WHEREAS, the Wyoming Republican Platform states in its 9th plank “Liberty is indivisible from economic freedom. The free-market economy is the economic system most compatible with the requirements of personal freedom and constitutional government. Government’s undue interference in the market, as well as the fiscal irresponsibility of government, results in economic inequity...”; and
WHEREAS, the Wyoming Republican Platform states in its 10th plank “The citizens of the United States are the ultimate authority. Governments possess powers derived only from the consent of the governed...”; and
WHEREAS, the Wyoming Republican Platform states in its 15th plank “All taxes collected must be used for the constitutional purposes of government. It is irresponsible to run up debts that are passed on to our children and grandchildren. Taxes should never be more than necessary to meet the government’s constitutional obligations.”; and
WHEREAS, the Wyoming Republican Party has in recent years passed resolutions (Against Tax Increase - passed January 12, 2019 / Opposing New or Increased Taxes in Wyoming - passed November 16, 2019) that directly oppose the creation or increase of taxes, based largely on the inability of Wyoming’s government to properly administer itself on behalf of the people in a
fiscally responsible, efficient, effective, or equitable manner; and
WHEREAS, the Joint Transportation, Highways, and Military Affairs Interim Committee proposed bill 22LSO-0032 directly contradicts the aforementioned principles and positions of the Wyoming Republican Party by mandating a 63% increase on fuel tax in order to increase funding to a department that consistently and inefficiently operates in excess of its allotted budget, while being comprised of over 30% supervisors, managers, executive administrators, and directors; and
WHEREAS, raising a fuel tax to offset a budget deficiency in the transportation department that is caused by inappropriate overspending on unnecessary supervisory and managerial staff that does not directly administer the law is not a legitimate “constitutional purpose of government” as outlined in the Wyoming Constitution Art. 15 – Sec. 16; and
WHEREAS, continuing to raise this regressive fuel tax during a time where gas prices are at a notable high, local and domestic production of fuel is encumbered by a Democratic Party administration, and a multitude of our Wyoming citizens are facing a myriad of financial hardships because of these and other oppressive issues caused by government, is irresponsible, imprudent, and not in the best interest of the people of Wyoming in whom all powers of government are inherent; and
WHEREAS, this “gasoline” tax will not only affect prices at the pump for consumers of gasoline, but also imposes a 63% tax increase on diesel fuel, alternative fuels such as natural gas, liquid fuels produced from natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas or propane, pure methanol, ethanol and other alcohols, coal-derived liquid fuels, hydrogen, electricity, and pure biodiesel as
defined by current statute W.S. 39-17-301 (a)(iii); and
WHEREAS, the Joint Transportation, Highways, and Military Affairs Interim Committee “Republican” Co-Chairmen, Senator Bill Landen and Representative Donald Burkhart, as well as the majority of the “Republican” committee members, have abandoned the principles, policies, positions, and will of the quantified majority of the members of the Wyoming Republican Party
by supporting and voting in favor of this bill; therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Wyoming Republican Party takes this matter as an individual infringement on the fiscal independence and well-being of Wyoming Citizens, and an unnecessary attempt to illegitimately fund a deficit in the transportation department that should instead be addressed through increased efficiency of operations and more realistic and appropriate promotion and compensation practices. The Park County Republican Party calls on
every Republican member of the Wyoming legislature to vote against this unnecessary and regressive tax increase; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Wyoming Republican Party hereby calls on Governor Mark Gordon to actively stand against this legislative effort, as well as immediately veto its adoption if this bill attains successful passage by the Wyoming State Legislature.
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REFERENCES
***Government - Against Tax Increase - Passed January 12, 2019
The State of Wyoming and its people have long valued Liberty, self-reliance & conservative values. The Republican Party, from the National to State and to County, in their platforms and resolutions has long called for fiscal conservatism.
WHEREAS since 2000, Wyoming has had unprecedented growth in government, making Wyoming the #1 state in the ratio of government employees per capita; and
WHEREAS the current economy can no longer sustain the fiscal irresponsibility of our State Government; and
WHEREAS the State Legislature has recently raised fees & licenses and is discussing creating new revenue enhancements and tax increases; and WHEREAS Wyoming’s economy & business climate has put a strain on the remaining citizens personal budgets; and
WHEREAS the State Republican Platform states: “Liberty is indivisible from economic freedom. The free-market economy is the economic system most compatible with the requirements of personal freedom and constitutional government. Government’s undue interference in the market, as well as the fiscal irresponsibility of government, results in economic inequity. There exists no fundamental right to the fruits of another person’s labor!”
BE IT RESOLVED that the Wyoming Republican Party calls upon the State Legislature and the Governor to practice fiscal restraint, reign in spending and cut unnecessary budget items rather than increasing revenue streams.
***Government - Opposing New or Increased Taxes in Wyoming - Passed November 16, 2019
WHEREAS, the Joint Revenue Committee is proposing increases to property taxes, expanding the sales tax to include services, establishing new taxing districts, and other new or increased taxes or service charges; and
WHEREAS, the Committee is reviving the corporate income tax which failed in 2019; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Wyoming Republican Party reiterates its support for the Resolution passed by the Wyoming Republican Party Central Committee in Cheyenne on January 12, 2019
opposing the increase in taxes and supporting fiscal restraint.
***Wyoming Constitution – Article 15 - Section 16 - Disposition of fees, excises and license taxes on vehicles and gasoline. No moneys derived from fees, excises, or license taxes levied by the state and exclusive of registration fees and licenses or excise taxes imposed by a county or municipality, relating to registration, operation or use of vehicles on public highways, streets or
alleys, or to fuels used for propelling such vehicles, shall be expended for other than cost of administering such laws, statutory refunds and adjustments allowed therein, payment of highway obligations, costs for construction, reconstruction, maintenance and repair of public highways, county roads, bridges, and streets, alleys and bridges in cities and towns, and expense of enforcing state traffic laws.
Passed:
Wyoming Republican Party, 22 Jan 22 SCC