Wyoming Governor Election: Rex “T-Rex” Rammell

NLJ: Please tell us why you want to hold this office, and what you intend to accomplish if elected. Please be specific about your goals and objectives, so our readers can measure your progress over the course of the term. Also tell us what qualifications and characteristics you possess that will help ensure that your stated goals can be achieved. (The same question was posed to all candidates for the General Election.)
 
Rex “T-Rex” Rammell
Born and raised near Yellowstone Park. Bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Animal Science, doctorate in Veterinary Medicine Kansas State University. Married to Lynda Wright of Alta, Wyo., for 35 years, have three daughters, one son, and six grandchildren. Served a two-year mission to Japan. Work as a veterinarian in Rock Springs, Wyo. Own and operate Sweetwater Stables.  Ran for U.S. Senate in 2008 and governor of Idaho 2010. Ran for U.S. House in Wyoming 2016 as Republican and now running for governor of Wyoming in 2018 on Constitution Party ticket. 
The Rich States Poor States 2018 report ranks Wyoming’s economic performance from 2006 to 2016 as 43rd in the nation with GDP growth ranked 46th. Property tax burden was ranked eighth highest. With a coal industry in the decline and Wyoming’s general fund revenue based 70 percent on the fossil fuel industry, Wyoming is in TROUBLE!  The status quo will no longer work in Wyoming. Balancing the budget with rainy day money is no long-term solution. Wyoming’s investment portfolio of approximately $20 billion has been riding the Trump bull market, but already hedge fund managers are warning an imminent correction is on the horizon. Wyoming desperately needs a safe strategy to energize the economy for the future. If elected governor, my plan is to petition the people to charter a new Bank of Wyoming after the model of North Dakota. Not a typical bank, but a bank that loans money to startup and existing businesses. If Wyoming had an infusion of $10 to $20 billion into her economy, the engine of capitalism would ignite and a fire storm of prosperity would ensue.
In addition to moving Wyoming’s investment portfolio from Wall Street to Wyoming, we need to assert our 10th Amendment state’s rights to manage the vast natural resources on our public lands. Not ownership, but management control. Currently the federal government keeps 52 percent of all mineral royalties and lease bonuses. If that money stayed in Wyoming along with new revenues from a timber industry and other land use fees, the potential exists for another billion dollars to be infused into our economy.  
Clearly, I am not a status quo candidate. My ideas are fresh and visionary. It will take a governor that thinks out of the box to move Wyoming into the future. I am a trained analyst and problem solver. Wyoming is a natural resource state. It is the backbone of our economy. We should do all we can to bolster its success. However, we should also do all we can to open the door to new industries. The business loans from the Bank of Wyoming will do just that. There is no need to raise taxes. We just need to take of advantage of the wealth above and below the ground, use our significant portfolio to provide capital to diversify our economy, and have a new governor with a bold new vision. www.rexrammell.com.