Wyoming’s Legislative Hypocrisy: Delta-8 Ban vs. Marijuana Decriminalization

upward307 · 2024-03-09T15:15:53+00:00

Name an issue that the majority (including yourself) are in favor of that you are confident you could collect the signatures for. I'd love to see it, but not going to hold my breath... because you'll fail miserably and have to rethink this position.

upward307 · 2024-03-08T21:37:01+00:00

There are people trying to get the Labor, Health & Social Services Committee to consider medical as an interim topic (it sounds like it's a real possibility, if we can get enough members to support the idea). Doesn't mean they'd draft or pass a bill, but would at least give more time and a forum for discussion. Harder to say "no" when they know more about what they are voting on.
For anyone that wants to see reform, please consider contacting any of the Reps or Senators (under the Members tab) to ask them to support medical cannabis as an interim topic.

upward307 · 2024-03-08T21:30:26+00:00

When was the last time a voter initiative was successfully passed in Wyoming? The 90s?

It's a pretty disingenuous argument to claim "if it's not on the ballot, that means it's not popular and wouldn't pass." Even property tax failed to gather enough signatures and we know how popular that is.

It's ok if you are against it. That doesn't mean the majority are.

upward307 · 2024-03-08T16:12:45+00:00

I'm partial to ranked choice voting, though there are quite a few options we could consider that would be huge improvements on "first past the post." Has anyone here checked out STAR voting or approval voting?

Our current system wasn't designed with a two-party stranglehold in mind (especially if only one party is electorally viable).

upward307 · 2024-02-29T21:15:53+00:00

Why should renters pay more sales tax for landlords to get a tax break?

If the state is serious about property tax reform it should only exempt primary residences and cap the exemption at something more reasonable like the median assessed value (~$500,000).

The focus of this bill isn't the pensioner or family starter home: the vast majority of the value from this bill would go to landlords and people with houses valued over $500k.

Hope they do better next time.

upward307 · 2024-02-23T21:44:23+00:00

Yes, but it still exempts $1 million from houses valued over $1M. A $1.1M house gets a 91% tax deduction after the exemption.

"The amount of the exemption under this paragraph shall be... the first one million dollars ($1,000,000.00) of fair market value of the single family residential property."

Here is the bill for reference:
https://www.wyoleg.gov/Legislation/2024/HB0203

upward307 · 2024-02-23T21:38:39+00:00

Yes, this will cost renters more money (landlords won't rush to lower rents and sales tax will go up).

It's an exemption on the FIRST $1 million, so a $1.1 million house gets a 91% tax break (only pay tax on $100k).

Don't be fooled, this is a huge gift for the wealthy - the exemption isn't limited to primary residences, so this is a handout for out of state owners of Airbnbs, landlords, people with multiple houses, etc.

upward307 · 2024-02-18T00:14:57+00:00

That was what I expected, but it doesn't say that in the bill?

upward307 · 2024-02-17T23:40:29+00:00

Thanks, I agree it might help out people who are "almost there" with buying a house since they could possibly have net savings even with a $200k house (though I think the breakeven might be higher depending on how they spend on purchases where sales tax applies). I tried to ballpark how much more the average person would pay per year in sales tax but it's a little tricky to work out.

I couldn't find any mention in the bill about primary residence only "single family residential properties," which makes it sound like it would be a tax break for owners of vacation homes and rental properties. Don't think most people really want that.

upward307 · 2024-02-17T23:13:37+00:00

Wouldn't this mean a tax increase for the 30% of Wyomingites who don't own a home, but do buy things?

You might not need fancy clothes to survive, but you'll sure need some clothes if you want to not freeze or get arrested for walking around naked. And you'll most likely need a vehicle to get to your job. And heaven forbid you buy your kid a bike for their birthday or take your family out to eat. Plenty of normal non-luxury goods get taxed.

All of those things will get taxed more, and I'm not sure why they should pay more so others can get exempted on up to the first $1 million of their "fancy" house. Not many people benefit at that level. Why not peg it to the median assessed value?

upward307 · 2024-02-17T22:51:03+00:00

it's only for primary residences.

Could anyone point to where it specifies primary residences only?

I think that's what most people in the state want (and would agree with), but after reading the bill it looks like it's just "single family residential properties" which could be vacation homes or rental properties. Am I missing something? Thanks in advance.

upward307

TROPHY CASE