Core Business Philosophies
Wyoming Guideline for Prosperity
The information below outlines the issues and challenges relevant to Wyoming business. It serves as a comprehensive resource to becoming more familiar with the various issues in Wyoming. By being aware of this important information, you will be better prepared to act in ways that will benefit both Wyoming and your livelihood.
The legislation featured in our website relates to the topics below. The passage or failure of bills considered in the Wyoming State Legislature can affect your job, livelihood or community every day.
Examine the Wyoming Guidelines for Prosperity and compare your legislators' voting records to decide for yourself if their votes represent your best interests. Select one of the links below to take you directly to a specific topic.
Prepared by:
The Wyoming Business Alliance
145 South Durbin, Suite 101
Casper, WY 82601
(307) 577-8000
11/12/03
Updated 2/24/05
1. Economic Strength
A. Agriculture
B. Business Friendly Regulations
C. Civil Justice/Tort Reform
D. Energy and Minerals
E. Environmental Protection
F. Job Growth
G. Private Property Rights
H. Tourism2. Quality of Life
A. Education
B. Health Care3. Infrastructure Development
A. Air Service
B. Community Readiness
C. Electric Energy Transmission
D. Highways
E. Natural Gas Pipeline
F. Telecommunications
G. Water Storage4. Government Spending and Taxes
A. Government Spending and Revenue
B. Tax Base5. Public Lands
A. Access and Permitting
B. NEPA
C. Public Information
Wyoming's FUTURE IN THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY - - depends on:
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Progressive wealth, defined as steady improvement in the economy, return on investments, strong commitments to economic expansion, an increase in private sector jobs, and competitive pay for Wyoming citizens.
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Efficient and effective government at the state and local levels - - where the delivery of services and the regulation of the private economy are reevaluated to ensure that of government focuses on essential services.
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Working partnerships between business, government, and the citizens of Wyoming to create a sense of community that preserves traditional values of opportunity, freedom and independence.
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A balanced commitment to the quality of Wyoming’s environment - - recognizing that natural resource development can be balanced with the preservation of quality air, land, water, and wildlife resources.
A healthy private sector is essential for a strong economic base. Wyoming’s economy for the past 75 years has relied most heavily on minerals. Agriculture and tourism have been the two other principal industries. The extent to which all of these industries remain healthy, plus aggressive strategies that lead to a broad-based and robust economy, will influence Wyoming’s future. All of these activities are important factors for job growth, economic expansion, better wages, and future tax revenue generating capacity.
Agriculture production generates income that stays in local communities, is a renewable resource, and the source of much of Wyoming’s culture. It contributes significantly to Wyoming’s economic stability. Support should be given to policies that will enable:
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Ranching and farming to remain a significant portion or the primary industry in each of Wyoming’s 23 counties
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Range improvements and timber harvesting to be performed by the private sector through leases and permits
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Agriculture production, marketing, and new technology
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Continuation of farm and ranch operations
Overly aggressive regulations such as excessive permit delays, conditional requirements, bonding, insurance, rule making, workplace requirements, and reporting procedures are costly and time consuming. For these reasons, there should be an emphasis on:
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Incentive based performance
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Science-based risk assessments
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Limited government involvement
Wyoming consumers and producers are not immune from a litigious environment. Policymakers should insure fairness and predictability to the state judicial system. The legal system should fairly compensate plaintiffs with damages for injuries suffered, while defendants should be held responsible in proportion to their fault. Wyoming needs to:
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Limit punitive and non-economic damage awards
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Oppose government efforts to raise revenues through litigation, lawsuits, and regulatory management practices
Wyoming's mineral wealth has benefited state government, funding for schools, highways, local government and general services. The minerals industry accounts for approximately 50% of state and local tax revenue. Recognizing the importance to the nation of Wyoming’s world class minerals and energy resources to meet the nation’s needs, support should be given to:
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Policies that advance energy and mineral development
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The availability of reliable and affordable energy
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Investment in new energy technologies and renewables
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Expansion of the state’s energy infrastructure
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Improved energy efficiency and conservation
Many people have come to Wyoming and sought jobs because of the state’s outdoor recreational activities. Wyoming’s clean air and water, wildlife populations, and scenic beauty are essential to building the state’s economy. Balancing the environment with economic realities can be achieved through:
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Incentives to promote voluntary remedial/environmental policies
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Performance-based management
Economic development has been the number one issue in Wyoming for many years. It will remain so unless dramatic changes take place. The goal of economic development should be measurable growth in both jobs and personal income. Successful economic development depends upon an expanding private economy - - not government. To achieve this,
Wyoming's state economic development and diversification efforts must be strengthened
Wyoming's economy will be helped most by encouraging continued growth in minerals, agriculture and tourism, protecting and enhancing existing investments in high-wage jobs and promoting 'value-added' initiatives.
