08/01/2008 Wyoming Democratic Party Daily News Roundup
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Aug 1, 2008 Posted by Lauri Elbing
Editorial: Divert mineral revenue to help fund highways
A legislative proposal to create a new funding source for multi-lane highway construction in Wyoming should win approval. The Joint Transportation, Highways and Military Affairs Interim Committee has decided to sponsor a bill that would earmark a portion of severance tax revenue to widen and expand some of Wyoming's busiest highways.
Letter to the Editor: Campaign efforts bespeak leadership
“I've read a few letters in these pages recently supporting Keith Goodenough and bashing Nick Carter for supposedly not being a "real" Democrat….It is time for the people who have been writing in to get real. Let's stop worrying about who is a real Democrat or a real Republican and focus on who is a real candidate.”
Mental injury bill moves forward
Legislation aimed at extending coverage of on-the-job mental injuries under Wyoming's workers' compensation program will move forward in a legislative committee.
Lawmakers head home after impasse on gas prices
“Lawmakers sped for the exits Friday as Congress was to begin a five-week recess after a summer session noteworthy for bitter partisanship and paralysis on the issue topmost in the minds of many voters: the cost of gasoline.”
Obama proposes $1,000 energy rebates for consumers
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama on Friday called for a $1,000 "emergency" rebate to consumers to offset soaring energy costs amid fresh signs of a struggling economy with the nation's unemployment rate climbing to a four-year high.
Princeton Review puts UW in top ranks
“The university received a great quality-of-life and academic rating. The University of Wyoming is one of the best 368 colleges in the United States, according to a book from The Princeton Review.”
Jobless rate rises to 4-year high of 5.7 percent
WASHINGTON - The nation's unemployment rate climbed to a four-year high of 5.7 percent in July as employers cut 51,000 jobs, dashing the hopes of an influx of young people looking for summer work.
Wal-Mart mobilizes against Democrats: report
Wal-Mart Stores Inc is mobilizing U.S. store managers to lobby against Democrats
in November's presidential election, fearing they will make it easier for workers to
unionize, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday.
“It really is the economy, stupid! Economic models that have correctly predicted the
winner of almost all post-war U.S. presidential elections say recession fears will
secure a victory for Barack Obama in November. Three separate studies showed
the Democratic presidential hopeful winning between 52 and 55 percent of the popular
vote on November 4, based on current gloomy economic estimates. Any further
darkening in the economic outlook -- many analysts think things will get worse between
now and November -- would reinforce that election outcome.”
Enzi Praises Passage Of Education Bill
Congress has given final approval to an overhaul of federal higher education programs.
Wyoming Sen. Mike Enzi was one of the lawmakers in on years of negotiations.
The bill known as the College Opportunity and Affordability Act, is the result ofnearly three years of debate. It expands the number of people who can qualify for
government-backed loans and federal stipends called Pell Grants. It lets students
who were home-schooled qualify for grants for the first time. It also streamlines the
application process for financial aid. Enzi is the senior Republican on the Senate Health
and Education Committee. One of the motivators for the bill was a scandal last year
when several college deans and their schools were found to have a financial interest
in institutions that lent money to students. The bill bars any financial relationships between
lenders and schools or their officers. It also requires colleges and universities to enforce
codes of conduct. Enzi shepherded the bill to final passage without the Democratic chairman
of his committee. Massachusetts Sen. Ted Kennedy is absent from Congress because of a
cancer diagnosis.
Mental Health Could Be Part Of The Workers Compensation Mix
Jackson Representative Keith Gingery chairs the Select Committee on Mental Health and
Substance Abuse.
Highway Money Being Considered
A legislative subcommittee wants to set up an account that would pay for the widening and
expansion of some two-lane highways in the state.
Political season arrives in Laramie
Laramie’s political junkies, community activists and concerned citizens were likely rejoicing Thursday night at the first local candidate debate of this political season. The League of Women Voters kicked off the first of several debates at the Albany County Public Library. Present for the forum were city council candidates Troy Pierson, Scott Mullner, Erik Molvar and Brad Williamson. County commission candidates John Brengman and Jerry Kennedy were on hand, as were two candidates for the Wyoming Legislature, Pat Kiovsky and Cathy Connolly. Rounding out the group were several candidates seeking election to the U.S. Congress, including Gary Trauner, Cynthia Lummis and Mark Gordon. Those candidates seeking Congressional office focused most of their remarks on energy and the economy — which came as no surprise to anyone who has watched the President or Congressional leaders focus on those issues. Lummis, like many Republicans, said she supports offshore oil drilling and drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. However, she said that new and alternative energy sources must be developed as well. Gordon also said the country must look at all energy resources. Trauner and the other candidates agreed that conservation and incentives for consumers could go a long way toward balancing energy demand with supplies.
