Friday, February 28, 2014
Febaruary 28: Wyoming Supreme Court rejects Hill rehearing
The Wyoming Supreme Court, in a 3 to 2 decision, rejected the Petition of the State of Wyoming to rehear its recent decision in the case filed against it by Cindy Hill. This leaves the existing decision standing, sending this matter back to the District Court for entry of an order. If the statute is not amended, which it appears likely to be, this will return Hill to her prior duties.
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Wyoming History in the Making: 2014 Legislature now likely to go into special session.
It now appears to be a near certainty that the Legislature shall convene a special session, immediately following the termination of the budget session, this year.
All special sessions are historic events. This one may be particularly notable as it arises in such unusual circumstances. The expressed goal of the special session, should it occur, would be to pass new legislation to fix the bill that resulted in changes to the state's education department, and more specifically to the role of the elected head of that department. The Supreme Court found the statute passed last year to be unconstitutional and the Governor's office has authorized a petition for a rehearing. The Legislature now seems disinclined to wait for the results of the rehearing. Whether the Legislature will also consider a bill of impeachment for Cindy Hill remains an open question.
All special sessions are historic events. This one may be particularly notable as it arises in such unusual circumstances. The expressed goal of the special session, should it occur, would be to pass new legislation to fix the bill that resulted in changes to the state's education department, and more specifically to the role of the elected head of that department. The Supreme Court found the statute passed last year to be unconstitutional and the Governor's office has authorized a petition for a rehearing. The Legislature now seems disinclined to wait for the results of the rehearing. Whether the Legislature will also consider a bill of impeachment for Cindy Hill remains an open question.
Friday, February 14, 2014
Wyoming History In The Making: Enzi out raised Cheney in the last quarter.
A recent article in the Casper Star Tribune reveals that Mike Enzi's campaign raised more money than Liz Cheney's in the last quarter, prior to her dropping out of the race. And not only is that the case, but her campaign was, by that time, deficit spending. Of those contributing in the last quarter, only 48 were from Wyoming, while over 400 were from out of state. Enzi did take PAC money, while Cheney, who said she would not, did not.
This is the second of a recent set of articles I've read in which analyst looked at Cheney's campaign as to why it seemingly failed. The most surprising one was in The New Republic. Typically these articles never really seem to grasp Wyoming politics and come to what seem to me to be erroneous conclusions. TNR's author seemed to think that Cheney had put Enzi in a bad spot by expecting, the author maintained, Enzi not to run and that Cheney would simply be an inevitable choice. Once he ran, Wyomingites, the author maintained, were offended by the cheekiness of the assumption. The most recent article in the Tribune quotes some analyst stating that the Cheney funding misfortunes were not a factor in her dropping out. I suspect neither of those points were correct.
Rather, what I think is obvious from inside the State is that Cheney never seriously had a chance, but failed to recognize that. Enzi is a popular politician. Moreover, there was never any real reason to feel that Cheney had any widespread support. This is not to say that she lacked support completely, that would not be true, but it was never widespread.
She seems to have overestimated what the Cheney family name would mean, which perhaps is not surprising but shows a level of disconnect with the State. Wyomingites can be enthusiastic about some candidates, but generally they tend to focus in on their effectiveness or perceived effectiveness and often don't really have any genuine love for the candidates themselves. For that reason, I suspect that Dick Cheney's place in the State is a little more subtle than outsiders, including Liz Cheney who really basically amounts to an outsider, suspect. Dick Cheney rose to the House from Wyoming under fairly unique circumstances and ultimately that worked out very well for him, but it might not mean that people ever held him up personally as somebody that they hugely admired. That he was successful was something that people admired, but I don't know that people ever strongly thought of him as a "native son" as outside pundits like to portray. With Liz Cheney her long residence outside of the State, her being a Virginia lawyer married to another Virginia lawyer, and her need to demonstrate that she had roots in the state, which had to be demonstrated through her mother rather than her father (Dick Cheney is not from Wyoming, but Nebraska, coming here as a teenager) tended to point that out.
