08/05/2008 Wyoming Democratic Party Daily News Roundup
-
Aug 5, 2008 Posted by Lauri Elbing
Feds set wind farm public meetings
The Bureau of Land Management's Rawlins field office has scheduled four public meetings as part of its analysis of the proposed Chokecherry and Sierra Madre wind energy project in Carbon County.
Group agrees on combo enrollment process
A group of Natrona County teachers, principals and administrative staff members will recommend a combination of centralized and decentralized enrollment processes for the district.
City may approve program for transportation improvements
The city council may approve a Transportation Improvement Program for 2009 through 2012 in its meeting tonight. The program outlines future projects for roads, highways, public transportation and pedestrian traffic. Many of the projects will be funded through local governments, as well as money from the Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transportation Administration. The council will formally appoint former legislator Tom Walsh as the newest member of the city council. He will replace Page Fagan, who recently resigned.
Editorial: Land board should approve agreement on elk habitat
It's encouraging to see state wildlife officials reach a compromise with a company over its plans to build a plant that would affect critical winter range for elk. The agreement, which still needs to be approved by the Wyoming Board of Land Commissioners when it meets Thursday, is of vital importance to the state for several reasons. Cimarex Energy Co. of Denver wants to build a $100 million natural gas processing plant on school trust land in Sublette County. The facility would also become the largest carbon sequestration project in the world.
LTE: Questions interfere with campaign piffle from JAMES HEATH, Burns, 14 year old opposing Gary Trauner
Wednesday, during the pancake breakfast I had the privilege of talking with Democrat candidate for U.S. House Gary Trauner. He had just finished talking with another citizen of our fine state when I walked up. I asked if I could talk with him for a few moments, and he said he would be happy to. So, I asked him why he was running. He told me that he was running because of the fact he has lived in Wyoming for 20 years, is a business man and he wants a better country for his children. Now, that in and of itself was as he put it "in a nutshell" so, I decided to get to get to the meat of these issues. Three examples of what I asked were: What is your position on our southern border while in office? What is your stance on taxes? And most importantly, what is your stance on the war in Iraq? Before I started to ask questions he was ready to talk and tell me about how he is a family man. That is all fine and good, but I want to talk about the issues. I have questions and I want them answered. As soon as I asked questions though, he clammed up. He started to hem and haw and suggested I look at his Web site, and he said how he had done forums with Cynthia Lummis and the other Republican candidates over this, so I should check those out, too. These answers and others proved to me that I don't want him to be my representative in Washington, D.C., If he is unwilling to talk with a 14-year-old about his stance on issues that are vital in this day and age of our country, will he truly represent us? Or will he go and push his own agenda leaving Wyomingites like you and I in the dust? Will he listen to you when you ask him to vote a certain way or will he vote with the Washington liberal establishment and not give a darn what you think? As a future voter I am willing to talk to all the candidates. But if he is unwilling to talk to me, then he doesn't give me the impression of a man who is willing to talk to the next generation of Wyoming citizens, or even listen to Wyoming citizens. I encourage people to think about what I just said in this short letter.
LTE: Final few turns determine winner From Ed Warsaw supporting H. Clinton for VP
LTE: Candidate finds development way from MARK DOELGER, Casper supporting Mark Gordon
Workers’ Compensation: Too Much Money in the Pot,
After years of financial crisis, the worker’s comp fund has almost a billion dollars in it. Many employers think that's because they've paid too much. Many employees think they've received too little. The legislature is looking at the issue this session. Addie Goss reports.
Federal tax credits for clean energy are about to expire by the end of this year. And a deadlocked Congress has failed yet again to pass an extension. Wyoming’s growing wind power is at risk. Yanmei Xie reports.
Sportsmen for Responsible Energy
A group called Sportsmen for Responsible Energy has put a plan for protecting wildlife in the midst of energy development in Wyoming and the west. Steve Belinda is a former Bureau of Land management employee who currently works as a wildlife specialist for a number of organizations. A Bob Beck interview.
Two Rancher Perspectives on Oil Drilling
Oil has reached record prices this year. Today it's at 124-dollars per barrel. And some believe drilling in Wyoming is poised to heat up again. We traveled through the oil fields in Northern Wyoming to talk with two ranchers who have very different views on the good, the bad, and the future of oil production in the United States. Peter O'Dowd reports.
