The three candidates for Wyoming House District 57 have different priorities for next year's anticipated revenue surplus.

Republican incumbent Tom Lockhart believes the money could be used to fund highway work and also be saved for the future. Democratic challenger Jane Ifland would like the money spent on the health and education of Wyoming citizens. Libertarian candidate Tim DeLany said he'd have to take a closer look at the state's finances, but suggested returning some of the surplus to the citizens or funding education could be possibilities.

The three are seeking to represent a district that encompasses parts of east and central Casper.

Lockhart, a two-term legislator, said this year's revenue surplus might not be as large as some people expect. Money needs to be saved, he said, in case sources of revenue that state has traditionally counted on aren't as available in the future.

"I think we need to continue to provide resources for what are called rainy day accounts," he said. "We have a nation that is in an economic quandary."

Ifland, who runs a small advertising, marketing and design firm, said she'd like the surplus used for "world-class early childhood environments" that would be offered to residents. She'd also fund education and health care with the money.

"People who are well educated and healthy will provide the best labor force, come up with the best ideas for new businesses, treat each other better, be more able to help each other," she said.

DeLany, a chef who's run for the legislature twice before, said his plan for the surplus would "depend on what the books showed."

"I would take a closer look at the books, whether it be turning some of that back to the people or increasing some funding for education," he said.

The candidates also differ on the issue of a statewide smoking ban in public places like bars and restaurants.

DeLany opposes such a ban.

"I don't have the right to tell somebody what they put in their body," he said. "I do not believe the government should be involved in dictating to businesses how they should operate."

Ifland is an ex-smoker and said she has a lot of sympathy for smokers. Still, she supports a statewide smoking ban in public places. But, she added, it might be possible for cities to license a business where smoking would be allowed.

Lockhart said he's not ready to support a statewide ban.

"While I would be perfectly happy if the state had no smoking in it, I think the control coming down from the state would be difficult for Wyomingites to support," he said. "If cities and towns do it, that's an excellent way."

The candidates for House District 57 don't agree on many issues. However, all three said something needs to be done to deal with rising property taxes.

Lockhart anticipates the Legislature will look at the homestead exemption, "where people who have been in their homes for a number of years can get an offset on their valuation, which then reduces taxes."

"I would be supportive of that," he said.

Ifland said she hasn't been particularly satisfied with any of the proposed solutions, but said she probably favors a property tax deferral, even though she worries it might hurt the transfer of wealth between generations.

"I don't want to see people selling their homes because of taxes," she said.

DeLany said he would like to see a cut in property taxes for senior citizens on fixed incomes.

All three candidates offered different reasons for running for office.

Ifland said she has the ability to offer a different kind of leadership to what exists in the Legislature now.

"What I think government should be doing is two things: protecting and empowering the citizenry," she said. "I see significant failures on those scores, and I am the right guy to adjust those."

DeLany said he feels compelled to run for office because he feels citizen's constitutional rights are being infringed upon. He wants to ensure that doesn't happen in Wyoming.

"If you just ignore the problem, it is not going to go away," he said.

As for Lockhart, he explained there are a number of issues he worked on in the areas of education, health and energy. He's now running to continue those effort.

"Once you start down those tracks, it keeps you interested," he said.

Reach reporter Joshua Wolfson at (307) 266-0582 or at josh.wolfson@trib.com.

Name: Tim DeLany

Party: Libertarian

Age: 52

Home: Casper

Occupation: Chef at Dorn's Fireside

Education: Three bachelor's degrees from the University of Wyoming

Family: Wife, Shelley, stepchildren Amber and Ted Hudson

Political experience: Ran for HD 57 seat in 2004 and 2006

Name: Tom Lockhart

Party: Republican

Age: 73

Home: Casper

Occupation: Retired from electric utility business, state legislator.

Education: Bachelor's degree from University of Wyoming. Master's from Portland State University.

Family: Wife, Lynn, children, Franci, Tom Jr., Ted, Gini

Political experience: HD 57 representative since 2001, Thermopolis Town Council

Name: Jane Ifland

Party: Democrat

Age: 58

Home: Casper

Occupation: Nexa LLC advertising, marketing and design firm

Education: Bachelor's degree from University of Wisconsin at Madison

Family: Single

Political experience: Former chair of Democratic Party of Natrona County, current Democratic precinct committee member for Natrona County, former Democratic state committee member

Party: Libertarian

Age: 52

Home: Casper

Occupation: Chef at Dorn's Fireside

Education: Three bachelor's degrees from the University of Wyoming

Family: Wife, Shelley, stepchildren Amber and Ted Hudson

Political experience: Ran for HD 57 seat in 2004 and 2006

Name: Tom Lockhart

Party: Republican

Age: 73

Home: Casper

Occupation: Retired from electric utility business, state legislator.

Education: Bachelor's degree from University of Wyoming. Master's from Portland State University.

Family: Wife, Lynn, children, Franci, Tom Jr., Ted, Gini

Political experience: HD 57 representative since 2001, Thermopolis Town Council

Name: Jane Ifland

Party: Democrat

Age: 58

Home: Casper

Occupation: Nexa LLC advertising, marketing and design firm

Education: Bachelor's degree from University of Wisconsin at Madison

Family: Single

Political experience: Former chair of Democratic Party of Natrona County, current Democratic precinct committee member for Natrona County, former Democratic state committee member]]->