A Republican lawmaker in Wyoming wants to give each
resident a $2,000 rebate from our mineral wealth (HCN, 11/28/05:
Gold from the Gas Fields). A good idea, but it will never happen
because most politicians don’t give a rat’s ass about
the people who need such a rebate.
Wyoming coal
production and delivery will be $15 per ton for 2006, up from $7 a
year ago. The coal industry claims coal production is down because
of railroad delays, but I see the track one block from my place
with long coal trains day and night.
The Wyoming
Legislature will never increase the severance tax on coal or even
restore taxes imposed in the past. Yet they will increase sales
tax, property tax and fuel tax.
The lawmakers like to
claim that this permanent mineral trust fund is to benefit the
people in the future, but it does nothing for today’s
children.
So don’t wait for a cash rebate from
mineral taxes. We have a better chance that Santa Claus will stop
by and give us something for Christmas.
Al
Hamburg
Torrington,
Wyoming
This article appeared in the print edition of the magazine with the headline Waiting for Santa Claus in Wyoming.
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