Protect Wyoming Workers - NC Dems and the Message of Equality

Natrona County specific voting history from 2011 session

2012-02-14T22:13:00.004-07:00

With the beginning of the legislative session, we, the Citizens of Natrona County must take the time to review the 2011 voting records of our representatives so that we can be sure to hold them accountable (Included legislators: Brechtel, Gay, Jennings, Kroeker, Landen, Perkins, Scott, Shepperson, Stubsen, voting record). Please review and comment.

Representative Bob Brechtel (HD-38)

1. Voted AGAINST a Child Protection Shelter Care bill. (HB-28) and (SF-138) a child custody bill.

2. He voted AGAINST a DUI bill that would make it tougher to drunk drivers to elude prosecution. (HB-29)

3. Voted AGAINST (HB-34), a sales tax distribution bill that would have returned more funds to Natrona County and Casper WITHOUT raising taxes.

4. He vote against (HB-49), a bill to help establish rural and community health care centers.

5. He was 1 of 6 to vote against (HB-50), a STATE health care bill that will increase competition, and choice, and reduce health insurance premiums in Wyoming.

6. He was 1 of 4 Representatives to initially vote AGAINST (HB-62), a bill to add new synthetic drugs to the list of banned substances and to protect our children from these new synthetic drug choices. He also voted against the spice drug bill (SF-59).

7. He was THE ONLY Wyoming Representative to vote AGAINST (HB-68), the violent felony bill. This bill defined TERRORIST THREATS as a violent felony.

8. He was 1 of 4 Representative to initially vote AGAINST (HB-92), the electronic impersonation bill – a bill that related to identity theft.

9. Rep. Brechtel was 1 of 4 Representatives to vote AGAINST (HB-103), a bill that would increase the incentive for our Wyoming children to become medical professionals and to practice in Wyoming.

10. Rep. Brechtel vote IN FAVOR of (HB-131), a bill to allow employers to force waiters and waitresses to share their tips with dishwashers and cooks. the tip sharing bill.

11. Rep. Brechtel co-sponsored a bill to repeal the state minimum wage. In some Wyoming jobs, workers don’t fall under the federal minimum wage standards. Rep. Brechtel voted to remove the state minimum wage and open some jobs to no minimum wage. (HB-184)

12. Rep. Brechtel voted AGAINST a bill that would have penalized landlords for not returning rent deposits in a timely manner. Rep. Brechtel thinks it is okay for landlords to withhold YOUR MONEY from you. (HB-210)

13. Rep. Brechtel voted against a bill that increased the buffer zone around funerals. There are groups protesting funerals of our returning veterans, and Rep. Brechtel voted against a bill that would help keep these funerals personal and private and from becoming a politicized event. (HB-248)

14. Rep. Brechtel voted against a bill that would have allowed victims of domestic violence to more easily locate to a safer environment (HB-256).

15. Rep. Brechtel voted against a bill that increased and improved the resources available to our seniors and people with disabilities. (SF-25)

15. Rep. Brechtel voted AGAINST a bill to requires the Wyoming Superintendent of Schools to establish procedures for the seclusion and restraint of children. This bill was introduced after a school student was duct taped to a chair.

16. Rep. Brechtel voted against a poaching bill (SF-85) which increased the penalty for repeated poaching violations.

17. Rep. Brechtel voted AGAINST (SF-132), the bill that recognizes strangulation of a family member as a violent felony.

18. Rep. Brechtel voted to remove the maximum ATM fee that banks can charge (SF-108).

19. Voted against a battery against a family member (HB-21). This bill modified the punishment for subsequent convictions of the same offense.

20. He voted against a sex offender registration bill (HB-23).

21. He voted against the pioneer license bill – he was the ONLY member of the HOUSE to vote AGAINST this bill that recognized our pioneers!

22. Voted against an open government bill – public records. 1 of only 6 House members to vote against the bill (HB-121).

23. Voted against increasing the fine for misdemeanors. (HB-216).

24. HB 218 – Voted against a bill that would prevent someone from collecting on civil claims when they are the ones committing a crime.

