08/06/2008 Wyoming Democratic Party Daily News Roundup
-
Aug 12, 2008 Posted by Lauri Elbing
I am still trying to identify people to sign Letters-to-the-Editor as we enter the general election.
Two people have responded thus far, but we need many more from every county to step forward.
Can I count on your help to volunteer or identify volunteers?
The news is filled with coverage on Monday’s Primary Debate, Wyoming schools’ poor showing on the No Child Left Behind test, conservation, health and energy issues.
As you read these articles and go through your day think about the top issues on people’s minds:
· job and financial security now through retirement,
· access to affordable health care,
· a sound education for our children, and
· quality of life now and for future generations of Wyomingites.
All politics are local…but politics are also very personal.
Real lives and livelihoods at stake.
These issues tie directly into a person’s wallet and to their free time.
People crave practical answers to very real challenges from aspiring and elected officials.
This is the year for Wyoming Democrats and we’ll have an outstanding slate regardless of the primary outcomes…our team and our message is that good!
So, put on your most comfortable shoes and be ready August 20th …two weeks from today…to hit the ground running in unity behind our candidates.
For August 6, 2008
***Power shift unlikely in Wyo Legislature
Neither political party predicts a change this fall in the balance of power in the Wyoming Legislature, long a bastion of Republican dominance. But leaders on both sides say they expect Democrats may gain a few seats as a result of their increasing ability to field candidates. This is just a start. Keep your eyes on the 2010 census and redistricting. If we can hit the right cord and maintain the momentum….maybe we can have greater influence on the redistricting maps. Wyoming has seen much growth. (# see redistricting explanation below.)
Democratic Senate hopefuls debate credentials
A debate Monday night between Democratic hopefuls for the U.S. Senate covered topics ranging from the candidates' party credentials to a national energy policy and campaign spending.
HD7 Republicans disagree on health care
The Republican candidates for House District 7 in Cheyenne, Bryan Pedersen and Jeff Matthews, have similar views on many top state issues, but they differ on how to improve health care in Wyoming.
BLM leases are in 'core' sage grouse areas
The state's plan to protect sage grouse and its habitat in Wyoming includes a map of "core" areas where energy developers, agriculture and other users may face special stipulations from state agencies.
Wildlife, energy advocates reach accord about sage grouse
Landowners and wildlife conservationists gave up large swaths of habitat they considered important to sage grouse, particularly in the Powder River Basin.
Ranchers learn pieces to range management to keep grazing, sage grouse going
It's because of Pete Garrett's family and livelihood that he cares about the sage grouse.
***Republican house candidates dislike mandatory cap and trade
Three of the four Republican candidates for Congress support mitigation of the greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, but not through mandatory-cap-and-trade measures. The America's Climate Security Act of 2007, which is also known as the Warner-Lieberman bill, died on the floor of the Senate in June. It would have created a system of mandatory caps on emissions of greenhouse gases, which the overwhelming majority of scientists say is warming the earth with dire consequences.
WTE Endorsements: In Our Opinion: Council Ward 2 recommendations
In the race for Cheyenne City Council Ward 2, soon-to-be-former Mayor Jack Spiker and veteran Councilman Patrick Collins both have proven their desire to create a progressive community that is well prepared to meet the future.
PAWS results show writing weaknesses
Among other 2008 results, third- and sixth-graders did the best in math.
Eight Cheyenne schools did not meet academic goals in 2008 that are required by the federal No Child Left Behind law. About 75 percent of schools statewide achieved the goal. But 87 schools and four school districts -- including Laramie County School District 1 -- failed to make adequate yearly progress.
Power Shift Unlikely in Wyoming Legislature
Neither political party predicts this fall's elections will result in a change in the balance of power in the Wyoming Legislature.
Freudenthal Reacts to Standardized Test Results
Governor Dave Freudenthal says the latest standardized testing results show that money is not the only ingredient necessary for success.
Students Need Improvement In Writing
Just over half of Wyoming's third- through eighth-graders scored well in state reading, writing and math exams.
