Wyoming Bill Prepares for Doomsday

Wyoming lawmakers are ready for anything—even the apocalypse. House legislators advanced a bill Friday to prepare for a possible nationwide economic or political meltdown, the Casper Star-Tribune reports. The legislation would create a task force to consider steps such as issuing a state currency, drafting a statewide army, and acquiring an aircraft carrier. “I don’t think there’s anyone in this room today what would come up here and say that this country is in good shape, that the world is stable and in good shape," said Rep. Lorraine Quarberg.

“To put your head in the sand and think ... we have no obligation to the citizens of the state of Wyoming to at least have the discussion, is not healthy," added Quarberg, a Republican. Wyoming already has a Department of Homeland Security with a crisis management plan, but that wouldn't cover an extreme nationwide collapse. The bill still needs to pass two more House votes before reaching the Senate, but at least there's funding—about $16,000, cut down from $32,000 earlier this week. (More Wyoming stories.)