Brechel sponsored the following bills: (None Became Law 0/4)

HB-118 -- Abortion

HB-251 -- Abortion

HB-148 -- Assisted Suicide Ban

HB-035 -- Health Care Choice & Protection

Brechtel co-sponsored the following bills: (4 of 19 passed)

HB-164 Sexual Assault Victim Advocate

HB-080 Service of Process in family violence & stalking (became law)

HB-199 Emminent Domain – lands possessed by the federal government

HB-74 Validity of Marriage

HB-213 Medical liability/Noneconomic Damages

HB-100 Game & Fish – land acquisition (became law)

HB-227 Constitution Instruction/Education

HB-184 Minimum Wage Repeal

HB-222 Recreational Consideration for Public Land Exchange

HB-129 Nuclear Energy Production Study

HB-065 Marital Counseling

HB-0207 Protection of activities in private vehicles

SF-086 Ag Fuel Tax Exemption

SF-095 Legislative Committee Membership (passed)

SF-125 Health Care Facilities Crisis Management (Financial Crisis)

SF-141 Constitution Instruction for Officials

SJ-002 Health Care Freedom Constitutional Amendment (passed)

SJ-004 Constitutional Instruction for Officials (Constitutional Amendment)

SJ-005 Defense of Marriage Constitutional Amendment

Possible Letter to Editor Regarding

Representative Brechtel -- Too Soft on Crime for Wyoming

Did you know Rep. Robert Brechtel provided the lone House vote AGAINST recognizing terrorist threats as a violent felony? This bill elevates acts of terrorism to violent felony status, and Representative Brechtel was the only member of the Wyoming House of Representatives to oppose this law.

Did you know he voted against a tougher sex offender registration bill, ….

He also voted against two drug bills (HB-62 & SF-59) that identify specific methamphetamines precursors, synthetic and spice drugs as controlled substances.

He voted against a bill that makes intentional strangulation/suffocation of a family member a felony offense. Also, he voted against a bill to address excessive restraint of children in our schools. And he voted AGAINST a bill that was tougher on repeat offenders of battery against family members.

He voted against a bill to make it easier to prosecute and hold DUI offenders accountable. In 2007 he rejected a bill increasing the penalty for DUI offenders who cause serious bodily injury.

In 2009 and again in 2010 Rep. Brechtel voted against bills to provide stiffer penalties for sexual abuse against a minor under the age of thirteen.

Rep. Brechtel also voted AGAINST bills in both 2008 & 2010 to combat criminal street gang activity and vandalism.

He voted against an aggravated assault and a simple assault bill in 2009.

It’s time for voters to take a closer look at Rep. Brechtels voting habits – he’s too soft on crime.

Representative Gerald Gay (HD-36)

1. Voted AGAINST a Child Protection Shelter Care bill. (HB-28) and (SF-138) a child custody bill.

2. He voted initially AGAINST a DUI bill that would make it tougher to drunk drivers to elude prosecution. (HB-29)

3. He vote against (HB-49), a bill to help establish rural and community health care centers.

5. He was 1 of 6 to vote against (HB-50), a STATE health care bill that will increase competition, and choice, and reduce health insurance premiums in Wyoming.

5. He was 1 of 4 Representatives to vote AGAINST (HB-62), a bill to add new synthetic drugs to the list of banned substances and to protect our children from these new synthetic drug choices. He also voted against the spice drug bill (SF-59).

6. He was 1 of 4 Representatives to initially vote AGAINST (HB-92), the electronic impersonation bill – a bill that related to identity theft.

7. Rep. Gay was 1 of 4 Representatives to vote AGAINST (HB-103), a bill that would increase the incentive for our Wyoming children to become medical professionals and to practice in Wyoming.

