CHEYENNE, Wyo. — In this edition of “Meet the Candidates,” Seth Ulvestad shares with Cap City News how he envisions governing Wyoming if elected to the state Legislature. Ulvestad is one of three people running for House District 11.
The following are responses that Ulvestad shared with Cap City News. To view the Q&As of other candidates who have also submitted answers to us, click here.
What are your top three legislative priorities for Laramie County, and how do you plan to advocate for them in the Wyoming House of Representatives?
I would like to build on what the legislature accomplished this past session and continue to pursue meaningful property tax relief. Finding a way to balance funding the services those tax dollars provide for without over burdening home owners needs to be a priority.
Another legislative priority is supporting K–12 education by ensuring school districts, students, teachers, and staff have adequate resources and facilities. I will be an advocate for local schools and will work to ensure facilities are up to the standard we expect our students to be provided.
Third, I will encourage economic development by removing regulatory barriers, allowing businesses big and small to thrive. Downtown Cheyenne is in House District 11 and I want to work with the local government and the Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce to bolster existing businesses and attract new ones.
How do you plan to support and improve the education system in Wyoming, particularly in terms of funding and workforce development?
I want to support education in Wyoming, and particularly in Cheyenne, by advocating for adequate facilities for our students. The legislature needs to ensure the environment our students are learning in is conducive to their success. Working with local school districts to retain and attract top-notch educators is another priority. There are funding models in place to fund these initiatives and we need to be responsible and creative in how we dispense those funds at the state level.
If elected I would like to work with the Community College Commission and University of Wyoming to continue workforce development programs. Working with local businesses to address their workforce needs and anticipating future workforce needs are issues I will look forward to addressing.
What measures will you support to improve healthcare access and affordability for residents of Laramie County?
We can attract healthcare providers through responsible legislation that allows them to perform their practice. The Legislature needs to responsibly address issues such as OBGYN shortages to ensure families can access the care they need without having to travel great distances. Suicide prevention is a subject I am passionate about and I will support programs that address the suicide problem Wyoming faces.
Affordability is a market issue. Through thoughtful legislation Wyoming can attract healthcare providers and insurance providers which can broaden the market and drive costs down.
What strategies do you propose for diversifying Wyoming’s economy and reducing dependence on traditional industries such as mining and energy?
Responsibly removing state level regulatory barriers that negatively impact existing businesses and potential businesses from thriving is one strategy. Another is urging the continued development of Wyoming’s outdoor recreation, hospitality, and tourism industry. Visitors love to experience what Wyoming has to offer and we need to leverage those tourism dollars to bolster our economy.
How do you plan to stay connected with your constituents and ensure their voices are heard in the legislative process?
Transparency is key to effective leadership. I plan to be available on a variety of communication platforms to ensure that I am accessible to the constituents of House District 11. Additionally I plan to update constituents following each legislative session to ensure I am holding myself accountable, and giving them the opportunity to respond with ways I can improve and further represent their interests.
Is there anything else you’d like voters to know about you?
Growing up in Wyoming gave me a deep respect for the state and the folks who live here. As a state employee I have a firm understanding of the legislative process and believe I will be able to make an immediate impact for the constituents of House District 11 as their state representative. As a member of the Greenway Advisory Committee for the City of Cheyenne, and treasurer for the Wyoming State Museum Volunteers I have strived to be a productive member of this community. I want to continue to advocate for the residents of Cheyenne in the State Legislature and am committed to being honest, dependable, and accountable.
