The Wyoming Prosperity Project

Transcription

1 The Wyoming Prosperity Project 145 S. Durbin Suite 101 Casper, WY Phone: Responses to the 2006 Primary Election Candidate Questionnaire Background: The Wyoming Prosperity Project and Wyoming Business Council developed a candidate questionnaire that was sent to all legislative candidates who were contested in the primary election (August 22, 2006). While the WP2 and WBA do not endorse any particular candidate for office, the responses we received are detailed below. Responders: HD 7 (Laramie County): Dick Atkins (R) Doug Samuelson (R) HD 10 (Laramie County): Rodney Pete Anderson (R) HD 18 (Sweetwater/Uinta County): Allen Jaggi (R) HD 32 (Campbell County): Timothy Hallinan (R) SD 3 (Goshen/Platte County): Lloyd W. Peterson (R) Sherri Lovercheck (D) SD 5 (Laramie County): John C. Bishop (R) Larry Shippy (R) Stephen Kline (R) SD 17 (Fremont/Teton County): Peter Moyer (R) HD 41 (Laramie County): Tim Bolin (R) HD 42 (Laramie County): Pete Illoway (R) HD 47 (Albany/Carbon County): Bob Jackson (D) Linda Fleming (D)

2 Multiple Choice Questions: Each candidate was asked to pick the answer which best described their position on seven issues facing Wyoming. The topics were: 1. Worker s Compensation/Co-employee immunity: Legislation has been proposed to create protection from litigation from coemployees in Workers Compensation cases. Employers are currently constitutionally protected from these lawsuits but coemployees are not. 2. Sales Tax Exemption on Food: The current sales tax exemption is temporary, in place until the biennium ends on June 30, Advocates have promoted eliminating this tax permanently, while opponents believe it further erodes the diversity of our tax base and lessens what individuals pay for the government services they receive. 3. Multi-lane highways. In August 2001, the Wyoming Business Alliance voted to support the development of additional multilane highways within the State of Wyoming, with 200 miles to be completed within ten years, for a current cost of $400 million. In the 2006 legislative session, $75 million was appropriated for the design, construction and maintenance of highways. 4. Workforce Housing Infrastructure. Legislation has been proposed to create a state fund to help cities pay for streets, sewers and water lines leading to new subdivisions in exchange for developers reducing the cost of houses. Opponents of this legislation believe that the private sector should be free to meet the demands of the housing market, and that it takes time for the market to catch up in the midst of supply shortages and major capital construction projects. Proponents believe Wyoming s economic development strategy must include quality of life measures, such as addressing the housing shortages faced by many of our communities. 5. Minimum wage. Legislation to raise Wyoming s minimum wage (currently $5.15/hour) has been proposed several times in recent legislative sessions. 6. Eminent Domain. Legislation has been proposed to allow the exercise of eminent domain for public use, excluding that which is strictly limited to economic development, industrial development, or an increase to tax base, tax revenues, employment, or general economic health. 7. Electronic Voting. In many states, legislators vote electronically on bills and amendments to permanently record their votes. The Wyoming State Legislature has such technology in place, though it is not currently utilized.

3 The following tables outline the candidates responses: Wyoming State House Candidates Dick Atkins (R) HD 7 HD 10 HD 18 HD 32 HD 41 HD 42 HD 47 Doug Rodney Pete Allen Jaggi Timothy Tim Bolin (R) Pete Illoway Bob Jackson Samuelson (R) Anderson (R) (R) Hallinan (R) (R) (D) Linda Fleming (D) 1. Worker s Compensation / Coemployee Immunity Oppose Support Support No Opinion Co-sponsor Support Co-sponsor No Opinion No Opinion 2. Sales Tax Exemption/Food Support Support Oppose Oppose Support Support Support Support Support 3. Multi-lane Highways 4. Workforce Housing Infrastructure $500 Million per Biennium Unspecified amount of increase Unspecified amount of increase Unspecified amount of increase Unspecified amount of increase Unspecified amount of increase Up to $100 Million per Biennium Current Funding Level At least $100 Million per Biennium Support Support Support Co-Sponsor No Opinion Support Support No Opinion Support 5. Minimum Wage Co-sponsor No Opinion Oppose No Opinion Oppose Co-sponsor No Opinion Co-sponsor Support 6. Eminent Domain Oppose Support Support No Opinion Oppose Oppose No Opinion Support No Response 7. Electronic Voting Co-sponsor Co-sponsor No Response Co-sponsor Co-sponsor Co-sponsor Support Support Support

