The 2024 Wyoming Legislative Session. Part 2 Appendix. The start of the budget session.

 February 17, 2024

Bill status after week one.  Only bills that have advanced, failed, or didn't get introduced are listed here, for the most.

You cannot read too much into this, as getting a bill introduced during the budget session is difficult by design.  But of note, almost all of the populist bills backed by the Freedom Caucus, if in fact not 100% of them, failed.  The group predicted that it woudl be more effective this legislature than last, but it has not proven to be the case so far, in so far as advancement of their legislative agenda via bills is concerned.

HB0001 General government appropriations. Appropriations H COW:Passed

HB0002 Nonresident fishing license fee increase. Travel H Failed Introduction 39-22-1-0-0

HB0005 Behavioral health redesign amendments. Labor H Failed Introduction 40-21-1-0-0

HB0006 Light and high profile vehicle closures. Transportation H Failed Introduction 41-20-1-0-0

HB0007 Alternative fuel tax-electricity amendments. Transportation H Failed Introduction 40-20-1-0-1

HB0010 Grace period-state land lease renewals. Agriculture H 3rd Reading:Passed 61-0-1-0-0

HB0011 State land lease amendments. Agriculture H 3rd Reading:Passed 61-0-1-0-0

HB0014 Prior authorization regulations. Labor H 2nd Reading:Passed

HB0015 Health insurance-reimbursement of overpayments. Labor H 3rd Reading:Passed 61-0-1-0-0

HB0016 Sutton state archaeological site-legal description. Travel H 3rd Reading:Passed 60-1-1-0-0

HB0017 Fishing outfitters and guides-registration of fishing boats. Travel H Failed Introduction 38-22-2-0-0

HB0019 Education savings accounts. Education H Failed Introduction 41-19-2-0-0

HB0020 School finance-regional cost adjustment study. Education H 2nd Reading:Passed

HB0021 Charter school leasing. Sel Sch Fac H 2nd Reading:Passed

HB0022 Sales tax revisions. Revenue H Failed Introduction 1-59-2-0-0

HB0026 Emergency protective services-effective period. Judiciary H 3rd Reading:Passed 44-17-1-0-0

HB0027 DFS and law enforcement-cross reporting. Judiciary H 3rd Reading:Passed 44-17-1-0-0

HB0028 Interference with parent-child contact. Judiciary H Failed Introduction 41-19-2-0-0

HB0032 Geologic sequestration-unitization amendments. Minerals H 3rd Reading:Passed 61-0-1-0-0

HB0034 Solid waste municipal cease and transfer funding. Minerals H 2nd Reading:Passed

HB0037 Election offenses-intimidation. Corporations H Failed Introduction 36-24-2-0-0

HB0039 Campaign reporting. Corporations H Failed Introduction 37-23-2-0-0

HB0040 School district trustee oath of office. Corporations H 2nd Reading:Passed

HB0041 Candidates for state legislature-residency requirement. Corporations H Failed Introduction 40-20-2-0-0

HB0047 Solid waste-illegal dumping remediation grants. Penn H Failed Introduction 28-33-1-0-0

HB0049 By the people act. Penn H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0050 What is a Woman Act. Ward H Failed Introduction 37-24-1-0-0

HB0051 Public indecency-intimidation. Neiman H Failed Introduction 36-25-1-0-0

HB0053 Public health emergency-definition amendments. Ward H Failed Introduction 27-34-1-0-0

HB0055 State budgeting and reserves-account repeal. Cap Fin & Inv H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0056 State budgeting and reserves-general funds. Cap Fin & Inv H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0057 Parental rights regarding vaccination. Ward H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0059 Prohibiting mask, vaccine and testing discrimination. Ward H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0061 Fiscal accountability and transparency in education. Penn H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0062 Local impact assistance payments-percentage discretion. Larson, JT H Failed Introduction 35-26-1-0-0

HB0063 Sex and gender changes for children-prohibited. Larsen, L H Failed Introduction 33-28-1-0-0

