CHEYENNE - State lawmakers expect a sizable budget surplus when they meet in regular session this January, and the candidates for House District 6 in eastern Wyoming have some specific ideas about how to spend the funds.

Democrat Chase Anfison said the state needs to invest in infrastructure, such as roads and access to affordable health care, while being careful not to invest in too many projects that require sustained spending.

Independent Tom Strock said spending should be capped at some point, with excess funds going toward infrastructure.

Republican Richard Cannady also had a number of priorities for the funds.

"I think more funds should be placed in the permanent trust fund, increase funding for city infrastructure, highway improvements and economic development," Cannady said.

House District 6 encompasses all but the southeastern corner of Converse County. The incumbent, Rep. Dave Edwards, R-Douglas, is not seeking re-election.

Taxes

Strock supports an increase in the state fuel tax to pay for needed highway repairs and construction, but he opposes a toll on heavy trucks that use Interstate 80.

Cannady does not support higher fuel taxes to pay for highways, but he is in favor of tolls for big rigs on I-80. He supports some kind of property tax relief for low- and fixed-income families.

Anfinson said the state should not raise its fuel tax at least until fuel prices go down, but he said he would support a toll for big rigs on I-80. He believes that Wyoming has the wealth to provide a property tax break to low-income seniors.

Drunk driving

Strock supports higher taxes on alcohol, and thinks drivers should lose their licenses after a second conviction of driving under the influence of alcohol.

Cannady supports stricter penalties for drunk driving, including mandatory counseling for second-time offenders, and mandatory prison time for third-time offenders.

Anfinson would vote to impose a felony on anyone who receives three drunk driving charges within seven years. He also supports education and prevention to reduce the number of DUI offenders.

Community colleges

Cannady said he'll wait to hear the findings of a state community college commission task force before he decides whether college governance and funding should change.

Strock would need to learn more about community colleges before reaching any conclusion about how the colleges should be paid for or governed.

Anfinson said the state should look at "taxing districts" to help assure equitable funding for the state's community colleges.

"We all benefit from our outstanding community colleges and it is in our best interest to see that they are fully funded," he said.

Smoking ban

Cannady and Strock oppose a statewide smoking ban.

Anfinson said second-hand tobacco smoke is a public health issue that requires a statewide ban on smoking in public places.

Economy

Cannady said the state can diversify its economy by increasing funding for economic development and community-readiness grants.

Anfinson believes the state needs to do 'whatever it takes' to diversify the economy, including relaxing regulations and providing tax breaks to encourage businesses to move to the state. The Wyoming Business Council needs to be held accountable for bringing new businesses to Wyoming, he said.

Strock said he would need to look into the issue further.

Land regulation

On the topic of state land regulation, Anfinson said Wyoming needs to 'balance limited development with the need to continue improving, expanding and diversifying Wyoming's economy.'

Strock doesn't think state government should be allowed to regulate land development.

Cannady would leave further land-development regulation up to the counties.

Health care

Cannady would like to see federal Medicare benefits increased so that more people can receive health care.

Anfinson said the state can make health care more available to Wyomingites by recruiting doctors, nurses and nurse practitioners to the state, and by increasing money available for public insurance for low-income families.

"I am not in favor of universal health insurance because I do not believe that we can pay for it, but I believe that we can do much better to cover people that are currently uninsured," Anfinson said.

Strock said he needs to study the issue.

Worker/housing shortage

Cannady said the state can help solve the housing and worker shortages by providing infrastructure grants to cities. He said workers will come to the state if there are jobs and housing.

Strock suggested using block grants for compacted communities from the mineral trust fund to solve both issues.

Anfison said the state can address its work force shortage by building centers to train skilled workers for jobs, while also improving programs at community colleges.

Anfinson said the government shouldn't build homes to address the statewide housing shortage, but tax breaks to those who build "moderate income" housing may be appropriate.

Contact capital bureau reporter Jared Miller at (307) 631-1244 or {M7jared.miller@trib.com

BIO BOXES

House District 6

covering all but the southeastern corner of Converse County

Richard Cannady

Party: Republican

Age: 72

Home: Glenrock

Occupation: Owner of Glenrock Components Inc.

Education: High school graduate

Family: Married

Political experience: None

Chase L. Anfinson

Party: Democrat

Age: 31

Home: Glenrock

Occupation: Teacher, Glenrock High School

Education: Bachelor's in secondary education social studies, 2003; M.A. political science, University of Wyoming, 2005

Family: Single

Political experience: None

Tom Strock

Party: Independent

Age: 65

Home: Douglas

Occupation: Rancher/pastor

Education: One year at Casper College

Family: Married, six children, 19 grandchildren

Political experience: Thirty-three years on the Converse County School District No. 1 Board of Trustees

covering all but the southeastern corner of Converse County

Richard Cannady

Party: Republican

Age: 72

Home: Glenrock

Occupation: Owner of Glenrock Components Inc.

Education: High school graduate

Family: Married

Political experience: None

Chase L. Anfinson

Party: Democrat

Age: 31

Home: Glenrock

Occupation: Teacher, Glenrock High School

Education: Bachelor�s in secondary education social studies, 2003; M.A. political science, University of Wyoming, 2005

Family: Single

Political experience: None

Tom Strock

Party: Independent

Age: 65

Home: Douglas

Occupation: Rancher/pastor

Education: One year at Casper College

Family: Married, six children, 19 grandchildren

Political experience: Thirty-three years on the Converse County School District No. 1 Board of Trustees]]->