8. Rep. Gay voted to remove the state minimum wage and open some jobs to no minimum wage. (HB-184)

9. Rep. Gay voted AGAINST a bill that would have penalized landlords for not returning rent deposits in a timely manner. Rep. Gay thinks it is okay for landlords to withhold YOUR MONEY from you. (HB-210)

10. Rep. Gay voted against a bill that would have allowed victims of domestic violence to more easily locate to a safer environment (HB-256).

11. Representative Gay voted AGAINST allowing a person with a big game license to voluntarily surrender it for re-issuance to a disable Veteran. (SF-63).

12. Rep. Gay voted to remove the maximum ATM fee that banks can charge (SF-108).

13. Rep. Gay voted AGAINST (SF-132), the bill that recognizes strangulation of a family member as a violent felony.

14. Voted AGAINST HB-181, which provided for confidential investigations into the failure to pay tipped employees correctly.

Gay sponsored the following bills: (NONE passed - 0/4)

HB-227 -- Constitution Instruction /Education

HB-213 -- Medical Liability/Noneconomic Damages

HB-204 -- Patriotism in Classrooms

HJ-008 -- Shiria Law

Gay co-sponsored the following bills: (3/21 passed)

HB-228 Food Freedom Act-2

HB-170 Conservation Easement – notification

HB-068 Violent Felony Definition Expansion

HB-033 Exceeding Speed limit while passing

HB-171 Corner Crossings at public/private property intersections

HJ-007 Distribution of Excess Funds

HB-034 Sales & Tax Use Distribution

HB-222 Recreational Consideration for Public Land Exchange

HB-035 Health Care Choice and Protection Act

HB-199 Eminent Domain – lands possessed by federal government

HB-195 Motor Vehicle Registration Fees

HB-105 Temporary Military Duty – child Custody & Visitation (passed – sponsor Dem)

HB-207 Protection of Activities in Private Vehicles

HB-074 Validity of Marriage

SF-038 Athletic School Safety (passed)

SF-060 Mandatory Hold Upon Arrest

SF-104 Meningococcal Vaccination

SF-113 Surveyors & Engineers Practice Act

SF-125 Health Care Facilities Crisis Management (Financial Crisis)

SJ-002 Health Care Freedom Constitutional Amendment (passed)

SJ-003 Health Care Freedom – 2 Constitutional Amendment

Representative Kendell Kroeker (HD-35)

1. Voted AGAINST a Child Protection Shelter Care bill. (HB-28).

2. He voted initially AGAINST a DUI bill that would make it tougher to drunk drivers to elude prosecution. (HB-29).

3. He vote against (HB-49), a bill to help establish rural and community health care centers.

4. He was 1 of 6 to vote against (HB-50), a STATE health care bill that will increase competition, and choice, and reduce health insurance premiums in Wyoming.

5. Rep. Kroeker vote IN FAVOR of (HB-131), a bill to allow employers to force waiters and waitresses to share their tips with dishwashers and cooks -- the tip sharing bill.

6. Rep. Kroeker voted to remove the state minimum wage and open some jobs to no minimum wage. (HB-184).

7. Rep. Kroeker voted against a bill that would have allowed victims of domestic violence to more easily locate to a safer environment (HB-256).

8. Rep. Kroeker voted to remove the maximum ATM fee that banks can charge (SF-108).

9. Rep. Kroeker voted AGAINST (SF-132), the bill that recognizes strangulation of a family member as a violent felony.

Representative Carl Loucks (HD-59)

1. Voted AGAINST a Child Protection Shelter Care bill. (HB-28).

2. He voted AGAINST a DUI bill that would make it tougher to drunk drivers to elude prosecution. (HB-29).

3. He vote against (HB-49), a bill to help establish rural and community health care centers.

4. He was 1 of 4 Representatives to initially vote AGAINST (HB-62), a bill to add new synthetic drugs to the list of banned substances and to protect our children from these new synthetic drug choices.

5. Rep. Loucks vote IN FAVOR of (HB-131), a bill to allow employers to force waiters and waitresses to share their tips with dishwashers and cooks -- the tip sharing bill.

