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House District 23
The following responses from candidates were compiled — with minimal editing for readability and space — from a questionnaire sent to each candidate by the News&Guide. Read the full Q&A at JHNewsAndGuide.com.
LIZ STORER
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Party: Democrat
Age: 64
Job: President and CEO of the George B. Storer Foundation
Years in district: 8; 14 in Jackson Hole
Why do you want to represent your district?
I have spent most of my adult life working to make Wyoming a place where communities and families can thrive while conserving our amazing natural resources and wildlife. Having participated in policy initiatives for more than 30 years, I have a working knowledge of how state government functions and a deep understanding of the challenges facing Teton County. My experiLiz Storer ence means I can represent Teton County’s values in Cheyenne with honesty and effectiveness.
Top three priorities in Cheyenne:
Defending a woman’s right to safe and legal abortion; property tax relief for Teton County families; funding to ensure our kids get the education they need and deserve.
Since 1973, Wyoming women have had access to safe and legal abortion until a fetus could survive outside its mother’s body, generally 23 to 26 weeks of pregnancy. I support the continued legal status of these abortion rights and oppose any effort by the Wyoming Legislature to abridge those rights, including the “trigger ban” passed by the Legislature earlier this year. The decision to have an abortion is deeply personal and complex and should be left
All evidence indicates that Wyoming’s elections are free, fair, safe and secure. However, Rep. Chuck Gray, a Republican extremist, will likely be our next Secretary of State and it concerns me that he based his campaign largely on the premise that Wyoming elections lack integrity. If our future secretary of state, or anyone else, proposes changes that would diminish the integrity of our election, then the Legislature should act to ensure they remain free from such interference.
High demand from remote workers, secondhome owners and wealthy people taking advantage of Wyoming’s low tax environment are driving up property values (and taxes). We should overhaul Wyoming’s outdated tax system rather than create additional tax breaks for rich people. A homestead exemption for primary residences, increasing the property tax refund program and creating greater fl exibility for payments would help alleviate the burden our antiquated tax policy creates on low- and middle-income families.
Income tax?
Yes. Probably, but the goal should be to create a tax policy that is broad, sustainable and equitable. Our current tax system is none of those.
PAUL VOGELHEIM
Party: Republican
Age: 67
Job: Former Teton County commissioner, retired businessman
Years in district: 8 years; 25 in Jackson Hole
Why do you want to represent your district?
I have always felt called to serve my community. I have 25 years of civic leadership experience serving on a dozen nonprofi t boards. I am running because we need bridge builders, we need peacemakers. The issues challenging our community and our state are not partisan talking points. We are crippled by high property tax increases on our homes, struggling with the highest suicide rates in the nation, and facing rollbacks in reproductive health access and freedoms.
Top three priorities in Cheyenne:
Cap the tax: Fight for property tax relief; protect access to reproductive health care services, including abortion; promote balanced stewardship — conservation and community.
I will not sponsor or support any legislation that restricts the reproductive rights of women in Wyoming. It is not the business of government, federal or state, to interfere in a person’s private health care decisions.
Listen to the 23 Wyoming county clerks: We have a safe and secure election process in Wyoming.
Cap the property tax at 5% as the maximum annual increase for assessed residential (including rental) property values. We need to do this immediately to provide real property tax relief now. This will be one of the fi rst bills that I will support and push. I am excited to see that the Revenue Committee has asked for draft legislation to address this critical community issue. I have asked leadership to serve on the Wyoming Revenue Committee.
Income tax?
No.
Thoughtful, Dedicated Leaders
As a School Board member, I promise to:
• Listen to all concerned parties with an open mind and civil discourse • Advocate for our kids and school staff • Dedicate my time and energy to the success of Teton County
School District
Our kids deserve an education that prepares them for whatever the future brings. And our school staff deserves the support and recognition of our community.
Our Top Priorities are:
1. Quality of Care 2. Leadership & Sustainability 3. Workforce & Housing
