Bill Sniffin urges collection of mineral
taxes as he files for GOP governor nomination
CHEYENNE - "If there is a mineral company
out there that is not paying its fair share of severance taxes,
we need to bust'em," Bill Sniffin, a governor candidate
from Lander said Friday morning. Sniffin made the comment
during an address near the steps of the State Capitol as he
filed his election papers.
The former newspaperman from Lander said that
reports that mineral companies are under-reporting their mineral
sales and thus costing the people of Wyoming tax money "should
be investigated fully." He said he fully supports the
call to junk the present honor system used by mineral companies
to report their earnings to state government.
"This is starting to sound a lot like
ENRON," Sniffin said, in reference to recent public disclosures
about alleged abuses of the severance tax paying system.
He quoted former State Legislator Tom Stroock
of Casper, who initiated the call for more stringent auditing,
in a recent newspaper article.
Sniffin also called those mineral companies
that are paying their fair share of taxes "good citizens,"
despite working in a system that could be prone for abuse.
The candidate said during the past six months,
he has found substantial evidence that Wyoming could be entering
"a golden age" when it comes to mineral development,
tourism and growth in local economic development.
He cited the fact that in 2001, mineral sales
in Wyoming climbed to a record $8.8 billion compared to just
$4.6 billion in 1998. He also referred to the projection of
100,000 coalbed methane natural gas wells in the next years
and that some 2.8 billion tons of coal lease applications
are sitting in the Casper Bureau of Land Management office.
A long-time member of the tourism industry,
Sniffin recalled a meeting last fall of statewide tourism
leaders in Cody where he predicted 2002 would be a banner
year for tourism in Wyoming. Although the Sept. 11 terrorist
attack in New York City was a terrible national tragedy, Sniffin
predicted to that group that people would want to visit Wyoming
the following year.
He predicted people would want to drive rather
than fly, they would want to spend quality time with their
families and they would want to see natural attractions rather
than man-made skyscrapers. "Advance reservations across
the state are running very, very high," he said. "We
are going to experience a golden age this year in tourism."
He pointed out that tourists spend $1.7 billion per year in
Wyoming, which comes to $5 million per day.
Sniffin has more "on the ground"
economic development experience than any other candidate.
He announced that in his travels across the state (23,000
miles in the past six months), he has encountered incredible
success stories all across the state.
He especially cited the Cheyenne LEADS for
their efforts to expand Sierra Trading Post, Grobet and the
new Lowe's.
Sniffin said that Wyoming "needs a leader"
who understands business" and he is that person.
He pointed out that he was the second oldest of 11 children
and left home a week after he graduated from high school.
His Nancy and he have owned over 20 businesses and have been
leaders in their fields.
"People across Wyoming tell me they are glad that I know
business and that I will promote our state's mineral wealth,"
he concluded," but they also tell me they are glad that
I am not a member of the mineral industry.
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Authorized by William C. Sniffin
Contributions or gifts to Bill Sniffin for Governor 2002 are
not tax-deductible.
Bill Sniffin for Governor - P.O. Box 900 Lander, WY 82520
(307) 332-3111, ext. 17
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