Christensen for Senate - Wyoming Issues

WYOMING ISSUES

The most important issue facing Senate District 17 and this region.
Job Creation / Economy
A down tourism economy and down construction economy has seriously hurt families and people in Senate District 17. As I go door to door to talk with folks about the economy and hear from people who have 3 jobs, or no jobs -- it is heartbreaking. It is also inspiring, because I will fight for families who want to work and need the chance. I have a proven history of supporting small business, the backbone of our economy. In Wyoming, we must work to “value add” to our state, support the Wyoming Business Council, and create a business friendly environment. We can create jobs, create economic diversity and ensure a stronger future. I strongly support an enhanced tourism focus to make sure that our tourism industry is stellar. Thousands of people benefit from tourism as small business owners, employees and families. We must be proactive to keep tourism healthy and vibrant for the next 5, 10, 15 years into a strong future.

State budget
In Wyoming responsibility is not just a phrase -- it is a way of life. Wyoming balances its budget and we have an active ethic of living within our means. Families, individuals, public employees, elected officials and the media - all of us take responsibility to heart. And I hope to help it to continue to live within its means in these challenging times.

Fiscal Responsibility
We need a review of priorities. Can we tighten a little more on travel and help in savings through attrition? Can we streamline and consolidate some services? As a County Commissioner I helped lead in cutting back. Painful, but needed because fiscal responsibility and accountability are demanded -- and are equally important on the state level. I'm tough on spending and have a strong stance that we must live within our means -- especially in the face of declining state revenues. Fiscal health is vital to weather the fiscal storms.

Public schools
Nothing is more important to our future than the best education for Wyoming School Kids. It is a great concern for all involved -- parents, students, educators, policy makers, and taxpayers -- that our education be the best possible for the dollars invested. My wife is an educator. I know how hard educators, administrators and local leaders throughout this state work to give the best future to Wyoming youth. We have increased our spending for education and need to reevaluate our testing methods to ensure our children are benefiting from those dollars. In addition, I will protect excellent programs like the Hathaway Scholarships and also community college education so that higher educational opportunities are accessible to Wyoming people of all ages. Supporting education is one of my top priorities.

Transportation issues
Should we place a toll on Interstate 80 or increase the fuel tax to raise money for highway repairs and maintenance?
We clearly need extensive examination of what is the best for Wyoming with regard to Interstate 80. Solutions that are practical and real are key to Wyoming transportation issues. For instance, I support an idea with a lot of promise to be a win-win initiative, to use compressed natural gas transportation fuel in stations along Interstate 80. The Joint Minerals Committee has discussed this natural gas transportation fuel system. It can reduce emissions and at the same time expand use of Wyoming's vast natural gas resources. Utah has invested money into their system with some success. More than sixty percent of the traffic on Wyoming interstates are big trucks. So big rig transportation using natural gas is something we should and can do as a state -- good for the State, good for the air and good for jobs.

Wind energy tax and eminent domain issues
Our renewable resources offer great promise for the future. Wind, solar, and biomass are important, as are coal, gas, and oil. I support the approved wind energy tax that will be phased in. On the issue of related eminent domain, private business must use collaboration and negotiation first.

State Lands
I'm a vigilant protector of public lands -- and that includes state school sections where many people value the open space, the recreation and sportsmen opportunities. We face a challenge with multiple school sections and we need to have an active plan to protect the land while still recognizing the state mandate. As someone who has broad connections and credibility through the conservation, land trust and state communities, I will be at the table to make sure our Senate District’s view is more than heard -- it is protected.

Health Care
Lowering the cost of health insurance helps small business create jobs. I will work hard to find common sense solutions to bring insurance costs down and raise the quality and accessibility of care in Wyoming. I support HB128 that directs the Insurance Commissioner to work with other states to form a team to establish rules of reciprocity for the approval of comprehensive individual medical and surgical health insurance policies. I believe this legislation will help lower health insurance costs and increase availability for Wyoming citizens.

Efficient energy use by the general public
Anything that saves a community money is a good thing. Market-based efforts work. Look at the energy efficient appliance incentives. Energy efficiency is attractive to the general population and we need to educate and encourage more. People will widely embrace it -- if we can help make it easily accessible. Wyoming has an energy efficient appliance program, but more people need to know about it. I strongly believe that energy conservation is a proven effort that can make an enormous difference.

Wildlife and Wild land conservation
I was involved as an original partner and supporter of the Snake Headwaters Wild and Scenic River Designation - a huge step forward for conservation and water protection. Protecting one of Wyoming's key river systems is important for conservation and partnering with business and tourism. As budgets allow, I strongly support funding the Wildlife Trust Fund and Game and Fish funding. I have long supported land trusts. I want real solutions for disease management, which has such a big impact on wildlife. These are issues that are statewide concerns and we must come together for solutions.

Climate change
Climate change impacts our state in exactly the same way it impacts every other state or country that uses energy. The bottom line for me is less about what I believe vs. what you believe regarding climate change, and more about finding solutions that work for an energy producing state in a world that has largely begun taking action to reduce energy use impacts and create more efficiencies. As far as policies, I support the approach that encourages continual use of our current energy sources as we work double time to develop more renewable and better transportation to market. Supporting the school of energy resources at the University of Wyoming is important for our future. Support of wind, geothermal, biomass -- and clean coal - must continue. In this economic climate, we must get innovative in new energy development and in energy efficiency and conservation.

Property Tax Reform
Today we use a “comparable” system, limiting our options. We should examine and weigh a “fair market” model, reduce property tax, or exempt a portion of primary residence home tax and other reasonable models. In my years as a County Commissioner I continually challenged our budget, and successfully encouraged my fellow commissioners resist raising the overall mill levy, all the while keeping in focus government’s core responsibilities.

State Income Tax
Wyoming has the resources necessary to conduct its business. It has not been many years since the food tax was retired, providing welcome relief to the citizens.

Workforce Development Training Fund (Department of Workforce Services)
Our current funding levels seem to be working. In our region we have had great success with partnerships such as CWC and local business working together to build skills that match market demand. An example of that is our local hospitality industry.

Town/County Consolidation
As a County Commissioner I have already supported and worked with a number of town and county agencies that have combined services, increasing effectiveness and efficiency.

Immigration
With a career in local law enforcement I believe that we have the tools needed through federal legislation to work with immigration issues. The best government is at the local level and our law enforcement agencies have the laws they need for our community’s safety and security.

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