Wyoming

Wyoming takes a stand against out-of-control political spending

Published

2 years ago

February 28, 2024

Wyoming takes a stand against out-of-control political spending

Clements is the president of American Promise, a nonprofit advocate for amending the Constitution to allow more federal and state regulation of money in politics.

On Feb. 13, in the deep red state of Wyoming, a majority of state House members voted for Joint House Resolution 0002, calling on Congress to propose a constitutional amendment to ensure transparency in election spending and allow states to regulate corporate, union and other political contributions.

Wyoming legislators demonstrated again the deep, cross-partisan support for amending the U.S. Constitution to empower Americans to stop the systemic corruption that comes from out-of-control political spending. While the resolution didn’t receive the needed two-thirds vote, the strong majority support (35-26) shows that Wyoming lawmakers, as with most Americans, know the urgency of ending the domination of dark money and outside influence in elections.

Americans oppose out-of-control political spending because it undermines their own rights of free speech and a level playing field in voting and representation. Past Supreme Court decisions – Buckley v. Valeo, reinforced by Citizens United v. FEC – removed power from voters and state and federal lawmakers to set limits on political spending. The theory – unprecedented for 200 years of American history – is that those with massive financial resources have a “free speech” right to deploy those resources, with no limits, to influence election outcomes. Spending in elections by groups, billionaires and even foreign governments has been rising at an alarming rate. Nearly $16 billion may be spent in the 2024 cycle alone, up more than 30 percent from the last presidential election.

The American government is supposed to be of, by and for the people, but our current pay-to-play politics has deteriorated into a government bought, paid and sold to the highest bidder. Social media and advertising disinformation campaigns are funded from the shadows, influencing elections with no accountability. Worse, foreign actors exploit the dark money system to manipulate elections and serve their own interests.

Americans have had it with this dangerous Supreme Court-imposed theory about money and free speech. In Wyoming, recent polling shows that 87 percent of voters agree that the coercive influence of money in politics threatens democracy. The constitutional amendment to enable states and Congress to set reasonable limits to regulate campaign spending is favored by 75 percent of Wyoming voters. These extraordinary super-majorities mirror what American Promise is seeing in polling and ballot initiatives around the country.

Now, Wyoming and others are vying to join the 22 states that have taken formal action to advance the For Our Freedom Amendment, the only enduring way to regulate political spending by giving the states and Congress power to set reasonable limits. In November 2023, 86 percent of Maine’s voters approved a law banning spending in elections by foreign government-controlled entities. Maine’s voters, concerned that unhinged claims of “free speech” rights to unlimited election spending might even extend to foreign actors, showed foresight in including a resolution calling for the constitutional amendment: After the foreign money ban was passed, foreign-owned corporations sued in federal court, claiming a free speech right to dominate Maine’s elections with their money. The For Our Freedom Amendment would put an end to such foolishness.

In Pennsylvania, legislators introduced a bipartisan resolution calling for the constitutional amendment solution. Wisconsinites and Arizonans are organizing to move their state into the victory column, and Minnesotans have an amendment resolution moving through the legislative process. Momentum is building because Americans are tired of having the fate of the country and our communities determined by an elite donor class. But that elite is outnumbered. The fact is, 86 percent of Republicans and Democrats agree that money in politics is a threat. It’s time to act, and that’s exactly what these states are doing.

The vote in Wyoming is part of the tipping point that brings constitutional solutions faster than many realize when the need is clear. This constitutional amendment process is the time-honored way that Americans drive reform in the darkest hours. At the beginning of the 20th century, when division, political violence, gender-restricted voting and white supremacy dominated much of the country, The Washington Post’s editors solemnly sniffed at those proposing constitutional amendments. Over the next several years, Americans ratified four amendments, the first of twelve that Americans would secure in the 20th century.

Now the promise of American democracy is on the line again. As Wyoming just showed, Americans know what to do.

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Wyoming

Josh Allen’s jersey number becomes the first in UW Football history to be retired

Published

3 hours ago

November 23, 2025

Press Room

Josh Allen’s jersey number becomes the first in UW Football history to be retired

The University of Wyoming’s (UW) former quarterback, Josh Allen, returned to War Memorial Stadium this weekend for a historic jersey retirement ceremony.

During halftime of the Pokes’ last home game this weekend, a 7-13 loss to the University of Nevada Wolf Pack, he stepped onto Jonah Field again.

Allen played for the Cowboys from 2015 to 2017. A broken collarbone took him out of play early on in his first season with the Pokes, but he was back in action in 2016 as Wyoming’s starter.

Over the next two years, he built a loyal following with his dynamic and effective play style. He led the Pokes to back-to-back bowl games, winning the 2017 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, and brought a 2016 Mountain West Championship bid.

Allen was the seventh overall pick when he was drafted to the Buffalo Bills in 2018, where his star continued to rise. He was voted NFL League MVP for the 2024 season.

At UW and for the Bills, Allen has donned the same now iconic number. Fans sport it at any given UW game, but this weekend’s home game was a sea of 17s in brown and gold for the Cowboys, red and blue for the Bills, or split down the middle to rep both teams.

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— Western Thunder Marching Band Josh Allen Jersey Retirement Ceremony 2025

The Western Thunder Marching Band formed the number 17 during Josh Allen’s jersey retirement ceremony.

