© 2024 Wyoming Public Media
800-729-5897 | 307-766-4240
Wyoming Public Media is a service of the University of Wyoming
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Transmission & Streaming Disruptions

Committee Kills Community Funding Bill

Bob Beck
/
Wyoming Public Radio

A legislative committee has once again defeated a bill that would give cities and towns the ability to raise an additional sales tax without support from county residents who live outside city limits.  

Communities in large counties have complained that one-percent sales tax issues have failed because residents in other communities voted against it. 

County Commissioners Association Director Pete Obermueller testified that if the legislature allowed local communities to approve their own sales tax, it would make countywide sales measures less popular. He said there are ways to get local governments more money, but this bill is not the right approach.

"This bill has distracted us from finding a way to do that in a way that doesn’t simultaneously harm the counties and the small towns."

Lawmakers say other pieces of legislation, including one that would restore the sales tax on food would provide more money to communities. 

Bob Beck retired from Wyoming Public Media after serving as News Director of Wyoming Public Radio for 34 years. During his time as News Director WPR has won over 100 national, regional and state news awards.
Related Content