HB0065 Public officer fiscal training-amendments. Sommers H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0068 Obscenity-impartial conformance. Hornok H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0069 Mine permit and reclamation plan changes-landowner approval. Hornok H Failed Introduction 20-41-1-0-0

HB0071 Broadband development subaccount-amendments. Appropriations H 2nd Reading:Passed

HB0076 Reproductive Freedom Act. Yin H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0078 Pornography and obscenity-crimes and penalties. Penn H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0080 School finance-dates for fund transfers. Larson, JT H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0082 Cities and towns-abandoned and nuisance buildings. Sherwood H Failed Introduction 38-23-1-0-0

HB0084 High Plains Research Station and Arboretum-historic site. Appropriations H Failed Introduction 41-20-1-0-0

HB0085 Social media-parental consent for minors required. Harshman H Failed Introduction 36-25-1-0-0

HB0087 Brucellosis testing amendments. Davis H Failed Introduction 41-20-1-0-0

HB0088 Public display of obscene material. Ottman H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0091 Health mandates-CDC and WHO jurisdiction in Wyoming. Ward H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0094 Net metering. Heiner H Failed Introduction 35-26-1-0-0

HB0095 Health care providers-submission of insurance claims. Stith H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0097 Forcible entry and detainer amendments. Stith H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0098 Duties of registered agents-amendments. Crago H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0099 State funds-prohibition for slave or child labor. Bear H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0100 Critical infrastructure resiliency. Bear H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0101 Attorney general opinions. Mgt Council H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0102 School safety and security amendments. Bear H Failed Introduction 35-26-1-0-0

HB0105 Insurance payments-not taxable. Slagle H Failed Introduction 35-26-1-0-0

HB0106 Hemp-limitations on psychoactive substances-2. Lawley H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0107 Commercial driver license-medical certificate downgrade-1. Styvar H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0108 Protection of health care providers. Zwonitzer, Dn H Failed Introduction 41-20-1-0-0

HB0109 Wind tax exemption-repeal. Slagle H Failed Introduction 36-25-1-0-0

HB0110 Wyoming Underground Facilities Notification Act-exemption. Slagle H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0111 Restricted class C and M driver's licenses-amendments. Slagle H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0112 Real estate transfer tax to offset property tax. Yin H Failed Introduction 8-53-1-0-0

HB0113 Hathaway scholarship program. Henderson H Failed Introduction 40-21-1-0-0

HB0114 Wyoming teacher shortage loan repayment program. Henderson H Failed Introduction 39-22-1-0-0

HB0115 Donated blood-mRNA disclosure. Penn H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0117 Bond elections-voter threshold requirement. Styvar H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0118 American rescue plan act appropriations-amendments. Appropriations H Failed Introduction 37-23-2-0-0

HB0119 School finance-mental health service grants. Sommers H Failed Introduction 38-23-1-0-0

HB0120 Interactive gaming. Davis H Failed Introduction 25-36-1-0-0

HB0121 Kelly parcel-sale and leasing requirements. Walters H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0122 Carrying of concealed weapons-age requirement. Haroldson H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0123 Mandatory immunizations-repeal. Haroldson H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0124 Vaccination for smallpox-repeal. Haroldson H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0127 Property tax exemption-specified real property. Locke H03 - Revenue:Do Pass Failed 3-6-0-0-0

HB0128 Wyoming Freedom Scholarship Act. Andrew H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0129 Statutory standing committees-federal review. Pendergraft H Failed Introduction 25-36-1-0-0

HB0130 Driver's license renewal amendments. Jennings H Withdrawn by Sponsor

HB0132 Ban on teaching and training critical race theory. Bear H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0133 Property tax-holiday. Locke H Placed on General File

HB0135 State funded capital construction. Appropriations H Failed Introduction 37-23-2-0-0

HB0136 Gender identity-definition repeal. Hornok H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0137 Chemical abortions-ultrasound requirement. Neiman H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0139 Denturist practice act. Winter H Failed Introduction 31-30-1-0-0