6. Rep. Loucks voted to remove the state minimum wage and open some jobs to no minimum wage. (HB-184).

7. Rep. Loucks voted AGAINST a bill that would have penalized landlords for not returning rent deposits in a timely manner. Rep. Loucks thinks it is okay for landlords to withhold YOUR MONEY from you. (HB-210).

8. Rep. Loucks voted against a bill that would have allowed victims of domestic violence to more easily locate to a safer environment (HB-256).

9. Rep. Loucks voted to remove the maximum ATM fee that banks can charge (SF-108).

Representative Lisa Shepperson (HD-58)

1. She voted AGAINST a DUI bill that would make it tougher to drunk drivers to elude prosecution. (HB-29).

2. She voted against (HB-49), a bill to help establish rural and community health care centers.

3. She voted AGAINST a bill that would have penalized landlords for not returning rent deposits in a timely manner. She thinks it is okay for landlords to withhold YOUR MONEY from you. (HB-210).

4. Rep. Loucks voted to remove the maximum ATM fee that banks can charge (SF-108).

Representative Tim Stubsen (HD-56)

1. Rep. Stubsen voted IN FAVOR of (HB-131), a bill to allow employers to force waiters and waitresses to share their tips with dishwashers and cooks -- the tip sharing bill.

2. Rep. Stubsen voted to remove the state minimum wage and open some jobs to no minimum wage. (HB-184).

3. Rep. Stubsen voted against a bill that would have allowed victims of domestic violence to more easily locate to a safer environment (HB-256).

Senator Kitt Jennings (S-28)

1. He voted against (HB-50), a STATE health care bill that will increase competition, and choice, and reduce health insurance premiums in Wyoming.

2. He voted to remove the maximum ATM fee that banks can charge (SF-108).

3. He voted AGAINST (SF-132), the bill that recognizes strangulation of a family member as a violent felony.

Senator Landen (S-27)

1. He voted AGAINST a DUI bill that would make it tougher to drunk drivers to elude prosecution. (HB-29).

2. He voted AGAINST (HB-68), the violent felony bill. This bill defined TERRORIST THREATS as a violent felony.

3. He voted to remove the maximum ATM fee that banks can charge (SF-108).

Senator Perkins (S-29)

1. He voted against (HB-50), a STATE health care bill that will increase competition, and choice, and reduce health insurance premiums in Wyoming.

2. He voted AGAINST a bill to requires the Wyoming Superintendent of Schools to establish procedures for the seclusion and restraint of children. This bill was introduced after a school student was duct taped to a chair.

3. He voted to remove the maximum ATM fee that banks can charge (SF-108).

Senator Scott (S-30)

1. He voted AGAINST (HB-68), the violent felony bill. This bill defined TERRORIST THREATS as a violent felony.

2. He voted to remove the maximum ATM fee that banks can charge (SF-108).

Leadership Training for Women

2012-02-02T18:25:00.002-07:00

Forwarded from Robin and the State Office. Thanks Robin! Women, here's an important chance to attend a seminar to kick your leadership skills into high gear. Let's get behind this important opportunity!

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Robin

Date: Tue, Jan 31, 2012 at 10:07 PM
Subject: [CentralCommittee] An Opportunity for the Leading Ladies in Your County!
To: central_committee

______________________________________________

LEAP INTO LEADERSHIP

MARCH 1 & 2, 2012 IN CHEYENNE

REGISTER ONLINE AT http://www.wyowlc.org/

The bipartisan Wyoming Women's Legislative Caucus is strengthening women's leadership at all levels of community and public service by hosting women in Cheyenne for "Leap into Leadership" on March 1 & 2, 2012.

Leap into Leadership aims to help women take on community leadership roles while juggling their other responsibilities with a program including opportunities for networking and a visit to the Capitol. Keynote speaker Lisa Belkin of the Huffington Post will address how women can be effective community leaders and keep their other commitments in balance, while a panel of First Ladies of Wyoming will share their experience finding balance while in the position of First Lady.

