CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Cap City News has sent out a questionnaire to those running in the primary election in August. The following are the answers from Sara Burlingame, who is running for House District 44. Answers are edited only for clarity and style.
Who are you? (name, where you’re from, employment, hobbies, etc.)
Sara Burlingame, Executive Director, Wyoming Equality, reading, camping with my family, and knitting
Why have you decided to run for office and what do you hope to accomplish should you be elected?
I am running for office to serve my neighbors in HD 44. I believe we deserve someone who has a background in policy, will meet with everyone, and promote the interests of our community at the legislature.
3. How do you plan on accomplishing your goals?
I have a proven track record of forming strong coalitions and fighting for working-class people in the legislature.
What experience do you have that qualifies you for the office you are seeking?
I was raised in a family with a strong work ethic and have devoted my time and talents to improving my community. As the Director of a statewide nonprofit, I get to talk to a lot of people and I understand that inflation and economic instability are threatening us all.
Do you feel you could be a good steward with taxpayer dollars? Why or why not?
Yes. A good steward understands the process and commits to looking out for everyone, not just the wealthy.
On the issue of transparency, where do you stand on ensuring all public business is conducted openly and in a manner that encourages public attendance?
I have fought for the open and transparent government as a citizen, as a board member of Equality State Policy Center when we pursued the bill to require public meetings to be recorded, and as a member of the Judiciary Committee, where I was an outspoken advocate of transparency.
Do you believe the office or board position you seek has been open and honest with the public? If yes, how can the entity remain open and transparent when conducting public business moving forward? If no, what changes would you implement to ensure that all future dealings are open and transparent?
The public recordings of meetings have been a boon for transparency, and I would advocate that we continue. I would also urge the Management Council to streamline and formalize the process for posting public meetings, so the public has an opportunity to comment.
If you are presiding over a meeting and a topic was being discussed that you didn’t fully understand, would you ask for a more detailed explanation during the meeting or would you seek the information after the meeting?
I would not vote on an issue that I didn’t have all of the relevant information for.
Should you be elected, or re-elected, do you plan on seeking any major policy changes in your chosen office? If yes, what would those changes be? If no, why not?
I will pursue Medicaid Expansion and protect public education and public lands.
10. Marijuana legalization, or at the very least decriminalization, is on the minds of the public and public officials alike. Where do you stand on marijuana legalization? What would your office’s stance be if marijuana was decriminalized?
I fully support legalizing medical marijuana.
Should you be elected, or re-elected, where do you stand on the issue of constitutional vs. community policing?
No answer at the time of publication.
