The Wyoming                                                                                       March 2006   

TRANSIT EXPRESS                                                   Visit us online at www.wytrans.org 
The Newsletter of the Wyoming Public Transit Association

THANK YOU WYOMING LEGISLATORS!!
    

Thank You to 2006 Legislature—

House Bill 64 Passes

A HUGE THANK YOU to the Wyoming House of Representatives and State Senate for passing House Bill 64 during the 2006 Legislative Budget Session.  House Bill 64 exempts public transit agencies from paying sales tax on fares or contributions. WYTRANS was very fortunate to have House Majority Floor Leader, Representative Roy Cohee of Casper sponsor and speak in favor of House Bill 64.  A significant “Thank You” to WYTRANS Vice President Jeri Bottenfield for her efforts in this Legislative process.
    The Head of the Department of Revenue, Dan Noble, testified to the House and Senate Revenue Committees that the existing tax law did not specifically exempt public transit, but it should.  In most instances it was government taxing government.  The bill passed the House on a 60-0 vote.  It passed the Senate on a final vote of 25-5.  Governor Dave Freudenthal signed the bill on March 23rd.  The exemption becomes effective on July 1, 2006.
    This bill has a low fiscal impact on the state, but means that more funds will go to operating costs for public transit agencies in Wyoming.  WYTRANS members and those who depend on public transit would like to take this opportunity to express their sincere appreciation to the Wyoming Legislators for their outstanding support in 2005 and 2006! 

 

 

Representative Roy Cohee, left, accepts an appreciation award  from Jeri Bottenfield at the 2005 WYTRANS Conference. Representative Cohee  worked closely with WYTRANS during the 2005 and 2006 legislative sessions

Wyoming Governor Dave Freudenthal signed House Bill 64, which exempts public transit from paying tax on bus fares.  Cheyenne Transit Transportation Manager Joe Dougherty attended the bill-signing March 23rd in Cheyenne.

2006 WYTRANS Conference in Riverton

The 18th Annual WYTRANS Conference and Bus Roadeo will be held in Riverton, Wyoming, June 21-24.  PASS and Safe Driver classes will be held in addition to a Drug and Alcohol Requirements Workshop for transit supervisors.  The conference committee is also planning a presentation on customer service and how to deal with difficult passengers.  WYTRANS has also asked professionals from DFS, Elder Care, and Community Entry Services to speak on child abuse, elder abuse, and how people with disabilities may be victims of abuse.  Drivers will be given possible warning signs and symptoms of a person suffering abuse and educated on how to handle different situations.
    Saturday morning June 24, there will be a bus evacuation exercise.  The fire department will set a  vehicle on fire so that participants can witness first-hand just how quickly the vehicle is engulfed in flames.  The bus roadeo will be held at Central Wyoming College in Riverton at 12 p.m.  New for 2006, the first place winner will receive $1,000 and a trip to compete in the 2007 National Bus Roadeo.  The second place winner will receive $500, the third place finisher will be awarded $200, fourth place will get $150, and fifth place will take home $100.  The bus roadeo prizes have all doubled from last year!
    The May issue of the Transit Express will contain a complete conference schedule and registration form.  Several fun events are being planned.  Watch the WYTRANS Web site, <www.wytrans.org> for preliminary conference details.

 
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Wyoming Transit Express 1 March 2006