Candidates Debate Taxes, Health Care

Wyoming’s fiscal future, including how to pay for education and health care, dominated a debate yesterday between candidates for governor in Casper.
Wyoming faces looming budget deficits amid tough times for the fossil-fuel industries that provide 70 percent of state revenue.
At Thursday’s debate, Republican Mark Gordon said despite its fiscal challenges, Wyoming doesn’t need a personal income tax. He said businesses looking to move to Wyoming want reassurance they won’t face new taxes.
However, Democrat Mary Throne leaves open the possibility of new taxes, saying both in Casper as well as on Monday at Cody Club that Wyoming could be more attractive to businesses by paying its bills.

Throne and Gordon also disagree about expanding Medicaid. Throne supports it but Gordon calls for finding ways to reduce health care costs instead.
They’re running to replace Republican Gov. Matt Mead, who is term-limited.