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Mini MAR Archive:
Wyoming
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THOMAS BLASTS ADDED SPENDING BY CONGRESS
March 27, 2007
Washington, DC Sen. Craig Thomas has taken on the establishment of Congress
over the added spending onto essential budget items. He wants to create an
amendment to curb this age old practice. Frankly, for many of us, having some
idea, some control over spending is one of the key issues we face. The amendment
I am offering would bring some transparency, restraint, and I hope discipline to
this budgeting process. The budget resolution is supposed to provide the
blueprint for Government spending and allocate dollars for appropriators in the
future. That is what it is for. That is why we do it in the budget, so that this
year we will have a budget that says: Here are the programs, here are the
dollars, this is what we do, Thomas said.
Thomas expanded on the process, To be sure, it is a difficult
task. It is always difficult, and there are limited resources and always
unlimited demands and infinite requests. It is a tough job putting together a
budget. However, it requires hard choices. I understand that. It is a time when
we make choices among the competing priorities, and that is what budgeting is
for. That is, in fact, the purpose of the budget. Thomas says he is concerned
that the present budget abdicates responsibility in a number of areas and fails
to even set a cap on overall spending. The primary mechanism by which this
happens is because of the so-called reserve funds. For the most part,
Thomas also says that most additional spending authority is totally unchecked.
Not only is spending unchecked, there is actually no money in any of these
reserve funds. Thomas continued to say spending must be deficit neutral.
According to Thomas, it means that, in a budget that includes not a single
penny of net spending restraint, taxes can be raised to pay for any reserve fund
spending. This could be an added $1 trillion in tax increases already assumed in
the budget.
The American people sent a message last November. They want fiscal
discipline. I could not agree more. Thomas hopes his amendment will change the
business as usual attitude in Congress.
when it comes to spending. So we have a budget but then we have a way to say: I
want to expand the budget. And we pay for it by increasing taxes. So we really
say: We do not have a budget at all until we are through with the year. I cannot
understand that. So I hear the folks who are saying we need to control spending.
Even if we do make a miscalculation in the budget resolution, we
need to move funds from one area to another, and that should be spending
neutral. In other words, we should make hard choices, decrease spending in one
area if we have to increase it in another.
As it is currently constructed, these reserve funds are the
equivalent of a blank check signed by the American taxpayer. So these
tax-and-spend funds need to be eliminated. I urge my colleagues to join me in
support for this amendment.
THOMAS SEEKS TO STRIP NON-WAR SPENDING
March 27, 2007
WASHINGTON U.S. Senator Craig
Thomas (R-Wyo.) late last week offered an amendment to the Democrat budget
proposal to restore fiscal discipline back to the emergency spending process by
stripping all spending unrelated to the war.
Too often emergency supplemental bills are larded up with all
kinds of pet projects and other spending that Members cannot pass through the
regular budget process. By its very nature, emergency spending is above and
beyond the approved budget, Thomas said.
Thomass amendment stipulates that Congress cannot use supplemental
war appropriations bills, which fund our troops in combat, to tack on pork
barrel spending.
We need to stop playing politics with our troops by using the
war-supplemental for massive amounts of unrelated spending. It is an abuse of
the process to hold our troops hostage for inappropriate spending, Thomas said.
The money we spend here does not come out of thin air -- it comes
out of the pockets of hard-working Americans. I would caution Members not take
the emergency spending process too lightly.
The following items are among the items designated as emergency in
the current Senate version of the FY07 emergency war supplemental:
$4.1 billion in agriculture assistance.
$100 million for security related to the Republican and Democrat presidential
nominating conventions.
$25 million for the Safe and Drug Free Schools program.
$48 million for disaster reconstruction for NASA.
$2 million to the University of Vermont Education Excellence Program.
$13 million for mine safety research.
$25 million for asbestos abatement at the Capitol Power Plant.
$3.5 million for guided tours of U.S. Capitol.
$640 million for LIHEAP.
$500 million for emergency wildfire suppression.
$13.2 million for avian flu research and monitoring.
ENZI PLEASED INTERIOR 'WAKING UP' TO GRIZZLY DELISTING
March 23, 2007
Washington, D.C. U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., is celebrating the Fish and
Wildlife Service's announcement yesterday that Wyoming grizzly bears in the
Yellowstone area will soon become Wyoming bears again.
"At long last," said Enzi. "Decades passed. The bears
increased in number. The federal government stood immobile. Today that is
finally changing. Grizzly management will shift to the state where it should be.
I'm confident in the ability of the Wyoming Game and Fish to manage the bear for
both the benefit of the Wyoming people and the grizzly. "Just as the bears are
coming out of hibernation we see the federal government is finally waking up to
the realization that it's long past time to delist the grizzlies in Yellowstone
," Enzi said.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife plans to issue a final rule on March 29
to delist the grizzly bears in the Yellowstone area of Wyoming, Montana and
Idaho . The rule becomes effective 30 days after publication in the federal
register.
"I'm pleased the Fish and Wildlife Service is moving forward
delisting, but this is an announcement we should have made 10 or 15 years ago
when the population first met recovery goals," Enzi said. "The wheels of the
federal government turn at geologic speed when it comes to the Endangered
Species Act. Part of the problem is the act itself, which I've been working with
the rest of the Wyoming and other western delegations to fix.
"I hope I will be able to comment on the delisting of wolves in the
not-so-distant future, but like the grizzly bear, the path to delisting wolves
in Wyoming has been lined with obstacles. The news today shows it is actually
possible," Enzi said. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service there are
500 grizzly bears in Yellowstone National park and the population is growing
between 4 and 7 percent a year.
