Sheep Industry News September 2023

their ways, Driskill said. The approach has been effective, he said. “Without a doubt he’s had a big influence on Wyoming statute, and that goes beyond ag. He’s had a pretty large presence.” Sommers was equally complimentary. Magagna’s back ground on the ranch and in the legal world gives him a leg up in understanding statute, he said. “He’s been a valuable ally for the industry,” Sommers said, “but he’s also been a practical ally for many things related to conservation.” Sommers cited Magagna’s board position on the Wyo ming Stock Growers Land Trust. He’s also been an advisory board member of the University of Wyoming’s Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources. Yet, not all legislators were as glowing in their description of the lobbyist. Sen. Larry Hicks (Baggs, Wyo.) said that he hasn’t always appreciated Magagna’s conduct. “As a legislator, I don’t appreciate when lobbyists try to pick the most favorable committee – not the committee that should be addressing the issue,” Hicks said. “When I was chairman of the ag committee, he would bypass me and go around to other members of the Legislature to try to get

things through.” The ag committee taking up the issue of elk overpopula tion, he said, is one example. “[Magagna] just knew that he had a favorable audience and they’d rubber stamp whatever he wanted to do,” Hicks said. Other bridges are intact. Relationship building is key to Magagna’s statute-shaping success, said Carolyn Paseneaux, a former Wyoming Wool Growers executive director and close friend of his for nearly 40 years. “Even when he is on the opposite side of an issue,” she said, “he’s willing to listen to what the other side thinks and see if there’s a way to come together.” Replacing Magagna won’t come easy, said Kane, the for mer Wyoming Stock Growers board president. “I’m not sure that one person can do everything that Jim does,” he said, “not to the same degree of success.” Magagna, however, has no intention of stepping away. Retirement age, he said, “is when you feel like it. It’s going to come someday, but I’m not ready. I still like what I do.” WyoFile is an independent nonprofit news organization focused on Wyoming people, places and policy.

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