.@GovernorGordon is holding availability with Wyoming media this afternoon. I just hopped on the call, where he is paying tribute to Sen. Mike Enzi and a brief recap of his visit with DOI's Deb Haaland last week.

Highlights here:
Focusing now on urging the DOI to lift its oil and gas leasing pause on federal lands, particularly given actions oversee.

Says it's having bad economic impacts while not helping climate change, and that we shouldn't judge by rigs running. (Which are up) wyofile.com/wyo-drilling-r…
Adds he discussed his skepticism of the 30x30 plan, which he said is "not for Wyoming."

Said it takes those lands out of the equation for economic benefit. "We will fight it every step of the way."

Said he hopes the trip will lead to a better dialogue with D.C.
On COVID: "No mandates will come from this office," he said, though he notes the pandemic is not over.

Said that all facets of the economy will be impacted by COVID. Urges Wyoming to be diligent, wash hands, maintain distance, and get vaccinated "if you're willing."
"I do not believe statewide orders are necessary. What will help ease the situation is people acting responsibly and diligently, making sure to take measures to protect ourselves, our families and our neighbors."

Notes vast majority of COVID hospitalizations are non-vaxxed.
"Do we anticipate any lockdowns? Absolutely not," he said.

"We have tools, we have vaccinations, we have different ways we can approach that."

But adds our employment situation is fragile -- especially in healthcare facilities.
.@m0rgan_hughes asks a follow-up to those statements, asking what Gordon can do to improve vaccination numbers.

Gordon says vaccines are a deeply personal choice, and that he hopes the FDA could formally approve it to "calm the fears" ppl have. Says it's the "best tool we have."
.@butterbob asks about the growing housing crisis in various communities around Wyoming. Says there may be some applications for affordable housing in the coming infrastructure package.
I asked about the census and whether there were any concerns about potential decreases in some county's federal aid due to population losses, particularly in places like Sublette.

Said he'd be fascinated to see the changes from this year, but hadn't looked into part two.
[I should note these questions and quotes are very difficult to hear, the sound is pretty garbled on both ends.]

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More from @IAmNickReynolds

16 Sep
There's a handful of medical professionals testifying before Joint Labor/Health this morning opposing vaccine mandates at Banner Health. Says it's created an environment of "tension and hostility."

Group includes an anesthesiologist, an ICU nurse, and a children's dentist. Image
Said professionals say mandates and ensuing climate are causing "serious psychological and emotional distress" among unvaccinated staff. Could exacerbate staffing crisis.

"Why would we exclude highly qualified individuals from the workforce?"

Live:

Sen. Lynn Hutchings said she would do whatever she could to help their cause. Rep. Bob Wharff, who has downplayed COVID and called it a "man-made" virus on social media, told them to "call their bluff."
Read 30 tweets
14 Sep
Wyo lawmakers just approved an amendment to draft legislation that would create something similar to a hate crime bill in the state.

We currently lack one. This would create a felony offense, but no penalties in excess of what's on the books otherwise. wyoleg.gov/InterimCommitt…
Right now @itsmikeyin is running an amendment to the language to add gender, sexual orientation and gender identity into the amendment, bringing Wyoming's language in-line with federal language.
@itsmikeyin And... that motion failed.
Read 7 tweets
14 Sep
Looks like Chuck is done.

Strange this somehow hasn't made it into my inbox yet... 🤔
Interesting campaign for Gray. In addition to the WY House Freedom Caucus, endorsements also included right wing politicians like Paul Gosar, conspiracy theorists like Lin Wood.

Also, his father, who spent more than $100k in support of his campaign. wyofile.com/pac-backing-ch…
He also failed to get much momentum with fundraisers. Here's my story from Q2. wyofile.com/cheney-sets-fu…

Protecting Wyoming Values is his father's PAC, by the way.

We won't know if his campaign saw any improvement until Oct. 15, when the Q3 reports are due. Image
Read 4 tweets
2 Sep
In Sheridan this morning for a meeting on various election reform proposals. Very packed house.

A few GOP officials here, including some from as far as Uinta County. The @SheridanWYDems have worked to turn people out too.
If you couldn't make it, the livestream is here:
We're working through several draft changes to Wyoming's elections this morning.

An open primary: wyoleg.gov/InterimCommitt…
Ranked choice voting: wyoleg.gov/InterimCommitt…

And two runoff proposals. One bill draft, and one resolution to put runoff elections to voters.
Read 92 tweets
31 Aug
Gov. Mark Gordon speaking in Jackson this morning.

Live stream here:

jhcenterforthearts.org/calendar/event…
Local reporters in attendance:

@WillWalkey
@sightsonwheels

They'll have highlights too.
Big things I've heard so far:

1) Masks are important, wear them.
2) Wyoming's special places are changing, need to find ways for tourism to benefit the whole state.
3) Workforce development, ensuring Wyoming has the strongest education system in the country.
Read 31 tweets
16 Aug
Good morning everyone! Here this morning at Casper College, where we're talking the nuts and bolts of our redistricting process for the first time.

The census released county-level counts last week, allowing us to see what places grew and which contracted.

Watch this space!
If you'll recall from last week, the state's rural counties largely contracted in population over the last decade, while urban counties grew.

Laramie County (the capital and the current locus of power in the Legislature) grew the most.
In redistricting, the Legislature needs to do its best to keep "like" communities together, allocating a prescribed average of residents to each district.

We can move off that number by up to 10% in trickier communities, but that's no guarantee the district will be approved.
Read 16 tweets

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