4 Wyoming State Senate Candidates Lloyd Peterson (R) SD 3 SD 5 SD 17 Sherri Lovercheck John Bishop Larry Shippy Stephen Kline Peter Moyer (D) (R) (R) (R) (R) 1. Worker s Compensation / Co-employee Immunity Support No Opinion No Opinion Co-sponsor Oppose Support 2. Sales Tax Exemption/Food Support Support Oppose Oppose Support Other 3. Multi-lane Highways $100 Million per Biennium Unspecified amount of increase Unspecified amount of increase $500,000 for 10 years Unspecified amount of increase Current Funding Level 4. Workforce Housing Infrastructure Support Support Oppose Co-sponsor No Opinion Support 5. Minimum Wage Support Co-sponsor Co-sponsor Oppose Oppose Support 6. Eminent Domain Oppose Oppose Oppose Co-sponsor Oppose Support 7. Electronic Voting Support Co-sponsor Co-sponsor Support Co-sponsor Support

5 Open-Ended Questions: 8. Government Appropriations Priorities. Please rank the following topics, 1-9 (1 being the highest priority, 9 the lowest), in terms of priority for increased governmental appropriations. Permanent Mineral Trust Fund Aid to energy-impacted communities Funding for the Wyoming Business Council Telecommunications infrastructure Funding for tourism-related expenditures Water storage K-12 education Higher education Other, please specify: House District 7 (Laramie County): Dick Atkins 1. K-12 education 2. Higher Education 3. Funding for the Wyoming Business Council 4. Water Storage 5. Aid to energy-impacted communities 6. Permanent Mineral Trust Fund 7. Telecommunications infrastructure 8. Funding for tourism-related expenditures 9. Other Doug Samuelson Funding for the Wyoming Business Council, Telecommunications infrastructure, Water Storage, Other 4-lane Highways 3. Permanent Mineral Trust Fund, Aid to energy-impacted communities 4. Higher Education 5. K-12 education 6. Funding for tourism-related expenditures 7.

6 HD 10 (Laramie County): Rodney Pete Anderson 1. Other - If we maintain the present funding plus inflation-most only adequate in my opinion, perhaps some increase for Local Government (Cites, Towns and Counties) 2. Water Storage 3. Permanent Mineral Trust Fund 4. Aid to energy-impacted communities HD 18 (Sweetwater/Uinta County): Allen Jaggi 1. Permanent Mineral Trust Fund 2. Aid to energy-impacted communities 3. K-12 education 4. Higher Education 5. Water Storage 6. Funding for tourism-related expenditures 7. Telecommunications infrastructure 8. Funding for the Wyoming Business Council 9. Other HD 32 (Campbell County): Timothy Hallinan 1. Other - Roads 2. Aid to energy-impacted communities (not to be given to private entities) HD 41 (Laramie County): Tim Bolin 1. K-12 education 2. Funding for the Wyoming Business Council 3. Higher Education

7 4. Other Providing affordable Health Insurance for all Wyoming Citizens who are currently not covered. 5. Aid to energy-impacted communities 6. Permanent Mineral Trust Fund 7. Water Storage 8. Telecommunications infrastructure 9. Funding for tourism-related expenditures HD 42 (Laramie County): Peter Pete Illoway 1. Higher Education (including Community Colleges) 2. Other (Hathaway, Wildlife Trust Funds) 3. Funding for the Wyoming Business Council 4. Aid to energy-impacted communities 5. Water Storage 6. K-12 education 7. Funding for tourism-related expenditures 8. Telecommunications infrastructure 9. Permanent Mineral Trust Fund HD 47 (Albany/Carbon County): Bob Jackson 1. Water Storage, K-12 education, Higher Education, Permanent Mineral Trust Fund, Aid to energy-impacted communities, and Telecommunications infrastructure Funding for the Wyoming Business Council, Funding for tourism-related expenditures 5. Linda Fleming 1. Water Storage 2. Aid to energy-impacted communities 3. Telecommunications infrastructure 4. K-12 education 5. Other Rural Health/Childcare 6. Higher Education 7. Funding for tourism-related expenditures 8. Funding for the Wyoming Business Council 9. Permanent Mineral Trust Fund

