A Letter from Dale: Taking Care of Business

It used to be a good thing in America, or at least that’s the rumor. Among everyday citizens, we know from polling that “Takin’ Care of Business” is still a good thing. When I look at what many of our politicians are doing, I wonder if they believe it. Why, you ask? Wyoming has got to work on making it easier to do business here and concentrate on the things that business needs to be successful. We are one of the lowest taxed states in the Union and that’s a good thing, but when we maintain low taxes and raise prices on fees, permits, licenses, rates, and filings, the result is the same. Additionally, where we spend that revenue is important. We know that education, streamlined government processes, and law enforcement are what benefits business — not expansion of bureaucracies and increased regulation. It’s time to get our priorities straight if we want opportunity for ourselves and our children, who are leaving our state in alarming percentages.

Your Chamber of Commerce is acutely aware of the challenges in our state. We bemoan the fact that when the rankings for the best states to do business come out, we remain at best average and at worst in the bottom 10. We believe that Wyoming can have a great future, a future that provides opportunity for generational wealth and success for all. We also know that this future can’t be obtained without work to change the status quo. The Chamber’s 25 in 25 initiative is aimed at moving Wyoming into the top 25 states to do business in the next 25 years. We know that to truly impact the future it’s going to take hard work, unashamed honesty of where we are, and commitment from all of us. All of this is easy to say in talking points, but it is a little more difficult to discuss the details.

First, what is causing us to fail at this goal? Let me ask you this. Have your costs to maintain government gone up or down in recent years? Has the time (which is also a cost) to achieve your goals when working through bureaucratic processes decreased or increased? Is it easier to find workers? Have your costs for workers comp and unemployment insurance gone down? We know that costs are increasing, and you tell us in large numbers that the bureaucracy you deal with as business is not getting easier or cheaper. If we want to improve our standing, we must demand “less” out of government. Less hassle, less cost, and less regulation.

Second, we must address social issues that continue to plague us. Crime rates, educational attainment, and social problems like alcohol abuse (as an example) deeply impact our people and our ability to field an effective workforce. Rather than expensing and regulating our businesses into oblivion, we need government to focus here. Set upside boards and keep us safe.

We have a wonderful state, and our people dream of providing a great future for future generations, but if we aren’t honest with ourselves and start dealing with the hard truths, we are going to find ourselves in a position where it’s okay to be okay.

This is not good enough for your Chamber of Commerce. We believe that taking care of business means that from Main Street to Wall Street, Wyoming is held in reverence for our low-cost, low-regulation environment that celebrates business, our people, and our future. Not only is this our belief, we promise to work hard to make this lofty ideal a reality for every man, woman, and child in our state.

Onward and Upward,

Dale Steenbergen, President & CEO