OFFICE OF GOVERNOR DAVE FREUDENTHAL
State Capitol
Cheyenne, WY 82002
Ph. (307) 777-7434
October 28, 2009
******BROADCAST RELEASE******
ATTACHMENTS: 3
- 102809 Wind Energy Tax(2).mp3
- 102809 I80 repairs and tax.mp3
- 102809 Petition for relief.mp3
Contact: Acting Press Secretary Leigh Anne Manlove
Phone: 307.777.7437
E-mail: lmanlo@state.wy.us
GOVERNOR ON UPCOMING LEGISLATIVE SESSION PROPOSALS AND DISASTER DECLARATIONS
CHEYENNE, Wyo. - Governor Dave Freudenthal, at a regularly-scheduled news conference today, discussed proposals being developed for the upcoming Wyoming legislative session.
In regard to a wind tax bill being considered by a legislative committee, the Governor said it is entirely appropriate for the State to adopt policies toward wind that all other energy producers follow, and provide money to the State and counties.
Audio Clip: 102809 Wind Energy Tax(2).mp3
Text of audio clip
: "I am hopeful that this legislative session will develop some means for there to be State and local revenues derived from the development of wind resources in the coming decades."
The Governor, in contrast, said he does not support a revenue proposal being worked on by a different legislative committee, that would allow Wyoming to impose a toll on Interstate 80.
Audio Clip: 102809 I-80 repairs and tax.mp3
Text of audio clip
: "My position on this interstate system has been, and remains, that the largest single failure in that area is the federal government. They have essentially encouraged us to create and rely upon a system of national interstate roads, then turned around and said, ‘But by the way, we’re going to decrease our commitment to them,’ whether that’s on the big bridges or whether that’s on the maintenance, particularly in light of the incredible increase of truck traffic."
Earlier this month Gov. Freudenthal requested federal disaster declarations in four Wyoming counties: Big Horn, Park, Platte and Sheridan.
Audio Clip: 102809 Petition for relief.mp3
Text of audio clip
: "I can remember growing up in Thermop and when you get a freeze at the wrong time of year the impact on the folks in Worland was really severe. This year seems particularly sad, in that this had been one of those years where everybody had water and we had a great growing year and people were looking forward to a pretty good sugar content and a pretty good harvest, and Mother Nature had a different view, and so we’ve petitioned the government to help us offset the consequences of that."
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