Wyoming House of Representatives .  Terms are for two years. Although citizens passed a referendum in 1992 limiting terms for legislators, the Wyoming Supreme Court invalidated it in 2004 (the year it was to have taken effect) so there are no term limits now.   When the legislature is in session or when they are on official business, legislators receive $150 per day in salary, and expenses of $85 per diem and 35 cents per mile for travel. Benefits are not offered. Only voters within the district vote on their representative. Incumbents are Jane Warren (District 13), Kermit Brown (District 14), Kevin White (District 45), Jim Slater (District 46), and Jeb Steward (District 47). There is no opposition for Warren or Brown.  White is opposed by Seth Carson (D); Slater is opposed by Jan Alvaney (D); and Steward is opposed by Linda Fleming (D).
 
Biographical Information:
 

Jane Warren, House District 13 (D): I have been a Representative in the Wyoming House for six years serving on Labor Health and Social Services, Judiciary, Appropriations and the Mental Health-Substance Abuse Select Committee. In 2005 I was awarded, “Outstanding Efforts to Prevent Impaired Driving”.  I grew up on a dairy farm in Torrington, was a Rotary Exchange student in Argentina, and received a Ph.D. in Counseling from UW in 1987. I am a Wyoming licensed family and addictions therapist. In 1990 I received “Woman of Distinction” and in 1997 “Woman Helping Women”.  I have two sons, Jeremy McCue MD, and Justin McCue Ph.D.           

Kermit C. Brown, House District 14 (R): I grew up in Casper and attended UW.  After earning two bachelor’s degrees, I became a naval officer and served in Viet Nam.  After four years in the Navy, I came back to Laramie and in 1973 earned my law degree.  I practiced law two years in Wheatland and 18 years in Rawlins.  I have practiced law in Laramie since 1992.  I was President of the Wyoming Bar Association in 1994.  I am the senior member in Brown and Hiser LLC and I am completing my first term in the Wyoming House of Representatives.
 
Seth Carson, House District 45 (D): I moved to Laramie in 1989 and have lived here ever since.  In 1992, I battled cancer and received proceeds from both the Hapi-Ness 5K and Make a Wish Foundation.  After graduating from LHS in 1997, I obtained a B.S. in Architectural Engineering from UW in 2002.   Upon graduating, I started several small businesses as a home designer and alternative energy consultant.   During the summer of 2004, I successfully won a seat on the Laramie City Council.  I describe myself as experienced, outspoken and politically motivated and I am very optimistic about my future in the state legislature.
 
Kevin A. White, House District 45 (R):  I’m Kevin White, your State Representative for House District 45.  I am a 27-year resident of Albany County and an 11-year West Laramie property owner. My wife Berlinda and I have four children. For the past 27 years, I have served the people of Laramie as a police officer with the University of Wyoming where I am currently the Interim Chief of Police. I am a graduate of the Wyoming Law Enforcement Academy, the FBI National Academy, LCCC and UW. It has been a privilege to serve you and I look forward to continuing as your House Representative.

Jan Alvaney, House District 46 (D): I bring 30 years of experience in education, technology and business to my campaign. I hold a Bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University and a Master’s from the University of Wyoming.  I moved here in 1976 to teach special education at Albany County School District #1, and taught for 12 years at Whiting, Beitel and Rock River.  I am President and founder of Alvaney Design, a technology-based training design business, and currently work as a consultant for Handel Information Technologies, Inc. in Laramie.  I live in Centennial with my husband, Paul, and our two Irish Setters, Killian and Kassidy.

James J. Slater, House District 46 (R): My wife Karol, Laramie native and I (a 54 year resident) have six grown children, all eight of us University of Wyoming alumni.  I earned a bachelor’s degree from UW in agriculture, owned and operated local businesses and retired senior vice president from American National Bank.  I’ve completed six years in the state legislature where I served on the Judiciary; Agriculture, Public Lands and Water Resources Committees and the Travel, Recreation, Wildlife and Cultural Resources Committees.
 
Linda L. Fleming, House District 47 (D):  I am a life-long resident of Baggs and the Little Snake River Valley. I grew up on the family ranch and retired in 2002 from teaching high school science in Baggs. I have served as Town of Baggs Mayor and fourteen years as  a Carbon County Commissioner.  I am the immediate past president of the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission. I also serve on other state boards including the Wyoming Health Council and Project Learning Tree. I am married and have one son. I am a  member of the Episcopal Church.
 
William “Jeb” Steward, House District 47 (R):  I have lived in the Encampment area for 30 years.  I worked at the Silver Spur Ranch for 20 of those years while I raised a daughter. I now own my own agriculture business. I have always felt it is important to give back to my community and have been involved with our volunteer fire, ambulance, and search/rescue services for over 20 years. The last five years have seen my interest shift to resource issues with involvement as chair of SER Conservation District, board member of our local water user’s association, and as a commissioner with the Wyoming Water Development Commission.
 
What should the Legislature do to assure adequate health care for all Wyoming residents?  Should our energy windfall funds be used for this purpose?

 

Jane Warren, House District 13 (D): Utilizing some of the “windfall”, Wyoming could establish a program similar to Massachusetts which offers a broad range of health-care services by paying for part or all a member's health insurance depending on income need.  The plan would utilize consumer input to design the options for coverage, cost oversight and management, would require prevention and wellness and would work toward economic self sufficiency.  All Wyoming residents should be able to access health care coverage.

