CHEYENNE n The Republican candidates for House District 7 in Cheyenne, Bryan Pedersen and Jeff Matthews, have similar views on many top state issues, but they differ on how to improve health care in Wyoming.

Matthews, a 43-year-old health and safety director at Red Cross of Wyoming in Cheyenne, said there are no simple solutions to the health care "mess." He blamed the current problems on profit-seeking health maintenance organizations, drug companies and insurance companies, which he said have no motivation to fix the system.

"It has become a lose-lose, not just for Wyoming but for America," Matthews said. "If we do something, it probably involves big spending, and therefore, perhaps tax increases, which I'd prefer to avoid."

Meanwhile, Pedersen, a 33-year-old financial consultant and former state lawmaker from Cheyenne, said the Legislature can make health care more available in Wyoming today by expanding the WWAMI Medical Education program - which allows Wyoming students to attend medical school at the University of Washington - to include physician's assistants.

Pedersen said the physician's assistants could help serve Wyoming residents in rural communities.

Pedersen also said the state should look into a program pioneered in Mississippi that prepares licensed practical nurses to work in satellite offices in rural areas for relatively little cost.

"You'll get five nurses in some of these places for the same price as a doctor," Pedersen said.

Matthews and Pedersen are competing for a chance to face Democrat Ken Tuma of Cheyenne and Libertarian Clair A. Schwan of Cheyenne in the November general election. House District 7 includes northwest Laramie County and a portion of Cheyenne.

Matthews and Pedersen agree that diversifying the economy is key to the future of the state. One way to accomplish that goal, Pedersen said, is to use the anticipated state budget surplus to increase funding for the Wyoming Business Council and its Business Ready Communities grant program.

Matthews said the state Legislature should do "everything possible" to encourage diversification of the state economy. That includes spending to promote alternative energy production, and to build infrastructure. It also means promoting a friendly business climate and possibly creating opportunities for vocational training.

Matthews said he'd like to see the anticipated state budget surplus spent n with restraint n on tax relief, roads, alternative energy and promotion of non-energy based businesses. He doesn't support more savings in "rainy-day trusts."

Matthews said he doesn't like the idea of new taxes, and he supports a property tax cut for the elderly. He generally does not support higher fuel taxes. He also opposes a proposal to charge truckers a toll on Interstate 80. A new, permanent stream of funds should be created to pay for highways, Matthews said.

Pedersen said the Legislature needs to help Wyoming families by addressing rapidly rising property taxes. Pedersen said he does not support higher state fuel taxes to fund highways.

"Gas is already too high for Wyoming families," he said.

Pedersen, who serves on a state community college task force, said the state's seven community colleges should be paid for with a "permanent funding mechanism that is based on accountability." Matthews said state community colleges already get their fair share of funding.

Both candidates said they would support a statewide smoking ban, with some caveats. Matthews said he would support the ban if his constituents want it. Pedersen said he supports a statewide smoking ban, but not in bars, night clubs or cigar bars.

Both candidates support tougher penalties for drunken drivers. Matthews believes in the "harshest penalties possible" for drunken drivers, including a year-long license revocation after a third offense.

"With driving being a privilege, not a right, you should expect to lose that privilege if you cannot abide by the rules," Matthews said.

"In the past I voted to increase the penalties for drunk drivers to a felony and I will vote again to increase the time served," said Pedersen who gave up his legislative seat after one term to move his family to a larger home in Cheyenne.

Matthews said land development in Wyoming needs to be carefully considered but it needs to be as unfettered as possible.

"I am a believer in free enterprise, and freedom in general, with government involvement only to protect the citizens and to provide for their well-being," Matthews said. "I am pro-growth. If you want economic diversity, that means growth. Growth needs to be carefully considered n i.e. zoning, annexation - but it needs to be as unfettered as possible."

Pedersen said the Legislature did a great job last session in changing the state's imminent domain laws, and he's anxious to see the ramifications. "They cleaned up a confusing part of the state law," Pedersen said.

The solution to the state's worker shortage is "recruitment and retention," Matthews said. Vocational schools would also help.

He said the state housing shortage may really be a shortage of affordable housing, a problem he linked to "taxes, ownership and landlord concerns."

Pedersen said one way to solve the worker shortage is to train Wyoming youths for jobs that companies are now forced to fill with labor imported from other states.

Reach reporter Jared Miller at (307) 632-1244 or at jared.miller@trib.com.

BIO BOX

House District 7 - northwest Laramie County and part of Cheyenne

Jeff Matthews

Party: Republican

Age: 43

Home: Cheyenne

Occupation: Health & Safety Director, Red Cross of Wyoming

Education: Bachelor's, meteorology, Rutgers University

Family: Single

Political experience: None

Bryan Pedersen

Party: Republican

Age: 33

Home: Cheyenne

Occupation: Financial consultant at RBC Wealth Management

Education: Bachelor's from the University of Wyoming

Family: Married; two children

Political experience: Wyoming House of Representatives 2005-06