House District 47

Bob Davis ®

Po Box 369

Baggs, WY 82321

(307) 380-6457

[email protected]

Q: The Wyoming Legislature raised eyebrows in the last legislative session when a number of interim committee bills failed the vote for introduction. Do you believe that interim committee bills must be considered for discussion? Why or why not?

1. I believe committee bills should be introduced because of the research and time the state invested in the topics.

A list of interim topics is ranked by the legislatures at the end of each legislative session. Those findings are turned over to management council to be ranked which determine which topics warrant further consideration. The topics are then handed out to their respective committee where they are considered by the committee.

These topics may receive up to 3 different hearings by the Joint House and Senate committee members. This is where public and committee testimony is heard. The topic if warranted is then put into bill form that can be introduced to the legislature.

Q: Over the past few years, Wyoming residents have asked for property tax relief with some bills having passed the legislature and the governor’s desk. What more do you think needs to be done for property tax relief?

1. I believe that the property tax cap on property valuations helps but it is not the solution to property taxes. We need to look at the formula that determines fair market value and how we can adjust it. We need to also look at our current tax structure and how to update it to meet the growing cost of services that are dependent on its revenue. This November the voters will have a chance to vote on a constitutional change to add a 3, d property tax classification.

I believe we can look at the formulas that distribute revenue from the states permanent savings and investment accounts and redirect a portion to backfill the pending short falls in the budget.

Q: Recently, Wyoming has seen an increase in diverse energy projects including wind energy, solar energy, hydroelectric energy and plans to reopen the uranium mines in Medicine Bow. What do you believe is the best energy approach for Wyoming?

1. I believe that the green energy movement is not the answer, but it may play a small part of the solution in the future. The war on fossil fuels and the rules and regulations coming from the current administration seem to be a relentless assault on Wyoming. We need to evaluate energy alternatives that can work for the people of Wyoming.

The future of uranium and rare earth minerals also come with federal oversight that may delay the progress into the marketplace.

I believe the State of Wyoming is pushing back against the federal overreach on rules and regulations. The state is making some progress in this uphill battle. We need to get back to the intent of what the law says, not what an agency interpretation of what they want it to say.

Q: House District 47 is one of the largest districts in Wyoming. How do you plan to listen to the voices of your constituents in the many communities within this district?

48. House District 47 is the largest house district in the lower 48. I read the local newspapers and articles to understand the many issues facing my voters. I visit with the other elected officials in the district. I also travel to local events and meetings where I can talk with people and listen to their concerns.

Q: What issues facing House District 47 made you decide to run for office?

1. The things about House District 47 that unite us all are property tax issues, water issues and the overreach of the current administration on the State of Wyoming. I want to fight to protect these valuable resources in HD 47 so that our children and generations to come will be able to enjoy the freedoms and opportunities that Wyoming has to offer.

James A Wilson (D)

50reliance Rd Lot 112

Rock Springs, WY 82901

(307) 371-4469

[email protected]

Q: The Wyoming Legislature raised eyebrows in the last legislative session when a number of interim committee bills failed the vote for introduction. Do you believe that interim committee bills must be considered for discussion? Why or why not?

1. Yes - if you are going to spend money on committees you should at least consider their work.

Q: Over the past few years, Wyoming residents have asked for property tax relief with some bills having passed the legislature and the governor’s desk. What more do you think needs to be done for property tax relief?

1. Property taxes here are comparatively cheap to other states unless you own a 10 million dollar summer cabin. What we really need to look at is our vehicle registration fees. For most families in Wyoming this becomes an undue burden without doing anything to repair our roads or upgrade our transportation systems.

As far as raising tax revenues we must look to diversifying our economy with sustainable jobs such as manufacturing. With our access to rail transportation and the interstate corridors this should be an ideal for corporations to build. We also are not capitalizing on our ecotourism and we also need to look to sources such as legalization of recreational marijuana as we are surrounded by states that have legalized with limited adverse effects and a reduction in opioid use. There are other methods of raising revenue that bears a longer discussion.

Q: Recently, Wyoming has seen an increase in diverse energy projects including wind energy, solar energy, hydroelectric energy and plans to reopen the uranium mines in Medicine Bow. What do you believe is the best energy approach for Wyoming?

1. All of the above. The most efficient with the least harmful effects will rise to the top.

Q: House District 47 is one of the largest districts in Wyoming. How do you plan to listen to the voices of your constituents in the many communities within this district?

1. I would like to do old guy coffee clubs with all of the communities within my district to ask my constituents what they need and also what they want. If the community doesn't have a coffee shop I can bring one.

Q: What issues facing House District 47 made you decide to run for office?

1. The continued push for legislating on national issues without addressing the needs we have right here and now such as internet access with fiber running through most communities in my district but no access to it. Roads in severe need of repair with no solution in sight and another boom on the horizon.