Eye on the Issues

Wyoming Liberty Group
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Welcome to Eye on the Issues, the podcast brought to you by the Wyoming Liberty Group. Whether you're a proud Wyoming resident, hail from the Cowboy State, or simply care deeply about the issues facing Wyoming, this podcast is your go-to resource.Join us as we delve into the heart of Wyoming's most pressing concerns, offering you insights and perspectives from a diverse range of voices. You'll hear from Wyoming lawmakers and elected officials sharing their viewpoints, along with community and thought leaders who are shaping the future of our great state. We also bring in subject matter experts to provide in-depth analysis and understanding on key issues.The Wyoming Liberty Group is committed to empowering Wyoming's future. With over 15 years of experience and impact in our state, we're more than just a think tank. While we pride ourselves on rigorous research, we go beyond that to craft innovative solutions that promote free enterprise, limited government, personal responsibility, and government accountability.Tune in to Eye on the Issues to stay informed, engaged, and empowered. Together, we can work towards a brighter future for Wyoming.

  1. Rethinking Degree Requirements in Wyoming Government Jobs

    1D AGO

    Rethinking Degree Requirements in Wyoming Government Jobs

    In this episode of Eye on the Issues, we’re joined by Courtney Beene, a senior at the University of Wyoming and participant in the Wyoming Liberty Leaders internship program, to discuss her research report, Removing Barriers: A Case for Skills-Based Hiring in Wyoming. Courtney’s report examines how degree requirements across state and local government jobs can unintentionally limit Wyoming’s workforce, economic mobility, and long-term growth. With only about 30 percent of Wyoming’s population holding a bachelor’s degree, she explores why experience, certifications, and on-the-job skills should be recognized as legitimate qualifications, particularly when many positions can be performed without a four-year degree. The conversation highlights how more than two dozen states have already moved toward skills-based hiring models, with some seeing major increases in qualified non-degree hires after reforming their job requirements. Courtney explains what skills-based hiring looks like in practice, the types of government roles that could benefit from this approach, and how removing unnecessary barriers could expand career opportunities while strengthening Wyoming’s economy. The interview also addresses rising college costs, limited wage growth tied to degrees in Wyoming, workforce outmigration, and why young people often feel forced into education paths that may not offer meaningful returns. Courtney shares her internship experience with the Wyoming Liberty Group, her passion for policy research, and how empowering students to engage directly in policy work can create lasting impact across the state. To read the full report discussed in this interview and stay informed on Wyoming policy issues, visit wyliberty.org and sign up for our newsletter.

    17 min
  2. Nuclear Development and Wyoming's Public Lands: An Intern's Policy Research

    1D AGO

    Nuclear Development and Wyoming's Public Lands: An Intern's Policy Research

    In this episode of Eye on the Issues, we’re joined by Emma Hamlin, a participant in the Wyoming Liberty Leaders internship program, to discuss her research report, Nuclear Development and the Future of Wyoming’s Public Lands. Emma, a senior at the University of Wyoming studying agricultural communications with a minor in agricultural economics, brings both academic training and firsthand agricultural experience to the conversation. Raised around ranching and livestock, she approaches the growing push for nuclear development with a focus on how energy policy intersects with farming, ranching, and stewardship of public lands. The discussion explores how different states regulate nuclear development and how those regulatory frameworks affect agricultural communities. Emma compares Wyoming’s approach with states like Minnesota and Nebraska, which include agriculture explicitly in their emergency planning and testing requirements, as well as states like South Carolina, which take a far more hands-off approach despite extensive nuclear activity. Emma also shares what surprised her most during her research, why she believes states must better prepare for the coexistence of agriculture and nuclear development, and how policy choices today could shape the future of rural communities. Throughout the interview, she emphasizes that the issue isn’t whether nuclear development is coming — it is — but whether states like Wyoming are prepared to balance economic development with the protection of farmers, ranchers, private landowners, and public lands. The conversation also highlights Emma’s internship experience with the Wyoming Liberty Group, her growth as a policy researcher and writer, and how the project helped her find her voice as an advocate for the agricultural industry. To read the full report discussed in this interview and to stay informed on Wyoming policy issues, visit wyliberty.org and sign up for our newsletter.

    12 min
  3. Are Money and Donors Really Buying Wyoming Elections? New Report Breaks It Down.

    1D AGO

    Are Money and Donors Really Buying Wyoming Elections? New Report Breaks It Down.

