Western Jobs Debate Lands on Congress’s Plate
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July 13, 2010
CHEYENNE, Wyo. - Wyoming jobs are being debated at a
hearing today before the U.S. House and Senate Western
Caucuses. Up for examination at the so-called "War on Western
Jobs" hearing are what the caucuses claim are the negative
impacts of administration policies, or proposed policies, on
public land management and air and water quality controls.
Caucus member Senator John Barrasso of Wyoming says
he's hearing from constituents that rules and regulations are
making it harder for businesses and ranchers. He claims
federal changes aren't needed or welcome in the Cowboy State
where, he says, multiple uses of land have been in play
successfully for years.
"People come to our states
because of the natural beauty, and because of the recreation
opportunities, so we have done it right over the years to
protect our environment, but at the same time use the
land."
Economist Larry Swanson, associate director of
the O'Connor Center for the Rocky Mountain West at the
University of Montana, cites his own research, and research
from others, that shows the biggest driver of economic growth
for the area over the past 20 years has been based on large
numbers of people moving to the area. And, he says, they
didn't do it for oil and gas development, or ranching, but for
quality-of-life considerations, such as wide open spaces,
clean air and recreation. He sees government as having a role
to play in keeping those assets in the bank.
"These
have become huge economic assets, and being careful means it's
not a place where anything goes. You just gotta figure out how
to do it so that it's a win-win."
Today's hearing will
zero in on actions by the U.S. Department of the Interior,
which are being blamed for the West seeing the highest
regional unemployment rates for over a year.
The
hearing is at 12:30 MDT, at the Dirksen Senate Office
Building, Rm. 406, Washington, D.C.