HB0140 University of Wyoming governance-elected trustees. Rodriguez-Williams H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0142 Peace officer standards and training commission-funding. Provenza H Failed Introduction 19-42-1-0-0

HB0146 Property tax relief program-rental property applicants. Henderson H Failed Introduction 31-30-1-0-0

HB0147 Electrical generation tax. Larsen, L H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0149 Hit and run-responsibility and penalties. Smith H Failed Introduction 28-33-1-0-0

HB0150 Protecting religious assembly in states of emergency act. Smith H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0151 Firearms merchant category code-prohibition. Crago H Failed Introduction 37-24-1-0-0

HB0152 Sex offenders-child care facilities. Ottman H Failed Introduction 37-24-1-0-04

HB0153 Sex offender registration requirements. Knapp H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0155 Newborn safety device funding for safe haven providers. Rodriguez-Williams H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0156 Best interests of a child-gender affirming treatments. Rodriguez-Williams H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0157 Use of full fair market value in taxation. Locke H Failed Introduction 30-31-1-0-0

HB0158 Refugee resettlement plan accountability. Locke H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0159 Prohibition on unauthorized fees-veterans benefits. Knapp H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0160 Protect Firearms Rights Act. Jennings H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0161 Appointment by judge for vacancies in office-amendments. Jennings H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0162 Public meetings-executive sessions amendment. Jennings H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0163 Data privacy-government entities. BlockChain/Technology H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0164 Alcohol infused foods. Zwonitzer, Dv H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0167 Restoring state sovereignty through nullification. Strock H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0170 Administrative procedure-regulatory costs. Western H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0171 State land exchanges-public notice. Western H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0172 Purple Heart Memorial Trail. Neiman H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0173 Pharmacy benefit manager amendments. Zwonitzer, Dn H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0174 Paid family and medical leave. Sherwood H Failed Introduction 41-20-1-0-0

HB0176 Restoration of civil rights-amendments. Haroldson H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0177 Natural asset companies prohibition. Slagle H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0178 Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Washut H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0179 State park peace officers-definition and scope of authority. Niemiec H Failed Introduction 41-20-1-0-0

HB0180 Freedom from government seizure act. Provenza H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0181 Coroner's inquest-amendments. Oakley H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0182 Firearm purchase protections. Allemand H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0183 Prohibiting foreign property ownership in Wyoming. Allemand H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0184 Legislative order-department of education rules. Mgt Council H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0185 Enhanced oil recovery-severance tax exemption. Burkhart H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0187 Historic horse racing amendments. Walters H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0188 Centralized electronic notice system. Singh H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0189 Generation facility closure requirements-natural gas. Burkhart H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0190 Parental rights in education. Bear H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0191 American rescue plan act appropriations-amendments-3. Sommers H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0192 County and municipal roads on state lands-easements granted. Locke H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0193 Ban on sanctuary cities and counties. Singh H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0194 Statewide student assessment system-amendments. Andrew H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0195 Defend the guard act. Singh H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0196 Sales of real property to the federal government. Northrup H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0198 Court automation fees-assessment on filings. Nicholas H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0199 Election ballots. Zwonitzer, Dn H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0200 Electricity generation-equity and consumer protection. Burkhart H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0201 State Auditor payment transparency. Hornok H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0202 Unemployment compensation-promoting a drug-free workforce. Hornok H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0204 Decriminalization of cannabis. Provenza H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0205 Development agreements. Storer H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0206 Pari-mutuel wagering activities-amendments-2. Newsome H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0207 Moose and bighorn sheep hunting license-restrictions repeal. Newsome H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0208 Hydrogen severance tax. Tarver H Failed Introduction 39-21-2-0-0

HB0209 Possession of alcohol-amendments. Andrew H Failed Introduction 21-39-2-0-0

HB0210 Checking account disclosures-repeal. Jennings H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0211 Property tax-acquisition value. Jennings H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0212 Poverty level specificity in Wyoming law. Ottman H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0213 Wyoming preschool provider grants. Storer H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0214 Trailer permanent registration-amendments. Tarver H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0215 Integrated test center-governance. Conrad H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0216 Advanced practice registered nurses-certification. Trujillo H Withdrawn by Sponsor