    In this episode of Eye on the Issues, we take a deep dive into campaign finance in Wyoming with Steve Klein, author of the new report No One’s Buying Wyoming Elections: A Candid Look at a Decade of Campaign Finance Disclosure. After reviewing ten years of campaign finance reports covering more than 400 Wyoming legislative and statewide races, Klein challenges one of the most common political assumptions — that money routinely decides elections. His analysis shows that in Wyoming, the candidate who spends the most wins only about 58 percent of the time, raising serious questions about claims that donors are “buying” political outcomes. Klein also explains how Wyoming’s campaign finance system operates largely on an honor system, with little auditing or enforcement unless complaints are filed, often by political opponents. He shares surprising examples of clear reporting violations that went uncorrected and outlines why meaningful accountability should start with random audits of candidate filings before expanding regulations on outside groups and political speech. Beyond the numbers, the conversation offers an encouraging message for everyday Wyomingites considering a run for office. Klein explains how grassroots campaigning, door-to-door outreach, and relatively modest fundraising can still be enough to run a competitive campaign in many districts, preserving Wyoming’s tradition of accessible citizen government. To read the full report discussed in this interview, visit https://bit.ly/4chijMU and be sure to sign up for the Wyoming Liberty Group newsletter for more in-depth policy research and interviews

    13 min
  4. Who Really Pays? Taxes, Energy, and Long-Term Costs in Wyoming

    JAN 30

    Who Really Pays? Taxes, Energy, and Long-Term Costs in Wyoming

    Wyoming State Representative J.R. Riggins joins us to talk about the upcoming budget session and his work on the House Revenue Committee. Riggins is back at the Legislature after heart surgery last year, and this is his first full budget session. Time is tight and decisions matter for Wyoming taxpayers. We talk about his bill to cut vehicle registration fees by extending depreciation schedules. Riggins calls it one of Wyoming’s most regressive taxes and explains how it works like a property tax. He also makes clear he won’t “give a tax break with one hand and take it back with the other.” We also get into property tax relief: constitutional amendments, exemption changes, and Amendment A, plus the strain all these policy shifts put on county assessors. Energy policy is a big part of the conversation. Using Wyoming Liberty Group’s report Balancing the Scales, we dig into how oil, gas, and coal carry a heavier tax load than wind, solar, and nuclear. Riggins talks about megawatt taxation, expiring exemptions, out-of-state electricity exports, and how Wyoming often doesn’t bear the costs of renewable energy development. We wrap up with an honest talk about what happens after the power gets generated: wind turbine blade disposal, solid waste planning, and spent nuclear fuel storage. Riggins reminds us that energy development has consequences that last for decades, and policymakers need to face them head-on.

    19 min
  5. When Federal Marijuana Policy Meets Reality

    12/23/2025

    When Federal Marijuana Policy Meets Reality

    In this episode of Eye on the Issues, we sit down with Jordan Davidson, Government Affairs Director for Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM), to unpack major developments in federal marijuana policy — including President Trump’s recent executive action to move marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III. Jordan brings a rare combination of policy expertise and lived experience. After entering long-term recovery from cannabis use disorder as a teenager, he went on to work in state and federal politics before joining SAM in 2019. Today, he manages SAM’s federal policy efforts on Capitol Hill and has played a key role in both advancing responsible research policy and stopping sweeping marijuana legalization bills. In this conversation, we explore: - Why marijuana rescheduling is being framed as a “research” move — and why that framing is misleading - How Congress already expanded marijuana research without rescheduling the drug - The real-world consequences of Schedule III status, including massive tax breaks for the marijuana industry - The dramatic rise in marijuana potency and what that means for addiction, youth use, and public health - The growing presence of organized crime — including foreign criminal networks — in state-licensed marijuana operations - Why states that have not legalized marijuana may still bear the costs through trafficking and enforcement challenges Jordan also explains why marijuana today bears little resemblance to the low-potency drug of decades past, and how commercialization and profit incentives are driving ever-stronger products aimed at heavy, repeat users. This interview is a clear-eyed look at the difference between legitimate medical research and policy decisions that primarily benefit large commercial interests — often at the expense of public safety, families, and state sovereignty.

