April, 2010
Dear Constituent,
As your elected representative to the Wyoming House of Representatives, I am pleased to report back to you following the 2010 Budget Session of the Wyoming Legislature. I am honored you gave me the opportunity to represent you and Albany County in Cheyenne over the last month. It is simultaneously challenging and rewarding to serve in this capacity.
Every two years it is the responsibility of the legislature to work with the Governor on a biennial budget for the state. Despite the economic challenges our nation is facing, Wyoming is in a financially enviable position. Credit is due to our state constitution which requires a balanced budget, but we also have a fiscally responsible and sensible legislature that worked hard to fund programs that serve Wyoming’s people while maintaining savings for the future.
During the past session there was engaged discussion and thoughtful voting on over a hundred issues. I will not pretend to support all measures that went through or to be pleased with all outcomes, but I do believe that together we are working for a better future for the people of Wyoming.
I would like to highlight a few pieces of legislation that were of particular interest to me and that I believe you will find important as well:
Wind Energy Development - A number of bills went through this session that put in place standards to further wind development in Wyoming. This is one area where Wyoming will have the opportunity to diversify its economy. Policies include an excise tax on wind energy production, industrial citing standards, a one-year moratorium on eminent domain, and continuation of the wind energy task force.
State Employee Retirement (SF 72) – Starting in September, the state retirement system will be bolstered by 2.98 percent, with half that amount coming from state employee contributions. The system covers retirement for active employees of most divisions of state government. While I generally support the concept, I voted against this measure as there is no planned external cost adjustment (pay raise) for state employees for the next biennium.
Health Care Pilot (SF 61) - Legislation passed that creates a pilot program to combat high health care costs and the lack of insurance. It will work with a four-pronged approach of preventative wellness, clinical health services, creation of a personal health account, and a limited health insurance plan. The first test group will be of around 500 people and will include only those with incomes less than 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level who work at least 20 hours per week.
DUI Penalties (SF 19) – This bill increases the penalties associated with drunk driving specifically related to license suspension, and makes it illegal to have a blood-alcohol level above .08 within two hours of driving (thus closing a loop-hole in the law used by some ‘savvy’ drunk drivers who claimed to only have started drinking after an arrest). These measures, together with a bill passed last year that requires an ignition lock on the vehicles of convicted drunk drivers, continue the legislature’s commitment to address the serious problem of drunk driving in the state.
Texting Ban (SF 20) - This legislation prohibits sending or reading a text message while driving. The penalty is $75 and will take effect on July 1st. We have joined nineteen other states and the District of Columbia which have also banned text messaging as one way to address distracted driving.
Teacher Loan Repayment Program (SF 32) and the Wyoming Investment in Nursing Program (SF 42). These two bills extend current programs that attract and retain teachers and nurses in the state.
Legal Services Program (HB 61) - This bill creates a much-needed statewide legal services program for low-income individuals and is designed to provide greater access to the legal system, especially for civil matters such as divorce or restraining orders. The program will be funded by raising court fees by $10.
Several measures that did not pass this year that I hope to see brought forward again next year include:
Minimum Wage (HB 21) - The bill would have raised the minimum wage for tipped employees from $2.13 to $5.00 per hour. Studies show raising tipped employees wages encourages economic growth, contributes to closing the gender wage gap, and puts employees on more stable economic footing.
OSHA Penalties (HB 93) – This bill would have created a higher fine bracket for violations of worker safety laws that result in the death of an employee. The bill passed the House, but was killed in a 15-15 vote in the Senate. Wyoming workers have much higher rates of injury and fatality and this legislation would have sent a message to companies in violation that safety is a number one priority of the state.
School Lunch Program (Budget Item HB01) - This budget amendment was designed to appropriate $3.6 million to pay for cost overages in the school lunch programs across the state. Without this appropriation, it will now fall to school districts to decide how to address the deficit in school lunch funding.
Diversity (HB 87) – This bill would have added sexual orientation and gender identity to our state statutes that prohibit discrimination, covering such areas as service as a juror, use of public facilities, seeking employment and receiving medical attention.
This is only a small sample of what was discussed this session. If you have questions about specific issues that I may have failed to highlight, please know I would be delighted to speak with you.
As we move into the interim I will be participating in Joint Education Committee and Joint Travel, Recreation, Wildlife and Cultural Resources Committee meetings across the state. I also plan to meet with local organizations and groups across the district to discuss issues of concern to you and to focus my efforts for the next session. I would love to hear your concerns and to work with you to continue making Wyoming a place where we are proud to work, live, and raise our families. Please feel free to contact me at the address and numbers above.
Respectfully yours,
Rep. Cathy Connolly