The grizzly bear was listed as an endangered species 26 years ago.
THOMAS LAUDS NOMINATION OF RICHARD HONAKER
March 22, 2007
Washington, D.C. Senator Craig Thomas yesterday announced the selection of
Richard Honaker of Rock Springs to be the next U.S. District Judge for the
District of Wyoming. Honaker would fill the seat vacated by the recent
retirement of U.S. District Judge Clarence Brimmer.
Dick Honaker has a broad range of experience over the last 30 years in both
state and federal courts in Wyoming. While his credentials are certainly
outstanding, I am particularly impressed with his character and his values which
are deeply rooted in Wyoming, Thomas said. He has the right judicial
philosophy he knows the importance of interpreting the law while not
legislating from the bench.
U.S. Senator Mike Enzi said, Dick was born and raised in Wyoming, was the first
person in his family to get a college degree, has 30 years of law experience, is
a former legislator and a small businessman. All of these qualities plus an
admiration for the people of Wyoming and the rule of law make Dick an
exceptional candidate to be a federal judge. Dick has what it takes to provide
an impartial hand in applying the laws of the land. I look forward to seeing his
nomination swiftly acted upon by the Senate.
Honaker was raised in Laramie. His fathers family came to Laramie in 1919 and
operated a grocery store and meat market. His mothers family came to Big Horn
County in 1915 and farmed sugar beets. He graduated with BA honors from Harvard
in 1973 and graduated from UW law school in 1976. He worked his way through law
school as night editor for the local newspaper. He was a past President of the
Wyoming State Bar Association.
Part of the Senates role under the Constitution is to provide advice and
consent on Presidential nominations for federal judgeships. Traditionally, the
senior senator in a delegation provides the President with a name for
consideration.
Judge Brimmer notified Senator Thomas on Sept. 25, 2006 that he would retire
from regular service.
Thomas submitted Honakers name to President Bush on January 10, 2007. After an
extensive review by the White House, the President selected Honaker as his
nominee.
The United States Senate will now go through the process of confirming the
nominee for the appointment. The nominee is first referred to the Senate
Judiciary Committee. Upon committee approval, Honaker will receive a
confirmation vote before the full Senate.
MASSIVE PET FOOD RECALL NATIONWIDE 1000s OF PETS AFFECTED SO FAR
March 21, 2007
Menu Foods -- a major manufacturer of dog and cat food sold under Wal-Mart,
Safeway, Kroger and other store brands -- recalled 60 million containers of wet
pet food Friday after reports of kidney failure and deaths. An unknown number of
cats and dogs suffered kidney failure and about 10 died after eating the
affected pet food, the company said in announcing the North American recall.
Product testing has not revealed a link explaining the reported
cases of illness and death, the company said. "At this juncture, we're not 100
percent sure what's happened," said Paul Henderson, the company's president and
chief executive officer. However, the recalled products were made using wheat
gluten purchased from a new supplier, since dropped for another source,
spokeswoman Sarah Tuite said. Wheat gluten is a source of protein.
The recall covers their "cuts and gravy" style food, which consists
of chunks of meat in gravy, sold in cans and small foil pouches between December
3 and March 6 throughout the US. The pet food was sold by stores operated by the
Kroger Co., Safeway Inc., Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and PetSmart Inc., Proctor &
Gamble, among others, Henderson said. Menu Foods said it makes pet foods for 17
of the top 20 North American retailers.
Procter & Gamble announced Friday the recall of specific 3 oz., 5.5 oz., 6 oz.
and 13.2 oz. canned and 3 oz. and 5.3 oz. foil pouch cat and dog wet food
products made by Menu Foods but sold under the Iams and Eukanuba brands. The
recalled products bear the code dates of 6339 through 7073 followed by the plant
code 4197, P&G said.
Menu Foods' three U.S. and one Canadian factory produce more than 1
billion containers of wet pet food a year. Henderson said the company received
an undisclosed number of owner complaints of vomiting and kidney failure in dogs
and cats after they had been fed its products. It has tested its products but
not found a cause for the sickness. "To date, the tests have not indicated any
problems with the product," Henderson said. But the FDA is looking into the
cause of the illnesses.
The company alerted the Food and Drug Administration, which already
has inspectors in one of the two plants, Henderson said. But others say that
Menu Foods knew of the problem over a month ago. Menu Foods is majority-owned by
the Menu Foods Income Fund, based in Ontario, Canada. Henderson said the recall
would cost the company the Canadian equivalent of $26 million to $34 million.
Mini Note: Click on The Mini's Public Voice Page and go to
the bottom under Other Stuff, there is a list of specific brands recalled by
Menu Foods, in addition to Procter & Gamble's recall of certain Iams and
Eukanuba products. Menu Brands lists the brands on its Web site,
www.menufoods.com, and advises consumers to call 1-866-895-2708 for more
information.
Democrats Pass Largest Tax Increase in Congress History
March 20, 2007
Washington, D.C. Taxpayers can expect to spend more than 77 days a year
working to pay their federal taxes, following the passage of a Democratic budget
proposal that amounts to a $900 billion tax hike over the next five years.
U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., member of the Budget Committee, voted against
the largest tax increase ever. Enzi also put forth an amendment to make it
harder for the federal government to impose unfunded mandates on small business.
Raising taxes is not the answer to the federal governments budget woes, said
Enzi. By not continuing existing tax policies this budget implements a $900
billion tax increase. I find it hard to believe that last November voters went
to the polls to vote themselves a tax increase, but that is ultimately what
happened today.
