Shopping locally is ‘really cool’
I think that local businesses are really cool.
For example, Sweet Pickles. My mom and I went to Sweet Pickles to find a birthday present for a friend, and the person who worked there was really nice. She seemed happy to be there, which made me happy. Also they gift wrap presents for free!
Another example is The Nest. Recently, my mom got me a Christmas playdoh kit from The Nest. It was very creative! I could make a playdoh Christmas tree and decorate it, I could make a gingerbread man, a sugar cookie, and presents! The owner of The Nest is also very kind. A couple years ago, when my mom and I had COVID, the owner brought toys from The Nest to our house so I could have something fun to play with while I was sick.
Shopping at local businesses also supports people in our community. That is why I like shopping at local businesses. I hope other people shop at local businesses for the holidays, too.
Annika Murthy
(8 years old)
Laramie
Advertisement needs attention!
The recent ATTENTION! ad being published in the Laramie Boomerang definitely need attention.
The ad ask Boomerang readers to come by and sign a petition that could lead to a ballot measure reducing residential property tax assessments by half.
It would help future county commissioners if those signing the petition would indicate which county services they would like to have cut in half as well.
Here in Albany County, without any significant mineral production, residential property taxes (along with sales taxes) are the whole show.
Property taxes are the main source of funding for schools. They also fund county services such as the sheriff and deputies, secure voting, vehicle licensing, roads and bridges, and real estate transaction records. And don’t forget the library, fairgrounds, recreation, and uncompensated care at the hospital.
I’m pretty sure most county residents would not be happy with drastic cuts in these services and programs.
The Wyoming Taxpayers Association estimates that the taxes paid by Wyoming individuals and families fund only one-fourth of the services those individuals and families receive. The other 75% is picked up mainly by mineral taxes and federal funds.
The few states that have lower property tax rates than Wyoming have an income tax.
The real issue here is the pinch on low-income households caused by rapidly rising home valuations and the associated increase in property taxes.
The solutions should be targeted to that problem, rather than crippling our local and state economies by slashing essential services.
Sarah Gorin
Laramie
Thank you from AARP Wyoming
AARP Wyoming, a friend and fierce defender for more than 80,000 Wyomingites aged 50 and over, wants to thank U.S. Senator John Barrasso, R-Wyo., for sponsoring S.1378, the Connecting Our Medical Providers with Links To Expanded Tailored, and Effective Care (COMPLETE) Act.
The bill will temporarily increase Medicare reimbursement rates to cover start-up costs for providers who implement behavioral health integration (BHI) models to better coordinate both physical and mental health care for older adults.
AARP has endorsed this legislation, as it believes BHI models, such as the Community Care Model and Primary Care Behavioral Health Model, blend both physical and behavioral health care in one setting to better address medical conditions and related behavioral health factors that affect overall health and well-being. By providing patients with coordinated care in familiar settings, BHI models have been shown to improve access to mental health care, reduce wait times for treatment, and improve patient outcomes.
Thank you, Senator Barrasso, for your willingness to sponsor this important piece of legislation.
Sam Shumway
State Director, AARP Wyoming
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