Wyoming News Briefs

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — The Wyoming Senate approved legislation removing the state superintendent of public instruction as administrative head of the state Department of Education in favor of a director appointed by the governor. State Superintendent Cindy Hill opposes the bill, saying it would leave her position mostly ceremonial. The Senate passed Senate File 104 on a 20-10 vote yesterday and sent it to the House for consideration.

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — The Wyoming House gave preliminary approval to a bill that would raise the state fuel tax by 10 cents a gallon, from 14 cents to 24 cents. Supporters say the state needs a long term dependable source of funding for highways while opponents said the Wyoming Department of Transportation should be more efficient and that it's not the right time to raise taxes.

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Wyoming congresswoman Cynthia Lummis says she voted against $50.5 billion in Superstorm Sandy disaster relief because lawmakers refused to cut federal spending to offset it. Lummis joined other GOP lawmakers Tuesday in a failed bid to make the relief contingent on a 1.63 percent reduction in federal spending this year. Lummis said storm victims deserved the money but she had to oppose the bill.

SHERIDAN, Wyo. (AP) — A Casper native and longtime marketing professional has been chosen as the next executive director of Sheridan Travel and Tourism. The Sheridan Press reports Shawn Buckley beat more than two dozen other applicants to replace Penny Becker, who recently retired as the head of the organization. Buckley is the organization's first new executive head in more than 13 years.