CSP133-Live Oct 14 - Cowboy State Politics

David Iverson and his co‑host Ken tear apart the Wyoming Business Council’s $2.9 million grant that vanished into a $75,000 private sale of the historic First Security Bank building in Rock Springs. Using a lively transcript, they expose how the state‑funded rehab never materialized, how a half‑million cash match and $74,000 in‑kind contributions were swallowed, and why the council voted to recover only $725,000—leaving taxpayers with a fraction of their money. The hosts compare the debacle to a failed opera‑house renovation in Sheridan, argue that free‑market principles were trampled, and blame political insiders like Josh Terrell, Bruce Pivick, and Mayor Max Mickelson for turning a public investment into a private windfall. Iverson’s free‑market rant escalates into a broader critique of government subsidies, citing France’s unrest as a cautionary tale and urging Wyoming voters to reject more taxes, more programs, and more government‑driven “solutions.” The episode blends sharp humor, on‑air banter, and hard‑line economic arguments to illustrate why the Rock Springs grant is a textbook case of wasteful spending.Key moments include:- Ken’s baseball analogy that even the worst Colorado Rockies team outperforms the Wyoming Business Council’s grant.- Detailed breakdown of the grant’s original terms versus the final settlement.- Bruce Pivick’s board vote that slashed the state’s recoupment from $2.9 million to $725,000.- Iverson’s rallying cry that “government is a damper on the total economy,” reinforced by references to Ayn Rand and the need to shrink government to core services only.- A segue into upcoming discussion on Proposition 1 with banking expert Chris Williams.Listeners walk away with a clear picture of how a historic building became a fiscal fiasco and why the hosts believe it signals a larger problem in Wyoming’s approach to economic development.

Categories: Local News