Candidates for Wyoming House of Representatives

 

Wyoming Representatives serve 2 year terms.  Salary is $150 per working day, with $85 per diem plus travel, reimbursed at the federal rate.  A legislator can petition for an additional $150 per quarter for “constituent service”.  There are 4 House Districts (HD)  in Albany County and one, District 47, which is partially in Albany and Carbon Counties.  Districts are listed in numerical order below, with candidates within that district listed in alphabetical order.  Only in HD 46 are there two candidates from the same political party competing to advance to the General Election ballot. 

 

1.      Biographical information.   (100 words)

 

Cathy Connolly (D) HD 13:   I have lived and worked in Laramie since 1992 when I accepted a faculty position at UW.  I have a PhD in sociology, a law degree, and have served the State in several capacities, including grant reviewer for the Division of Victim Services, facilitator for the Council for the Humanities, and co-author of the legislative-initiated study on the wage gap between men and women.  I have served in leadership positions with the Albany County SAFE Project, Equality Initiatives, and Whiting Alternative High School.  My 22 year-old son, Lucas, is an artist and attends college in Florida.

 

Ember Oakley (R) HD 13:  No response.

 

Kermit C. Brown (R) HD 14: I grew up in Casper and attended UW.  After earning two bachelor’s degrees, I became a naval officer and served in Viet Nam.  I came back to Laramie and earned my law degree.  I practiced law two years in Wheatland and 18 years in Rawlins.  I have practiced law in Laramie since 1992.  I am the senior managing member of Brown & Hiser LLC.  I was President of the Wyoming Bar Association in 1994.  I have a broad range of experience in many areas that come before the legislature.  I have served two terms in the Wyoming House of Representatives.

 

Pat Kiovsky (D) HD 14:  I relocated to Laramie 8 years ago, after a 39 year career in nursing, health administration and planning.  Currently, I am a small business owner of women’s

fitness clubs in Cheyenne and Gillette.  Since I arrived in Laramie I have dedicated

myself to many projects  that have made a difference in the Laramie community. These include the Secret Garden Tour and the Albany County Court House Landscape Project. I am the past president of Zonta, Garden Club and Woman’s Club and current board  member of the Laramie Plains Museum. Joseph Kiovsky, husband, and I have five children and eight grandchildren. 

 

Seth Carson (D) HD 45:  I moved to Laramie in 1989 and have lived here ever since.  In 1992, I battled cancer my family received support from both the Hapi-Ness 5K and Make a Wish Foundation.  After graduating from LHS in 1997, I obtained a BS in Architectural Engineering from UW in 2002.  Upon graduating, I started several small businesses as both a home designer and energy efficiency consultant.   During the summer of 2004, I successfully won a seat on the Laramie City Council.  I describe myself as experienced, outspoken and politically motivated and I am very optimistic about my future in the state legislature.

Jan Alvaney  (D) HD 46:  I bring over 30 years of experience in education, technology and business to my campaign. I hold a Bachelor’s in Education from The Ohio State University and a Master’s in Education and Technology from the University of Wyoming.  I moved to Wyoming in 1976 to teach special education at Albany County School District #1.  I currently run Alvaney Design, a technology-based training design business.  I recently completed a 2 year contract with Handel Information Technologies, Inc. in Laramie.  I live in Centennial with my husband, Paul, and our two Irish Setters, Killian and Kassidy.  We all love to play outside.

 

James J. Slater, (R) HD 46:  My wife Karol, Laramie native and I (a 58 year resident) have six grown children, all eight of us University of Wyoming alumni. I earned a bachelor’s degree from UW in agriculture, owned and operated local businesses and retired senior vice president from American National Bank. I have completed eight years in the state legislature where I served on the Judiciary; Transportation; Agriculture, State and Public Lands and Water Resources; and the Travel, Recreation, Wildlife and Cultural Resources Committee.

