Jim Geringer in State of Wyoming Archives
On Budget & Economy:
Spend one-time revenue on one-time expenditures
We must be responsible in how we deal with the forecast surplus. Use one-time funds [such as mineral revenue] to cover unique or non-recurring obligations. I ask your support to do the following: - Determine how much of the surplus is sustainable
beyond the next two biennia. I estimate that long-term sustainable revenues will support about $198M per biennium of new spending.
- Set aside reasonable and prudent reserves [including] $72M for a statutory reserve (5% of estimated general fund
receipts) and $50M to expand the Spending Policy Reserve to include mineral income.
- A partial restoration of funds lost by the Water Development: allocate $75M of the one-time funds.
- $65M for endowment funds for the University and our Community
Colleges.
- Spend one-time revenue on one-time expenditures. Don’t fund on-going obligations without the assurance of future revenue.
- I recommend reducing statewide sales and use taxes by a half percent, effective during FY2001 only.
Source: 2001 State of the State Address to Wyoming Legislature
Jan 10, 2001
On Drugs:
Supports drug courts & breaking the drug cycle
I support legislation to expand drug courts. We must keep our Methamphetamine Initiative energized! We need to drive science-based programs through the use of our new statistical analysis center within the University. We must reach
out to more people, across Wyoming, to break this vicious cycle - a cycle, that fills and refills our prisons, jeopardizes our people and breaks so many parents hearts. Prevention, early intervention, treatment, control, follow-up, BREAKING THE CYCLE.
Source: 2001 State of the State Address to Wyoming Legislature
Jan 10, 2001
On Education:
$10M per year for college merit scholarships
Our University and our community colleges have a significant capacity to enroll more students. We need to provide greater incentives for our young people to achieve their personal and professional goals through higher education. We hope
to attract as many as 80 per cent of our top Wyoming high school graduates through academic and career enhancing scholarships. Initially, the Horizon Merit Scholarship program would cost $5M per year, increasing to $10M per year once fully implemented.
Source: 2001 State of the State Address to Wyoming Legislature
Jan 10, 2001
On Education:
$26M for professional and vocational skills training
The most influential factor in attracting new and expanding business to Wyoming will be the quality of our people and their skills. Our challenge is to continue to provide enough skilled labor that meets business needs. We are achieving the diversity
of economic growth we always hoped for and now find ourselves competing in a regional and national market for the most valuable resource - people with the right skills. I am recommending increases in several key areas to attract and keep our citizens’
professional and vocational skill levels highly competitive. - Workforce development funds for company specific training $6M
- Wyoming National Guard Education Assistance Plan $2M
- The Horizon Merit Scholarships for students attending UW and the
Horizon Careers Scholarships for students attending community college $10M
- Funding for the Community College Workforce Training Compact $ 0.3M
- Upgrading our teachers skills in education technology $4.2M
- State employee training $3.7M
Source: 2001 State of the State Address to Wyoming Legislature
Jan 10, 2001
On Education:
Reform Charter School law to allow real parental choice
Wyoming has had a charter school law for several years, but it is ranked nationally as the sixth weakest law. As Wyoming parents have tried to exercise their right to form charter schools within our public school system, they have found the current law
unworkable and subject to obstacles and vague interpretations. Given the success with charter schools all across America, I urge you to support Senator Devin’s bill that allows parents a real choice within our current system of public education.
Source: 2001 State of the State Address to Wyoming Legislature
Jan 10, 2001
On Energy & Oil:
Expand energy infrastructure & exploration
The lesson [of this year’s energy crises] is that energy today isn’t just dependent upon OPEC. We have a shortage of infrastructure, such as pipelines to carry oil and gas, transmission lines to carry electricity, and refineries to process raw petroleum.
We have limits on exploration for new energy production and an alarming shortage of electrical generation capacity. The current crisis in California is in large part due to past actions by California that discouraged new natural gas pipelines into the
state and California’s reluctance to build new generation capacity. Wyoming is in a position to benefit greatly from the current energy crisis, either with natural gas or with coal. The dramatic rise in state revenues is almost entirely due to the
extraordinary demand for natural gas. We can continue to supply what the market seems to demand. We could and should encourage added generation capacity in Wyoming and push for even cleaner coal technology above Wyoming’s already high standards.
Source: 2001 State of the State Address to Wyoming Legislature
Jan 10, 2001
On Health Care:
More funding for prescription drugs & senior care
Wyoming will benefit from our hard work this year to improve care for our elderly. In addition to the expanded funding that I’ve recommended in my budget request for health care services and prescription drugs, I support the proposals developed
with your help for long-term care reform, providing seniors with access to assisted living, expanding home based care, re-engineering Medicaid’s arcane administrative details, and giving seniors a boost to their personal needs allowance.
Source: 2001 State of the State Address to Wyoming Legislature
Jan 10, 2001
On Principles & Values:
Focus on building Wyoming’s capacity to grow
Building Wyoming’s capacity to grow: That is the heart of my message this year. Building capacity means investing in programs and activities that enhance our equity, that energize our effort. We can and we will work to:
Improve the quality and quantity of jobs Continue to increase opportunities for young people to live and work in Wyoming Invest in Wyoming for the long-term Where might we most effectively invest our time and other resources?
Improving the quality of education and enhancing delivery of educational products and services Creating greater access to quality health care Developing and sustaining infrastructure that will encourage and support the new economy
Protecting and improving our quality of life while effecting the changes needed to promote sustainable economic growth
Source: 2001 State of the State Address to Wyoming Legislature
Jan 10, 2001
On Tax Reform:
One-year 1/2% reduction in sales tax
The Governor [can] order a one-hlaf percent reduction in sales and use taxes if general fund balances meet certain criteria. The reduction would be only for one year, and even though it might make sales tax accounting for our retailers difficult,
it would put some $80M back in the pockets of the people who have earned the money. I will support a reduction in the sales tax if the Legislature leaves the required balance of $35 million in the General Fund.
Source: 2001 State of the State Address to Wyoming Legislature
Jan 10, 2001
On Welfare & Poverty:
Work First: move families to self-sufficiency
I support the “Work First” initiative for Wyoming’s workforce through the realignment of related programs into a new Department of Workforce Services. [I support] the Wyoming Work First Steering Committee and the creation of a department
that will consolidate training, employment, TANF, and food stamp programs within a single welfare and workforce entity. The focus of this new department will be moving families to self-sufficiency.
Source: 2001 State of the State Address to Wyoming Legislature
Jan 10, 2001
Page last updated: Oct 14, 2021