The Budget Committee, on a strict party line vote of 12-11,
approved the budget resolution and rejected Republican amendments. Enzis
amendment would protect small businesses and the private sector by establishing
a 60 vote Senate threshold to pass legislation that imposes overly burdensome,
unfunded federal mandates. Enzi said he was pleased state and local governments
require a 60 person vote for unfunded mandates above $66 million in 2007 but
noted a glaring omission on the importance
of small businesses. Enzi is one of the strongest voices in the US Senate
speaking for small businesses and their need for reasonable laws and taxes that
do not unduly burden the mom and pop businesses in government red tape red
tape that not only uses their valuable time but adds over the year to a great
financial burden. By inflicting such burdens, Congress contributes to small
business failures and the lack of growth in the national economy.
Todays vote was a vote against small businesses and working
families. Some of my colleagues have ignored the basic reality that every time
Washington pushes an unfunded mandate onto the backs of small businesses,
operating costs increase and hinder the economys ability to grow, create jobs
and compete in the global economy, said Enzi.
The Senate budget resolution is now ready for a full debate on the
Senate floor. Enzi plans to readdress the amendment during the upcoming floor
debate.
The budget sets limits on total spending under broad categories.
Decisions on specific program funding will be made by authorizing committees of
jurisdiction and the appropriations committees, said Enzi.
SARA NEEDLES NAMED ADMINISTRATOR OF WYOMING CULTURAL RESOURCES
March 19, 2007
CHEYENNE, Wyo. - Governor Dave Freudenthal has appointed Sara Needles as the new
Administrator of the Division of Cultural Resources within the Wyoming
Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources.
Needles, 34, is a Wyoming native, born in Laramie. She attended the
University of Wyoming and earned a degree in Anthro-pology in 1998 and a Masters
of Arts in Anthropology in 2005. After graduating, Needles worked for the
University of Wyoming as an archaeologist for five years before beginning her
employment with the state. She began working for the State Historic Preservation
Office in 2002 and later served as the Deputy State Historic Preservation
Officer for Wyoming for one year. Since November 2005, she has served as State
Historic Preservation Officer.
Needles will oversee and provide direction to the five agencies within the
Division of Cultural Resources: the State Historical Preservation Office, the
Wyoming State Archaeologist, the Wyoming Arts Council, the Wyoming State
Archives and the Wyoming State Museum. As Division Administrator, Needles will
also sit on the board of the Wyoming Cultural Trust Fund, which provides funding
programs to develop and preserve the states cultural heritage. She will also
serve on the Wyoming Historic Mine Trails and Byways Commission, established in
2005 by the late State Sen. Peck.
Throughout my career I have always focused on how cultural
resources can enrich the lives of all people, Needles said. I believe that
experiencing our shared cultural heritage is a privilege every Wyoming citizen
should have. As the SHPO, I had the opportunity to promote the preservation and
interpretation of historic and prehistoric resources. ... I embrace the
opportunity to enhance the publics ability to experience all of Wyomings
cultural treasures through the arts, museums, and historic preservation.
State Parks and Cultural Resources Dir. Simpson Sara has done a fabulous job at
SHPO. She and her capable staff have bolstered faith and trust in the program
and she has earned the respect of a wide array of local, regional and federal
partners, Simpson said.
She will inspire that same respect and bring that same dedication,
even-handed leadership and positive spirit to the larger division she will now
lead. Sara has the wide-ranging cultural interests, passion and devotion to lead
the division into a future in which arts and culture will play an ever expanding
role.
Governor Dave Freudenthal echoed Simpsons sentiments about
Needles capabilities. I cant underscore enough the importance of Wyomings
historic sites and cultural resources, Freudenthal said. These precious assets
need to be cared for by dedicated public stewards like Sara Needles, who I know
will do a fantastic job as the administrator of the division.
With the states historic open spaces and important cultural assets
under more development pressures than ever before, its hard to imagine a time
when Wyoming needs staff with the vision that preserving the past is critically
important to the states future, Freudenthal added.
Sara has the talent and background to help the agency deal with
these demands, Freudenthal said.
GOVERNOR SIGNS MENTAL HEALTH & SUBSTANCE ABUSE APPROPRIATIONS, INTO LAW
WITH RESERVATIONS
March 14, 2007
CHEYENNE, Wyo. - This last week Gov. Dave Freudenthal signed SF76/SEA77- Mental
Health & Substance Abuse Appropriations Act into law. Although the Governor
supports the provisions of the bill, he sent a letter to the Speaker of the
House and the President of the Senate expressing his concerns on the level of
ongoing appropriation.
In general he said he such legislation was long overdue and that
it, authorizes a bold and needed step in bolstering, both in terms of funding
and of program criteria, mental health and substance abuse prevention and
treatment in Wyoming. ...I agree that increased funding for these services is
needed and, in fact, is perhaps past due.
Prevention and treatment of substance abuse and mental illness can help salvage
lives within our families and our communities, and we are wise to focus on early
interventions. He also was encouraged to see that the new law would, support
community efforts to deal with methamphetamine, expand residential treatment
beds including some for women with children and adolescents, and allow better
diagnosis and treatment for mental illness in seniors and very young children.
However, in a separate letter to the legislature, his letter the Governor
charted these reservations and observations:
The funding provided by SEA77/SF76 will for the FY09-10 biennium,
be just over $167 million. This figure includes the FY07-08 standard budget
request, the amount authorized in HEA21/HB 91 and the amount included in this
enrolled act - thats an increase of over 90%.
