(LETTERS) Ballot initiative, referees and big projects

Oil City News publishes letters, cartoons and opinions as a public service. The content does not necessarily reflect the opinions of Oil City News or its employees. Letters to the editor can be submitted by following the link at our opinion section. People's initiative to limit property tax will gut Wyoming services Dear Casper, Wyoming residents will see a ballot initiative called the People's Initiative to Limit Property Tax in Wyoming in November 2026. The initiative would create a 50% exemption for property used as a primary residence, as long as the claimant has resided there for at least a year, and must live there for at least six months of the tax year. Recently, exemptions for seniors and veterans have already been enacted, as well as a 25% exemption for the first $1 million of home value. On the upcoming ballot measure, there is no cap on the value of property to be exempted. Someone who lives in a $15 million mansion would keep money in their pocket that is currently helping to fund education, first responders, and senior services in our communities. Someone who lives in a modest house would save a smaller amount of money, which may be sorely needed, but that person is also more likely to be negatively affected by cuts to basic community services. Wyoming is known as a low tax state. Wyoming ranks #1 overall on the Tax Foundation 2026 State Tax Competitiveness Index. We have no state income tax. All homeowners contribute to our communities by paying property tax. Owners of expensive homes paying more than owners of modest homes is a fair system. On the other hand, if lack of revenue causes sales tax to be increased to keep basic services intact, that would disproportionately affect low income people, and that would not be fair. The idea of reducing property tax when we are facing higher bills is tempting. We are all paying more for everything, but most of our wages are not keeping up. According to Neilsberg.com, median household income in Wyoming is around $75,000, which actually decreased between 2010 and 2023. In contrast, the top 5% mean household income in Wyoming is over $417,000. What a difference! Many of our neighbors must spend every dime just to meet basic needs, while others have the luxury to save and invest. I oppose this ballot initiative. Because there is no cap on the value of property to be exempted, this initiative would cut revenue substantially more than the 25% exemption with a $1 million cap already has. Road maintenance, community health, and raises for city, county, and state employees would be on the chopping block. Wealthy people would significantly reduce their share of contributions to our communities. The (Rich) People's Initiative is a relic of the recent reign of irresponsibility in Cheyenne, with the same legislators who suggested massive cuts to the University of Wyoming bringing this ballot initiative forth. The (Rich) People's Initiative was crafted to appeal to people in need, but it rewards wealth paired with greed, at the expense of communities. Lisa Jamieson Casper Referees keep the Friday Night Lights on Dear Casper, Aug. 28 marked the beginning of another year of Friday Nights under the Lights. High school football in Wyoming is what sport should be — players and coaches coming together, representing their town, their team, and their families, to paraphrase HG Bissinger. Opponents will compete on the gridiron over the next dozen or so weeks, all in search of that mythical thing called a state title. However, there's a third team on the field each Friday, and they are why I pen this letter. Without referees, there is no Friday Night Lights. There wouldn't be football on the other nights of the week either. Across Wyoming, game officials are preparing to step on the gridiron and protect the game. They've been meeting as associations since July. Many went to officiating training camps in June. Most (hopefully all) have been studying game film, taking rules exams, and refreshing their on-field mechanics — all due to a deep desire to represent the game and our avocation with excellence. Yet across Wyoming we are desperately short of officials, and not just in football. Don't be surprised if your local school has a contest postponed, rescheduled, or even cancelled due to a shortage of officials. It's happening in all classifications in Wyoming — even Class 4A! The reasons for the shortage are plentiful, but the most significant reason is poor treatment. Now Wyoming is a far cry from other states in this department – it's pretty rare to have a situation regarding the treatment of officials boil over — but it's still a key factor in why officials are leaving and why roughly 80% of new officials quit within the first two years. Let's be honest, officiating interscholastic sports isn't something we officials do for the money. We certainly don't do it as an excuse to be away from our families multiple nights a week. We do it so this generation of student athletes can experience those same wonderful moments between the lines that many of us had in our formative years. As this season begins my request, and my prayer, is simple: Let the players play, let the coaches coach, and let the officials officiate. I assure you, we in the latter are taking our roles just as seriously as the first two. And P.S., we don't care who wins. Tyler S. Spear, WHSAA State Coordinator of Football Officials President, Laramie Football Officials The evil wind turbines Dear Casper, Amazing, the evil wind turbines out my kitchen window are now gone. Solar panels across the state are no more. But hey, the Prometheus Hyperscale goes marching on. Pretty, scary … huh. Bill Scott Hopbell Casper Related