 

Jim Thompson (D) HD 46:  I was raised in Casper and have a degree in economics and PhD in sociology. I am a faculty member at UW.  My wife, Nancy Stanton, and Imoved here in 1972 and our children, Garth and Meg, were born here. We own a small ranch in south Albany County.   I had a consulting firm in Laramie for 12 years, and worked for many county commissions, which is where I got my interest in being a legislator.  I presently teach a

course in community and economic development   I serve on the Albany County Planning and Zoning Committee.

 

William “Jeb” Steward (R) HD 47:  I have lived in the Encampment area for over 30 years and worked at the Silver Spur Ranch for 20 of these while raising a daughter. I now own an agriculture business. I feel it is important to give back to my community and was involved with our volunteer fire, ambulance and search/rescue services for over 20 years. Since 2000 my public service broadened to include involvement as chair of SER Conservation District, board member of our local water user’s association, and Commissioner with Wyoming Water Development. I am currently serving in the Wyoming Legislature as HD 47 Representative.

 

2. What does Wyoming government do to ensure that the extractive industries pay all the severance/royalties due the state?  What changes, if any, would you make?  (75 words)

 

Cathy Connolly (D) HD 13:   Wyoming is heavily dependent on tax revenues from mineral production to fund essential programs and services.  Because mineral producers self-report their production and taxes, more oversight of this process is needed with additional staff in the Departments of Revenue and Audit.  Legislators also need to clarify tax statutes to curtail expensive litigation between the state and producers over valuation of minerals, and institute procedures to better monitor reporting and collection issues.

 

Ember Oakley (R) HD 13:  No response.

 

Kermit C. Brown (R) HD 14: Wyoming has 45 positions in the mineral audit division of the Department of Audit, including two field inspectors.  We added five positions in 2003 and four positions in 2008.  The agency people tell me they are sufficiently staffed and are doing a good job.  I would vote for more people and resources if they ask for it but until they do, my query is whether they have what they need.  They say they do.

 

Pat Kiovsky (D) HD 14:  Wyoming government negotiates rates of severance taxes and royalties based on the value of extractive materials, audits industry reports and litigates discrepancies found in industry reports. I would increase taxes and royalties based on current market value and production levels; increase the number of auditors and frequency audits performed to assure accurate reporting and increase the state’s legal staff to litigate non- compliance of the extractive industry’s reporting of value and production.

 

Seth Carson (D) HD 45:  Since Wyoming extractive companies are required to self report their own tax, more examination by state officials and oversight commissions may is necessary in this boom time.  An incentive-based streamlined reporting system along with the expansion of existing penalties for companies not passing regular audits will increase revenues.  As a whole, these taxes should be elevated to provide funding for sustainable energy investment and solutions to climate change caused by non-renewable energy use and extraction.

 

Jan Alvaney  (D) HD 46:  Wyoming receives many millions from royalties and severance taxes. Wyoming is a self-reporting state - producers determine mineral values in accordance with state statutes and make payments to the Department of Revenue.  The boom in development is not without problems, including untimely filing and unreported new wells.  Educating new companies about reporting requirements is crucial.  We must continue to monitor revenue and taxation and revisit severance tax structures to ensure Wyoming receives its fair share.

James J. Slater, (R) HD 46:  The mineral industry reports and pays the severance tax, the mineral property tax, and the oil and gas conservation tax separately. There is one reporting and collection point for all three taxes to help ensure collection. According to the 2006 Department of Revenue Annual Report 99.90% of the mineral taxes are collected as a percentage of severance taxes due. The system is working.

Jim Thompson (D) HD 46:  Wyoming's severance tax is a special commodities tax and the rate is set by the state.  Royalty fees are essentially the market price Wyoming or the Federal government charges for their minerals.  Wyoming collects both a severance tax and a royalty fee on State owned lands. The State negotiates royalty rates, spot audits mineral companies and initiates legislation.  Auditing is especially important.  The state

probably needs more auditors and needs to conduct more audits.

