Wyoming’s economy is in a free fall. Declining revenue in the energy sector coupled with the COVID-19 pandemic prompted Gov. Mark Gordon to announce crippling budget cuts in August. The first round of those reductions totaled a quarter-million dollars and more are on the horizon. That’s one reason Jackson elected officials are urging people to support a seventh cent of sales tax. That measure, which they’ve coined “the general penny,” is on the November ballot.
If voters approve it, the seventh cent would go into effect in April. Officials stress that this solution is not etched in stone. Rather, elected officials could vote to put it back on the general ballot in four years for voters to reassess.
Jackson Town Council members unanimously support the measure and one such councilor, Arne Jorgensen, has been particularly vocal about the need for another penny of sales tax. But why is this the best solution? Jorgensen made a case for the additional coin.
Listen above for more.
