Wyoming State Senators serve 4-year terms. Salary is $150 per working day, with $85 per diem plus travel, reimbursed at the federal rate. A legislator can petition for an additional $150 per quarter for “constituent service”. There are two Senate Districts, 9 and 10, in Albany County. Only the senator for District 10 is to be elected this year. No other candidates filed for this office from either party.
1.
Biographical information. (100 words)
Phil Nicholas (R): Karen and I have made Laramie our home since
1982. We have four children. Karen teaches at Slade Elementary
school and I practice law with Anthony Nicholas and Tangeman, LLC. I have
served eight years in the House of Representatives and four years in the
Senate. I presently serve as the Chairman of the Senate Appropriations
Committee. I have served on the Laramie Planning Commission and boards
for the Laramie Beautification Committee, Ivinson Memorial Hospital, Laramie
Economic Development Corporation, Laramie Area Chamber of Commerce, and Hospice
of Laramie.
2. What does
Wyoming government do to ensure that the extractive industries pay all the
severance/royalties due the state? What
changes, if any, would you make? (75
words)
Phil Nicholas (R): The Legislature
funds the Department of Audit’s Mineral Audit Division to perform quality ad
valorem, severance tax and royalty audits. The Division employs 45
persons with a biennium budget of over $8 million. We authorized
employment of experienced oil and gas field investigators. 2006 and 2007
audits generated $79 million in extra taxes and $28 million in new
assessments. My first priority is to fund competitive market salaries to
recruit and retain highly qualified personnel.
3. Weather,
distance, and lack of public transportation make travel in and through Wyoming
a challenge. What can the legislature do
to improve inter- and intra-state public transportation? (75 words)
Phil Nicholas (R): The Legislature provides substantial funding
for non-profit groups and communities to provide local public assisted
transportation. Recently, substantial amounts were appropriated to the
University of Wyoming to subsidize its transportation system. Funding is
also provided to recruit airline companies to provide air service to our
communities with an emphasis on promoting economic development.
With increasing fuel costs, the state should investigate ways to encourage
private companies to provide reliable ground transportation between our cities.