Workshops led by The White House Project, National Conference of State Legislatures, Lisa Belkin and University of Wyoming Professor Christi Boggs will include: The State of Women in Wyoming Politics, Building a Campaign Plan, Social Media for Politics & Advocacy and more.

CONTACT MELISSA FOR MORE INFORMATION, info@wyowlc.or or (307) 690-7690

Melissa Turley, Coordinator

Wyo Women's Legislative Caucus

(307) 690-7690

info@wyowlc.org

http://www.wyowlc.org/

WyGeo Web Journal: Ever wonder how you can get in to Wyo State Lands that are open to you? Read the Wyofile report and use the Office of State Lands and Investment's new map tool to find out how.

2011-12-05T20:16:00.001-07:00

Great new tool for access to state lands

The Office of State Lands and Investments just launched a great new online mapping application to navigate access to state lands, which are open to the public. Here’s the url for the site;

http://onanypc.com/statelandaccess

The state administers about 3.5 million acres of surface estate held in-trust and managed almost exclusively for the benefit of Wyoming schools. State lands are typically located on Sections 16 and 36 of each township, and are represented as blue squares on maps as part of a complex checkerboard of surface ownership. In addition to energy development, logging and agriculture, state lands provide myriad hunting and recreational opportunities. But access is tricky, because you MAY NOT cross private lands to access state lands without specific approval.

According to a news release today, the new interactive mapping tool on the Office of State Lands and Investments web site is intended to help determine where state lands are located, and where potential access points exist.

“Access to state lands is very important to the people of the state. These maps will hopefully provide a useful tool to guide the thoughtful and appropriate use of State trust lands,” Gov. Matt Mead said in a prepared statement. “Too often the Board of Land Commissioners is in the position of mediating disputes between sportsmen, landowners and other state lessees after the fact. These maps help provide information on the front end and hopefully this will limit these sorts of conflicts going forward.”

The Office of State Lands and Investments listed a phone number for more information; (307) 777-8510.

Here's the link to this story on Wyofile: http://wyofile.com/2011/11/great-new-tool-for-access-to-state-lands/

You may REPUBLISH THIS STORY: For details on how you can republish this story or other WyoFile content for free, click here.

Written by Dustin Bleizeffer | Published on November 14, 2011 | Filed under: The Pitch
Keywords: access, recreation, state lands

Precinct Training Today!

2011-11-19T14:12:00.000-07:00

Great training today on building our individual precincts to promote freedom and liberty for Casper! Nice training! Thanks Dana and Jane and RC Johnson for helping to put on this important event!

In Support of our Veterans and Men and Women in Uniform

2011-11-11T01:47:00.001-07:00

We stand in support of our military personnel in uniform, our veterans, and those POW and MIA individuals from all conflicts. Thank you for your service to America. Please come out tomorrow in support of our service men and women (see below).

Casper Veterans Ceremony

VETERAN'S CEMETERY HOSTS FRIDAY VETERAN'S DAY CEREMONY

OREGON TRAIL STATE VETERANS CEMETERY

November 11th, 2011 11:00 AM

VETERANS CEMETERY (EVANSVILLE)

Principal speaker will be recently retired U.S. District Court Chief Judge William F. Downes, a decorated Vietnam War veteran. Master of Ceremonies will be KTWO Radio personality Brian Scott. Other program participants include Rev. Leonard L. Robinson, a WWII Bataan Death March survivor, doing the invocation and the benedictions, and Kenn Gilchrist, U.S. Marine Corps Vietnam War veteran will sing the National Anthem.

Leading the Pledge of Allegiance will be Cecil V. Barnes, president, Natrona County United Veterans Council. sponsor of the event. Jack Watters, historian of Elks Lodge No. 1353 will trace the history of Veterans' Day. Casper Police Chief Chris Walsh will render a Tribute to the Fallen and Susan R. Thomas will recite "A Cowboy's Prayer."

