By OBBM Network Editorial Staff

David Iverson

President Trump’s administration has championed tax relief for American businesses, yet Wyoming wrestles with its own tax legacy. In a lively broadcast, host David Iverson juxtaposed the jubilant Brewers’ victory with a contentious corporate income tax proposal that threatens the very fabric of the state’s small‑business economy.

Milwaukee’s Long‑Awaited World Series Win

Iverson opened the show by celebrating the Milwaukee Brewers’ first World Series championship in 44 seasons, noting the dramatic comeback in Game 5 that ended the franchise’s “maybe next year” mantra. He highlighted the performance of Brewers left fielder Jackson Churrio, who entered the series tied with Babe Ruth for most hits through the first four games—10 each—a feat last achieved in the 1928 World Series.

“The Brewers are definitely going to be, you know, at least in the AL or, you know, one of the series,” Iverson said, emphasizing the team’s historic season and the excitement it generated among listeners.

WNBA Ticket Prices Spark Controversy

Switching gears, Iverson critiqued the WNBA’s recent decision to move Game 6 to the 17,000‑seat State Farm Arena, which slashed ticket prices to $32 after previously charging $246 for a regular‑season game. He dismissed the move as “who really gives a crap,” suggesting the league’s visibility remains low in the Cowboy State. The commentary underscored a broader point: while major league baseball captures headlines, women’s professional sports struggle for attention and support.

House Bill 220: The Corporate Income Tax That Never Was

Iverson then turned to a pressing policy issue—House Bill 220, a 2019 proposal that would have imposed a 7% corporate income tax on large retailers, accommodations, and food‑service businesses. He reminded listeners that the bill, co‑sponsored by Republican gubernatorial candidate Eric Barlow and chief sponsor Jerry Obermuller, targeted corporations, not individual earners.

“It was a corporate income tax at 7%,” Iverson clarified, noting that the tax would have been passed on to consumers through higher prices, a burden especially heavy for Wyoming’s thin‑margin small businesses. He cited the Wyoming Business Council’s concerns and the fact that companies like Magpul, headquartered in the state, would have faced a “break on everything else” while still bearing the tax’s impact.

Fiscal Reality: General Fund Cuts vs. Overall Spending

Addressing misconceptions about state budgeting, Iverson corrected a prior statement about a 20% cut to state agencies. He explained that the actual reduction occurred in the general fund, which fell from $3.4 billion to $2.9 billion between 2016 and 2018, while overall spending remained relatively stable. He urged listeners to consult the official Wyoming Department of Revenue data rather than rely on anecdotal sources.

“If you want to look at these things, I would really encourage you to go to the actual numbers, not something that you heard somebody say,” he advised, reinforcing the importance of data‑driven discussion.

Rodeo Wisdom and Community Identity

Interwoven with the tax talk was a reference to a recent article by Patricia McCoy titled “What Wyoming Rodeo Can Teach the Sports World.” Quoting rodeo announcer Coulter Ellis, Iverson highlighted the cultural distinction: “Rodeo is a way of life. You do all of that for a purpose, to train a horse, to doctor your livestock, to provide for your family.” The segment served as a reminder that Wyoming’s sporting heritage runs deeper than baseball scores, grounding the conversation in local values.

By contrasting the high‑profile Brewers victory with the everyday realities of rodeo and small‑business owners, Iverson painted a portrait of a state where national sports triumphs coexist with local economic challenges.

In sum, the broadcast illustrated how a single tax proposal can ripple through community pride, business viability, and political discourse. As Wyoming continues to navigate its fiscal future, the dialogue sparked by Iverson’s show underscores the need for policies that protect both the state’s economic health and its cultural identity.

The full episode of Cowboy State Politics is available on OBBM Network TV.