With this kind of huge increase in spending the Governor wished to
see that the money is spent wisely and effectively: With funding reaching this
level, we must now turn our efforts toward assuring that these dollars will be
used in the most effective way possible. I am encouraged that two additional
pieces of legislation from this session develop a framework by which we can
begin to measure the effectiveness of these services. One of those measures,
HEA56/HB133, establishes procedures to research and analyze shared data to help
judge if we are making significant improvements in the lives of our clients.
The governor also praised another bill that put some teeth in
compliance: I am especially encouraged by the provisions of HEA76/HB74 which
provide a financial penalty for any community-based mental health or substance
abuse provider who does not enter into a written agreement defining performance
standards and outcome measures. We have now created a monetary incentive to
provide accountability and a process to measure whether the money we are
investing in this system is producing the results we are expecting.
The governor concluded for a call to carefully watch dog these
programs to see that they are producing the wished for results that this new
funding should help assure.
FIRST LADY APPLAUDS CALL TO ACTION TO FIGHT UNDERAGE DRINKING
March 12, 2007
WASHINGTON, DC - Wyoming First Lady Nancy Freudenthal this week lauded Acting
Surgeon General Rear Admiral Kenneth P. Moritsugus new Call to Action, calling
it a critically important document that will help states and communities fight
underage drinking and keep children safe.
This is a powerful and welcome tool that can shine a spotlight on this serious
problem that in some way affects all of us, said Freudenthal, who is co-chair
of the Leadership to Keep Children Alcohol Free, a nonpartisan coalition of
governors spouses, federal agencies and public and private organizations
working to prevent use of alcohol by children ages 9 to 15.
Childhood drinking is a contributor to the three leading causes of
death for our children, she said. This new Call to Action offers actions for
all sectors to help stop and prevent this scourge. Spouses and representatives
of Governors from coast to coast will use it in their states and communities.
The Call to Action notes that alcohol is the most widely used
substance of abuse among Americas youth and that adolescence is a time when
the developing brain may be particularly susceptible to long-term negative
effects from alcohol use.
It offers six goals: fostering changes in society; engaging parents
and other caregivers in a coordinated national effort to prevent and reduce
underage drinking; promoting understanding of consumption as well as ethnic,
cultural and gender differences; conducting additional research; improving
public health surveillance.
In releasing the Call to Action, Surgeon General Moritsugu said,
Underage drinking is not inevitable, and schools, parents and other adults are
not powerless to stop it. ... Underage drinking is everybodys problem, and its
solution is everybodys responsibility.
Every day in this country, 7,000 children take their first drink,
added Hawaii Lt. Governor and Leadership Co-Chair James R. (Duke) Aiona, Jr.
Childhood drinking costs our nation a staggering $53 billion a year. But this
is a preventable problem, one we can solve if we devote energy and resources to
the effort.
The group includes 31 spouses and representatives of sitting
governors, and its foundation includes more than a dozen spouses of former
governors. They plan to hold news conferences and town meetings regarding the
Call to Action, offer speeches and write articles on childhood drinking, work
with state and local lawmakers to find effective ways to deny children access to
alcohol, and promote research and treatment programs.
MINI NOTE: More information is available at
www.alcoholfreechildren.org.
ENZI ADVOCATES REAL CHANGE IN CUBA TRAVEL POLICY
March 6, 2007
Washington, D.C. U.S. Sen. Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., said it is time to break down
travel barriers between the Unites States and Cuba. Enzi, with bi-partisan
support from nine other senators, introduced S. 721, the Freedom to Travel to
Cuba Act, today which would allow Americans to travel to Cuba free of the
restrictions now in place.
"If we want to give the Cuban people a taste of the real America,
we need to allow Americans to go there and share it," said Enzi. "Unilateral
sanctions stop not just the flow of goods, but the flow of ideas ideas of
freedom and democracy are the keys to positive change in any nation. If we allow
travel to Cuba, if we increase trade and dialogue, we take away the Cuban
government's ability to blame the hardships of the Cuban people on the United
States. In a very real sense, the more we work to improve the lives of the Cuban
people, the more we will reduce the level and the tone of the rhetoric used
against us by the Cuban government."
The Freedom to Travel to Cuba Act is a continuation of Enzis
efforts to address travel provisions under the current Cuba policy. Enzi says
the long and short of it is that the policy of the last 40 years just hasnt
been working.
Enzi said, in his presentation in Congress: When we stop Cuban-Americans from
bringing financial assistance to their families in Cuba, end the
people-to-people exchanges, and stop the sale of agricultural and medicinal
products to Cuba , we are not hurting the Cuban government we are hurting the
Cuban people. We are further diminishing their faith and trust in the United
States and reducing the strength of the ties that bind the people of our two
countries.
If we allow travel to Cuba, if we increase trade and dialogue, we
take away the Cuban government's ability to blame the hardships of the Cuban
people on the United States . In a very real sense, the more we work to improve
the lives of the Cuban people, the more we will reduce the level and the tone of
the rhetoric used against us by the Cuban government.
It is time for a different policy one that goes further than
embargoes and replaces a restrictive and confusing travel policy with a new one
that will more effectively help us to achieve our goal of sharing democratic
ideas with the people of Cuba.
Cosponsors of the bill include Senators Byron Dorgan D-N.D., Max
Baucus D-Mont., Larry Craig R-Idaho, Patrick Leahy D-Vt., Tom Harkin D-Iowa,
Chuck Hagel R-Neb., Russell Feingold D-Wis., Dianne Feinstein D-Calif., and Jeff
Bingaman D-N.M.