HB0217 American rescue plan act appropriations-amendments-2. Heiner H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0218 Semitrailers-maximum trailer length. Allred H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0219 Business reporting to secretary of state. Knapp H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0220 K-12 school facilities appropriations. Sel Sch Fac H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0221 Wyoming Community Development Authority-bond investment. Harshman H Did not Consider for Introduction

HJ0001 Property tax-classes of property and residential value. Revenue H Failed Introduction 34-27-1-0-0

HJ0002 Political expenditures. Corporations H Failed Introduction 35-26-1-0-0

HJ0004 Right of health care access-constitutional amendment. Chestek H Failed Introduction 7-54-1-0-0

HJ0005 Support of Israel. Sommers H Did not Consider for Introduction

HJ0006 Convention of states. Olsen H Did not Consider for Introduction

HJ0007 Individual right to privacy-constitutional amendment. Provenza H Did not Consider for Introduction

HJ0008 Prohibition of carbon taxes. Singh H Did not Consider for Introduction

SF0001 General government appropriations-2. Appropriations S COW:Passed

SF0004 Rehiring retired firefighters-continued retirement benefits. Labor H Did not Consider for Introduction

SF0005 Organ transplant recipient protection. Labor S COW:Passed

SF0007 Behavioral health redesign-vulnerable adults. Labor S COW:Passed

SF0008 Health insurance for volunteer emergency responders. Labor H Did not Consider for Introduction

SF0009 Parental rights in education-1. Education S 2nd Reading:Passed

SF0010 Eminent domain-energy collector systems. Agriculture S Did not Consider for Introduction

SF0011 Eminent domain energy collector systems amendments. Agriculture S Did not Consider for Introduction

SF0012 Meat processing plants-hides and carcasses. Agriculture H Did not Consider for Introduction

SF0014 State fair board-powers and responsibilities. Agriculture H Did not Consider for Introduction

SF0015 Acceptance of retrocession-federal military installations. Transportation H Did not Consider for Introduction

SF0017 Plane coordinates system-amendments. Transportation H Did not Consider for Introduction

SF0020 Electricity rates for costs that do not benefit Wyoming. Corporations H Did not Consider for Introduction

SF0028 Federal natural resource management coordinator. Fed Nat Res S Failed Introduction 10-21-0-0-0

SF0029 Major political parties-state central party voting members. Case S Failed Introduction 8-23-0-0-0

SF0031 Sex offender registration-promoting obscenity. Judiciary S COW:Passed

SF0033 Wyoming rural attorney recruitment program. Judiciary S Failed Introduction 16-15-0-0-0

SF0038 Financial reporting amendments-2. Mgt Audit S 2nd Reading:Passed

SF0040 Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Trust Fund Administration. Travel S Failed Introduction 18-13-0-0-0

SF0043 Pore space-severances and separate conveyances prohibited. Minerals S Failed Introduction 10-21-0-0-0

 of action-2. Nethercott S Introduced and Referred to S01 - Judiciary 31-0-0-0-0

SF0046 Compulsory school attendance-minimum age. Schuler S Failed Introduction 7-24-0-0-0

SF0047 Law enforcement retirement-contributions. Appropriations H Did not Consider for Introduction

SF0056 Special districts-limit on tax levy. Revenue S Failed Introduction 9-22-0-0-0

SF0060 2024 large project funding. Nat Res Fund S 2nd Reading:Passed

SF0062 State Parks-recreation management authority. Mgt Audit S Failed Introduction 15-16-0-0-0

SF0065 Temporary water use agreements amendments. Water S COW:Passed

SF0070 Investment modernization-state nonpermanent funds-2. Cap Fin & Inv S 2nd Reading:Passed

SF0078 Carbon dioxide-enhanced oil recovery stimulus. Minerals S Failed Introduction 20-11-0-0-0