8 SD 3 (Goshen/Platte County): Lloyd Peterson 1. Other Cities, Towns and Counties 2. Higher Education (Junior College) 3. Water Storage 4. Permanent Mineral Trust Fund 5. Funding for the Wyoming Business Council 6. Telecommunications infrastructure 7. K-12 education 8. Funding for tourism-related expenditures 9. Aid to energy-impacted communities Sharon Sherri Lovercheck 1. Other Health Reform 2. Water Storage 3. Funding for the Wyoming Business Council 4. Higher Education (particularly Community Colleges) 5. Funding for tourism-related expenditures 6. Telecommunications infrastructure 7. Aid to energy-impacted communities 8. Permanent Mineral Trust Fund 9. K-12 education SD 5 (Laramie County): John Bishop 1. Water Storage 2. Funding for the Wyoming Business Council 3. Telecommunications infrastructure 4. Higher Education 5. Permanent Mineral Trust Fund 6. Funding for tourism-related expenditures 7. Aid to energy-impacted communities 8. K-12 education 9. Other SD 17 (Fremont/Teton County): Peter Moyer 1. No Response Larry Shippy 1. Water Storage 2. Funding for tourism-related expenditures 3. Aid to energy-impacted communities 4. Funding for the Wyoming Business Council 5. Higher Education 6. Telecommunications infrastructure 7. K-12 education 8. Permanent Mineral Trust Fund 9. Other Stephen Kline 1. Telecommunications infrastructure 2. K-12 education 3. Higher Education 4. Funding for tourism-related expenditures 5. Funding for the Wyoming Business Council 6. Water Storage 7. Aid to energy-impacted communities 8. Permanent Mineral Trust Fund 9. Other

9 9. Hathaway Scholarship. What is your expectation of the outcomes of the Hathaway Scholarship program in terms of student achievement, college-going rate, workforce development, etc.? What is the legislature s role in reaching these outcomes? Dick Atkins (R) - HD 7 (Laramie County): No Response Doug Samuelson (R) - HD 7 (Laramie County): I expect enrollment to increase at UW and Community Colleges. I expect student achievement to increase beacsue of hope. Our role is to see funding of the trust is completed. Rodney Pete Anderson (R) - HD 10 (Laramie County): All of the above plus increase potential involvement which is essential for student achievement! Allen Jaggi (R) - HD 18 (Sweetwater/Uinta County): A better educated workforce. Timothy Hallinan (R) - HD 32 (Campbell County): Subsidy of everything increases it, so I suspect those applying applications to UW will increase. Student achievement, workforce development will depend on the final structure of the scholarship program how it is applied. I would like to see some element of support by the legislature for workforce development. Tim Bolin (R) - HD 41 (Laramie County): I believe that it has the possibility of increasing student achievement for students who would have had no other way of paying for post secondary education. It should increase the amounts of post-secondary education in both traditional college programs and vocational training programs at Community Colleges. The role of the legislature is to adequately fund the program and to make the application process as simple as possible for students and school personnel. Peter Pete Illoway (R) - HD 42 (Laramie County): I believe the legislature has given direction as to how students are to receive the scholarship the curriculum is presently being discussed the legislature should not micro manage the process but guide the process and provide input as necessary the goal is to educate and to turn young people into the next generation of Wyoming citizens who are able to run companies and lead the county and state forward.

10 Bob Jackson (D) - HD 47 (Albany/Carbon County): I believe that education should have the highest priority and should be available and affordable to everyone. The legislature should have the authority to review and set goals for governmental appropriations. Linda Fleming (D) - HD 47 (Albany/Carbon County): This will be a great program to increase student achievement. Requiring students to take a full slate of rigorous classes will increase student achievement. The Wyoming college rate will increase and hopefully so will jobs for Wyoming educated students. The legislature s role is to provide funding and to keep focus on demanding studies with qualified well paid teachers. Lloyd Peterson (R) - SD 3 (Goshen/Platte County): Core high school classes need to be as the legislature set-up. Sharon Sherri Lovercheck (D) - SD 3 (Goshen/Platte County): The outcome of the Hathaway Scholarship Program should be that more Wyoming youth graduate form college and are prepared to work and compete in a global economy. Student achievement should increase, more students should attend college and Wyoming should be able to meet most of her workforce needs. The 4 levels of the Hathaway Scholarship offer needed flexibility. The Hathaway Career Scholarship for Vocational-technical students is a critical component in workforce development. I think that the Department of Education task force should be developing guidelines and standards that implement the law. It is the legislature s responsibility to assure that legislative intent is met. John Bishop (R) - SD 5 (Laramie County): I expect the program to increase the education success of students and provide an opportunity to more kids to attend college. Larry Shippy (R) - SD 5 (Laramie County): Retain University of Wyoming graduates in the workforce of Wyoming. Should increase college going rate. Greatly improve workforce development. Legislature has a high roll in this legislation and its effectiveness. Stephen Kline (R) - SD 5 (Laramie County): I question the use of specially certified teachers for this program. I favor instead the giving of scholarships to any student who has met certain minimum achievement and standards in high school. The legislature has helped to create the scholarship, it should oversee the outcomes. Peter Moyer (R) - SD 17 (Fremont/Teton County): No Response

