We don’t need a law to fix every potential or perceived problem. But some lawmakers think we do.

The last United States one-cent coin (penny) was struck on November 12, 2025, at the Philadelphia Mint, marking the end of 232 years of production. The final, specially marked pennies—featuring an “Omega” symbol—were produced to commemorate the end of the, largely because it cost nearly four cents to produce each one-cent coin.

A Wyoming lawmaker thinks that this will create a problem and is proposing a bill to round cash payments.

Rep. Mike Yin (D-Teton County, Wyoming) has offered a bill that “would set clear rules” for rounding cash transactions — half up and half down — when exact change is unavailable.”

As the penny becomes scarce, businesses and shoppers could receive different treatment at different stores, Yin said.

“We should deal with how transactions work without the penny,” said Yin. The rounding policy has been used successfully in other places — like Canada — where the penny has gone the way of the Brits’ ha’penny.”

This is entirely unnecessary. As you might expect, the proposed law would only affect cash payments. We can still use the idea of a penny with card and check transactions.

Mr. Yin seems to think that we need a law to tell retailers and restaurants when and how to round up or down when a customer offers cash. But business owners are not stupid people. They will know how to work this out for themselves.

Smiths Grocery Sign Photo By Glenn Woods

Smiths Grocery Sign Photo By Glenn Woods

Today’s cash registers ask if the transaction will be a card or cash. If the cash option is selected, then the program can automatically round up or down one penny. Retailers can decide for themselves if rounding up or down is better for business.

It is the retailer’s store; they get to make the choice. Customers also get to choose who they do business with. If they don’t like the penny being rounded up, they can shop somewhere where they round it down. Capitalism is about free choice. Capitalism is the purest form of democracy.

This once again shows that many politicians, as well as bureaucrats, don’t trust people to make the most basic life choices. They think we need a law for everything.

Jay Em, Wyoming, Frozen In Time

Jay Em, what an unusual name for a town.The few people who live there are proud of what their spot on earth once was, and they work to preserve it. They keep this little community frozen in time.

Gallery Credit: Glenn Woods

Exploring The Lost Town Of Yoder Wyoming

Between Cheyenne and Torrington, but mostly closer to Torrington, and just off of Highway 85, is, or was, the tiny town of Yoder, Wyoming. For such a forgotten place, you would be surprised at how well-kept it is. Population 133.

Gallery Credit: Glenn Woods