Around the 307
News, commentary, and other items of interest from the greater Wyoming landscape.
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Here are a few news stories and other items of interest from Around the 307 over the past week of March 10th, 2024:
Let's start with a summary of the property tax relief bills that made it to the Governor’s desk for signature following the conclusion of the Wyoming Legislature’s 2024 Budget Session at the end of last week. The Governor has until March 23rd to sign all of the bills, let them pass into law without his signature, or veto them. Here’s the rundown:
House Bill 3 will establish a 50% property tax reduction for long-term homeowners (i.e., for those age 65 and older who have paid property taxes in Wyoming for 25 years or more).
The bill would become effective on January 1st, 2025, however, a sunset provision would repeal the bill effective July 1st, 2027.
House Bill 4 will expand Wyoming’s property tax refund program to people who make up to 165% of the median income for the applicant's county of residence or the state (as determined annually by the Wyoming Economic Analysis Division).
The bill would go into effect for tax year 2024.
House Bill 45 will place a 4% cap on year-to-year property tax increases in Wyoming.
The bill would go into effect for tax year 2024.
Senate File 54 will provide a 25% tax exemption applicable to the first $2,000,000 (two million dollars) of a home’s fair market value.
The bill would go into effect for tax year 2024 and 2025, but has a sunset provision to expire in 2026.
You can also read a news story here from this week’s Star Valley Independent about these property tax bills awaiting the Governor’s signature.
[Original photo credit Monster Ztudio/Shutterstock; graphic composition by Ruzena Rok.]
After all that heavy property tax stuff, I thought some lighter news fare for the rest of the week was in order. This Cowboy State Daily story from last weekend definitely fits that bill! Meet Ranger, a Hangin’ Tree Cowdog, and one of five official Brooks Lake Lodge canines! With the nickname of “Ranger Danger”, this black and white pooch has a reputation for chasing off grizzly bears, tagging along with lodge guests on snowmachine or snowshoe outings, and even eating whole bags of espresso beans. Ranger, it seems, is the whole cuddly-pup-package. Read the full story here.
Ranger Danger at the Brooks Lake Lodge. [Photo courtesy of Cowboy State Daily via Brooks Lake Lodge Facebook page.] Monday, March 11th, Buckrail published a story on the first unofficial sightings of grizzly bears emerging from hybernation in Yellowstone National Park (YNP). You can read the Buckrail article here. Two days later on March 13th, YNP confirmed the sightings in this official press release. Looks like the bears are a week ahead of spring’s official arrival. With that in mind, if you’re out-and-about in grizzly country, don’t forget that bear spray!
A large male grizzly on a bison carcass in YNP earlier this week. [Photo courtesy of Kyle Vetter.] That’s all for now cowgirls and cowboys. Thanks for reading and have a great week!
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