Ivy Engel / Wyoming Public Media

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— Western Thunder Marching Band Buffalo Bills Bison Josh Allen Jersey Retirement Ceremony 2025

After Josh Allen’s jersey retirement ceremony, the Western Thunder Marching Band formed the logo of the Buffalo Bills, which is Allen’s current NFL team.

Ivy Engel / Wyoming Public Media

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— #17 Josh Allen War Memorial Stadium

“#17 Josh Allen” was unveiled during his jersey retirement ceremony.

Ivy Engel / Wyoming Public Media

During halftime, Allen stepped onto Jonah Field again to make history. The band marched to form the number 17 behind him. Allen was joined by his now-retired collegiate coach, Craig Bohl and his parents, Joel and Lavonne.

The university officially retired his number in front of a rowdy, sold-out crowd. He becomes the third ever Cowboy to have a jersey retired. Allen joins men’s basketball players Fennis Dembo and Kenny Sailors.

Allen received a framed #17 UW jersey, and a huge “#17 Josh Allen” stamped on the west side of the stadium was revealed.

“There’s so many people that I can thank for this achievement. A lot of teammates here, I love you guys,” Allen said to start a short speech. “Coach Bohl, coach [Brent Vigen], the people that believed in me. The fans and the support here in Wyoming. I’m so honored and blessed to represent this university and this beautiful state. I love you guys. Thank you. God bless. Go Pokes!” he concluded, before adding, “And it will always suck to be a CSU Ram!”

The crowd went wild.

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Wyoming

How to Watch Nevada vs Wyoming: Live Stream NCAA College Football, TV Channel

Published

21 hours ago

November 22, 2025

Press Room

The Wyoming Cowboys (4-6) look to stop a two-game skid on Saturday when they host the Nevada Wolf Pack (2-8) in a Mountain West Conference clash in Laramie.

How to Watch Nevada vs Wyoming

When: Saturday, November 22, 2025
Time: 2:00 PM ET
TV Channel: Altitude Sports
Live Stream: Fubo (try for free)

Wyoming fell to 2-4 in the Mountain West last week and put itself in a position to have to win its final two games to reach bowl eligibility, with its rainy 24-3 loss at Fresno State. Samuel Harris ran for 102 yards on 12 carries, but the rest of the offense struggled, with Kaden Anderson getting benched after going 6-of-23 for 64 yards and an interception. The Cowboys managed just nine first downs and 184 yards of total offense in the loss.

Nevada snapped a seven-game losing streak and got its first Mountain West victory in style last week, smashing visiting San Jose State 55-10. The Wolf Pack led 31-0 at halftime, with Caleb Ramseur finishing with 128 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries while Chubba Purdy and Dominic Kelly also scored on the ground. Carter Jones finished 16-of-19 for 195 yards and two TDs, one to Ramseur and the other to Purdy. Murvin Kenion III had two of the defense’s four interceptions, with Nakian Jackson and Bryson Snelling also recording picks.

Wyoming hosts Nevada for the first time since 2019 and won the teams’ last meeting in Reno, taking a 42-6 victory on Nov. 25, 2023. The Cowboys lead the all-time series 6-4.

This is a great college football matchup that you will not want to miss; make sure to tune in and catch all the action.

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Wyoming

Wyoming Business Council says the future is nuclear

Published

2 days ago

November 21, 2025

Press Room

Wyoming Business Council says the future is nuclear

The future is nuclear, at least according to the Wyoming Business Council (WBC).

WBC launched a new community conversation series, called “Building Wyoming’s Future.”

The first webinar focused on the nuclear industry in the state.

“It really kind of shared a holistic vision for how this new energy and new advanced fuel in the new nuclear industry is going to make a difference for Wyoming,” said WBC CEO Josh Dorrell.

The public webinar focused on the proposed BWX Technologies (BWXT) advanced nuclear fuel facility in Gillette and Campbell County. It highlighted how the project would serve as a catalyst for economic growth, job creation and long-term opportunity across the state.

“[It] showed that it’s not just one company that benefits, but it’s a number of companies across the state that are already benefiting from this, and more will continue as this industry opens its doors to Wyoming,” said Dorrell.

The state is considering investing in BWX Technologies in the form of $100 million through the Large Project Energy Matching Fund. BWXT would put down over $400 million. According to WBC, the project would create more than 200 jobs and long-term economic benefits like an increased tax base and a new energy export.

But not all growth is seen as positive. Critics have already sent one nuclear company away – Radiant Industries’ proposed factory for portable nuclear microreactors near Bar Nunn. It came from people’s concerns that the state could have become a nuclear dump site for the nation.

WBC said Wyoming needs to be forward-thinking.

“Are we as a state going to make sure we put things in as a state from a policy perspective that both protect the state and invite business to come?” asked Dorrell.

According to Gov. Mark Gordon, Wyoming, as an “all of the above” energy policy state, welcomes most energy sources under the president’s “drill baby drill” push.

That’s even as Trump cancels almost $8 billion in grants for clean energy projects in 16 states.

“I think we’ve got to take a look at our state and the wealth that we have in the state to utilize that to secure our own future. I don’t think we want to be dependent upon the federal government. We were already influenced heavily by the fact that we want to use our own wealth to determine our future,” said Dorrell.

The Wyoming Energy Authority is accepting public comment on the state’s investment in BWXT until Nov. 25.

Gordon is expected to make a decision by Dec. 15.

The next community conversation from WBC will be focused on “critical minerals beyond the rocks.”

Republished with permission from Wyoming News Now, a TV news outlet covering the Cheyenne and Casper areas.

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