Cheney asks that salary be suspended during shutdown

WORLAND (WNE) — Representative Liz Cheney (R-WY) requested on Saturday that her congressional pay be suspended as long as the current government shutdown is in effect. 

Although Cheney voted for border wall funding in the House of Representatives, a compromise was not met in the Senate, leading to a partial shutdown of government entities at midnight Saturday. 

In a letter to Phillip Kiko, chief administrative officer of the Congress of the United States, Cheney stated that, “It is my understanding that Members of Congress will continue to receive their salary despite the ongoing partial government shutdown. I do not believe it is appropriate for Members of Congress to continue to be paid while we remain in a partial government shutdown. As such, I am asking that you please withhold my salary for as long as the shutdown lasts.” 

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2019 declared ‘Year of Wyoming Women’

CHEYENNE (WNE) — Wyoming’s Office of Tourism is celebrating the 150th anniversary of women’s suffrage next year, declaring 2019 the “Year of Wyoming Women.”

On Dec. 10, 1869, the Wyoming territory became the first in U.S. history to grant women the right to vote and hold public office – more than 50 years prior to the ratification of the Constitution’s 19th Amendment.

Now, tourism office representatives are encouraging communities throughout the state to host their own events honoring important women in history.

The state will mark the anniversary all year with various activities, events, retreats and historic destinations that commemorate Wyoming as a frontier for women.

“Determination, resiliency and the pioneering spirit is built into the DNA of the West, so it’s no surprise to me that the strong women of Wyoming helped to pave the way for women’s suffrage,” said Diane Shober, Wyoming Office of Tourism executive director.

Piper Singer, tourism office public relations manager, has suggestions for anyone looking to brush up on their women’s history this year:

Visit the Wyoming House For Historic Women – Since its 2001 inception, the Louisa Swain Foundation has funded construction of a large plaza and the Wyoming House for Historic Women in downtown Laramie. The centerpiece of the plaza is a life-sized bronze sculpture of Louisa Swain, who in 1870 became the first woman to cast a ballot in a U.S. general election.

Learn about the Wyoming Capitol Restoration Project – Wyoming’s Capitol Building in Cheyenne is currently undergoing historic restoration as one of only 20 state capitols designated as a National Historic Landmark. The project includes restoring the Territorial House Chamber/Historic Supreme Court Chamber, where women’s suffrage was ultimately upheld.

 Visit the Cowgirls of the West Museum – A nonprofit, volunteer-run museum in Cheyenne honoring the women of the West.

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Devils Tower to remain open during shutdown

GILLETTE (WNE) — Devils Tower will remain accessible during the federal government shutdown, but there are no National Parks Service staff members on site, so the buildings and bathrooms are closed. The National Parks Service website and social media also will not be updated, meaning access to Devils Tower and other federal sites could change without notice.

The Wyoming Office of Tourism cautions visitors to follow all safety protocols when entering federal sites because emergency services are limited during the partial government shutdown.

Authorized and local guides with special use permits and commercial-authorization holders will continue to operate on federal and U.S. Forest Service lands and will continue previously scheduled tours. Visitors are encouraged to contact individual businesses for the most current tour information.

While federal sites are affected by the shutdown, the Wyoming Office of Tourism reminds residents that state parks, including Keyhole, remain open.

The U.S. Postal Service also is operating and people will continue to receive federal benefits, including Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.

The shutdown is likely to last until at least Thursday, disrupting nearly 800,000 federal employees, about 420,000 of whom are expected to work without pay and 380,000 are furloughed. Once the government reopens, these workers will likely receive back pay.