Wyoming
updated
8:46 a.m.
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Niobrara Shale -- the blob that ate Laramie County. Map from the Unconventional Gas Center web site . Cheyenne is not a Wyoming “energy boom town” like Gillette, Rock Springs or Pinedale. That’s about to change. The oil rush is on in Laramie County. This past spring and summer, I’d read in the paper that leases for the Niobrara Formation were selling like hotcakes. A couple million...
Hummingbird Minds - Tue 11:00 a.m. - 7 clicks 
From Linda Stowers, chair of the LarCoDems: The Laramie County Democrats will be meeting tomorrow, Aug 30, at 7 p.m. at the IBEW hall in Cheyenne. We will be discussing activities to get Democrats elected in November. Please come if you can. ...
Hummingbird Minds - Sun 7:47 p.m. - 6 clicks
Stuff Alan Simpson Says is a new web site from http://www.boldprogressives.com/ , a production of the Progressive Change Campaign Committee PAC. It’s a liberal group that supports a healthy Social Security system. To do that, the PAC is raising alarums by picking on Sen. Alan Simpson’s quaint Wyoming-bred phraseology. Sen. Simpson has uttered no end of colorful quotes. You could probably fil...
Hummingbird Minds - Sat 8:46 a.m. - 8 clicks
Bonnie Azab Powell, writing today in Grist: A new study, published last week in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives , looked at the effects of both prenatal and childhood exposure to organophosphate pesticides -- of which 73 million pounds are applied each year in the U.S. -- and found yet another link to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Not surprisingly, children living ...
Hummingbird Minds - Aug 23 - 2 clicks
I've been invited to this event. You can come too: Help us elect Democrat Mike Massie for State Superintendent of Public Instruction at a Fundraiser on Friday, August 27. Join us, Jayne Mockler, Ken and Peg Decaria, Kathryn Sessions, Terri Lorenzon, Loretta Wolf, Barbara Rogers, Rae Lynn Job, for a party on the prairie, 8315 Westedt Road, between five and eight p.m. Please bring friend...
Hummingbird Minds - Aug 23 - 2 clicks
Saturday, Aug. 28. While Tea Party members sing Lee Greenwood (badly) and carry around racist signs on the National Mall, Organizing for America/Wyoming will be getting out the vote. There will be a meeting to plan this "proactive voter outreach event" on Monday, 6-8 p.m., at Laramie County Democratic Headquarters, 408 W. 23rd, Cheyenne. It's right across 23rd Street from...
Hummingbird Minds - Aug 21
Here is a very creative (dare we say "arty") video by Alan O'Hashi. The corner of Capitol Avenue and Lincolnway (16th Street) in Cheyenne captured by Scott Eckburg during the Wyoming Plein Air "Quick Draw" event. The Hynds Building is shown on the left in Scott's painting. His work is melded with "before" interior views of the Historic Hynds Building set to open for the first time in...
Hummingbird Minds - Aug 21
I worked as an election judge today at my polling station in Cheyenne. A half day, thanks to legislation sponsored in the Wyoming House by my District 8 Rep Lori Millin. Still, I was one of the few judges taking a short shift. I like working the polls. Public service, and all that. Congenial company. Community. We have five precincts in one spot. A good thing that it's a very large spot...
Hummingbird Minds - Aug 17 - 2 clicks
The Wyoming primaries are tomorrow. I glanced at the sample ballots on the Laramie County Clerk's web site. I'm in precinct 2-7 and a Democrat so, naturally, my ballot is less crowded than the one to be used by my Republican brethren and sistren. There are many names on the Dem gubernatorial slate. Only two serious candidates -- Leslie Petersen and Pete Gosar. When I say serious I mean that t...
Hummingbird Minds - Aug 16
A reminder from Bryon Lee at Organizing for America/Wyoming: Polls are open on Tuesday, August 17th, from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. If you are not yet registered to vote, you can register at the polls on Election Day with a photo ID. Wyoming voters will cast their ballots for the candidates who will represent them in the halls of Congress -- so it's crucial that as many voters as possible...
Hummingbird Minds - Aug 16
Planet JH Weekly staff conducted interviews with all the gubernatorial candidates. Subject: the state of the arts (and arts funding) in Wyoming. Excerpts from some of the best responses for those of us who want to see the arts thrive in our state: Matt Mead (R) said that artists' works attract cultural tourists. He sees Wyoming arts as being more closely tied with statewide tourism effor...
Hummingbird Minds - Aug 11
An amazing story at this Casper Star-Trib link: http://trib.com/article_6d01c998-a490-11df-84c7-001cc4c03286 Daniel Meyers, 56, finished his autobiography, "The Spirit of the Lion," after 21 years of work. An earlier version was lost, so he had to begin again. Not many of us writers have such dedication and stamina. Daniel has schizoaffective disorder. He lived a wayward chi...