Kermit C. Brown, House District 14 (R): We could provide scholarships for nurses who agree to stay in Wyoming to work.  We could fund more slots in WWAMI conditioned on recipients returning to Wyoming to practice medicine.  We could consider lengthening the time WWAMI graduates must practice in Wyoming.  I do not favor using energy windfall funds for these purposes.  I do not favor the Massachusetts insurance plan because it requires a new state bureaucracy and a state income tax to work. 

Seth Carson, House District 45 (D): Legislators need to agree to make this a top priority and recognize it as a right of Wyoming citizenry.  The Republican federal government has ignored the pleas and needs of its senior citizen constituency for years and provided NO solutions to this problem to date.  In the absence of national healthcare leadership, a bipartisan state implementation of a universal healthcare program using appropriated general funds and not fluctuating energy dollars will assure adequate health care.
 
Kevin A. White, House District 45 (R):  The legislature is on the right track with its creation of the Wyoming Healthcare Commission. We need to keep abreast of the commission’s research and recommendations to make health care more accessible and affordable to all Wyoming citizens. With approximately 14 percent of Wyoming’s population uninsured, the utilization of energy windfall funds to share the burden between public and private funding is a possible remedy, however, we must continue to look at other potential solutions.
 
Jan Alvaney, House District 46 (D): The state has a responsibility to the citizens to study the options, advocate for and enact legislation that would reduce the burden of health care costs.  I support creating a state prescription drug commission that would allow the state to purchase prescription drugs at volume discounts.  Citizens could then purchase pharmaceutical drugs from the state at reduced prices. All revenue sources, including “energy windfall funds”, should be considered when seeking funding for health care legislation.
 
James J. Slater, House District 46 (R):  We can study the Massachusetts model before we make a decision, but I believe we should not fund new long term programs with one time money.  I voted for and we passed Wyoming Kidcare, which provides health insurance to roughly 10,000 Wyoming kids.  It also pumps money into doctors and hospitals so that they don’t have to eat those charges.

Linda Fleming, House District 47 (D):  I believe the need for affordable health care for Wyoming citizens is a top priority. Primary health care clinics should be available to all residents of the state, and preferably within the resident's own communities. Grant assistance in networking with physicians and hospitals in larger areas to the smaller clinics could be realized by the “windfall.” Affordable health insurance for small businesses and employees is a must. The state might look at the Massachusetts plan for guidance.

 William "Jeb" Steward, House District 47 (R): I would support the expansion of the WWAMI Program through UW and initiate a State loan repayment program for health care professionals who decide to practice in Wyoming. We can assure quality health care by addressing our tort system so it is designed to prevent medical errors. I would support adjustments on Medicaid eligibility requirements so more children and fixed income people can receive care. We should use our energy windfall funds for this.

 

Wyoming has a weak “open container” law that allows the driver to pass off a drink to a passenger if stopped. Do you favor keeping the law as it is or would you recommend changes?  Explain. 
 

Jane Warren, House District 13 (D): Banning open alcoholic containers in a moving vehicle reduces alcohol-related fatalities and saves lives. Studies show decrease in fatal crash rates after states enact the federally compliant open container laws. Maine, South Dakota, and Rhode Island had decreases in hit-and-run crashes after enacting the law.  Wyoming is one of only ten states that has not yet passed federally compliant open container laws and we need to do it. Cars are not bars.

Kermit C. Brown, House District 14 (R): I do not favor keeping the law as it is.  I voted and will vote to change the law to prohibit open containers as long as it applies to all motor vehicles, no exceptions.  I will not vote to exempt motor homes.  I would vote for a bill in the form presented last session that permitted open containers in motor homes if they are secured in a closed cabinet out of reach of the driver.

Seth Carson, House District 45 (D): Currently, Wyoming is federally mandated to divert three percent of our state highway budget to public safety projects because of a lack of consensus in past state legislative sessions.  In short, the Senate and House need to compromise on the final hurdle and vote to ban “open containers” in moving recreational vehicles.  Strengthening of this legislation will make highway law enforcement easier, provide safer driving conditions, and infuse more money back into our highway construction.
 
Kevin A. White, House District 45 (R): I definitely support a change to the state’s open container law for occupants of vehicles traveling public roadways in the state with the possible exception of passengers in commercial buses, limousines, and living quarters of recreational vehicles. I believe that Wyoming’s traffic accidents in which alcohol is a contributing factor would decrease, resulting in saved lives. It is time for a cultural change that is necessary to set positive examples for our children.

Jan Alvaney, House District 46 (D): Do statistics prove (rather than suggest) that passengers having open containers increases alcohol related accidents?  If so, I would be compelled as a legislator to encourage the passage of legislation prohibiting this practice.  If not, there is no compelling reason to prohibit passengers in a vehicle from drinking if they want to, and, as a legislator, I would put my energy and efforts into supporting other important legislation – like health care and funding for municipalities.

James J. Slater, House District 46 (R):  I have voted to strengthen Wyoming’s open container law every time it has come up.  Last year’s bill failed by one vote, and the bill will be introduced again this session.  I believe it will pass because of the turnover and newly elected legislators,  and I will continue to support it.  One thing they say in Cheyenne is that good ideas come back, and hopefully we can get this done this session.

Linda Fleming, House District 47 (D):  I favor changing the law. I see no reason for open containers in any moving vehicle on any of our roadways. 

William "Jeb" Steward, House District 47 (R): Wyoming should and does have a strong drinking and driving law. If this law does not prevent this type of behavior of passing off a drink to a passenger, then we need to make sure that it does. In the process of changing this law, we must be careful not to turn people into criminals who are just taking an open bottle of wine to a holiday dinner in their car.