 

William “Jeb” Steward (R) HD 47:  It appears the greatest threat to Wyoming’s revenue stream of royalties from our extractive industry is the Federal Government. Recent federal legislation reduced Wyoming’s share of FMR’s by 2%, or approximately $17.3 million. This negatively impacts funding for our School Foundation Program and School Capital Construction. We need to continue working with our congressional delegation to send a strong message to Washington that we need to return to the historical 50/50 split of the royalties.

 

3. Weather, distance, and lack of public transportation make travel in and through Wyoming a challenge.  What can the legislature do to improve inter- and intra-state public transportation?  (75 words)

 

Cathy Connolly (D) HD 13:   With rising gas prices, as well as challenges due to weather and distance, it is time that we assess our current transportation system in relation to today’s needs.  With many residents commuting from their homes for work within and out of the state, establishing bus routes could be a priority. Increasing hours of current public transportation systems should also be explored to accommodate non-peak hour workers.  Drive-sharing could be encouraged though incentive programs.  

 

Ember Oakley (R) HD 13:  No response.

 

Kermit C. Brown (R) HD 14:  The history of our state is littered with failed attempts to implement public transportation, most notably air transportation.  Until the public demands differently, the automobile will rule.  If and when there is a demand, the legislature can facilitate a solution, probably with surface transportation.  Any system must be safe, clean, pleasant and on time.  Hopefully the private sector will provide the solution and the legislature will only provide the means (i.e. licensing) to the solution.

 

Pat Kiovsky (D) HD 14:  The WY Legislature has the opportunity to implement a Front Range Rail system from Casper to Belen, NM. This system would reduce traffic on I-25, increase safety and improve access to businesses/services in Casper and Cheyenne.  The state could also create grants or subsidies to develop public bus services within small communities and from small towns to larger towns that would provide transportation for many. These steps increase accessibility and reduce carbon.

 

Seth Carson (D) HD 45:  First, Wyoming can expand its knowledge of its public transportation needs by commissioning a comprehensive study of the state’s strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities in transportation.  The legislature should expand funding for local public and intrastate bus systems and routes and push for large-scale development of public transportation authorities.  Additionally, we need to financially revitalize and encourage commuter rail in the state by adding new rail lines or a exploring a state electrical rail system.

 

Jan Alvaney  (D) HD 46:  Increased funding for WYDOT and WYTRANS is crucial to meeting the challenges of public transportation.  WYTRANS works with WYDOT and the Legislature to increase funding for public transit.  Legislators must also look into rail and air transit options. The railroads were vital to Wyoming’s beginnings and still contribute greatly to the economy and growth of the state. Fly Wyoming works with WDOT Aeronautics to further air travel within Wyoming and surrounding states.  Funding is the key.

 

James J. Slater, (R) HD 46:  Wyoming boasts a nationally envied transportation department. The legislature needs to 1) Continue improving the entire highway network in response to demand; 2) Seek funding to add one lane each direction on I-80; 3) Maintenance of the existing infrastructure; 4) Improving the multi-lane divided highway system and local roads;

5) New designs to improve the life and service of pavements; 6) Rebuilding certain roads to eliminate seasonal weight restrictions.

 

Jim Thompson (D) HD 46:  Wyoming is participating in  a feasibility study of a rail system from Albuquerque to Billings. The Wyoming Business Council provides a subsidy to Great West Airlines.  The state could create a state-owned bus system to serve whole state.  However, I think the State should leave transportation to the private market or the Federal Government. The airlines should be regulated again by the Federal Government.  Only

then will Wyoming get better rail and air transportation.

 

William “Jeb” Steward (R) HD 47:  Continued funding for our highway systems is an absolutely critical component of this issue. Well maintained highways are very important for us in Wyoming since we all travel large distances. We must address the safety issues associated with I-80 so our citizens and highway workers will not be at risk when traveling in winter. I support a program within the Business Council that would allow funding for public transportation systems sponsored by public entities.