11 10. Health Care. What specific legislation, if any, should be proposed to improve the quality, access and/or affordability of health care in the state of Wyoming? Dick Atkins (R) - HD 7 (Laramie County): Institute a state health program very similar to workman s compensation program. Everyone puts in their fair share. Any employee that works in the state of Wyoming-their share and any employee who is a resident of Wyoming-their share. Doug Samuelson (R) - HD 7 (Laramie County): Education of more Family Nurse Practitioners and create a WICHE program for physician associates at UW. Medical savings accounts and medical rebates for not using insurance would also help. Rodney Pete Anderson (R) - HD 10 (Laramie County): No Response Allen Jaggi (R) - HD 18 (Sweetwater/Uinta County): No Response Timothy Hallinan (R) - HD 32 (Campbell County): 1. Medical mal practice tort reform. 2. No more mandates of health coverage form the legislature. 3. Businesses should be incentivized to keep health care dollars in the state. Tim Bolin (R) - HD 41 (Laramie County): We need to increase funding for the WWAMI medical education program to train more Wyoming students as doctors. We need to expand the Wyoming Family Practice Residency Program to get doctors to experience life in Wyoming and hoping they will stay. In addition to these two programs I believe Wyoming should provide low interest loans or grants to help new doctors to set up practice in Wyoming. Peter Pete Illoway (R) - HD 42 (Laramie County): The legislature needs to look at tort reform or insurance reform of some type health care providers have to raise their fees because their costs increase I believe quality is good, access is tough because of our distances, affordability is directly related to insurance costs for the doctors.

12 Bob Jackson (D) - HD 47 (Albany/Carbon County): I feel that every citizen of Wyoming should have medical care, with or without medical insurance. There is no reason that the state of Wyoming cannot have such a plan, as Kansas and other states have adopted. Linda Fleming (D) - HD 47 (Albany/Carbon County): 1. Help in force of grants to very rural health care facilities to help supplement the cost of physicians, ambulances and diagnostic needs. 2. Treatment facilities for alcohol and other drugs. 3. Quality include hearing aid devices as part of standard insurances. Lloyd Peterson (R) - SD 3 (Goshen/Platte County): Tort Reform Sharon Sherri Lovercheck (D) - SD 3 (Goshen/Platte County): The legislature should get serious about health insurance reform. I believe that serious health insurance reform would save the state and the business community money. I support limits on economic damages for pain and suffering and think that medical review panel findings should be admissible evidence in court. Wyoming should put money into wellness programs and maintain strong funding for the home and community based programs that keep individuals out of institutional care. Specific legislation to improve access and affordability would be a Wyoming Health Plan patterned after Catamount Health Plan in Vermont. I think this model has appeal because it is voluntary and offers individuals the opportunity to purchase policies at reasonable rates ($340.00/month for a person over 300% of the poverty level while businesses with 8 employees will pay up to $ per employee.) Insurance in Vermont is now portable and disease management programs are in place to control the costs from chronic disease. John Bishop (R) - SD 5 (Laramie County): Have insurance reform Dr s pay too much for insurance we need to help low income citizens obtain health care coverage. Larry Shippy (R) - SD 5 (Laramie County): Legislation to do more to encourage doctors and nurses to stay in Wyoming upon graduation. Legislation to change the Wyoming s State Pool and make it more affordable.

