Wyoming Senate. Senators are elected for four-year terms;
there are no term limits. Compensation
in 2007 will be $150/day when in legislative session or when serving on
an interim committee. In addition, $85 per Diem in expenses is allowed
and 35 cents per mile as travel reimbursement. Benefits are not
provided. Mike
Massie (District 9) and Bill Vasey (District 11) are the incumbent
Senators. In
District 9 no Republican filed for election, and in District 11 the
incumbent is challenged by Harry Lovato, (R) and Kenneth R. Casner
(Independent).
Biographical Information:
Mike Massie, District 9 (D):
Husband and father; executive director of a non-profit organization of
developmental preschools; active in the community; 12 years in the
legislature; sponsor or co-sponsor of several successful bills,
including the Hathaway Scholarships and endowed faculty fund, increased
funding for all levels of education, greater access to quality health
care, efforts to diversify the state’s economy, funding for
libraries, creation of the Wyoming Business Technology Center and
School of Energy Resources, Wildlife Trust Fund, and elimination of the
sales tax on groceries; member of the legislature’s
Management Council and several other state and national committees.
Kenneth R. Casner, Senate
District 11 (I): Born on September 8, 1950 making me 56 years old today. I
graduated from East High School in 1968. I
then attended a year of college at Casper College. I
joined the United States Army, serving a year in Viet Nam. Then
Wyoming National Guard where I was from 1972 until 1998. I
have been married to Nancy Williams for 34 years and have two children
Joy and Paul along with one grand daughter Sera Akin. I
operate two businesses in Carbon County one is seasonal in Elk
Mountain, then in Hanna the business is full time; both are cafes.
Harry Lovato, District 11 (R): No
response
Bill Vasey, District 11 (D): I
reside in Rawlins Wyoming.
I am completing my second term in the Wyoming Senate and
I am seeking re-election. Senate
district 11 is all of Carbon County and a portion of Albany County
including the Town of Rock River. I
have also served three terms in the Wyoming House of Representatives. I am retired. I am married to Judith. We have three children,
seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
What does Wyoming lack
that the legislature could address that would attract and maintain
long-term, stable and environmentally friendly businesses?
Mike Massie, District 9 (D): The
legislature must continue to develop the infrastructure capable of
nurturing and retaining these businesses. This includes an
excellent educational system, livable communities, access to quality
health care, modern communication and transportation systems, support
for locally-developed businesses, and high quality environmental and
recreational resources. And increasingly, it means access to
the most recent advances in technology.
Kenneth R. Casner Senate District
11 (I): I feel that
in the Legislature small business is receiving discrimination towards
the creation of small business within small Wyoming Communities. I
would have to say this is due to lobbying, special interest
associations which have the power for the creation of laws that hamper
young new business towards creation. I
have often wondered why Wyoming does not create a full low interest
business loan, instead of grants for communities?
I feel this would regenerate the communities…
Bill Vasey, Senate District 11
(D): The
infrastructure of the state is being upgraded to attract these types of
business.
I would continue to support funding the Business
Council, the Community Colleges and the University of Wyoming as they
address these issues.
Current pressures for
energy development in Wyoming are intense – how can the need
for development be balanced with environmental protection and enhanced
recreation opportunities?
Mike Massie, District 9 (D): The
first step toward balance is to extract our minerals at a pace that
will not destroy the other resources we value. Since the
federal government is eroding important environmental protections,
Wyoming’s legislature must ensure state laws and enforcement
are sufficient to maintain our quality environment. Effective
planning would preserve recreational opportunities on public lands, and
funding for the Wildlife Trust Fund, Game and Fish Department, state
parks, and historic sites should be increased.
Kenneth R. Casner, Senate
District 11 (I): I
believe Wyoming now stands in positional security due to energy
development. Yet I
would have to state that Wyoming knuckles under to outside corporations
and experts. I want
Wyoming to take charge of her land now before it too late and changes
our culture of life. I
truly believe that the time has come in Wyoming History to demand our
rights for the future of our children. Who
better knows Wyoming than Wyoming people…
Bill Vasey, Senate District 11
(D): In this Senate District there are large blocks of federal lands
and the federal agencies are charged with permitting those lands. In
regard to State Trust Land, I would support additional staff and
technology for the State Lands and Investments to allow permitting and
enforcement of proper use of these lands.