I have no problem with Wyoming asserting its rights as a state or any difference with you about FedGov incompetence and malfeasance. I would just think that Wyoming could bring in plenty from oil, gas and coal for a population of 550k.
States that use mineral severance taxes (like WY) as a tax revenue stream go through fat and lean times as the prices of the minerals go up and down. Right now, we’re down in revenues, since the price of oil, coal and especially natural gas have all fallen off from peaks. If the state sold those 2-plus sections and put the money into 30 year treasury debt and just clipped the yield, it would be a far more steady source of tax revenue than severance taxes.
To his credit, Gov. Dave saw this downturn coming and enacted 10% across the board cuts in the budget (including education), so we’re not burning a huge hole in our pockets.
Also, folks have to remember thaty WY remembers well the actions of the feds WRT nuke power created a modern day ghost town overnight here in WY when the feds killed all future license for nuke plants in 1983. Sure, it wasn’t a huge town, but it cost the county and state rather dearly to deal with that. Stroke of an administrative pen in DC, ghost town here.
The same thing can happen with oil, gas and coal extraction in WY. Consider the effect on the state budget when the feds yank gas drilling leases because they’re going to list the stupid sage grouse as endangered. Compared to depending on those tax streams, selling those lands and putting into a safe investment looks like smart budgetary practice.