THOMAS HOPES TO STOP TWO HOME LAND SECURITY RECOMMENDATIONS FROM BECOMING LAW
March 5, 2007
WASHINGTON, DC U.S. Senator Craig Thomas yesterday made a statement hoping
certain of the 9/11 recommendations bill presently before the Senate, including
homeland security funding for Wyoming would not be passes as is.
The Senate is currently debating S. 4, the Improving America's Security Act of
2007 or more commonly known as the 9/11 recommendations bill. The bill attempts
to implement among other things the two remaining recommendations from the 9/11
study panel which werent passed during the 109th Congress. Under Republican
leadership last Congress, 37 of the 39 panel recommendations have already been
passed and signed into law.
However, a provision of S. 4 deals with TSA employee collective
bargaining rights, which were not originally part of the panels
recommendations. Senator Thomas believes that the proposed provision is not in
the best interest of national security. It would greatly hinder TSAs
flexibility to respond to terrorist threats, fresh intelligence and other
emergencies because Homeland Security officials would be required to get
approval from unions
for every change in policy or personnel assignments before they deal with
potential threats.
There is also a Homeland Security funding formula change in S. 4
that would strip more funding away from smaller populated states like Wyoming.
Senator Thomas believes that rural states also face risks. By taking away
federal funding for Wyoming and other less populated states, the government is
turning a blind eye to safety of rural America. Senator Thomas is working with
colleagues to ensure the Homeland Security funding formula doesnt rob rural
states to give urban states a greater share. Many urban areas have yet to use
all of their Homeland Security Funding, but have argued in the Senate for a
bigger piece of the pie.
GOVERNOR SIGNS SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET BILL
March 2, 2007
CHEYENNE, Wyo. - Gov. Dave Freudenthal yesterday signed the 2007 supplemental
budget bill into law after striking one footnote, an action that will free $2
million to be spent this biennium on wildlife projects.
The budgets fine. Its OK, Freudenthal said. Im a little
concerned that this budget, taken along with the other bills, particularly the
other spending bills, drifts more towards operating, ongoing expenditures than
the original budget I proposed.
The bill directs an additional $100 million toward roads and highways; $51.25
million more in aid for cities, towns and counties; $33.25 million in added
funding for the Business Ready Communities program; $21 million to establish a
supercomputer center that will be operated by the National Center for
Atmospheric Research; and $20.5 million more for Water Account III, which funds
large-scale water storage projects.
The budget measure provides an additional $17.25 million for the
Wildlife and Natural Resource Trust Account. The Governors line-item veto,
executed after discussions with the co-chairmen of the Joint Appropriations
Committee, allows $2 million to be available for ongoing wildlife enhancement
projects approved by the Wildlife Trust Fund Board.
The $2 million is closer to the intended amount agreed upon by a
House-Senate joint conference committee which brokered a compromise on that
portion of the budget, the Governor said.
The language as it arrived inadvertently limited funding for ongoing projects
to $500,000, Freudenthal said. It was the intent of the committee that it
would be larger than that.
House Bill 1 also redirects $140 million that had been targeted for the
Permanent Mineral Trust Fund.
The bill allocates $3.2 million to bring state employees to the
competitive market average, $3.35 million to help retired state workers with
health insurance premiums, and $4 million to partially fund a 2 percent raise
for all state employees, including college and university workers, on top of a
3.5 percent salary increase authorized in last years standard budget.
The legislation creates a select committee to study local government financing
and authorizes the Water Development Commission to conduct a summit with the
Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho business councils to discuss water storage
and development and hydroelectric power generation issues on the reservation.
WESTERN GOVERNORS APPROVE
FREUDENTHAL RESOLUTION TO PROTECT WILDLIFE
March 1, 2007
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Western Governors Association yesterday approved a
resolution offered by Wyoming Gov Dave Freudenthal seeking greater protection of
wildlife migration corridors and crucial wildlife habitat in the West as oil and
natural gas development accelerates.
Wyoming welcomes the opportunity to help meet the nations energy
needs, but we must continue to balance development with environmental and
wildlife protections, Freudenthal said. This resolution is a first step in
pursuing changes at the congressional level and insisting on active and
effective collaboration between the states and federal land managers.
Freudenthal, the vice chairman of the WGA and chairman of the WGA
Resolutions Committee, offered the resolution during a business meeting of the
association in Washington, D.C. The resolution offers both short- and long-term
approaches to addressing the impacts of energy development on wildlife.
Typically, Resource Management Plans prepared by the U.S. Bureau of
Land Management (BLM), and Forest Management Plans prepared by the U.S. Forest
Service are completed to provide broad-scale land use. Impacts are not evaluated
to provide specific information related to impacts on local wildlife populations
nor are there needed protections for habitat.
The resolution, in part, asks Congress to amend the Energy Policy
Act of 2005 to remove the categorical exclusion for National Environmental
Policy Act reviews for exploration or development of oil and natural gas in
wildlife corridors and crucial wildlife habitat on federal lands. Removal of the
exclusion would allow for appropriate site-specific analysis and conditions of
approval necessary for protecting corridors and habitat.
To ensure that the states concerns in preserving wildlife migration routes and
habitats are met, the Western governors also ask, until Congress amends the
Energy Act, that the secretaries of Interior and Agriculture consider placing a
moratorium on categorical exclusions occurring in crucial habitat or migration
corridors until the BLM can work collaboratively with the states.