SF0081 Hospital or healthcare district created entities-immunity. Baldwin S COW:Passed

SF0084 School facilities-use fees. Brennan S COW:Passed

SF0087 Boutique hotel liquor licenses. Gierau S Failed Introduction 20-10-0-0-1

SF0088 State law violations by counties, cities and towns. Ide S Failed Introduction 19-12-0-0-0

SF0090 State-managed local government equity investment pool. Gierau S 2nd Reading:Passed

SF0091 Regulatory reduction task force. Gierau S Withdrawn by Sponsor

SF0093 Wyoming dividend account. Ellis S Failed Introduction 12-19-0-0-0

SF0099 Chloe's law-children gender change prohibition. Bouchard S Introduced and Referred to S10 - Labor 25-5-1-0-0

SF0101 Low-carbon energy standards-repeal. Steinmetz S Failed Introduction 15-16-0-0-0

SF0104 Wind and solar facilities-state lands amendments. Boner S Failed Introduction 8-21-0-0-2

SF0108 Protecting water from chemical abortion waste. Biteman S Failed Introduction 16-15-0-0-0

SF0111 Mule and whitetail deer-separate hunting seasons. Driskill S Introduced and Referred to S06 - Travel 31-0-0-0-0

SF0112 Wyoming Freedom Scholarship Act-2. Boner S Withdrawn by Sponsor

SF0116 Wind tax moratorium exemption-repeal. Jones S Failed Introduction 18-13-0-0-0

SF0117 Education-retention for reading failure. Scott S Failed Introduction 20-11-0-0-0

SF0122 Disposition of water rights-amendments. Kinskey S Failed Introduction 17-14-0-0-0

SF0124 Teachers' labor organizations-strike prohibition. Hicks S Failed Introduction 17-14-0-0-0

SF0127 Sales tax distribution rates. French S Failed Introduction 16-14-1-0-0

SF0129 State funded capital construction-2. Salazar S Withdrawn by Sponsor

SJ0001 Resolution demanding equal footing. Ide S Failed Introduction 17-14-0-0-0

SJ0003 Constitutional amendment vote requirement. Laursen, D S Failed Introduction 14-17-0-0-0

SJ0004 Convention of states-2. Brennan S Failed Introduction 17-14-0-0-0

February 21, 2024.

House Bill 203, paased the House Revenue Committee. The Bill exempts $200,000 of the fair market value of the assessment of single-family residential properties for this current tax year and $1,000,000 of fair market thereafter in exchange for an additional 2% sales tax.

I have mixed ffeelings about this bill, and I'm mostly mixed against it. Wyomingites fail to appreciate how much they actually depend on tax revenues simply for local governments to function and also are in the odd situation of not equating a host of things that encourage property value inflation with things they don't like.  Basically, a lot of Wyomingites would like the state to remain what it was in some priro decade (and I confess I hold those views) while also having booming local economies and the like.  Things have to give somewhere, and where they've been giving is in inflating property values.  Removing $1M in valuation in this fashion will actually encourage that, and bring about additional problems.

Most people will like the bill, however, until they pay the sales tax, and then they'll be made about that.

And also:

House passes bill to rein in insurance providers

The 2024 Election, Part X. Your money where your mouth is edition, sort of?

The last edition started wiping out everything on the front page for some glitchy computer reason, and was hard to post in. So, already on to a new one, with which we start with this interesting item:

November 21, 2023 

But there happen to be better numbers than the ones Cohn and his prophesizing colleagues are citing. And they show Biden well ahead. The prediction markets for elections — essentially investors putting money on candidates — has a Biden win trading at 43 cents, which implies a 43% chance of victory, according to the Financial Times. Trump is trailing at 37 cents, while the other candidates are long shots.

What might make these markets a better indication of the candidates’ prospects than those political polls? For one thing, they have a better record of accurately predicting the winner.PredictIt is currently the biggest legal site for political-prediction trading in this country. 

A smaller political predictions market is Iowa Electronic Markets, at the University of Iowa. Like PredictIt, the Iowa market operates under the academic exception made by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). PredictIt works in a nonprofit arrangement with Victoria University in New Zealand.