The NCHS Jr. ROTC Honor Guard will present and retire the colors for the observance, and at the conclusion of the program, the Jr. ROTC will fire its cannon, which will be followed by Taps played by Robert D. Meloy.

For more information, call Gary Cohee at 237-7864 or Stan Lowe at 265-1585.

Free

Contact: For more information
Phone: (307) 237-7864

Nov 11, 2011 at 11am

Joiningforces.gov

Jefferson Jackson Dinner Signup closes tomorrow!

2011-09-26T22:27:00.001-06:00

Folks,
This is your final reminder to buy or reserve your tickets now for the Oct. 1 Jefferson-Jackson Banquet at the Outlaw Inn in Rock Springs (that's this coming Saturday). The reservation deadline is TUESDAY, SEPT. 27, so please get your tickets now. You can make a reservation by calling us at 800-729-3367 (800-SAY-DEMS) or you can buy tickets on our Web site at: http://www.wyomingdemocrats.com/ht/d/RegisterForConvention/i/1354879

This year's event is geared toward showing our party's support for working people of all stripes, including organized labor, nonunion workers, and those looking for jobs. We are proud to have Leslie Frane, national director of the Public Services Division of the Service Employees International Union, as our keynote speaker, and Wyoming Democratic Party Chairman Chuck Herz will announce the winner of the Party Builder of the Year Award, among other highlights.
The banquet is scheduled for 7 p.m., and individual tickets are $75 per person. In addition, we will hold a VIP Cocktail Hour with Leslie Frane, Chairman Herz, and other featured guests starting at 6 p.m., and tickets to that event are $100 each.

Also, the Sweetwater County Democratic Party is holding an event on Friday night, Sept. 30, for those of us who will be arriving early in Rock Springs. The county party wants to share its proud heritage with 56 nationalities settling in Rock Springs alone, so join them if you can for local cooking cuisine and beverages on Friday from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Rock Springs Historical Museum located at 201 B Street. Cost for that event is $10 per person with space limited to 50. RSVP to JoAnn Dayton at 307-382-5623 or mdayto@msn.com by Wednesday, Sept. 28.

This is shaping up to be a great weekend, so don't miss our annual fall banquet and political rally with Democratic leaders and activists from across Wyoming! While we expect to have a very few tickets available at the door, space is limited, so reserve your tickets today. I look forward to seeing you there!

Bill LuckettExecutive Director
Wyoming Democratic Party
(307) 473-1457 (office)
(307) 631-7638
(cell)luckett@wyomingdemocrats.com

Central Committee Meeting , Sept 29, 2011 - 6:30 PM

2011-09-22T07:22:00.001-06:00

ITS TIME TO KICK IT AGAIN----OUR ACTION ITEM THIS MONTH CONTINUES OUR CONSTITUENT FOCUS SERIES --- THIS TIME ITS UNIONS AND DEMOCRATS.

CENTRAL COMMITTEE MEETING

When is it? THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2011 - 6:30 PM
Where is it? IBEW HALL, 691 ENGLISH DRIVE
CASPER, WYOMING

Constituent Action Issue: “DEMOCRATS AND UNIONS: Past, Present and Future"

Distinguished guest: Kim Floyd of the AFL-CIO

This will be a very frank and open examination of the connection
between Democrats and unions. Much has been said in the national media about the rumored break in the relationship. The panel of union leaders led by Kim Floyd of the AFL-CIO will set the record straight and help us prepare for the coming 2012 election cycle.

