Dear editor:

This letter is in response to the Jan. 9, Rep. Paul Hoeft letter to the editor.

I wholly concur with Laurie Larsen's response to Mr. Hoeft’s column. Mr. Hoeft’s statements are either completely or partially untrue. He is a member of the “Freedom Caucus” (FC) which has roots, funding and takes orders from out-of-state wealthy donors. I have heard from several sources, who have been actual observers, that they get their bills drafted by these out-of-state influencers and present these bills verbatim to the Legislature.

First, our Wyoming elections are very safe and secure. Ed Buchanan, our previous secretary of state, has stated this repeatedly. Under Mr. Buchanan's watch, the post-election audit was successful and showed the primary results were 100% accurate. Concerning only Wyoming citizens registering to vote and voting, the County Clerks Association has stated, “to date, we have no indication that this has been the case.” So, if those in charge of our elections say they are safe and secure, why does Mr. Hoeft and his fellow FC members say they aren’t? It’s a power play. Their goal is to sow doubt and distraction into our democracy and election system. If more citizens believe this story and thus don’t show up to vote, the FC will turn out the more extreme voters and they will continue to gain power. It’s a tactic used by dictators all over the world. In the last election, only 9% of eligible voters in Wyoming voted for Freedom Caucus members. Voter turnout was very depressed.

Second, fossil fuels are losing in the marketplace. Contrary to misleading stories, it’s not regulation or taxes that has depressed the fossil fuel market, it’s the actual competitive advantage of renewable energy. Renewable energy offers high paying jobs and can serve to diversify Wyoming's economy. As Jane Mayer, Princeton University's professor of journalism, wrote in her best-selling book, “Dark Money: The Hidden History of the Billionaires Behind the Rise of the Radical Right,” ultra-wealthy fossil fuel and executives such as the Koch brothers have funded the rise of the FC throughout the nation. As we have seen, extreme weather events such as hurricanes, droughts, floods, and fires have been occurring with greater regularity. Ninety seven percent of climate scientists agree that human activity (fossil fuel use) are causing climate change (science.nasa.gov). Are we going to turn off our collective attention, while our children's future security burns to the ground?

Third, Mr. Hoeft’s attack on the University of Wyoming is typical of the FC. They are also strong supporters of charter school vouchers which can negatively impact public schools by taking students and funding away from them. Is this an attempt to sway our education subjects and focus on their worldview? Maybe.

Lastly, the FCs tax cut proposals are extreme. They will result in degraded communities and facilities. This includes severe reductions in road, bridge, sewer and water systems, lights, parks and hospital maintenance. Negative impacts will also hit schools, police, city and county workers. Get used to potholes, collapsing bridges, huge classrooms, no response when you call 911 and shuttered hospitals. Wyoming has the richest county in the USA, Teton County. But would the FC consider an income tax on those making more than $500,000 in investments or salaries? No. Are these some of their wealthy donors?

So, in summary, Mr. Hoeft and the rest of the Freedom Caucus will not benefit Wyomingites. Will they work to benefit themselves and their wealthy donors? Probably. Next election, please show up and vote for candidates who actually have ALL of our best interests at heart. Not just their own.

Phyllis Roseberry

Worland