G. Private Property Rights
State and local government must be sensitive to private property rights. Next to the denial of individual liberties, the right of eminent domain is the single greatest power given to government over its citizens. For these reasons,
Protection of private property rights should be given priority treatment by state and local government
The denial of property rights for whatever reason, be it environmental, endangered species, or eminent domain, should all be treated as a taking and just compensation paid
H. Tourism
As the state’s second largest employer, tourism accounts for approximately one-fifth of all Wyoming’s sales tax collections for state government. With two national parks (2,527,445 acres), nine national forests (9,237,686 acres) and significant wilderness areas (3,111,232 acres), Wyoming’s tourist industry is a positive and growing force in Wyoming’s economy. Tourism has matured into a year-around business - - art festivals, rodeos, adventure travel, wilderness experiences, outfitting and hunting, fishing, skiing and snowmobiling. Tourism sales and promotion collectively impact virtually every town in Wyoming. Support is needed to achieve:
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A stronger four season industry
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More recreational opportunities
Wyoming’s economy and tax base provide for an outstanding quality of life - - good schools, highways, infrastructure and social and cultural resources. Two foundations for a good quality of life are education and health care. They are essential if Wyoming is to attract new business and keep existing businesses in the state.
Quality education is essential to Wyoming’s future economy and total well-being. The ability to compete in a technological society with an educated work force is a necessity in a changing world. Wyoming should strive to be a state where education at all levels - - K-12, community colleges, and the University of Wyoming - - is known throughout the country for excellence, not just for high spending. While education represents the largest budget item in the state’s budget, the state must address such issues as:
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State standards for education, core curriculum, report cards on schools, test score results, graduation rates
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Workforce development
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School construction based upon reasonable criteria and what the state can afford
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University of Wyoming being at the forefront of education and applied research
The rising costs and access for health care, as well as the availability and affordability of healthcare insurance, must be addressed by the state, local government, and private sector. Wyoming lacks large cities with numerous health care providers and competition between health care providers varies throughout the state. As healthcare costs continue to rise, more people in Wyoming will be unable to pay either their insurance premiums or their medical bills. Wyoming also cannot afford to lose health care providers - - doctors, nurses and hospitals. Without quality medical care, Wyoming cannot attract and retain businesses. Wyoming should:
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Oppose efforts to expand litigation that may result in more uninsured cases
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Oppose prescribing one-size-fits-all coverage
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Support limits on frivolous claims and ecessive non-economic damages (malpractice insurance)
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Support the education and retention of healthcare providers
One of the most important areas to address is infrastructure. Small population rural states, to compete, must have adequate state and local infrastructure to attract new business and keep existing businesses competitive.
Air service has dropped significantly in most Wyoming towns. Good air service is vital for the state's energy and tourism industries and to provide travel opportunities for the state's citizens. Suitable air transportation is necessary for the development of jobs. For this reason,
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Competition to provide economic air service must be encouraged in Wyoming
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Affordable, good quality, interstate air service to regional hubs is essential
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Intrastate air service as a means to facilitate travel within the state is important
First Impressions create lasting impressions. The roads leading into towns, downtown areas, and residential neighborhoods make strong statements. People visiting or considering relocating to a community notice clean sidewalks, uncluttered signs and well-kept storefronts. Lasting impressions are important as well - - meaning that communities in Wyoming must invest, along with the state, in infrastructure needs. For these reasons, support should be given to:
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'Main street' restoration and beautification
Wyoming’s position as a major energy exporter is constricted by the current transmission infrastructure. National energy policy is changing. The Department of Energy and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) are both being reorganized. Therefore, Wyoming should:
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Support the Wyoming Transmission Authority, using the successful precedent of the Wyoming Pipeline Authority
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Adopt new technologies (e.g., high voltage direct current transmission) that will dominate this century
With its great expanses, Wyoming is a state that depends on its highways to move people, raw products, goods, and services. Regardless of technological developments, commerce and trade in Wyoming will continue to rely heavily on automobiles and trucks. Continued and expanded use of highways is important, including:
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Construction of additional four-lane highways
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Maintenance of current and future surface transportation system
Wyoming’s natural gas reserves are immense, but underserved by current pipeline capacity. Building on the earlier success which led to the development of the Kern River Pipeline to California, the Legislature has revitalized the Wyoming Pipeline Authority and given it bonding capacity to leverage new pipeline development. The Wyoming Natural Gas Pipeline Authority should continue to encourage communication and partnerships among natural gas producers, pipeline companies and customers and develop specific intervention only when state involvement is the 'last, best' alternative.
