WY GOP Largely Pleased with {Democrat Governor} Freudenthal's Speech

Cheyenne Wyoming Tribune-Eagle ^ | 01-12-05 | Olson, Ilene

[Theodore R.]

GOP largely pleased with Freudenthal's speech

By Ilene Olson rep3@wyomingnews.com Published in the Wyoming Tribune-Eagle

CHEYENNE - Gov. Dave Freudenthal's State of the State address was pleasantly short and promoted a number of Republican ideas, leaders for the majority party said Wednesday.

Overall, the tone of the address was positive, said Senate President Grant Larson, R-Jackson.

Larson and Speaker of the House Randall Luthi, R-Freedom, said many of the ideas Freudenthal promoted - wildlife and cultural trust funds, water development and a restricted reserve account - were proposed by Republicans in past years.

"These ideas have been Republican ideas for a long time," Larson said. "But without money to fund them, they were not deemed meaningful.

"The difference is now we have the opportunity to bring to fruition many of the ideas that have been out there for a long time."

Rep. Owen Petersen, R-Mountain View, agreed with Freudenthal's calls to invest in water development and help communities with infrastructure. Water is critical to the future, and communities "are the bread and butter of the state," he said.

Larson said many of Freudenthal's proposals were good but lacked the details needed to flesh them out during the lawmaking process. While he said he likes the freedom that gives the Legislature the opportunity to pursue those ideas, Larson added that he wants guidance from Freudenthal as well.

Legislative leaders will meet weekly with the governor to keep the doors open to that communication, he said.

Luthi took exception to Freudenthal's reference to the biblical parable in which a servant buries his talent in the ground rather than managing it.

"I caught a nuance that the Permanent Mineral Trust Fund is akin to burying money in the ground," he said.

But the speaker said Wyoming needs to invest in the trust fund to ensure income in years to come. If one accepted Freudenthal's analogy, he added, "If you lay a chunk in the ground, it will blossom in the future."

Larson said, "I think the comparison was ridiculous as one who reads the Bible a little bit."

Rep. Colin Simpson, R-Cody, said he supports adding to the trust fund as well as creating a restricted reserve, or rainy-day, account.

Rep. Roy Cohee, R-Casper, said he appreciated Freudenthal's pledge to work in a cooperative, nonpartisan relationship with the Legislature.

He added that lawmakers need to look ahead 40 years when making decisions today.

"What will our experience be?" he asked. "Will the minerals and money prevail? If we don't have that, what will we have?"

That is why it is important to invest in the Permanent Mineral Trust Fund today, he said.

Sen. John Hines, R-Gillette, said the state's budget has grown 25 percent in the last four years.

"It takes a lot of money to maintain that," he said. "We have been working on diversifying the economy for years to get away from the boom and bust. If we examine everything now, you'll find we're more dependent on minerals now than in the past."

Sen. John Schiffer, R-Kaycee, referred to Chief Justice William Hill's State of the Judiciary address. Hill spoke of the contributions of former Chief Justice Larry Lehman to the state's justice system.

Lehman died of cancer late last year.

Noting Lehman's accomplishments, Schiffer said, "In Wyoming, it's individuals. When we get together, we represent the people of the state - every nook and cranny and every business.

"I think we can carry on with that tradition and do what's right for the state."

[Theodore R.]

This sounds like the GOP won't be making a major effort to win back the governorship in 2006.

[Bluegrass Conservative]

WHY is there a Democrat Governor in Wyoming???