By Wendy Corr, Cowboy State Daily
The overwhelming majority of residents in Wyoming support the use of fossil fuels. But more taxes on those fuels? Well, that’s a different matter.
But Wyoming needs the proposed increase in fuel taxes to keep up with its highway maintenance, according to an official with the Wyoming Department of Transportation.
Doug McGee, public affairs manager for WYDOT, told Cowboy State Daily the department is facing a shortfall of about $354 million in unfunded needs per year. “Certainly, this fuel tax is very much needed to maintain our roads and bridges – our transportation system – to the level that Wyoming citizens expect,” McGee said.
Legislative Roundup: 17 Days Left In 2021 Session
SFNM
COVID-19 case detected at the Roundhouse: Another COVID-19 case has emerged at the Roundhouse the first time since five cases were detected near the onset of the legislative session more than a month ago.
Raul Búrciaga, director of the New Mexico Legislative Council Service, reported Tuesday that one positive test result was reported among the 66 people tested Monday.
Contact tracing was initiated as a result of the case, Burciaga wrote in an email. “Two individuals are in quarantine,” he wrote. “Deep cleaning was conducted in the area of the infected individual.”
In discussions with the state Department of Health, “the appropriate measures have been taken,” Burciaga wrote. He said he could not disclose whether the positive case or the individuals in quarantine involved legislators or staff members.
Wyoming Needs Higher Fuel Tax For Roads, WYDOT Says county17.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from county17.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Vermont lawmakers consider bills to regulate short-term rentals
By Curt Peterson and Polly Mikula
Two local towns, Killington and Woodstock, currently have short-term rental regulations and now the state Legislature seems to be interested in joining the fray.
Bill H.200, introduced by Representatives Kornheiser (Brattleboro), Colburn (Burlington) and Pajala (Londonderry), claims four purposes: Protecting the residential rental market, supporting full-time residency, discouraging real estate speculation, and leveling the playing field for short-term rentals and other types of lodging.
A “short-term rental” is defined as any sleeping accommodation that is rented in exchange for a fee for less than 30 consecutive days.
Colorado House Democrats on Monday passed the first of several bills intended to improve safety around firearms, sending a bill on safe gun storage to the full House.
The House State, Civics, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee voted along a 7-4 party line to approve House Bill 21-1106, which requires gun owners to securely store their firearms.
The measure â known as âPromoting Child Safety Through Responsible Firearm Storage Act  â is an effort to keep guns out of the hands of kids. Mondayâs sometimes-emotional testimony included those who have seen firsthand what happens when guns aren t safely locked up.
HB 1106 creates a class 2 misdemeanor for those who donât lock up their guns. That can include safety locks, gun safes or something as simple as an adult who has the gun in their possession.