Wyoming
Wyoming Senate Overturns Driskill, Boots Nethercott And Reinstalls Kinskey As Approps Chair
An emotional Wyoming Senate President Ogden Driskill told the members of his chamber Monday to not overturn a decision he made in the interim to remove the chairman of a committee, saying it would amount to a vote of “no confidence” in his leadership.
But despite pleas from Driskill, R-Devils Tower, and other legislators, the Senate voted to overturn the removal of Sen. Dave Kinskey, R-Sheridan, from his position as chairman of the Appropriations Committee.
Driskill had appointed Sen. Tara Nethercott, R-Cheyenne, to replace Kinskey, who retained his membership on the committee. Since last April, Nethercott has served as co-chairman of the Appropriations Committee, overseeing with the House co-chairman from the House all discussions of the 2025/2026 biennial budget.
In a 17-14 decision, the Senate voted to revert the original appointment Driskill made in 2022 to have Kinskey chairman, which the chamber ratified shortly after. Monday’s vote also essentially stripped Nethercott of the position.
The Joint Appropriations Committee (JAC) is one of the integral committees during a budget year as it is most directly involved in crafting the state’s biennial budget.
Driskill made the decision to replace Kinskey in April 2023 after what he described as a recurring pattern of poor communication from the Sheridan legislator.
An Apology, And A Plea
His voice choking with emotion at numerous points, Driskill apologized for putting the Senate in a position to question his decision, but also expressed grave disappointment his fellow legislators would consider overturning his decision, which basically amounts to a vote of “no confidence” in his leadership and decisions for the Appropriations Committee.
“You effectively told me I don’t make good decisions as far as that committee, and we have a personality problem between me and the chairman,” he said. “It’s on all of us.”
He urged the Senate to vote against the motion and asked what benefit it would serve the state of Wyoming and the Legislature to reverse his action.
“You’re going to fix a wrong that I did, at least that’s what this vote is, you’re going to fix a wrong I did, I take ownership of that,” Driskill said. “And by fixing it, you’re going to create another one.”
Sen. Cheri Steinmetz, R-Lingle, made the motion objecting to Driskill’s move Monday and reappointed Kinskey as chairman. Steinmetz and others who supported the motion said they did so not as a personal slight against Nethercott, but because they believed the rules did not allow Driskill to make the decision he did.
“I object on the basis of process, not personalities, or the people this will affect today,” Steinmetz said. “We only steward the public trust for a short time and must preserve the institution for the people and their representatives in the state to come.”
Sitting about 10 feet away from Steinmetz as she made her motion was Nethercott.
Nethercott took the high road when reached by Cowboy State Daily after the vote.
“I was honored to serve as chair of Appropriations and have a conservative practical budget bill for the Senate,” Nethercott said. “I look forward to assisting the vice president in fulfilling our constitutional obligation to pass a budget.”
Kinskey said he was “gratified” to receive the support of the majority of his colleagues.
“The effort to remove me as JAC chairman was unfortunate, and now it’s time to put that behind us and get to work delivering a fiscally responsible budget for the state of Wyoming,” he told Cowboy State Daily.
Point Of Divide?
Legislators on both sides of the vote Monday expressed concern that it could create a divide within their chamber.
Whether the vote is a sign the well-documented division in the Wyoming House is starting to trickle over to the Senate remains to be seen.
“I’ll leave that up to everybody’s self determination,” said Sen. Larry Hicks, R-Baggs, who voted in favor of the reversal.
Those against the motion spoke about the importance of keeping relationships in the Senate and warned that re-inserting Kinskey would be disruptive. While the divide in the House has been well documented, the Senate has been a more united body.
Laramie Democrat Sen. Chris Rothfuss said Steinmetz’s motion was inappropriate because of its timing and argued against even having a floor debate on the matter.
“This is not the time, this is not the method, and this is not the place,” he said.
Rothfuss also warned that the move could take away from what he sees as the balanced and humble nature of the Wyoming Legislature.
“This is a challenge to that sensibility,” he said. “It’s certainly not a way to start the day off, start the Legislature off this session.”
Shouldn’t Be Personal
The vote to reject debating the motion was defeated 18-13. Nethercott was one of the 18 people to vote in support of having a debate, but later voted against removing herself as chairman.
Sen. Charlie Scott, R-Casper, also expressed disappointment that the Senate was being asked to handle this matter, but voted to return Kinskey and told Cowboy State Daily afterward he believes Driskill didn’t rule correctly.
He urged the Senate to start and end the debate as friends.
“I really dislike the personal aspect of this,” Scott said.
Hicks and Scott later told Cowboy State Daily they saw the vote as purely a reaction to the move Driskill made, which they didn’t believe was allowed by the Senate rules.
Nethercott apologized to the chamber for having to take the vote and offered full support for Kinskey after he was made chairman again.
“I am confident that we will all move forward with our history behind us,” she said on the Senate floor. “We are the Senate, and we will move forward.”
Kinskey, who endorsed Nethercott’s 2022 campaign for secretary of state, said he told his committee on Sunday that no matter what happened in Monday’s vote, he would hold no hard feelings.
Driskill also apologized to the Senate for the situation they were put in, but implored his fellow lawmakers to choose maintaining the status quo and stability by voting against the reversal. He and others commended the job Nethercott did chairing the Appropriations Committee, which Driskill said was a responsibility she never wanted.
He apologized to Nethercott during the discussion and expressed fear he had harmed her life. Driskill urged the Senate to consider removing him as president rather than taking the vote to remove Nethercott.
“I’m the one who caused this and I’m responsible for it at the end of the day,” Driskill said.
How It Got To That Point
Driskill said four members of the Appropriations Committee approached him last session and complained about Kinskey’s performance as chairman because of a lack of communication. When he approached Kinskey about the issue at the Capitol, Driskill said it did not go well and resulted in a shouting match.
After the session, Driskill said he continued receiving complaints, so he drove to Sheridan to meet with Kinskey to try and resolve the issue in person. Kinskey was not able to meet with Driskill at this time and Driskill eventually informed him he was removing him as chairman.
When he got home to Devils Tower, Driskill said he received what he said were “a dozen” voicemails from the press already asking him about the situation at Kinskey’s behest.
Further and recent attempts to meet with Kinskey, Driskill said, went unanswered.
“What will be better for the state of Wyoming and our state budget, and our relations with the other side and the people of the state, by changing chairmen again?” Driskill questioned.
After speaking with several past governors, former committee chairmen and a Senate president, Driskill said they all backed his decision. The only person from the Senate who complained about the move, Driskill said, was Steinmetz.
“I don’t want to fuel any hate or discontent, but I feel very compelled to put facts out there,” Driskill said. “I still made the right decision, folks.”
Although Steinmetz said never in the history of the Wyoming Legislature has a chairman been removed, Driskill said that’s not right. He said when Diemer True was president of the Senate, he removed former legislator and future state governor Jim Geringer from his role as a committee chairman in the early 1990s.
Driskill also mentioned a commitment he received from all his committee chairmen upon becoming Senate President in late 2022 that they would immediately resign if Driskill didn’t like their performance.
The Rules
Although Senate Rule 2.8 clearly states Driskill is not allowed to remove a senator from a committee without a majority vote from the entire Senate, there’s nothing that prevents him from removing a chair while keeping him on the committee, as that scenario is not specifically addressed.
“We need clearer rules, clearer concise rules,” Hicks told Cowboy State Daily. “The ambiguousness on rules is in itself its own poison pill.”
Hicks later brought a rule proposal that states no changes can be made to committee membership without a vote from the full Senate.
The Senate’s rules committee will discuss this issue at a later date.
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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