*********************************************
VERY BRIEF BUSINESS AGENDA
THIS IS AN EOBA MEETING - EACH ONE BRING ANOTHER

AS ALWAYS
Bring your fabulous desserts or snacks-
Party will supply non-alcoholic beverages
For more information please call R.C. Johnson at 237-6889
Bring family, friends and neighbors!!!!
We are the open Party at work for working people

Protect Wyoming Workers: Rep. Mary Throne presents "The War Against Women"

2011-08-25T23:03:00.000-06:00

Protect Wyoming Workers: Rep. Mary Throne presents "The War Against Women"

Rep. Mary Throne presents "The War Against Women"

2011-08-25T20:19:00.001-06:00

Our featured speaker, Representative Mary Throne, Minority Whip 2010-2012 Wyoming Legislature. The issue? "The War Against Women". Addressing the outrageous actions made against women by Republican/Conservative extremists and their supporters, in Wyoming and nationally. Wyoming Democrats are here to protect your right to be who you are and keep government OUT of your personal decisions.

Miners Die Due to Safety Violations

2011-06-30T21:45:00.002-06:00

May 23, 2011

Dear Editor:

Open Letter to the Republican Party and the Tea Party Movement:

A little more than a year ago, 29 miners died needlessly in the Upper Big Branch coal mine accident in West Virginia. At that time, Massey Energy, owner of the mine, claimed that it maintained adequate safety standards, despite numerous previous citations for safety violations. Massey Energy was paying lip service to the safety of the miners, while maximizing its profits.

In the aftermath of this tragedy, the state of West Virginia commissioned a report to determine the reasons for the disaster. It names poor and unsafe working conditions and a lack of maintenance of safety equipment and machinery as major contributing factors in causing the deaths of these men. Again, Massey Energy was sacrificing worker safety, while protecting its corporate profits.

During the George W. Bush administration, the federal Mine Safety Administration chose lax inspection and enforcement of safety standards at the Upper Big Branch and other mines. The administration came down on the side of the company, allowing it to build up its profits. This was as inexcusable as the corporation’s perpetrating its violations. Once again, Massey made out like bandits. Safety laws and regulations must be enforced to protect the well-being and lives of workers.

Recently, our congressional delegation has given support for an amendment to the Constitution, which would allow states to pick and choose which federal laws and regulations they could nullify, if enough states choose to do so. Senator Enzi spoke disparagingly of “unelected bureaucrats,” enforcing so-called unnecessary regulations and statutes. Since when did those in agencies charged with enforcing statutes passed by Congress become “unelected bureaucrats?” What a phony argument!

The Republican Party and the Tea Party Movement show contempt for government – no matter what size. Oddly enough, they are constantly acting contrary to freedom and the free enterprise system.

It’s time to ask, “What is more important, the safety and lives of working people or corporate profits?”

Enough is enough! Instead of believing the hysterical reactions and false claims of “encroachment by the feds,” each thinking person must ask these groups, “When, where, and how will you put first the rights and safety of working people to earn a decent living?”

Tom Davis

2563 Hanway Avenue

Casper, WY 82604

266-3015

Medicare Cuts a Disaster

2011-06-29T20:58:00.002-06:00

I am a senior citizen on Medicare. If the Republican Party’s plan to privatize Medicare went into effect, millions of Americans would be the losers. They would be forced to use vouchers, equivalent to a limited amount of money, to purchase private insurance. We all know that insurance companies already hold all the winning cards in a health-care system, which is a big gamble to begin with, for the elderly and poor. Insurance companies will be able to raise rates practically at will, as they do now. Those “dollars” in the form of vouchers won’t go far then, and we will be priced out of the market.

Seventy per cent of Americans oppose dismantling Medicare as we know it. We know the facts and understand the issue. We will stand united to defeat this ill-conceived plan, perpetrated by private special interests, which are actually being represented by congressional Republicans, including Cynthia Lummis. We won’t forget this at election time.

Wyoming Oil and Gas forms safety alliance with OSHA - a positive step to improve workplace safety.