Essentially what were asking for is that the federal government
help us protect our wildlife herds, Freudenthal said. But were also asking
industry, environmental groups and others with an interest in Wyomings wildlife
to join us in the effort. With our mixture of private, state and federal lands -
along with our competing interests for use of these lands - it is critical that
we work together to preserve these landscapes while still allowing development
to occur, where appropriate.
According to the Bureau of Land Management, 1,361 permits to drill
were approved under the categorical exclusion (Section 390 of the Energy
Security Act) in an eight-month period ending in September 2006. Wyoming had the
most, 596, followed by New Mexico, 538; Utah, 111; Colorado, 59; California, 37;
18; and Eastern states, 2.
Western states are carrying 99 percent of the burden for these
exemptions. It would be in the best interest of Congress and BLM to work with
these states to protect their wildlife culture, the Western governors believe.
The Western governors have also directed the WGA to seek funding
for the new Wildlife Corridors program from federal agencies and foundations.
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CITY UPGRADES CITY EMPLOYEES POSITIONS TO COVER DEPARTURE OF GRIMM
March 26, 2007
Buffalo, WYO Mayor Andy Anderson announced this week that Jeremy Grimms young
but very capable protg, Colin Betzler, will officially become the new City
Planner today. Betzler will take over a majority of Grimms duties, but will
then share some of the responsibility and work load with Chris Spenser who has
also been promoted to City Project Manager/City Inspector. Anderson noted that
Spenser as been an invaluable employee tripling the income in his department
in one year with good management practices, and even creating a very useful City
Web Site that is becoming more and more of a tool for builders and citizens. Les
Hook was also elevated from Public Works Foreman to Public Works Director and he
will take over and administer many of the large projects on site. Eventually,
Anderson noted, Colin will have an an assistant planner. I mean what would we
have done now if we hadnt had an assistant planner? Anderson went on, I may
be accused of growing government, but then the city is growing. Asked about
Julie Silbernagel who is a CPA, Anderson said her duties will also increase to
cover billing with the large projects. However, Silbernagel was not promoted or
offered a salary increase, as the men were.
COUNCILMAN MIKE BACK IN THE SADDLE
March 26, 2007
Buffalo, WYO This week marked the return of Mike Johnson to Buffalo City
council meetings. He walked in on his own power and then sat in a special chair
for the meeting. Mayor Andy Anderson was happy to have him back. You never know
how much you miss someone until they are not there. Someone may miss a meeting
or two but more than that it really makes a big difference. Its really great
to have Mike back.
FATAL ROLLOVER CRASH KILLS TWO TEENS FROM JOHNSON COUNTY
March 16, 2007
BUFFALO, WYO In a tragic accident early Wednesday morning, two high school
students from Johnson County were killed in a rollover crash on I-25 three miles
north of Kaycee.
The two students, seventeen year old Cody Sullens who was attending
Buffalo High School, and sixteen year old TyLynn Walter who attended Kaycee High
School, both died at the scene of the crash.
The investigating officer, Trooper Longo from the Wyoming State Patrol, said
neither Sullens nor Walter were wearing seatbelts and were thrown far from the
2001 Ford PickUp that Sullens was driving.
In fact, a passing driver who happened onto the accident scene
shortly before 5 am Wednesday morning, in his initial call to 911, said he could
find no one to help at the scene of the accident. The vehicle had flipped over
the median and finally came to rest in the center of the northbound lane of I25.
About three minutes later he called back to 911 to say he had discovered one of
the students, and a few minutes after that he discovered the other body. Both
were dead.
Trooper Longo said that his investigation, though still incomplete,
showed that the driver had over corrected and this had caused the vehicle to hit
the median where it then overturned and rolled at least two times throwing the
victims from the truck.
At this time there is no indication as to what caused the crash
deer or sleep or another agent. Longo said there were no witnesses to the crash
and so they will be looking further into possible causes.
Cody is the son of Jim and Terri Purdy of Buffalo. He was attending
Buffalo High School, but according to Principal Kelly Hornby, was looking to
transfer to Kaycee High School because of his strong rodeo and bull riding
interests. His family lives on their ranch south of Buffalo near Crazy Woman.
Hornby said, Cody was awesome. He was an outdoors kid and hunted and spent his
time outside. He was tender hearted and generous.
TyLynn is the daughter of Erin and Bill Walter of Kaycee. Her passion and
greatest interest was in music -- she was an accomplished violinist. She also
enjoyed rodeo.
Funeral plans have not yet been determined for either of the
victims. Hornsby also said that they are starting to work with the kids at
school on some kind of lasting memorial, but nothing is definitely planned yet.
MINI Note: See the Mini Obits for latest funeral news and visitation
updates.
GAS PRICES IN BUFFALO SUDDENLY JUMP 20 TO 30 CENTS PART OF NATIONAL TREND
March 13, 2007
Buffalo, WYO Gasoline prices rocketed up about 24 cents a gallon over just a
few days last week. The surprise increase was part of a national trend as
stations across the USA scramble to keep up with big jumps in the prices of oil
and wholesale gas.
"It's going to be brutal, horrendous," says Peter Beutel, president
of energy-price tracker Cameron Hanover. He has followed energy markets for
nearly three decades now. The word out is that commodities traders are jumpy
because an unusual number of refineries are shut down for maintenance this
spring, leaving gas production at a slightly lower 89.1 % production capacity.
The national price jump surprise was initiated on Thursday when traders, because
of the diminished supply bumped the price up to as high as $55.05 a barrel. This
increase came despite the governments midweek report that there was an ample gas
supply.