Hummingbird Minds - Aug 11
Difficult to believe, but the state primaries are only two weeks away -- Aug. 17. Been so busy with family matters and old-fashioned melodrama and gardening and work that I barely noticed. I volunteered to be an election judge. I was a judge in the monumental 2006 mid-term elections, supervising the polls so thoroughly and adriotly that they wanted me back for aznother round. Besides...
Hummingbird Minds - Aug 3
Bill Luckett has announced the details about the 2010 Jefferson-Jackson Banquet hosted by the Wyoming Democratic Party. It's on Sept. 25, which is unfortunate since I'll be at the Equality State Book Festival in Casper. But most of the Dem candidates will be there and it's a great time and place for schmoozing. Here's the announcement: I am pleased to announce that we have scheduled the 2...
Hummingbird Minds - Jul 31 - 3 clicks
Linda Stowers sends this Dem news: Ken McCauley, Wyoming House District 8 candidate, is having a literature drop on Saturday, August 14. If you are interested in particpating in this activity join him at 3612 Moore Ave at 8 a.m. on the 14th. You will just be leaving literature on neighborhood doors. I am in Ken's district. He has visited me and my neighbors at least once already. He is a Dem...
Hummingbird Minds - Jul 30 - 2 clicks
The Wyoming Department of Health Aug. 27 on-line newsletter about suicide prevention carried this article: The "Cowboy Up" motto of self-reliance can be deadly for vulnerable Wyoming residents. Rugged individualism prevails in Wyoming and other frontier states, where residents “cowboy up” to take care of problems on their own — even if that may mean taking their own lives. Halloween 1991...
Hummingbird Minds - Jul 29 - 3 clicks
ARTCORE announces its MUSIC & POETRY Series: Betsy Bower ("Lycra, Music, Yoga") and Michael Shay (writer and yours truly) on Monday, Aug. 9, 7:30 p.m., at the Downtown Grill & Venue, Casper,. In Betsy’s own words: “My father owns a welding shop where I grew up playing with fire and tools twice my size. Though I never wanted to grow up, I live in a 24-year-old body playing as if I h...
Hummingbird Minds - Jul 29 - 2 clicks
This Independence Day as you enjoy friends and family, firecrackers and barbeque take a moment to recognize your enormous contribution to making America and Wyoming better places to live and work.nbsp; It is because of your dedication that Democrats have a voice in Wyoming.nbsp; In 2002 Governor Freudenthal was elected and will soon leave office as the most popular Governor in the nation.nbsp; In...
Wyoming Democratic Party - Jul 2 - 3 clicks
Guest blog by Ken McCauley, Vice Chair of the Laramie County Democratic Party nbsp; The US Supreme Court will soon address the case of Snyder v Phelps. nbsp; The case centers on the Rev. Phelps and the Westboro Baptist Church. In Snyder v. Phelps, the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals reversed an award of damages granted by a lower court, which awarded damages to the father of a US Marine killed in Ira...
Wyoming Democratic Party - May 25
Aliens in the Prime of Their Lives by Brad Watson W.W. Norton and Company, 268 pages, $23.95 In Brad Watson's new story collection, Aliens in the Prime of Their Lives, most of the families crumble, some almost as quickly as they form. Watson grew up in Mississippi, has taught creative writing at the University of Wyoming since 2005, and sets most of his stories in the American South.&nb...
New West Jackson Hole - Apr 19
And now the moment we've all been waiting for: two weeks ago I asked New West readers to vote on what book I should review next. I was delighted and relieved when several people voted. The winner, with four votes, is Staking Her Claim: Women Homesteading the West by Marcia Meredith Hensley. I'll review it next Monday. And since the voting was so tight, I plan to review the ...
New West Jackson Hole - Mar 17
Today Rep. Byrd (D-Cheyenne) announced he will seek reelection to the Wyoming House.nbsp; His statement is below.nbsp; A number of other democratic legislators have announced their intentions (mainly to not seek reelection).nbsp; Those who will not throw their hat in the ring for another round include:nbsp; Rep. Lori Millin (D-Cheyenne), Rep. Debbie Hammons (D-Worland), Rep. Pete Jorgensen (D-Jac...
Wyoming Democratic Party - Mar 16
As you have surely read Governor Freudenthal announced he will not seek another term.nbsp; He made the announcement today at 10:00 AM and WDP put a statement out soon thereafter.nbsp; Succinctly, we were greatful for his service and leadership and are sad to see him go.nbsp; He thanked Wyoming and indicated he had been leaning in this direction since around Christmas.nbsp; He also said his childr...
Wyoming Democratic Party - Mar 4
A budget amendment was brought today in the Wyoming House that would provide funding for the school lunch program. The amendment was brought by Rep. Cathy Connolly (D-Laramie), but failed in a voice vote.nbsp; It would have provided $3.6 million in funding.nbsp; Connolly argued that this problem has come about because costs of programs have increased by 20% in the past few years and that there ar...
Wyoming Democratic Party - Feb 23
Guest blog written by James DuPont of Teton County.nbsp; James is serving as a high school intern for Rep. Pete Jorgensen (D-Jackson) during the first two weeks of the session.nbsp; Many thanks for his insight and perspectives. On February 12, 2010 House Bill 55 passed the House with a vote of 49 to 9. The bill was introduced by the Joint Education Interim Committee with the intention to eliminate...