2011-06-22T23:44:00.007-06:00

Positive step towards increasing worker safety through collaboration sought. Wyoming OSHA and the Wyoming Oil and Gas industrial safety group, WOGISA, should be commended for the formation of an alliance to focus on worker safety in Wyoming. Safety partnership to be endorsed by Governor Meade, a further indication that safety is at last coming into the spotlight here in accident-prone Wyoming. The program will focus on training and the creation of a discussion forum related to identifying health challenges within the state.
http://www.wyomingworkforce.org/news/articles/2011-06-13.aspx

To all Seniors on Medicare

2011-06-19T22:40:00.000-06:00

June 13, 2011

I am a senior citizen on Medicare. If the Republican Party’s plan to privatize Medicare
went into effect, millions of Americans would be the losers. They would be forced
to use vouchers, equivalent to a limited amount of money, to purchase private health
insurance. We all know that health insurance companies already hold all the winning
cards in a health-care system, which is a big gamble to begin with, for the elderly and
poor. Insurance companies will be able to raise rates practically at will, as they do now.
Those “dollars” in the form of vouchers won’t go far then, and we will be priced out of
the market.

Seventy per cent of Americans oppose dismantling Medicare as we know it. We know
the facts and understand the issue. We will stand united to defeat this ill-conceived
plan, perpetrated by private special interests, which are actually being represented by
congressional Republicans, including Cynthia Lummis. We will not forget this at election
time.

Tom Davis

Open Letter to the Republican Party and the Tea Party Movement

2011-06-19T22:29:00.001-06:00

May 23, 2011

A little more than a year ago, 29 miners died needlessly in the Upper Big Branch coal mine accident in West Virginia. At that time, Massey Energy, owner of the mine, claimed that it maintained adequate safety standards, despite numerous previous citations for safety violations. Massey Energy was paying lip service to the safety of the miners, while maximizing its profits.

In the aftermath of this tragedy, the state of West Virginia commissioned a report to determine the reasons for the disaster. It names poor and unsafe working conditions and a lack of maintenance of safety equipment and machinery as major contributing factors in causing the deaths of these men. Again, Massey Energy was sacrificing worker safety, while protecting its corporate profits.

During the George W. Bush administration, the federal Mine Safety Administration chose lax inspection and enforcement of safety standards at the Upper Big Branch and other mines. The administration came down on the side of the company, allowing it to build up its profits. This was as inexcusable as the corporation’s perpetrating its violations. Once again, Massey made out like bandits. Safety laws and regulations must be enforced to protect the well-being and lives of workers.

Recently, our congressional delegation has given support for an amendment to the Constitution, which would allow states to pick and choose which federal laws and regulations they could nullify, if enough states choose to do so. Senator Enzi spoke disparagingly of “unelected bureaucrats,” enforcing so-called unnecessary regulations and statutes. Since when did those in agencies charged with enforcing statutes passed by Congress become “unelected bureaucrats?” What a phony argument!

The Republican Party and the Tea Party Movement show contempt for government – no matter what size. Oddly enough, they are constantly acting contrary to freedom and the free enterprise system.

It’s time to ask, “What is more important, the safety and lives of working people or corporate profits?”

Enough is enough! Instead of believing the hysterical reactions and false claims of “encroachment by the feds,” each thinking person must ask these groups, “When, where, and how will you put first the rights and safety of working people to earn a decent living?”

Tom Davis

The Equality State lived up to it's name (click link here to see for yourself)

2011-06-19T22:21:00.002-06:00

Back in March 2011, Wyoming legislators were considering enacting strong discriminatory policies against homosexuals here is the Equality State. Watch here as the issue got air time on the national media cycle as Rachel Maddow reports on the "most Republican state in the nation" and how common sense and adherence to fundamental rights that should be allowed all people was defended by both Democrats and some Republicans in Wyoming at least for now.

Banning Shari'a Law - Real need or promoting inequality?

2011-06-17T17:11:00.004-06:00

The supposed banning of Sharia law adds up to little more than religious inequality imposed at the state level. Read the ACLU report linked to in this article and form your own opinion on this issue.

http://www.aclu.org/blog/religion-belief/debunking-mythical-sharia-threat-our-judicial-system/