HELPFUL TIPS FOR WRITING THE LEGISLATURE’S REVENUE COMMITTEE
You’ll write your message in the text box on Step 2, where it says “Personalize your message.”
Don’t click the “Send message” button until you write your message.
REMEMBER TO DELETE THE TEXT THAT SAYS “[DELTE THIS TEXT AND INSERT YOUR MESSAGE HERE]”
YOUR MESSAGE SHOULD HAVE THREE SHORT PARTS:
1. Say who you are. Make sure you mention you’re a Wyoming voter (or future voter, in case you missed the last election).
My name is ____ and I’m a Wyoming voter from _______.
2. Say what you want.
I’m writing today to ask you to work to create new forms of revenue that will decrease Wyoming’s dependence on mineral taxes.
3. Say why you want it.
[This is where you can add a sentence or two about why this is important to you.]
IMPORTANT: KEEP IT BRIEF
Lawmakers are very busy and if your message is more than a few sentences, they’re not going to read it.
PRO TIP: CHANGE THE MESSAGE SUBJECT
This will make your message look less like spam.
TALKING POINTS
Maybe mention a few of these things in your message
– Wyoming’s dependence on mineral taxes encourages state agencies to green-light mining projects, even if they’re harmful to our public lands, wildlife, and climate.
– New forms of revenue would decrease pressure on state lawmakers and agencies to support potentially harmful mineral development.
– Public lands are important to our economy beyond the minerals they hold. Our tourism industry, for instance, is Wyoming’s second biggest industry. It relies directly on public lands.
– Most of the fastest growing economies in the U.S. over the past 30 years have been in the West. Many of these have greatly benefitted from the outdoor recreation opportunities and quality of life that proximity to public lands offer. By decreasing our dependenc on public lands mineral development, Wyoming protects what could be a tremendous asset to diversifying our economy.
– Open spaces and abundant wildlife have always been central to Wyoming’s culture. Our dependence on mineral revenues threatens both of these, because it encourages lawmakers to push mineral development that harms both public lands and wildlife.
– Our carbon-based mineral developments spur climate change, which poses an existential threat to humanity
Click here for more information on why tax reform is good for Wyoming’s public lands, wildlife, and climate.