Wyoming Democratic Party - Feb 19
Guest Blog written by Gus Harrison of Teton County.nbsp; Gus is serving as a high school intern for Rep. Jim Roscoe (D-Wilson) during the first two weeks of the session.nbsp; Many thanks for his insight and perspectives. House Bill 113 is one step closer on it's way of becoming a law after the House Judiciary committee passed it with the recommendation it do pass the General Committee. The Bill fi...
Wyoming Democratic Party - Feb 18
The AFL-CIO, Wyoming Contractors Association, ABC Wyoming, National Electrical Contractors Association and Wyoming Building and Construction Trades are supporting an important bill that is on general file in the Wyoming House.nbsp; nbsp; HB 89, Resident Contractor Preferences, would support Wyoming jobs and the Wyoming economy by requiring all public contracts to be let to a Wyoming resident as l...
Wyoming Democratic Party - Feb 18 - 2 clicks
Wyoming's Legislature may have worked on being more transparent by making all bills available online and streaming proceedings live, but there is still a long way to go.nbsp; Last week the legislature took a big step by allowing people to testify by video conference.nbsp; According to the Equality State Policy Center, committee chairs are now questioning whether testimonies should be permitted by ...
Wyoming Democratic Party - Feb 16
Today in a morning press conference Gov. Dave Freudenthal discussed some of the pieces of legislation passing through the Wyoming Legislature.nbsp; The Governor's proposed excise tax on wind energy was one of the most discussed proposals since lawmakers amended the legislation to $1 per megawatt hour versus the proposed $3, but did not change the 60-40% split between state and local governments.n...
Wyoming Democratic Party - Feb 16
The House Revenue committee met this morning to discuss the excise tax on wind energy (HB 101) brought forward by the Governor. The proposed tax was $3 per megawatt hour of energy produced, but following amendments it was reduced to $1 per megawatt hour. According to the Casper Star Tribune, "If a $1-per-megawatt-hour tax existed last year, wind companies would have paid just over $4.9 million." ...
Wyoming Democratic Party - Feb 15
Today a resolution asserting the US constitution 10th amendment and amending the Wyoming Constitution directly aimed at health reform and Wyoming opting out of any national health reform initiative was killed on a party-line vote. Rep. Debbie Hammons stood and spoke against the resolution saying that it is not a reasonable approach to amend the Wyoming constitution to completely "deal us out." S...
Wyoming Democratic Party - Feb 11
Rep. Lorraine Quarberg (R-Thermopolis) introduced a bill giving concealed weapon authority to Wyoming residents over the age of 21.nbsp; This would do away with the current requirement that residents show knowledge of firearm use and register and receive a concealed weapon permit from the state of Wyoming.nbsp; This proposal changes the standard considerably by making the requirements to carry a c...
Wyoming Democratic Party - Feb 11
Rep. Bagby (D-Rawlins) introduced a bill to raise the minimum wage for tipped employees from $2.13 an hour to $5.00.nbsp; He brought this last year and it failed and the same with this year.nbsp; Three Republicans stood up in opposition and said things like:nbsp; "If a waitress is making $100/hour in tips why would we want to pay her more on top of that?" nbsp;Find me a Wyoming waitress that made ...
Wyoming Democratic Party - Feb 10
The 2010 Budget session has officially begun and currently each house is considering which bills will be accepted onto the General File. It takes a 2/3 vote for bills to reach general file. A few to note: HB 37 and HJ 04 introduced by Rep. Keith Gingery (R-Jackson) - These bills would remove the current law that Wyoming Judges and Justices must retire by the age of 70. Passage of both would ultim...
Wyoming Democratic Party - Feb 9
The budget session of the 60th Wyoming Legislature convenes today.nbsp; Governor Freudenthal will be delivering the State of the State at 10:00 AM and you can listen in here:nbsp; http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2010/audio/AudioMenu1.htm.nbsp; These blogs will be regularly posted throughout the budget session on topics important to Wyoming's Democrats, working families and informed citizens.nbsp; If ...
Wyoming Democratic Party - Feb 8
Ghosts of Wyoming By Alyson Hagy Graywolf Press, 192 pages, $15 Some places feel more haunted than others. As Alyson Hagy explores in her new collection of short stories, Ghosts of Wyoming, Wyoming is one of those places where the past seems to overlap with the present, where the rough frontier that she writes of in "The Sin Eaters," set in 1889, seems to have plenty in common...
New West Jackson Hole - Feb 1
The following perspective by Brianna Jones was printed in the Casper Star Tribune, 12/20/2009,nbsp;http://bit.ly/5jF80yOur nation's health care debate has gone from civil, to raucous, to downright ridiculous, but the truth is that there are millions of people across the nation -- more than 72,000 in Wyoming -- who cannot go to the doctor because they cannot afford or do not have adequate insurance...
Wyoming Democratic Party - Dec 21
