DUSTIN BLEIZEFFER Star-Tribune staff writer | Posted: Thursday, October 9, 2008 12:00 am
Both candidates for House District 31 in Campbell County support carbon sequestration and other technologies that help preserve Wyoming's coal, oil and natural gas. But the Democrat and Republican differ greatly when it comes to general governance philosophy.
Democratic challenger Billy Montgomery says as an active union member and longtime railroad worker he's learned how to listen to people so that he can offer helpful solutions.
"I don't have any hidden agendas. I want to go down there and do the best I can for the people here," Montgomery said.
Incumbent Republican Tom Lubnau II, a Gillette attorney, said he believes in individual responsibility, particularly in health care. But the state should actively invest in all its education programs to build a skilled workforce.
"My dreams are to make sure I protect and preserve jobs and educate kids for the future, and doing everything we can to stay ahead of that curve is my primary legislative goal," said Lubnau.
Twenty-four hour child care is at the top of Montgomery's list of issues he'd like to address in the state Legislature. Many young working families don't have extended family nearby to rely on when it comes to childcare, and so many families are tied to shift work.
The state and large employers could help start up 24-hour day care centers, said Montgomery. Wage-based fees should allow people to work more and therefore allow the service to be gainful.
Much of Lubnau's recent legislative work has been in establishing the legal framework to allow commercial-scale carbon sequestration in Wyoming. With the inevitability of federal carbon regulation, being able store carbon underground will both preserve Wyoming's fossil fuel industries and expand the state's energy to more value-added processes.
"The goal is to protect and preserve the jobs that are mineral industry related in Wyoming and to create new jobs for folks in the carbon sequestration industry," said Lubnau.
Montgomery supports alternative and advanced energy technologies to help preserve Wyoming's energy economy.
"I think Wyoming is blessed with this coal and we should be leading the nation in this area," he said.
Montgomery said he favors support for extending public transportation beyond services for senior citizens and special-needs people.
When it comes to a projected budget surplus, Montgomery said, "We've got to be wise and understanding." Saving is important, but the state would be wise to also invest in its roads, water and other aspects of community infrastructure.
Wyoming's education programs - from kindergarten through high school, community college and the university - should be a priority in order to provide the best education possible and build Wyoming's work force, said Lubnau. And if the state provides funding, schools should be accountable to the state.
"If you fund it, you get to run it," Lubnau said, adding that policy should be a byproduct of a current study on school finance and management.
Contact reporter Dustin Bleizeffer at (307) 577-6069 or dustin.bleizeffer@trib.com
CANDIDATES' BIOS
House District 31
covering western Campbell County
Billy Montgomery
Party: Democrat
Age: 57
Home: Gillette
Occupation: Brakeman/conductor for BNSF Railway
Education: GED
Family: Married, three children, one grandchild
Political experience: Board of trustee, United Transportation Union, current president of Local 465.
Tom Lubnau II
Party: Republican
Age: 49
Home: Gillette
Occupation: Attorney
Education: Bachelor of science degree in finance, University of Wyoming, 1981; Jurist doctorate, 1984; working toward an associate's degree in fire science.
Family: Married, two children.
Political experience: Four years in the House, Speaker Pro-Tem for the past two years; Republican precinct committee man in Campbell County.
House District 31
covering western Campbell County
Billy Montgomery
Party: Democrat
Age: 57
Home: Gillette
Occupation: Brakeman/conductor for BNSF Railway
Education: GED
Family: Married, three children, one grandchild
Political experience: Board of trustee, United Transportation Union, current president of Local 465.
Tom Lubnau II
Party: Republican
Age: 49
Home: Gillette
Occupation: Attorney
Education: Bachelor of science degree in finance, University of Wyoming, 1981; Jurist doctorate, 1984; working toward an associate's degree in fire science.
Family: Married, two children.
Political experience: Four years in the House, Speaker Pro-Tem for the past two years; Republican precinct committee man in Campbell County.