If Wyoming is to play a major role in a global economy, a modern communications infrastructure is a necessity. The state must be willing to invest time, money and effort to achieve this goal given vast distances and low population densities. In Wyoming,
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People should be able to conduct business by transmitting data rapidly and accurately
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Farmers and ranchers should have remote access to information data bases
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Students should have computer access to books and libraries across the nation
In the arid West, water is among the most important natural resources. In Wyoming there is excess water in some areas, and not enough in others. Fluctuations in water supply from year to year, plus the complexities associated with water and its use, create problems in all areas of the state. For these reasons,
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Quantity and quality of Wyoming’s water must be aggressively managed and protected to assure maximum benefit for future growth and new generations of people living in Wyoming
4. GOVERNMENT SPENDING AND TAXES
There are two areas of concern about present and future government in Wyoming: government spending and Wyoming’s tax base. The essential role of government is to provide necessary public services. In order to provide and pay for governmental services, Wyoming must expand its economy and make government efficient.
A. Government Spending and Revenue
The majority of the state budget is spent on education, health and family services, and corrections, while the General Fund continues to grow. Demand for public services and increased spending will continue. Wyoming’s per capita spending - - the highest in the region and third highest in country - - cannot be justified solely on the basis of sparse population and great distances. In reality, funding for many new programs comes from mineral production and rising energy prices which fluctuate from year to year.
For the best long term strategies,
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New programs in government can only be obtained through efficiency, a shift in priorities, or new revenues due to economic growth
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The state must live with the sustained means
The present course of state spending and long term obligations may lead to a series of tax increases.
Wyoming’s tax base for state and local governmental services presently relies all too heavily on minerals taxes-some 50 percent. A typical family of four pays in taxes about 20% of the cost of the governmental services it receives. Wyoming’s individual citizens, and most businesses, have a bargain in terms of how little they pay for government services since their taxes are amongst the lowest in the country. Yet services in Wyoming, and per capita government spending, are among the highest.
While Wyoming’s existing tax structure is responsive to mineral production, prices and new job growth will have little effect on state tax revenues given the current tax structure. For these reasons,
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Wyoming’s tax policy should provide for sustainable government
Fifty percent of Wyoming’s land surface is owned and managed by the federal government, primarily the BLM and the Forest Service. These lands account for tremendous economic activity - - some 25% of the state’s jobs due to oil and natural gas production, coal mining, timbering, grazing, tourism and recreation - - plus significant state and local government tax revenues.
For over 100 years the multiple use of, and access to, public lands for the economic and recreation values has been a commonplace in Wyoming. However, conflicts regarding the uses of these lands has increased in recent years. Resolving conflicts due to increased competition for the uses of federal lands, as well as pressures to withdraw or limit access to these lands, is essential.
A. Access and Permitting
A rational, predictive and consistent process is needed in order to reduce conflicts regarding the use of public lands. Solutions include:
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Taking positive steps to support responsible and balanced development of its timber, oil and gas, minerals, tourism and agricultural resources
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Involving stakeholders to resolve conflict
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Establishing solid deadlines for permits with consistent guidelines and forms between state and federal agencies
The National Environmental Protection Act, while well intended, has resulted in endless analysis and volumes of paperwork even for smaller scale projects. The act has become more “advocacy” with voting processes and litigation. Recognizing the impact of NEPA, the federal government should:
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Seek to lessen the NEPA bottleneck through agency accountability, guidelines and timeframes
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Have funding for EIS work done by government rather than industry
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Increase the quality public/local government participation
If balance is to be achieved, and conflicts reduced, regarding multiple use activities, there must be better communication/coordination by and between agencies in terms of public information. This can be achieved by:
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Coordinated messages regarding the NEPA process and regulations
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Better access to information through newspapers, libraries, brochures, the internet and speaker forums
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Balanced and comprehensive programs - - youth through adults - - on the economics of public lands and values of open spaces and habitat
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For questions or more information contact the Wyoming Business Alliance - - 307-577-8000 - wyba@qwest.net