Energy forecasting experts say that a 24-cent jump in the price of
gas would bump unleaded regular to a nationwide average of about $2.55 a gallon,
blowing through last May's record of about $2.06. It could and probably will
go higher as increased warm-weather driving in another two months pushes up
demand, and therefore prices, forecasters say.
Interestingly, in another report issued by the government, their
short-term-energy-price experts think the analysts are overreacting. Oil and
wholesale gas prices have increased a lot, agrees Michael Burdette, senior
analyst at the U.S. Energy Information Administration, but it takes about eight
weeks for those changes to be completely reflected in pump prices. "In the next
eight weeks, (wholesale gas) prices will change, so it's a moving target." At
worst, he sees a dime jump in the near future. Again, the governments
predictions race to catch up with facts in the field.
Prices in Buffalo are still below the national average of $2.55/gal
with a range of $2.34/gal to $2.46/gal. Sheridan is averaging $2.23/gal. and
Gillette is averaging $2.25. In fact, Wyoming has made national news in the last
several says for toping the Nations top ten list of lowest State gasoline
average price at $2.275/gal.
CITY PLANS FOR A FUTURE WITHOUT A CITY PLANNER AT LEAST FOR THE INTERIM
March 9, 2007
BUFFALO, WYO Its official. The City has accepted City Planner Jeremy Grimms
resignation and planning is now underway about how to proceed without a City
Planner for the interim.
Wednesdays special City workshop explored how to go forward from here. The City
Council members were there, Grimm was there with a host of well thought out
suggestions depending on which direction the City would choose to go, and the
four main City employees who would be most affected were there to weigh in with
their own thoughts and suggestions. These included Les Hook in Public Works,
Colin Betzler the Assistant Planner, Chris Spenser the Building Inspector, and
Julie Silbernagel who is a CPA and is presently City Clerk and Treasurer.
Basically, Grim stepped forward with a couple of different
scenarios . The first scenario was to continue on with the present employees,
move around their job responsibilities to cover the void, and wait a few months
to see what is really needed. What the council is trying to figure out is if
Colin Betzler, who has only been on the job 5 months and doesnt yet have the
experience and education that Grimm has, can grow into the job. Betzler made it
clear he would see it as a great opportunity, but he had to be honest and let
the council know he had been approached by people in Sheridan about a job. He
said he had told them for the interim (the next three to six months) he was not
entertaining any other job offers because he was committed to helping Buffalo
through this transition time.
The other Buffalo employees involved all echoed Betzlers viewpoint they would
do whatever it took to help in the transition. Indeed, in what looks to be the
plan for the near future, each one of the four would take over different parts
of the City Planners job to help Colin through the transition. Silbernagel
would take over much of project billing and oversight, which Grimm said was a
huge part of the job; Les Hook would do on-site compliance and review on many of
the on-going projects as he was well qualified to do so; Chris would help with a
lot of the administration duties with the projects; and Colin would keep up on
many of the projects he is currently involved in, as well as the development and
annexation issues.
In fact, Grimm stressed that Betzler is both very capable and
already immersed in much of what he did. He has also been in charge of reviewing
City Code changes, which is central to much of what future development will be
based upon. In addition he has been working closely with the Planning Commission
so there is no loss of continuity there.
Another scenario presented was the idea of immediately putting out
an advertisement for a new City Planner. However, after further discussion the
Council seemed to lean away from that in order to see how the various skills of
present employees played out. Grimm pointed out they may end up getting a new
Building Inspector and moving Chris Spenser into a new supporting position in
Planning. That way, if building slows down in the future, they could hire
someone on a term contract and not incur the extra cost for a position that was
no longer needed fulltime. Though no final decisions were made, it looked like a
wait and see period might be the Councils choice.
CITY HOSTS OPEN HOUSE FOR NEW
BUFFALO DEVELOPMENT PLAN
March 26, 2007
Buffalo, WYO The final open house for the new Buffalo 2007 Comprehensive Plan
was well attended and many of the visitors who came were busy filling out
feedback questionnaires and giving immediate feedback to Mayor Andy Anderson and
newly appointed City Planner, Colin Betzler.
Dolly Iberlin thought it was great so much thoughtful planning was
going on. The only thing she would like to see is protect the two blocks of
historic houses on either side of Main Street in the Historic District. Bob and
Sue Wagner said they love the idea of having signs demarcating the downtown area
and Buffalo, but itwould be nice not to put them up by junkyards and houses
that are falling down. Theyve got to do something about those places even if
they have to get together with the County to do something about it. Bob also
added that it would be a good idea of the City to create maps of these new
subdivisions as no body knows what they are talking about. They could keep them
down at the City Hall and we could come down and buy them. But we go to these
meetings and we dont know what they are talking about.
Asked what she thought after looking over the presentation, Karen
Fergusson said, Housing, housing, housing How can you keep employees if you
dont have affordable housing or keep the City going?
Betzler said this is the last open house for the citizens of
Buffalo to review the plan. Then their suggestions will go back to the City
Planners Office, the consultants and the Planning Steering Committee to be
incorporated into the final document. After that it will be presented to the
City Council for approval. Upon final approval the city will have its first
planning guideline in many years to follow.
Betzler said it will be great to have a new City Comprehensive Plan
to follow for all their development issues for the next several years. About his
new job, Betzler smiled broadly and said he was pleasantly surprised and very
happy.
BE THE NEXT EDISON TIME FOR WYOMINGITES TO SIGN UP FOR
ENZIS INVENTOR CONFERENCE
March 15, 2007
Washington, D.C. U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., this past week invited all
Wyoming residents to attend his annual inventors conference. There they will
have the opportunity to learn how to turn their entrepreneurial dreams into a
reality and pursue an actual business venture.