The Financial Times sets forth the argument made by PredictIt founder John Aristotle Phillips that “prediction markets are a truth generator, powered by the invisible hand. ... If you trade based on fake news or half-baked punditry, you’re going to lose your money.”

From Harrop:  Actually, Biden is ‘polling’ really well in the markets.

Whose running, check the last edition, it hasn't changed.

Breaking tradition and protocol, Speaker of the House Johnson has endorsed Trump.

November 23, 2023

November 23, 2023

The Colorado Supreme Court is taking up the issue of the 14th Amendment in an appeal from the district court.

My prediction here is that it will adopt the district court's finding that Trump is an insurrectionist, but remand for an order depriving him of a position on Colorado's ballot.

This holding, should it come first, will then be used as a persuasive argument, or even on a full faith and credit basis, in other states.

November 28, 2023

Koch-backed super PAC Americans for Prosperity Action endorsed Nikki Haley.

December 4, 2023

Mysterious mailers attack Wyoming lawmakers, prompt investigation

On a different note, one of the panel members on This Week came absolutely unglued at the argument that Trump is a threat to democracy.

Now, frankly, I think Trump is a threat to democracy.

However, the commentator's point was a good one, which was that the Democrats don't believe that.  His argument was that if they did, they wouldn't be fielding Biden.

Now, I think many Democrats are correct that Trump is very much a threat to democracy, but it is hard to ignore the fact that it's hard to believe their sincerity in the argument when they only think they're will got five voters is a warmed over Cup of Joe.  People keep asking to see the menu, but the waitress just asks, "can I reheat that cup for you?"

Not only that, I'd note, but at the same time that Democrats are arguing that Trump is a threat to democracy, they're also arguing that all third party choices must not be considered.

Eh?

Um, in a functioning democracy they would be considered.

Of course, the reason for that is, to extend the analogy above, you might walk across the street and look at somebody else's menu.  "Hmmm. . . I think I've had enough of this coffeee, do you want to walk across the street and get some ice cream?"  What?  What, are you crazy? Ice Cream will make you fat!  Let me reheat that for you.

December 5, 2023

Doug Burgum has dropped out of the Republican contest.

While other candidates do remain, basically this race is down this Haley, DeSantis, Trump and Christie, with it appearing increasingly unlikely that Christie has a chance.

December 6, 2023

Criminal Defendant Donald Trump, in an interview with Sean Hannity, stated:

I love this guy.  He says, 'You’You’re not going to be a dictator, are you?' I said, 'No, no, no. Other than Day One.' We’re closing the border, and we’re drilling, drilling, drilling. After that, I’m not a dictator.

So, contrary to the headlines, Trump in fact confirmed that he'd act like a dictator, but confined it to a single day, which gets back to his delusional comments that anything can be done in a day.

President Biden indicated he likely wouldn't be running again, but for Trump, in which case he should not be running, as most Democrats don't want him to be and it looks like he'll lose to Trump.

Liz Cheney is hinting that she may run for the Presidency as a third party candidate.

December 17, 2023

Jefferson Davis, a man whose times have seemed to return.

Drawing his lines clearer than ever, Donald Trump unleashed a series of far right dog whistles this past week, including those that recall strongly racist and fascists elements.  To start with, regarding immigration:

