Wyoming
Wyoming could lose $5 billion from Freedom Caucus’ investments bill. It advanced again Tuesday. – WyoFile
Despite estimates of billions in investment losses, Freedom Caucus lawmakers again advanced a bill Tuesday that would punish contracted financiers who invest Wyoming’s money in funds with environmental, social and governance goals.
The faction, newly in control of the House, is dead set against seeing public investments put into such funds, which it sees as antithetical to Wyoming’s fossil fuel industries.
Blocking investments based on such goals has broad support in the Capitol, and is already reflected in state policies, according to state agency testimony in recent days. But the state’s money managers say a piece of the bill that brings steep financial penalties against financiers who violate the rules against ESG investing would make Wyoming’s combined $40 billion in investments toxic to major firms and thus slow returns.
On the House floor Tuesday, Rep. Bob Nicholas, the former head of the House Appropriations Committee and a veteran of a separate committee that oversees the state’s investments, said Wyoming’s financiers estimate losses approaching $5 billion in lost returns over the next three years.
State retirement system officials have estimated a loss of more than $1.2 billion in returns over the next three years from more than $8 billion in pension funds if managers drop Wyoming as a client. Separately, Wyoming’s Chief Investment Officer Patrick Fleming estimated lost revenue at around $3.5 billion from the more than $30 billion his office manages.
The conflict is fueling fierce debate in the House. Lawmakers long-familiar with the state’s investment funds like Nicholas, R-Cheyenne, and Rep. Steve Harshman, R-Casper, spoke passionately against the bill, saying the House was ignoring people Wyoming had both hired, and in State Treasurer Curt Meier’s case elected, to manage the public’s money.
“We’re debating whether or not the investment professionals that we hire are wrong or right,” Nicholas said. “They’ve got the biggest flashing red light up that you can see.”
During Harshman’s tenure as House speaker, from 2016-2020, he leveraged returns from the state’s trust funds to protect public education through lean budget years. On Tuesday, he sought to defend those assets. The state’s investment pools, built up with mineral royalties, were a “tremendous gift from our forefathers and our energy companies,” that should not be risked, he said. “This is about Wyoming’s future.”
But Harshman and Nicholas’ camp of traditional Republicans no longer command a voting majority on the House floor. The Freedom Caucus does, and its members pushed the bill through its first chamber vote, 34-26. The caucus accounts for 34 House members, according to public membership lists and campaign endorsements.
By a similar margin, 33-25, House members voted down an amendment brought by Nicholas that would have struck the penalty for financiers from the bill. That penalty is driving most of the consternation, and even Nicholas said he might back the bill were it taken out.
But Freedom Caucus lawmakers voiced skepticism of the losses estimated by the state treasurer and managers of the retirement pool, and even some antipathy to those officials.
“Since when do employees of the state tell us what they will and won’t do for us?” Freedom Caucus member Rep. Pepper Ottman, R-Riverton, said.
“These financial teams of the state they’re making a lot of money,” she said, referencing the investment team’s compensation. “If they want to go somewhere else … other states are doing the same thing and it’s not going to be that tough.”
The bill’s primary sponsor, Gillette Republican Rep. Christopher Knapp, offered a more measured defense of the bill. Knapp amended the legislation in response to oppositional testimony during a Friday committee hearing.
But Knapp stuck by the penalty. “All I’m trying to do is codify what those investment managers follow today,” Knapp said during Tuesday’s debate. “Yes that should be written into a contract,” with fund managers, he said. “Yes, [a contract] that will hold people accountable.”
After Nicholas’ amendment failed, lawmakers passed a second one, cosponsored by Knapp. That tweak exempted state employees, but not outside money managers, from the penalties.
“I don’t understand why we are rushing this across an imaginary goal line.”
Rep. Martha Lawley, R-Worland
Monday, after adopting Knapp’s previous amendment, the House Minerals, Business and Economic Development Committee sent the bill to the House floor without taking further public testimony. The committee’s Freedom Caucus members overruled two of their Republican colleagues who sought to reopen testimony and gauge how state officials viewed the change.
Treasurer Meier warned last week that “the better half of my staff are all going to walk out the door,” if the bill passes. He has not since publicly weighed in on the measure’s impacts in the wake of Knapp’s changes.
But Nicholas told his colleagues both Fleming, the chief investment officer, and officials managing the pension fund are sticking by their estimates of dire losses.
Other lawmakers told their colleagues that the news of potential pension fund losses has spawned waves of concerned calls from retired state employees.
The bill is part of the Freedom Caucus’ “five and dime” plan — a package of legislation the bloc has pledged to pass by next week to demonstrate its ability to lead the House.
On the floor Tuesday, one of the Minerals Committee members, Rep. Martha Lawley of Worland, reiterated her frustrations with the committee’s choice not to work on the bill further before sending it to the House floor.
“It’s not a small matter at all,” she said. “We owe [voters] to get it right. I don’t understand why we are rushing this across an imaginary goal line. In their view, we are not authorized to play politics with their retirement fund.”
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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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