***Many Schools Fail to Meet Federal Standards
Eighty-seven Wyoming schools have failed to meet the standards set by the federal No Child Left Behind Act.
Rising Costs Will Mean Budget Adjustment
Governor Dave Freudenthal says rising food and fuel costs will force the state to adjust budgets for many departments.
Democrats Support Aspects Of Nuclear
Democrats vying for the right to challenge Senator John Barrasso in November say they support nuclear power as part of the solution to America's energy needs. Keith Goodenough and Nick Carter addressed the issue in a debate.
Republicans Debate Immigration
[Monday] night Republicans competing for Wyoming's seat in the House of Representatives laid out their positions on the lack of temporary workers in Wyoming. During a debate in Riverton broadcast on Wyoming Public Radio and Public T-V, candidate Cynthia Lummis gave her stance on immigration.
House Republicans Are Pro Energy Development
During a debate [Monday] night among the Republicans running for Wyoming's seat in the House of Representatives... all the candidates agreed that the nation should allow more domestic drilling.
Brouhaha at City Hall spills over
The simmering tension at the Gillette City Council erupted Monday night during a tense standoff between Mayor Duane Evenson and the rest of the council.
City Council candidates talk about utility costs
The number of candidates for City Council will be narrowed to two for each ward in the primary election. Those candidates will move on to the Nov. 4 election.
Town nixes extra penny
A tie vote by the Jackson Town Council on Monday has temporarily killed a proposal to ask voters to approve an additional cent of sales tax, but the issue may resurface in coming weeks.Several thoughts on political campaigns: By Bert Raynes, Jackson Hole, Wyo.
With your indulgence, dear reader, here are a couple of entries found in Curmudgeon Chronicles. Written 10 years ago, so substitute a few names here and there to update: Keeping up appearances.
It was not the clash of the titans that some might have hoped. In advance of their party's August 19 primary, Republican congressional frontrunners Cynthia Lummis and Mark Gordon met for a televised debate Monday, their first real opportunity to define differences and make a case for their electability. Although neither committed a major gaffe, both failed to score a decisive hit in an apparently tight race to be the Republican to face off against Democrat Gary Trauner in November.
Republican candidates for Congress participated in a Q/A forum on farm policy at a recent forum hosted by the Laramie County Farm Bureau.
While there may be more Democrat seats filling in the Wyoming legislature, neither party predicts a power shift this fall.
***Governor, Legislators Visit Kirby Creek
This is a great success story that demonstrates private-public collaboration on an extensive effort to restore a Big Horn Basin stream to its historic channel and is funded in part by the Wyoming Wildlife and Natural Resource Trust. It stands as a template for the practical implementation of sound public policy that improves and enhances working relationships between land owners, habitat managers and all levels of government working as a team. Communication, consultation and collaboration in the service of conservation works for everyone.
City Council Candidates Go Head-to-Head; Deep Field in Ward 1
Chris Jose Reports: Cheyenne City Council candidates square off in a forum at city hall.### Look forward to 2010, building and maintaining the base is critical.
“The 2002 Wyoming Legislature conducted the state's first legislative redistricting with little fanfare. Ten years earlier, Wyoming citizens for the first time elected state legislators from districts, after a lawsuit invalidated the former system of electing legislators at-large by county. Legislative districts must contain approximately the same number of people, to ensure equality of representation. Legislative district boundaries are redrawn every ten years, after the federal census, to reflect population changes. The 2002 Legislature retained the legislative districting system created in 1992. The system is built on 30 single-member Senate districts. Each Senate district is then divided to form two single-member House districts, creating a 60-member House of Representatives. Under this system, every Wyoming citizen has one Representative and one Senator in the Legislature to hold directly accountable. The 2002 Legislature adjusted district boundaries mainly in the western part of the state, which saw population growth in the Jackson area and population losses around Rock Springs and Green River. Redistricting also moved toward restoring much of the Wind River Indian Reservation to a single district, instead of splitting it between several districts as it was under the 1992 plan.” From http://www.equalitystate.org/lapbook/background04/reapportionment.html