13 Stephen Kline (R) - SD 5 (Laramie County): I support Senator Enzi s efforts to join Wyoming with larger insurance pools. I would also like to see whether Massachusetts efforts at healthcare reform are successful. We also must continue the program that gives physicians willing to locate in rural towns a reduction or waiver of their student loans. Peter Moyer (R) - SD 17 (Fremont/Teton County): No Response 11. Economic Future Philosophy. How do you envision Wyoming s economic future? What initiatives are critical to our economic growth? Dick Atkins (R) - HD 7 (Laramie County): Wyoming needs to start acting as a business and sell our goods (resources) in a more business like manner. We are giving to much away at a very reduced price. Doug Samuelson (R) - HD 7 (Laramie County): Exceptionally bright. Infrastructure and a fair work environment. Rodney Pete Anderson (R) - HD 10 (Laramie County): Broaden the economic base Allen Jaggi (R) - HD 18 (Sweetwater/Uinta County): Invest in Wyoming projects and surplus Timothy Hallinan (R) - HD 32 (Campbell County): Wyoming s economic future is bright. Future development should be based on energy production. Power plants should be developed to the fullest extent possible. Transmission of power outside the state is the limiting factor. I will look for answers to the accomplishment of that development. Tim Bolin (R) - HD 41 (Laramie County): I envision an economic future where Wyoming continues to leas the nation in energy production, but has also diversified it s economy by adding high-tech industries. This was accomplished by strong state and local efforts to let the word know that

14 Wyoming is a good place to do business because of its low tax rates, high tech infrastructure and a high percentage of its citizens with post secondary education. Peter Pete Illoway (R) - HD 42 (Laramie County): Infrastructure growth roads, pipelines, power, etc. are all necessary but the government that govern least governs best. We need to help but yet allow private industry do what they do best. We still need to provide money for roads, troopers, etc. but allow the siteing of power plants etc. to the private industry. We also must continue to make sure industry adheres to environmental concerns and people s quality of life. Help with funding to cities and counties listen to what cities and counties are saying they need continue to fund the Wyoming Business Council with money for Business Ready Community grants and loans. Bob Jackson (D) - HD 47 (Albany/Carbon County): Obviously there are powerful people in the state of Wyoming that does not want economic growth, Until we get them out of the political arena, we will be going backwards instead of forwards. Linda Fleming (D) - HD 47 (Albany/Carbon County): I would hope we could have more value added to our natural resources before they are exported from the state. By storing more water and improving on transmission lines we will be able to process coal here in Wyoming for example. The continued investments in education are important. A strong University Research program will help us learn of projects that will have an economic impact on the growth of jobs and income in this state. Lloyd Peterson (R) - SD 3 (Goshen/Platte County): No Response Sharon Sherri Lovercheck (D) - SD 3 (Goshen/Platte County): Our economic future should be built upon a foundation that preserves the outdoor heritage Wyomingites value. This means protections and safeguards for our clean air, water, land recreational resources and wildlife. In order to build for our future, we should put dollars into infrastructure that will enable communities to respond to business opportunities. Initiatives critical to our economic growth are Business Ready Community Program, Wyoming Community Development Authority programs for affordable housing, Water Development Projects, State Farm Loan Board Grants for counties with fewer economic resources, Workforce Development Initiatives within our community college system and initiatives that address excellence in education including the Hathaway Scholarship Program. We should invest in telecommunications, health reform, wind energy, ethanol and in bio fuels. Our highways need to be maintained and our air transportation system needs to be improved. We should also

15 put energy into conservation initiatives, into wellness programs, and educational reform should target high school drop out rates and poor student performance. John Bishop (R) - SD 5 (Laramie County): An expectation of budget excess as long as energy prices remain high 5-10 years do not begin, generally, long term new programs invest in infrastructure i.e. highways, telecommunications, water storage, high voltage transmission. Larry Shippy (R) - SD 5 (Laramie County): Wyoming s economic future is very bright. We can utilize this extra money at this time to maximize the result and impact: Business Ready Communities, Tourism, Wyoming Business Council. Stephen Kline (R) - SD 5 (Laramie County): The key to Wyoming s long term growth is and has always been diversification. With the money we presently have, we have the opportunity to put an infrastructure in place that will allow that to occur. Continuing the Business Council is important as is building of educational facilities presently. Peter Moyer (R) - SD 17 (Fremont/Teton County): No Response