Free Republic

Former Gov. Stan Hathaway dies at 81 By Ilene Olson rep3@wyomingnews.com Published in the Wyoming Tribune-Eagle CHEYENNE - Former Wyoming Gov. Stan Hathaway died at his home Tuesday evening surrounded by family and friends. He was 81. Labeled by some as "Wyoming's favorite son," Hathaway served two terms as governor from January 1967 to January 1975. He is best known for spearheading efforts to establish mineral severance taxes in the state as well as creating the Permanent Wyoming Mineral Trust Fund in 1974. "Stan Hathaway was an extraordinary person," said his longtime friend and law firm partner Brent Kunz. "History...

Governor's beheading threat real - Lummis By Doug Hecox For the Wyoming Tribune-Eagle Published in the Wyoming Tribune-Eagle CHEYENNE - Wyoming Treasurer Cynthia Lummis has confirmed Superintendent of Public Instruction Trent Blankenship's account of a threat made by Gov. Dave Freudenthal to the other state officials. At a private meeting of the state's top officials in December 2002, Freudenthal, then governor-elect, allegedly threatened to behead Lummis, State Auditor Max Maxfield, Secretary of State Joe Meyer and Blankenship, then superintendent-elect, if they went against him. In a phone interview, Lummis corroborated Blankenship's story, which first was reported last year in the...

Voter apathy Younger citizens less likely to cast their ballots By Ilene Olson rep3@wyomingnews.com Published in the Wyoming Tribune-Eagle CHEYENNE - Mark Egge has definite opinions about politics, despite the fact that he just turned 18 a month ago. He cast his first votes in the primary election Tuesday. "I guess I vote because I'm somewhat idealistic," he said. "I care about the direction the nation is going. I don't think I have a right to complain if I don't vote." Although politics are not regular dinner conversations at home, Egge said his parents have set a good example by...

Term limits for the top five? The court ruling didn't apply to the governor and 4 other elected leaders, but they haven't indicated that challenging the law is in their plans. By Ilene Olson rep3@wyomingnews.com Published in the Wyoming Tribune-Eagle CHEYENNE - Since Wyoming's term-limits law for legislators was overturned, many have wondered what that could mean for the law that requires the state's top five elected officials to step down after eight years of service. In a decision last week, the Wyoming Supreme Court ruled the law limiting legislators to 12 years of service in the House of Representatives...

Meyer sounds off at term limits forum By Ilene Olson rep3@wyomingnews.com Published in the Wyoming Tribune-Eagle CASPER - Now that the Wyoming Supreme Court has heard arguments in a lawsuit challenging the state's term limits law, Wyoming Secretary of State Joe Meyer felt free Friday to express his thoughts. "I don't think term limits make any sense whatsoever," Meyer said. "You're getting rid of someone with 12 years of experience and replacing them with someone who can't find the bathroom." The bottom line, he said, lies in the answer to one question: How is Wyoming better off with term limits...

Officials kick up fuss over horse and rider trademark By Ilene Olson rep3@wyomingnews.com Published in the Wyoming Tribune-Eagle CHEYENNE - A battle over rights to Wyoming's bucking horse and rider trademark is brewing between the Secretary of State's Office and a Texas organization. Pat Arp, deputy secretary of state, told the Joint Appropriations Interim Committee earlier this month that office will need money to fight a challenge of Wyoming's right to the trademark. The challenge came from the Texas Stampede, an organization benefiting two medical centers that care for children in Dallas. That organization has been using the bucking horse...