By Jim Stanford on March 2, 2010
Grant Larson
A bill that would have made it easier to sell whole milk, produce and baked goods at venues like farmers’ markets has died in the Wyoming Senate. Another bill, co-sponsored by Rep. Jim Roscoe, D-Wilson, that would have forced natural gas producers like Exxon Mobil to pay a fairer share of severance taxes also has died.
But it’s not all doom and gloom and macho gunplay in the Wyoming Legislature this session.
Sen. Grant Larson, R-Jackson, has been championing a bill that would empower the Wyoming Game and Fish Department to combat the spread of invasive species into our waterways. The bill already has passed the House and second reading in the Senate, where lawmakers are wrangling over whether to provide funding for inspection and enforcement.
Why is this issue important? Aquatic invasives like didymo (aka rock snot), zebra mussels and New Zealand mud snails could spoil habitat, fishing and recreation on the Snake River and disrupt the operation of dams and irrigation canals.
Didymo can grow in thick mats and suffocate stream bottoms.
Fishing guide and journalist Paul Bruun has been writing extensively about the dangers to Wyoming waterways, and it appears Sen. Larson, himself an angler, has taken notice.
With the snow rapidly melting and boaters making spring plans for river trips, it’s important to follow these steps after visiting another watershed. The easiest way to make sure you don’t pick up aquatic hitchhikers and transport them into the Snake is to clean, inspect and dry equipment before launching.
Mercifully, a Senate committee has killed a bill that would have allowed anyone 21 and over to carry a concealed weapon; another bill that would ban texting while driving appears likely to pass. Several of the rootin’, tootin’ resolutions also are progressing. Follow the legislative updates via the Cowboy State Free Press.
Posted under Environment, Politics, Republican Party, Sports, Wyoming Legislature
The bill on concealed weapons is useless because the only thing you have to do in Wyoming to carry a concealed weapon is take hunter safety and give them your finger prints. That’s it and since almost everyone with a gun in this state has taken H.S. It’s only a 5 minute trip to the sheriff’s office and you’re good to go, 21 or not. When I took H.S. there was no hands on gun training or accuracy test and I am sure there’s still not. Looking at it from the other side I believe it has nothing to do with the safety of cops because the kind of people that would harm a LEO with concealed weapon are not going to leave there gun at home because it is illegal. They don’t follow laws and that’s why they would harm a cop in the first place. So like I said the bill is useless. You can take hunter safety online and then give your prints in 5 minutes Walla you can now care a loaded 45. Is this a good idea? That’s another debate.
On another note you shouldn’t have to give up federal funding in order to uphold the constitution. We need to get back to more states rights because the Fed. Gov. is broken and it is easier to have an impact on the smaller scale Gov..
I don’t really care anymore if a swinging dick wants to carry a glock stuffed in his crotch while ordering a Triple with fries at Wendy’s. Oddly, I agree with D that it’s already easy enough in Wyo, and those who want to will regardless of the law or the 5 minute trip to the Sheriff.
But, talk about flip-flops. Gun lobby always arguing for local, state’s rights and anti-feds. But, now you have the NRA fighting hard to overturn a local ordinance in Chicago in favor for a Federal, national right for everyone to have a handgun in their possession. Can’t have it both ways dude.
good point jeff. cant have it both ways I agree
Idaho Republicans out-redneck Wyoming GOP:
http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9E798BG0.htm