TRUMP: No, nobody has ever seen anything like this. And I think we could say worldwide. I think you could go to the... you could go to a banana republic and pick the worst one, and you're not going to see what we're witnessing now. No control whatsoever. Nobody has any idea where these people are coming from, and we know they come from prisons. We know they come from mental institutions. . .  insane asylums. We know they're terrorists. Nobody has ever seen anything like we're witnessing right now. It is a very sad thing for our country. It's poisoning the blood of our country. It's so bad, and people are coming in with disease. People are coming in with every possible thing that you could have. And I got to know a lot of the heads of these countries. They're very cunning people. Very street-smart people. If they're not street-smart, they're not going to be there very long. And when they send up those caravans, and I had it ended, we had the safest border in the history of our country, meaning the history, over the last 80 years. Before that, I assume it was probably not so bad. There was nobody around. But, we had the safest in recorded history by far. The least amount of drugs in many, many decades. The least amount of human trafficking, which is a tremendous problem. But, when you look at what's taking place now, nobody's... first of all, it's not sustainable by any country, including ours, even from a (inaudible) standpoint. And, you know, we built over 500 miles of wall. We were going to put up another 200 miles. And, we had it bought. Everything was bought. Everything was purchased. They were going to ready. It could have been done within three weeks. Another 200 miles, all done. And they didn't want to do it. When you look at the numbers of people coming in, and the numbers, Raheem, are much bigger than anyone understands. I really believe it's going to be 15 million people by the end of this year during this administration. That's larger than New York state. Ok, this is what we have.^1 2

Trump also stated that immigrants would be subjected to stout entry testing, including determining if they agree with "our religion".  

And now Donald Trump has stated this at a campaign rally:

I’ll implement strong ideological screening of all immigrants…If you don’t like our religion…then we don’t want you in our country.

One Twitter commentator that I follow stated that this was the most anti-American statement he could imagine, but it really isn't.  It's a very Southern populist viewpoint, of the type that we haven't seen openly from the 1960s and which most people believed was behind us.

This is ample evidence of how a genuine problem, the absurdly high level of immigration, legal and illegal, that has existed in the country for decades now, but which has been consistently ignored, has festered in the rust belt and populist populations.  It could have been addressed in an equitable fashion before, but now it's threatening to breakout in a really malevolent fashion.  This issue alone may end up defeating Biden, and we should take Trump fully at his word in what he intends to do.

The citation to religion, we'd note, is ironic, as Trump is not a religious man in any fashion, which again demonstrates the extent to which Southern Cultural Christianity has crept into the GOP, and particularly the New Apostolic Reformation movement.  Apostolic Christianity and Judaism are full of Biblical injunctions that immigrants are to be welcomed, something that has long made conservative American Catholics uncomfortable.  But this approach that Trump has now adopted is radical in pledging a religious test for entry, something that has never existed in the country's history.  This too has been a smoldering cultural problem, although it's camouflaged here.  Prior to Ted Kennedy's redrafting of American immigration, US immigration policy strongly favored immigrant pools that reflected existing American demographics.  His reforms, adopted by Congress, changed that, and many have been uncomfortable with those changes, and this is again erupting in a malevolent fashion.

Trump also quoted Vladimir Putin about Joe Biden being a threat to democracy, which is absurd, but which again demonstrates the very weird Putin/Trump connection which has never been fully explored.

The truly scary thing here is that we seem to have gone over a tipping point where these views aren't shied away from, they're being endorsed by large segments of American society.

Footnotes:

1.  Once again, I'm left amazed by some of the ignorance and weirdness in  Trump's speech. The repetitious childishness of his speech patterns, and in this case prior to "80 years ago" "there was nobody around".

Trump just isn't right.  Why is this being ignored?

2.  Some have noted that the "poisoning the blood" language recalls Mein Kampf.  In fact, it does.  Hitler uses that line repeatedly, for example:

Unfortunately the German national being is not based on a uniform racial type. The process of welding the original elements together has not gone so far as to warrant us in saying that a new race has emerged. On the contrary, the poison which has invaded the national body, especially since the Thirty Years' War, has destroyed the uniform constitution not only of our blood but also of our national soul. The open frontiers of our native country, the association with non-German foreign elements in the territories that lie all along those frontiers, and especially the strong influx of foreign blood into the interior of the Reich itself, has prevented any complete assimilation of those various elements, because the influx has continued steadily.

The religious test quote Trump made, makes a person wonder if he's genuinely holding views of this type, although his language recalls anti desegregation Southern whites more strongly in my view.

December 20, 2023

The Supreme Court of Colorado, just as we predicted, has disqualified Donald J. Trump from appearing on the Colorado ballot.