Non-Profits Boost Wyoming’s Economy
Nonprofit organizations are formed to benefit the public rather than to provide a profit for owners. Most require both public and private support…so they are not viewed as a player in a community’s economy. But that perception is not correct. A report finds that non profits spend almost a billion dollars in the state. Bob Beck reports.
The Boom Has a Financial Dark Side
While the national economy is in a slowdown Wyoming’s economy continues to steam along. But there’s a financial dark side to all this prosperity. We went to southwest Wyoming to take a look. Elsa Partan reports.
Aquifer protection extension will be revisited tonight
Found in the middle of the Laramie City Council’s seven-page agenda for tonight’s meeting is a discussion item on extraterritorial jurisdiction regarding aquifer protection.
Commission candidates discuss growth in government
Nine Republicans are running for two County Commission seats in the Aug. 19 primary election. Two will advance to the November election to face Democrat candidate Robert Kothe.
Trauner visits Sheridan Senior Citizens Center
Democratic U.S. representative candidate Gary Trauner of Wilson spoke with a difficult crowd Sunday at Sheridan’s Senior Citizens Center….While some seniors put aside the literature handed out by Trauner after learning his party affiliation, a couple of people who identified themselves as registered Republicans said they voted for Trauner in 2006 simply because they thought he was the better candidate….While at the senior center, Trauner visited with about 50 people and handed out his “contract with Wyoming seniors.” In the contract, Trauner promises to protect Social Security, fight to bring down gas and food prices, reform Medicare Part D to bring prescription drug prices down, and honor veterans.
Offshore battle: Obama and McCain camps say drilling a leadership issue
WASHINGTON (AP) — The different paths John McCain and Barack Obama have taken to support expanded offshore drilling for oil demonstrate how each would govern as president, their supporters said Sunday. McCain surrogates contended on the Sunday news programs that the Arizona Republican’s turn toward drilling, which he had once opposed, showed how McCain would respond decisively to a crisis. Obama’s supporters argued that his willingness to consider a bipartisan proposal including more drilling showed how the Illinois Democrat would pursue compromise to achieve results.
Governor Names Nick Rahn to Wyoming Infrastructure Authority Board (Office of the Governor)
An executive with PacifiCorp Energy has been named to the Wyoming Infrastructure Authority board, Gov. Dave Freudenthal announced today. Nick Rahn is vice president for resource development and construction at PacifiCorp Energy. He is responsible for developing the company's generation resource portfolio and managing the construction of new generation projects. Rahn, whose appointment became effective June 1, succeeds Jim Tarpey on the board following Tarpey's resignation. Rahn's term extends through March 2009. "Nick's experience with the development of new generation projects will make him a powerful voice on this board," the Governor said. WIA Executive Director Steve Waddington spoke highly of Rahn and his professional experience. "Nick will complement the skills of the other board members by bringing a strong knowledge base on how generation is developed," Waddington said. "His background in wind and thermal generation will really be a great addition to the board. He's a go get'em kind of guy - I think it was a great appointment." Rahn said he was excited about the prospect of serving on the WIA board. "I'm looking forward to adding value to this very important group," Rahn said.
U.S. Senator John Barrasso is fighting to help a Wyoming veteran and others suffering from Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) receive the help they deserve from the Veterans Administration (VA). “Earlier this year I was honored to pin the Purple Heart on a Wyoming veteran returning from Iraq. He is now experiencing a delay in getting a permanent disability rating and the help he needs,” Barrasso said. “It has been over a year since this veteran was discharged from the service and he has yet to receive an adequate rating for his TBI injuries -- this is unacceptable.” Barrasso has introduced a bill, S. 3388, requiring the VA to immediately assist veterans with injuries needing extensive evaluation by streamlining the disability rating process. “This war is unlike any other the U.S. has seen. The VA assistance program is swimming in red tape and isn’t tailored to the kinds of injuries our men and women in uniform are facing.” “The Improvised Explosive Device (IED) has transformed the battlefield for this generation of warriors,” Barrasso said. “IED injuries require extensive evaluation, not simply a one-time visit to the VA.” Barrasso worked closely with the American Legion and the Wyoming Veterans of Foreign Wars in crafting the bill. “It’s about keeping our commitment to our service men and women – thanking them for their service and sacrifice to our country.”