    19 min
  6. Who Pays for Worn-Out Renewables? The Hidden Risks in Wyoming's Renewable Rules

    12/09/2025

    Who Pays for Worn-Out Renewables? The Hidden Risks in Wyoming's Renewable Rules

    In this episode of Eye on the Issues, we sit down with Curtis Schube, Executive Director of the Council to Modernize Governance and co-author of a groundbreaking report from the National Center for Energy Analytics. His work takes a deep dive into an overlooked but increasingly urgent question: What happens when wind and solar facilities reach the end of their lifespan—and who pays for it? Curtis walks us through a state-by-state analysis of financial assurance requirements for the decommissioning of renewable energy sites, revealing a stark contrast between regulations for traditional energy industries and those governing renewable projects. While oil and gas regulators in most states require robust, mandatory financial assurances to ensure sites can be safely reclaimed, the renewable sector lags far behind—earning failing grades in more than half the states surveyed. Wyoming, despite its significant renewable development, is among the states that received an F grade. We explore why these gaps exist, the risk of “orphaned” renewable sites, and how the lack of sufficient upfront financial protections could ultimately leave taxpayers footing the bill. Curtis also explains the real-world challenges of decommissioning wind turbines and solar panels—from toxic materials to limited landfill availability—and why the shelf life of these technologies may be much shorter than advertised. This interview highlights a crucial but often ignored part of America’s energy transition: the need to think not just about building new energy systems, but responsibly planning for their end-of-life impacts. For policymakers in Wyoming and beyond, Curtis offers straightforward, actionable guidance rooted in five key regulatory criteria that can help prevent long-term environmental and fiscal liabilities. The full report is available at https://www.modernizegovernance.org/are-taxpayers-exposed-as-renewable-energy-is-put-on-the-fast-track/ as well as https://energyanalytics.org/hidden-energy-liability/

    10 min
  7. 100th Episode: Inside Wyoming Liberty Group with Mandy Ludtke, President & CEO

    09/05/2025

    100th Episode: Inside Wyoming Liberty Group with Mandy Ludtke, President & CEO

    We’re celebrating a huge milestone—100 episodes of Eye on the Issues!  For this special edition, host Mike Garofalo sits down with our very own President and CEO, Mandy Ludtke, for an inside look at the Wyoming Liberty Group’s work and vision for the future. Since launching Eye on the Issues in 2023, we’ve covered everything from school choice and government transparency to energy policy and campaign finance. In this episode, Mandy reflects on how far we’ve come as an organization and why our conversations have struck such a chord in Wyoming and beyond. She also shares insight on one of the biggest debates shaping our state today—nuclear energy. At Wyoming Liberty Group, our work focuses on asking the tough questions, providing citizens and lawmakers with facts, and ensuring Wyoming’s future decisions are guided by transparency, accountability, and free-market principles. This 100th episode is more than a milestone—it’s proof that Wyoming Liberty Group is thriving, growing, and working every day to protect the Wyoming way of life. We’re excited for the next 100 episodes and invite you to be part of this journey. Please stay connected with us at wyliberty.org. You can sign up for our newsletter at the bottom of the homepage, call us at 307-632-7020, or email us at info@wyliberty.org. And if you believe in keeping Wyoming free and independent, we invite you to become a member or supporter today. Together, we can make a lasting impact!

    22 min
  8. Facing the Storm: Superintendent Megan Degenfelder on Education Challenges and Opportunities

    08/15/2025

    Facing the Storm: Superintendent Megan Degenfelder on Education Challenges and Opportunities

    In this special episode, Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder joins us to talk about the biggest issues facing education in our state. From major court battles over school funding and education choice to the state’s push for stronger career and technical training, Superintendent Degenfelder shares her perspective on where Wyoming is excelling and where more work is needed. She discusses the launch of TeacherCon 25, efforts to bring patriotism and civics education back into classrooms, and the push to expand parental involvement in K–12 education. We also cover the legal fight over Wyoming’s new Education Savings Account program, the federal role in education policy, and how the state can better prepare students for both college and workforce pathways.

    13 min
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About

Welcome to Eye on the Issues, the podcast brought to you by the Wyoming Liberty Group. Whether you're a proud Wyoming resident, hail from the Cowboy State, or simply care deeply about the issues facing Wyoming, this podcast is your go-to resource.Join us as we delve into the heart of Wyoming's most pressing concerns, offering you insights and perspectives from a diverse range of voices. You'll hear from Wyoming lawmakers and elected officials sharing their viewpoints, along with community and thought leaders who are shaping the future of our great state. We also bring in subject matter experts to provide in-depth analysis and understanding on key issues.The Wyoming Liberty Group is committed to empowering Wyoming's future. With over 15 years of experience and impact in our state, we're more than just a think tank. While we pride ourselves on rigorous research, we go beyond that to craft innovative solutions that promote free enterprise, limited government, personal responsibility, and government accountability.Tune in to Eye on the Issues to stay informed, engaged, and empowered. Together, we can work towards a brighter future for Wyoming.

Information

  • Creator
    Wyoming Liberty Group
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    45
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Eye on the Issues
  • Show Website
    Eye on the Issues