The candidates for Senate District 6 in Cheyenne disagree sharply on the need for strong penalties for driving under the influence.

Republican incumbent Wayne Johnson said he wants to make a third conviction a felony.

Johnson's Democratic challenger, Phyllis Sherard, said she is not convinced of the need.

"Wyoming has very no-nonsense DUI laws now," Sherard said.

But both candidates agree on a statewide ban on smoking in places frequented by the public, including bars and restaurants.

And they are aligned against a hike in the state fuel tax to pay for highways.

"Absolutely not, with the Wall Street mess affecting credit, saving and pensions and the high cost of fuel, food, medial care and heating," Johnson said.

He is also opposed to a toll for big trucks on Interstate 80 on the grounds it would be too costly to build, staff and maintain toll plazas and also would expand state government to administer the program.

Sherard said she believes the distribution of gas tax revenues may need to be reconsidered.

She is inclined to disagree on the toll road pending more information about the impact on independent operators and how the Wyoming Transportation Department would use the revenue.

She also called for a five-step priority process to determine the need for any project, including highways, that are financed by taxpayer money.

It would require a change in the Wyoming Constitution to provide relief from rapidly rising property values and taxes, Johnson said.

Sherard suggests, as a first step, a study of the causes of rising property values and taxes and then possibly a cap on increases and standards for property appraisals.

With the Legislature expecting another revenue surplus next year, Johnson said his spending priorities are, first, deposit money in the state's rainy day account, followed by infrastructure needs and water retention projects.

Sherard favors spending the money on infrastructure and health care needs through a transparent decision-making process.

Expanding the existing Kid Care insurance program is Johnson's answer to help make health care more available to citizens.

Sherard believes health care reform is more likely to happen state-by-state. That is why she wants a pilot test of state-generated ideas to improve quality, offer affordable choices, promote wellness and strengthen public health and community clinic systems.

A task force currently is studying the Wyoming community college system.

Sherard said it's too early to tell what changes are needed, if any. She said that while she liked the recommendation that base budgets be based on priorities identified in the statewide community college strategic plan, she failed to see much in the recommendation about required reporting of student outcomes.

Johnson wants the status quo, including locally elected college boards.

"Other counties which have community college extension sites should also pay taxes and possibly have membership on the local governing board," he said.

Contact capital bureau reporter Joan Barron at (307) 632-1244 or joan.barron@trib.com

BIO BOXES

Senate District 6

covering east Cheyenne and eastern Laramie County

Wayne Johnson

Party: Republican

Age: 66

Home: Cheyenne

Occupation: Retired librarian

Education: Bachelors in history, Utah State University; masters in library science, University of Oklahoma; masters in public administration, University of Colorado

Family: Married, two children

Political experience: 12 years in house; four years in senate

Phyllis Sherard

Party: Democrat

Age: 53

Home: Cheyenne

Occupation: Director, advocacy and government, Cheyenne Regional Medical Center

Education: Graduate and post-graduate degrees in public administration and health care administration

Family: Married, one son

Political experience: None

covering east Cheyenne and eastern Laramie County

Wayne Johnson

Party: Republican

Age: 66

Home: Cheyenne

Occupation: Retired librarian

Education: Bachelors in history, Utah State University; masters in library science, University of Oklahoma; masters in public administration, University of Colorado

Family: Married, two children

Political experience: 12 years in house; four years in senate

Phyllis Sherard

Party: Democrat

Age: 53

Home: Cheyenne

Occupation: Director, advocacy and government, Cheyenne Regional Medical Center

Education: Graduate and post-graduate degrees in public administration and health care administration

Family: Married, one son

Political experience: None]]->