Gillette senator endorses Lummis
Wyoming Sen. John Hines, R-Campbell County, officially has announced his endorsement of Republican candidate Cynthia Lummis for Wyoming’s seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Primary debates, forums will be televised
Candidates for local, state and nationwide races will meet in forums and debates in the weeks leading up to the Aug. 19 primary.
Bill would allocate severance tax money for state highways
State lawmakers are talking about using some of the state’s severance tax revenue to pay for widening and expanding some of Wyoming’s more congested highways.
Group says BLM way behind in oil and gas inspections
As much as 84 percent of oil and gas drilling permits in the Powder River Basin have not been properly inspected and permit rules are not being enforced, according to a Sheridan-based landowners group.
Kimbell: Trust analysis
U.S. Forest Service Chief Gail Kimbell on Thursday expressed her support for an ongoing analysis of energy development in the Wyoming Range despite claims that the process is tainted by politics and inappropriate influence from industry.County finalizes $24.3M budget
General fund budget expenses of about $24.3 million were finalized and approved July 22 by the county commissioners. The budget included a set-aside of $1.12 million in long-term and operational cash reserves and more than $400,0000 toward staff wage increases (5%).Senate District 22 candidate Al Snell and Sheridan County commissioner candidate Mike Watkins will be at the Story post office all day Friday to meet the public and discuss support for a change in Wyoming property tax laws. [O]ne petition calls for immediate action from the state Legislature to change property tax laws, and the second is an advisory petition explaining the proposed change.”
Trip to the dump costs 50% more
It's a new year, fiscally speaking, and with it Johnson County Solid Waste Disposal (JCSWD) has hiked landfill fees from $50 a ton to $75 a ton.
If it's broke fix it (for less than $22 million)
Some Johnson County registered voters may have received a letter this week explaining why we need a new jail here.
Exxon Hits Historic Profit Mark
Exxon Mobil reported the fattest operating profit in U.S. corporate history, pocketing $11.7 billion for the second quarter.
Wyoming Senator Mike Enzi echoed Ted Kennedy in voicing high hopes for the education bill sent to President Bush to make higher learning more accessible.
Wind-generated electricity produced in Wyoming is the most viable option for meeting the clean power demands of rapid population growth, according to a new major study.
Study: Tribes & The Energy Boom
A researcher has been studying the impact of the last energy boom on the tribes of the American West holding coveted resource-rich land.
Forest Chief Trusts 'Tainted' Analysis
A Forest Service official gave support for an ongoing analysis of energy development in Wyoming despite claims that the process is tainted by politics and inappropriate industry influence.
K2TV - KTWO - Casper Channel 2 or 6 and Cheyenne Channel 8
The past two presidential election years have not been kind to democratic candidates. The party lost seats in the Wyoming legislature in 2000 and 2004. But thousands of democrat-leaning voters came out of the woodwork for Wyoming's democratic caucuses in march. Wyoming republican party committeewoman Jan Larimer says she's confident GOP voters will turn out this fall even though the party's presumptive presidential candidate, John McCain, didn't perform well in the state party's caucuses. She says the Republicans will rally around McCain because his values are the closest to those of most Wyomingites.
Does reducing gas prices five to twenty five cents a gallon seem like a dream to you? Wyoming state Senator Charles Scott thinks it can be reality. The Senator is trying to repeal an old law from the 1930's he says is keeping prices high. Scott says the law was enacted to fight deflation, but today, just prevents retailers from discounting gas prices. The law the senator wants repealed is affecting more than just gas. He says it's also preventing big discount stores from offering their nationally advertised low prices on many generic drugs.
State Lawmakers Considering Widening Highways
State lawmakers are talking about using some of the state's severance tax revenue to pay for widening and
expanding some of Wyoming's more congested highwaysVoters Meet Political Candidates
Jaclyn Rostie Reports: The League of Women Voters hold a Pie Social and Political Forum Thursday night at the Laramie County Library.President Bush Announces Iraq Troop Reduction: Residents React
President Bush says -- thanks to the surge strategy -- security has improved in Iraq, and there are signs those gains could be permanent.Restraining Order on Mayor?
A Weld County judge has ruled against a teen's request for a permanent restraining order against Greeley Mayor Ed Clark, who allegedly threw the teen to the ground when he
wouldn't get off a motorbike he was riding in a neighborhood.