DON'T OVER-STUDY HEALTH CARE, CANDIDATE SAYS

CHEYENNE -- With so many other state health care insurance plans to
use as models, Wyoming needs to be sure it doesn't go overboard with
studies and miss an opportunity to take action, said Chris Shoults,
Democratic candidate for Senate District 3.

Shoults pointed out the Legislature this year allocated three new
positions and more than $2 million to the Wyoming Health Care Commission.

He said that while the state should look at the commission's
recommendations, it also should examine other states' models,
including Massachusetts'.

Wyoming, he added, should be particularly wary of single-payor plans
- -- often termed "socialized" -- like those in Canada and Hawaii.

Shoults' opponent in the Nov. 7 general election, Republican Sen.
Curt Meier of LaGrange, said he does not support any mandated
approach by government which, he said, is the cornerstone of the
Massachusetts plan.

Meier said he supports the work of the Legislature over the last
several years to reduce the number of people with no health insurance.

District 3 includes parts of Platte and Goshen counties in eastern Wyoming.

Meier's list of top priorities for spending the state's surplus
include water development, education, law enforcement, corrections,
transportation, and state revenue sharing with local political subdivisions.

He also supports one-time spending for infrastructure and capital
construction, with a sinking fund for future maintenance, and wants
to save as much as possible to enhance earnings on investments and
avert taxes when the boom is over.

Shoults' list includes insurance reform to provide affordable access
to health care for all residents, and exploration of lower personal
property tax on farm equipment and possible fuel credits as
short-term stimulus for agriculture producers.

He also wants to create stable revenue streams through Permanent
Mineral Trust Gund investments and work toward a senior citizens
trust. He also wants to promote industries that move raw agricultural
commodities including ethanol, biocomposites and consumer-ready food
as an economic diversification stimulus.

Meier and Shoults agreed the Wyoming Department of Transportation
needs more money for construction and maintenance.

Shoults would couple a time-limited adjustment to the federal mineral
royalty distribution formulas with one-time appropriations from state
general fund surpluses to build and maintain highways,

Meier said the Legislature may be able to use surplus funds to help
cover the increased costs.

Asked about the idea of building methamphetamine treatment centers at
several sites in the state, Shoults said the state should focus on
monitoring the success of long-term meth treatment centers, both
inpatient and outpatient, that exist.

Meier said treatment capacity dispersed throughout the state would
allow greater involvement of families of the addicts. He said both
private and public facilities should be used, as well as nonprofit.

As for paying for more Highway Patrol officers, Meier said he would
be reluctant with the information he currently has.

Shoults said additional officers are needed in rural areas and on the
interstate highway to deter methamphetamine trafficking, and the
number depends on where the patrol wants to station them.

For training the state's work force, the community colleges and the
university are valuable resources, Shoults said. The Legislature also
needs to examine results from a study under way through the
Department of Workforce Services to be sure the resources are focused
appropriately.

Meier said the key to building a work force is education through the
community colleges, private tech schools, apprenticeships and
correctional education programs.

Shoults said his priority issue is economic development, which
encompasses the three areas he is focusing on: health insurance,
community college funding and diversification.

He also is interested in creating a severance tax scale for oil,
natural gas and surface coal that adjusts to thresholds in market value.

Meier said his top priority deals with water issues, including access
in the Horse Creek Conservation District.

Other priorities are telecommunications, subdivision changes, eminent
domain and community college funding, Meier said.