Open to growth opportunities while maintaining respect for existing neighbors

Seeks expert advice on long term consequences to water, wildlife, and environment

Is able to provide transparency by speaking about the various interests and factors under scrutiny 

Listens with an open mind

Seeks factual information

Knows the world is not black and white

Thinks for themselves

Chooses problem solving over virtue signaling 

Remembers the people who are too busy working to come to the meeting

The boom in data center construction nationwide reminds us of the proper role of  government. Without thoughtful planning and zoning, without regard for resource management, environmental protection, and the health and well-being of residents, data centers are earning a reputation as terrible neighbors.

Data centers must not be built close to homes. The permitting process must be as transparent as possible, allowing time for public notification, impact studies, and public comment. Particularly when living through a drought, people rightly want to know how a large facility will affect the local water supply. Living with inflation, people want to know how adding a large consumer of natural gas or electricity will affect their utility rates. What about pollution? What about noise, particularly low frequency noise, how far does it travel? What carefully written regulations would protect residents, while also helping developers with their planning and design by clearly communicating  non-negotiable limits?

A well planned, properly sited data center can bring economic activity, construction jobs, and long-term maintenance jobs. Developers of large projects  who understand the importance of establishing safe working conditions, fair and consistent wages for well-defined crafts, and procedures for addressing disputes and grievances at the outset are able to minimize disruptions and misunderstandings, keeping the project on schedule and minimizing cost overruns. Building man camps brings many questions and concerns from nearby residents. Hiring qualified local contractors and craftspeople, even if the size of the project requires some travelers to help man the job, goes a long way in maintaining goodwill in the community,  ensuring that local residents share in the economic benefits.

Government must work for the people. If a project is likely to damage the community, a representative government says no. Well written regulations can actually speed up economic development by communicating information about the feasibility of a project before money and time is spent on planning for an unsuitable location.  

Wyoming residents will see a ballot initiative called the People's Initiative to Limit Property Tax in Wyoming in November 2026. The initiative would create a 50% exemption for property used as a primary residence, as long as the claimant has resided there for at least a year, and must live there for at least six months of the tax year.   A reason cited for the initiative was the rapid rise in property values  in the state after the pandemic. Some residents, understandably, do not wish to sell their property  in order to cash in on the increased value, preferring to remain in their homes. Exemptions for seniors have already been enacted, as well as a 25% exemption for the first $1 million. 

For many, income is not rising at the same rate as expenses. Wyoming ranks #28 for median household income, which has remained pretty flat for most households at around $75,000, even decreasing, between 2010 and 2023. https://www.neilsberg.com/insights/wyoming-median-household-income/ The top 5% mean household income in WY is over $417,000. That is a big difference. Once basic expenses are met, it is possible to invest. Because of compounding interest, the larger the investment, the faster it grows. This is good news for high income earners, but not at all helpful for people who have to spend all their income in order to live.

Wyoming is known as a low tax state. Wyoming ranks #1 overall on  the Tax Foundation 2026 State Tax Competitiveness Index. https://taxfoundation.org/statetaxindex/states/wyoming/  Unfortunately, our state is also ranked highly, at #11 most regressive tax system. https://itep.org/wyoming-who-pays-7th-edition/ That means lower income residents pay a higher percentage of their income in state taxes than high income residents pay. Sales tax is an example of  a regressive tax because everyone pays the same percentage on goods regardless of their income.

On the upcoming ballot measure, there is no cap on the value of property to be exempted. https://sos.wyo.gov/Elections/Docs/Peoples_Initiative_to_Limit_Property_Tax_in_Wyoming-Homeowners.pdf That means someone who lives in a $15 million mansion will keep a lot of money in their pocket that is currently helping to fund education, first responders, and senior services in our communities. Someone who lives in a modest house will save a little bit of money, which may be sorely needed, but that person is also more likely to be negatively affected by cuts to basic community services.

I oppose the (Rich) People's Ballot Initiative. I oppose reducing community services in order to give already wealthy people more money.  The lawmakers in Cheyenne  who support this initiative like to talk about cutting budgets, but fail to account for inflation. They fail to specify, or even ask, which services citizens don't want anymore. I supported the exemption for seniors. If carve outs were carefully crafted to help people who need it, I might support them.  I cannot support this reverse Robin Hood initiative, taking resources away from communities to give to our wealthiest residents.