EVANSTON — Area senators and representatives shared their thoughts on the latest Wyoming legislative session at a breakfast Friday, March 31, hosted by the Evanston Chamber of Commerce.

Sen. Paul Barnard started the morning off sharing some of the session highlights, stating the Senate is more conservative than in years past.

“There are six new senators and five of them are conservative,” he said.

Barnard, along with the other representatives said the session felt like a budget session even though it was not.

“The state is in need of money,” said Barnard. “We need to get more money for the cities and counties.”

In order for state monies to trickle down to cities and counties, other areas of the budget were cut, he said. The general budget and education sector took hits in the latest session with more cuts expected in the next session.

Sen. Fred Baldwin echoed the statement of Barnard, saying the general session felt more like a budget session.

“We are in lean times,” he said. “We have to tighten our belts.”

His focus was on health services, saying of the nearly $297 million in budget cuts, the Department of Health took a $90 million-plus hit.

Baldwin said, “We have a problem with mental health. There is no place for those who need help the most in society, because there is no space.”

He said construction projects are moving forward in both Lander (Training Center) and Evanston (Wyoming State Hospital), with the groundbreaking in Evanston slated for 2018.

With the increase of space at the State Hospital, leaders said it will open up more job opportunities and secure current employees.

Budget cuts were at the top of each representative’s discussion. Baldwin posed a rhetorical question.

“Can we place the weight on all other programs to benefit education?” he asked.

He was referring to big cuts in education with more expected to come. 

Rep. Garry Piiparinen started out by thanking everyone who sent him emails with comments and suggestions during the legislative session.

He held up two large binders, stating they held the more than 400 bills presented during the general session, as well as emails from constituents.

Piiparinen brought up an issue on many community members’ minds: highway speed limits, especially on Hwy 89 from Evanston to the state line.

In previous sessions, the speed limit on all state highways was increased to 70 mph. Many have expressed concern on the Hwy 89 stretch, stating the limit is too high.

According to Piiparinen, WYDOT did a speed test on the stretch of Hwy 89 and officials believed the 70 mph limit is fine; however, they are currently taking public comment on the findings.

Another issue highlighted by Piiparinen was the disbursement of lottery proceeds.

In previous revenue payouts, counties with smaller lottery ticket sales received a greater portion of the disbursement because of the formula that was in place.

“We looked at this issue and agreed the formula was not correct,” he said. “Disposition of lottery proceeds was brought to the floor. It will allocate more to counties who sell tickets.”

“I’ve been asked how the session was,” said Rep. Danny Eyre. “I’d say it was good. I’m a newcomer in my first year.”

Eyre shared some observations as a newcomer.

“First, it is a privilege to work with such good people,” he said. “I was impressed with the process. It is difficult, but a good process for a bill to become a statute.”

He referred to Abraham Lincoln as a freshman legislator saying he spent a lot of time listening, which is what Eyre said he did.

He brought up Wyoming’s dependence on mineral revenues.

“Sixty to 70 percent of our revenues come from the mineral industries,” he said. “When there is a downturn in the industries, we feel it.”

He said the state’s reliance on the mineral industry has made it so others aren’t paying their fair share. “The average three-person family pays approximately $3,000 in state and local tax,” said Eyre. “That same family has about $30,000 in benefit versus what they pay.”

He said Wyoming residents are very blessed because there is no state income tax, there’s a relatively low sales tax and property taxes are very fair.

Eyre ended his report by saying he believes the state will see an increase in the mineral industries, but there is much work to be done in the state.

Rounding out the short presentations at the breakfast, Rep. Tom Crank reiterated the importance of hearing from Wyoming residents.

“We need to hear from people to know how much is too much,” he said. “We should pay attention to what the people from our districts are saying. They are supporting us and we need to support them.”

Crank also brought up budgetary cuts to the general funds and the education fund.

“In Wyoming we spend approximately $16,000 per child,” he said. “There may be some room to cut a little here.”

Crank said legislation is limited on what they can do in the area of revenue.

“We haven’t solved the problems,” he said. “It is going to take some time.”

As the representatives opened the floor to questions, the first question on many peoples’ minds was revenue: how does the state increase revenue without increasing taxes?

“Revenue for the state is taxes,” said Crank.

Baldwin said legislators are looking at how to bring in more technology-based industry into the state.

Barnard said, “Pari-mutuel is back on, so we’ll see Wyoming Downs with more races.”

Evanston City Councilwoman Wendy Schuler asked if the state had considered bringing back a sales tax on food.

“It is considered a regressive tax,” said Eyre. “We’ve not seriously looked at it. It isn’t a popular thing.”

Barnard said he was in favor of bringing back a food tax.

County Treasurer Terry Brimhall asked why the motor vehicle fees were being raised.

“The fees were not covering the cost of the program,” said Eyre. “Plus, they hadn’t been increased since 1975.”

Another question many had targeted tourism and the State’s plan to increase that revenue stream.

“[Tourism] is always a topic,” said Barnard. “It is our No. 2 revenue source. For every dollar spent on tourism, we get $10 or more back.”

Closing out the legislative breakfast, it was announced that Evanston Chamber of Commerce Director Bret McCoy would be leaving the chamber. McCoy said he will continue his involvement in many clubs and organizations in Evanston, but he will start his new employment sometime in April.