My suspicion is that once the tale of the tape started to come in funding wise, and it became obvious that Enzi was out pollling her and was going to continue to do so, she made the wise choice and dropped out, but in a manner that keeps her options over, should her political fortunes later look a bit better.
This is the second of a recent set of articles I've read in which analyst looked at Cheney's campaign as to why it seemingly failed. The most surprising one was in The New Republic. Typically these articles never really seem to grasp Wyoming politics and come to what seem to me to be erroneous conclusions. TNR's author seemed to think that Cheney had put Enzi in a bad spot by expecting, the author maintained, Enzi not to run and that Cheney would simply be an inevitable choice. Once he ran, Wyomingites, the author maintained, were offended by the cheekiness of the assumption. The most recent article in the Tribune quotes some analyst stating that the Cheney funding misfortunes were not a factor in her dropping out. I suspect neither of those points were correct.
Rather, what I think is obvious from inside the State is that Cheney never seriously had a chance, but failed to recognize that. Enzi is a popular politician. Moreover, there was never any real reason to feel that Cheney had any widespread support. This is not to say that she lacked support completely, that would not be true, but it was never widespread.
She seems to have overestimated what the Cheney family name would mean, which perhaps is not surprising but shows a level of disconnect with the State. Wyomingites can be enthusiastic about some candidates, but generally they tend to focus in on their effectiveness or perceived effectiveness and often don't really have any genuine love for the candidates themselves. For that reason, I suspect that Dick Cheney's place in the State is a little more subtle than outsiders, including Liz Cheney who really basically amounts to an outsider, suspect. Dick Cheney rose to the House from Wyoming under fairly unique circumstances and ultimately that worked out very well for him, but it might not mean that people ever held him up personally as somebody that they hugely admired. That he was successful was something that people admired, but I don't know that people ever strongly thought of him as a "native son" as outside pundits like to portray. With Liz Cheney her long residence outside of the State, her being a Virginia lawyer married to another Virginia lawyer, and her need to demonstrate that she had roots in the state, which had to be demonstrated through her mother rather than her father (Dick Cheney is not from Wyoming, but Nebraska, coming here as a teenager) tended to point that out.
My suspicion is that once the tale of the tape started to come in funding wise, and it became obvious that Enzi was out pollling her and was going to continue to do so, she made the wise choice and dropped out, but in a manner that keeps her options over, should her political fortunes later look a bit better.
Thursday, February 13, 2014
Wyoming History In The Making: EPA Stays Riverton EPA ruling. February 13, 2014.
At the bequest of the business counsels of both Tribes, and the State of Wyoming, the EPA has stayed its ruling that held that Riverton was within the boundaries of the Reservation.
While they no doubt approached it from somewhat different angles, this was a wise decision for all, as it gives time in which for this matter to develop legally, as well as to adjust to any potential consequences should the decision later be upheld.
While they no doubt approached it from somewhat different angles, this was a wise decision for all, as it gives time in which for this matter to develop legally, as well as to adjust to any potential consequences should the decision later be upheld.
Wyoming HIstory In the Making: "Hill" Bills intorduced, and one passes Senate. February 13, 2014.
Two bills seeking to address the situation by the Wyoming Supreme Court's ruling that the restructuring of the state Department of Education was unconstitutional have been introduced, and one has passed so far.
One bill simply seeks to reverse the prior bill, essentially restoring the situation to the status quo ante. The other, however, the one that passed, seeks to form a committee to study the decision, in anticipation of a potential Special Legislative Session, passed the Senate.
One bill simply seeks to reverse the prior bill, essentially restoring the situation to the status quo ante. The other, however, the one that passed, seeks to form a committee to study the decision, in anticipation of a potential Special Legislative Session, passed the Senate.
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
The History Press, Bookstore, On This Day in Wyoming History
The History Press, Bookstore, On This Day in Wyoming History
The printed sequel to this website, with some additional text, and some new photos, is soon to be published. Handy for those who might need a paper daily reference to the State's history.
The printed sequel to this website, with some additional text, and some new photos, is soon to be published. Handy for those who might need a paper daily reference to the State's history.
Monday, February 10, 2014
The 2010 State of the State Address
Governor Mead's 2010 State of the State Address was delivered on this day.
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