The conference, "From Your Garage to the Assembly Line," is
scheduled for April 2 at the Rock Springs Holiday Inn. It is open to the public
and admission is free.
"This event is becoming a powerful tradition across the state and
is enabling Wyoming citizens to take their innovative ideas to the next level,"
Enzi said. "The creativity and imagination is already there, but people need an
avenue they can use to expand upon their ideas.
This inventors conference will do exactly that. We are equipping
the people with the tools they need to put their ideas into action, create new
products, and create new jobs in Wyoming." Enzi will be in attendance, as well
as other guest leaders and inventors who will be sharing their knowledge and
expertise about how to protect ideas, set up small businesses, and market
inventions. Those who attend can expect to gain valuable information from
presentations such as:
"Ideas to Dollars: Making Inventions Pay",
"Demystifying the Business Plan", and the
"Basics of Patent Searching."
The keynote speaker, Dr. Forrest Bird, is known for the first
universal mass-produced medical respirator known as the Bird Mark 7 Respirator,
which still remains in world-wide service. Dr. Birds BABYbird, first
introduced in 1969, reduced infant mortality for those with respiratory problems
from 70 percent to less than 10 percent within several years.
This conference, sponsored by Enzi every year, is a great
opportunity. Wyomingites are encouraged to sign up now and take advantage of
this beneficial resource while they can. Everyone is welcome to attend,
regardless of your background or experience. Whether you are a new inventor or
run your own manufacturing company, this conference will help you to reach your
full potential and continue to encourage the growth of Wyomings economy," said
Enzi.
MINI NOTE: Those who need more information or want to register now
can contact Enzis Gillette office by phone at (307) 682-6268 or by emailing
robin_bailey@enzi.senate.gov.
Buffalo City Planner Moving On &
Making Plans for Transition
March 8, 2007
Buffalo, WYO Buffalo City Planner, Jeremy Grimm officially announced his
resignation at the City Council meeting Tuesday night. There was a brief
discussion about tabling acceptance of his resignation until the next meeting on
the 20th. Councilman Russ Humphrey wanted to explore further what legal options
the City had to compel Grimm to fulfill his contract to July 2008.
However, Councilman Mike Johnson said they had already conferred with legal
council and there was nothing in the contract to compel Grimm to stay no loss
of pay or damage clauses. Therefore, Johnson said the council should accept the
resignation. Humphreys motion did not pass, and was followed by a successful
motion to accept Grimms resignation as of the 23rd of March.
Mayor Andy Anderson then thanked Grimm for all his hard work and
incredible energy, and Councilman Skip Hancock quickly threw in, and if you
want to work on beyond the 23rd we ACCEPT! City Planner Grimm just smiled, but
he also thanked the Council for the great opportunity and experience he had
working for Buffalo.
The discussion that followed was how best to transition with the 28
million dollars of City projects currently on the table. Grimms suggestion for
the future of his job is to split the job up into a City Projects Manager and a
Planning Manager. He says there is enough work to do this. He said his young
protg, Colin Betzler, is well versed in the planning end of things, very
bright and a very good spokesman.
Grimm also suggested that a City Manager or Administrator position
be created to oversee the day to day operations of City Hall. He thinks it would
also help to remove a lot of the pendulum shift and provide consistency in
transition from one group of elected officials to another. Finally, Grimm
stressed the City was fortune to have a thoughtful, calm Mayor with the ability
to take on the issues ahead of them.
Last fall after Grimm resigned the Council won him back with a
significant pay raise and an assistant to help with the heavy work load. No such
luck this time, Grimm said he is moving on to Sand Point, Idaho where there is a
job he will start in April that better meets his personal and professional
goals.
Councilman Mike Update
March 8, 2007
Buffalo, WYO Hes still at the hospital here and cant go home until he can
walk, but hes doing much better. Last week after 36 straight days in bed he was
up and starting more rigorous therapy.
Mike is anxious to get home as soon as possible and getting more
involved with his City Council duties now that he has much more energy. In fact,
at his home they are moving furniture around and preparing for his move back
there. For the near future, he will have to live all on one floor so his bed etc
is being moved downstairs and other improvements are being made to help him get
around.
As for the City Council letter a couple weeks back, that has been
straightened out and hes been at the last two meetings via teleconferencing.
His voice is now being heard loud and clear again at City Concil meetings.
JC PUBLIC LIBRARY TO HOST LOCAL
AUTHOR AND BOOK SIGNING EVENT
March 6, 2007
Buffalo, WYO Award winning Johnson County author Craig Johnson will preview
his newest Wyoming-based mystery novel Kindness Goes Unpunished at the JC
Library this Saturday.
The public is welcome to attend the event at JC Public Library on
March 10th, starting at 6:30 pm for an evening while award winning author, Craig
Johnson previews his latest book Kindness Goes Unpunished. With two previous
best selling titles, his newest book is already receiving rave reviews.
Craig Johnsons books are set right here in Wyoming with heart-pounding
mysteries woven throughout. Many claim they can recognize local characters in
his novels. Johnsons latest effort is another mystery that is fast paced with
engaging Wyoming characters. A resident of Ucross (just this side of the Johnson
County line), Craig Johnson continues to make a name for himself throughout the
literary world.
This free event is sponsored by the Friends of the Johnson County
Library. They invite everyone to come and enjoy desserts, compliments of the JC
Friends of the Library. Free will donations and 10% of book sales that evening
will be used to purchase craft materials for the librarys 2007 summer reading
program.
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