WYOMING — Governor Mark Gordon has released a statement explaining his stance on the ballot initiative called Proposition 1.
On Monday, Gordon published an op-ed titled “Why passing Prop. 1 would have a devastating impact on Wyoming.” He opens by explaining that, on Dec. 10, 1869, Wyoming’s first Territorial Legislature passed “an act to provide a territorial and county revenue.” He stated that this idea offered citizens the opportunity to have a direct impact at the local level on decisions and financing.
Wyoming voters will encounter Proposition 1 on the ballot this year. Approval of Proposition 1 would reduce property tax in the state by 50%. Gordon said that while property taxes are not always ideal, they do provide a direct mechanism for citizens – not politicians – to make decisions about funding local services.
“This initiative … is the first step in what could be a further call to completely dismantle a system of taxation Wyoming has relied upon since before statehood,” Gordon wrote. “The reduction by 50% would have an immediate and devastating effect on the services most Wyoming citizens rely upon in their communities.”
Gordon lists “universal” services like firefighting, emergency responses, schools and maintained roads as essential to the state’s long-term strength and vitality. He reminds readers that local control is a conservative principle. “Decisions about community needs should rest as close as possible to those people who live there, who pay the taxes there, and who can hold their local elected officials accountable,” he wrote.
From his perspective, Gordon has witnessed the state legislature reduce its commitment to towns and counties. But he argues that property tax does not go to the state – it stays at the local level. He said that property tax relief has come in the form of a 25% homeowner exemption and a 50% long-term homeowners exemption. He said that tax bills can be reduced, but essential services do not become less expensive.
“Cutting just to cut is not a responsible way forward for Wyoming,” Gordon said.
Read Gordon’s entire op-ed here.
