effect once the state Supreme Court rules on the legality of two near-total abortion bans, changing how the state defines “abortion.”
In a Senate leadership press conference on March 3, Senate President Bo Biteman (R-Ranchester) told Wyoming Public Radio he “didn’t think” there was any chance of the supplemental budget bill being revived and passed by the upper chamber.
This reporting was made possible by a grant from the Corporation For Public Broadcasting, supporting state government coverage in the state. Wyoming Public Media and Jackson Hole Community Radio are partnering to cover state issues both on air and online.
Wyoming
March 31 Deadline For Wyoming’s ‘Becoming An Outdoor Woman’ Workshops
Gaining the knowledge to become an outdoorsy type of person isn’t easy. It takes time, dedication, and the desire to sometimes get out of your comfort zone. Sure, if you grew up in the outdoors, but it’s been a while since you’ve actually been out hunting, fishing, hiking, or camping, you may be a little rusty, but you have a leg up on those who haven’t.
If you’re in Wyoming, there’s a good chance that taking advantage of the incredible outdoor activities we have available has crossed your mind, but where to start is the big question. Asking others for help is one way, but there’s sometimes an element of intimidation or embarrassment involved.
If you’re a woman looking for that help and want to avoid the intimidation, you should really check out the Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s Becoming an Outdoor Woman (BOW) workshops this summer. It’s held at the Whiskey Mountain Conservation Camp near Dubois, and everything you need to learn about the outdoors is provided, including food and lodging.
The registration deadline is March 31, meaning you have just a couple of weeks to apply for one or all of the offered workshops.
There are multiple options available depending on your level of outdoor knowledge.
Basic BOW Workshop: Introductory level camp teaching outdoor survival, basic fly fishing, backpacking, how to shoot, outdoor photography, and more. There will be two of these workshops, June 5-7 and August 7-9. $150
Fly Fishing Beyond BOW Workshop: The focus here is on fly fishing. Learn the basics and then put them to use. This workshop runs July 30 – Aug 2. $150
Backpacking Beyond BOW: This workshop is all about backpacking, hiking, cooking on the trail, adjusting to the trail, and preparing for the trip. You’ll learn how to properly pack your bag, set up camp, and then head out on an overnight trip. July 30 – Aug 2. $150
Become a BOW Instructor: Here’s where you put your years of experience to work by sharing your skills and knowledge with others, helping them learn the tricks and tips of the outdoors.
Not only will these workshops help get you started on a life in the outdoors, but you’re likely going to gain some street cred with your family when you can teach them the skills they’ll need to get out and celebrate a Wyoming lifestyle.
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Wyoming
Snowpack In The South Laramie Range At Just Three Percent Of Normal Levels
The snowpack in the South Laramie Range in southeast Wyoming as of Monday was at three percent of normal, according to the Cheyenne Office of the National Weather Service.
And while other mountain ranges in southeast Wyoming were not nearly that low in snowpack, they were still well below normal at last report.
The agency posted the following on its website:
February was yet another warm and dry month, continuing the pattern that has dominated our area since last fall. Mountain snowpack remains well below average in southeast Wyoming, especially in the Laramie Range where snowpack is at an all time record low. For the plains, some light snow fell last month, but it was not enough to keep from increasing seasonal snowfall deficits. Cheyenne is off to its 4th least snowy start to the season since records began in the 1880s, and Scottsbluff has received the 2nd least snow since record began in the 1890s. We are now approximately two-thirds of the way through the snow accumulation season, with a little more than one-third to go in March, April, and into early May.
But the good news is that after a wet 24 hours on Monday night/Tuesday, more snow may be headed our way on Friday.
Cheyenne, Laramie Forecasts
Cheyenne Forecast
Tonight
A slight chance of rain and snow showers before 11pm. Cloudy during the early evening, then gradual clearing, with a low around 24. West wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Wednesday
Sunny, with a high near 55. West wind around 10 mph.
Wednesday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 30. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday
A slight chance of rain showers after 11am, mixing with snow after 5pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 59. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south southeast in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Thursday Night
Rain and snow showers likely, becoming all snow after 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25. Blustery. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Friday
Snow showers. High near 32. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Friday Night
A chance of snow showers before 11pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 18.
Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 44. Breezy.
Saturday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 29. Breezy.
Sunday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 54. Breezy.
Sunday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 35. Breezy.
Monday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 62. Breezy.
Monday Night
A slight chance of rain and snow showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 35.
Tuesday
A chance of rain and snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 54. Breezy.
Laramie Forecast
Tonight
Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 20. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph after midnight.
Wednesday
Sunny, with a high near 48. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west southwest in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night
Increasing clouds, with a low around 27. South wind around 5 mph.
Thursday
A slight chance of rain and snow showers after 11am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 52. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Thursday Night
Snow showers. Low around 23. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Friday
Snow showers. High near 31. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Friday Night
A chance of snow showers before 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 13.
Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 39.
Saturday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 25.
Sunday
Sunny, with a high near 48. Breezy.
Sunday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 32.
Monday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 54. Breezy.
Monday Night
A slight chance of snow showers. Mostly clear, with a low around 33.
Tuesday
A chance of snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 50. Breezy.
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