Under the doctrine of full faith and credit, every state is now legally obligated to do the same, or at least give serious weight to Colorado’s decision.  At least some other states will follow this route and as some, like Wyoming, will decry it, it will head to the United States Supreme Court.  I’ll predict right now that the U.S. Supreme Court will uphold the Colorado decision, putting an end, although a precariously late one, to Trump as a candidate.

December 28, 2023

The case noted above has been appealed by the Colorado GOP to the United States Supreme Court, while at the same time, a similar effort in Michigan has failed to take Trump off of that state's ballot.

Should the U.S. Supreme Court take this matter up, which the Trump lawyers also say they will seek, it will prove to be an error and likely end up removing Trump from the race entirely.

Regarding Colorado, a surprise move by Lauren Boebert:

In a true Colorado political surprise, U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert announced Wednesday night that she will abandon the congressional district she has represented for nearly three years — and seek her party’s nomination in 2024 on the other end of the state.

Boebert said she will run to represent Colorado’s 4th Congressional District, vying to succeed retiring U.S. Rep. Ken Buck, a fellow Republican.

“Personally, this announcement is a fresh start following a difficult year for me and my family,” Boebert said in a video announcement on Facebook. “I will not allow dark money that is directed at destroying me to steal this seat. It’s not fair to the 3rd District and the conservatives there who have fought so hard for our victories, of which I’m incredibly grateful.”

Boebert must be in real political trouble in her district to attempt this move, which very well may fail.  She's going to have to relocate to get on the ballot, and presumably she'll have to resign her current seat when she does. 

cont:

Colorado Supreme Court Ruling in Anderson v. Griswold Appealed to U.S. Supreme Court

Denver, December 28, 2023 - The Colorado Republican Party has appealed the Colorado Supreme Court’s decision in Anderson v. Griswold to the U.S. Supreme Court. With the appeal filed, Donald Trump will be included as a candidate on Colorado’s 2024 Presidential Primary Ballot when certification occurs on January 5, 2024, unless the U.S. Supreme Court declines to take the case or otherwise affirms the Colorado Supreme Court ruling.

Secretary of State Griswold has commented: “Donald Trump engaged in insurrection and was disqualified under the Constitution from the Colorado Ballot. The Colorado Supreme Court got it right. This decision is now being appealed. I urge the U.S. Supreme Court to act quickly given the upcoming presidential primary election.”

On December 19, the Colorado Supreme Court ruled Donald Trump is ineligible to appear on the Colorado 2024 Presidential Primary Ballot due to the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The Colorado Supreme Court simultaneously stayed that ruling until January 4, with that stay remaining in place in the event of an appeal.

Key Upcoming Dates:

• January 5: Deadline for Secretary of State Griswold to certify the names and party affiliations of candidates on the 2024 Presidential Primary Ballot.
• January 5: U.S. Supreme Court conference day
• January 20: Deadline for 2024 Presidential Primary Ballots to be sent to military and overseas voters.
• February 12: First day 2024 Presidential Primary Ballots can be mailed to active registered voters.
• February 26: First day of in-person voting for the 2024 President Primary.
• March 5: Colorado 2024 Presidential Primary Day, polls close at 7:00 PM Mountain Time.

cont:

Frankly, the decision above by the Colorado Secretary of State, unless there's more to it that I don't know, is flat out wrong.  Her court has decided that Trump is unqualified. An appeal doesn't matter without an order from the appellate court staying the decision.

She's wrong.

Anyhow, now the Secretary of State for the State of Maine has determined that Trump may not appear on Maine's ballot.

Maine won't be the last state to decide in this fashion, and now there's a split set of decisions. The Supreme Court will have to intervene.

January 3, 2024.

Donald Trump's is appealing the ruling of the Secretary of State that Trump cannot stand for election under the 14th Amendment.

Last Edition:

The 2024 Election, Part IX. The Biggest Danger To The World Edition.

Related Threads:

The Post Insurrection. Part VII. The Insurrectionist.