Senator Eric Barlow (R-Gillette) called into the Weekday Wake-Up on Wednesday, July 29 to discuss his campaign in for Governor of Wyoming.

The following transcript of the above interview is AI generated. Minor spelling errors are likely to occur.

(0:00) As we wrap up the weekday wake up, (0:02) we have a chance to talk with Senator Eric Barlow (0:04) this morning out of Gillette. (0:06) He’s a candidate for governor of Wyoming. (0:09) Good morning, Senator Barlow, how are you doing today? (0:12) We’re doing great, Duke, how are you? (0:13) Hey, doing fantastic, appreciate your time (0:15) and a chance to catch up here and talk about your campaign.

(0:19) As we come down to the last final few weeks, (0:21) what are some of the focuses for you (0:24) as we get closer and closer to the primary here shortly? (0:29) Well, Duke, as you’ve known, we’ve been traveling (0:31) the state of Wyoming for over 11 months, (0:33) meeting folks and hearing about things on their mind (0:36) and learning a lot about the communities. (0:38) Spent a lot of time in Lincoln County and Star Valley (0:42) and just appreciated all that. (0:44) And we’re gonna continue traveling, folks.

(0:45) Now, of course, it’s fair season. (0:47) So we’re seeing lots of livestock and kids (0:51) enjoying this time of year and parades (0:55) and candy at the parade. (0:56) So we’re gonna continue traveling three more weeks.

(0:59) Early voting has begun. (1:02) And now we’re in the beginning of the second week (1:04) of absentee and early voting at your local polling place. (1:08) And then the August 18th is D-Day when the primary day.

(1:13) So yeah, we’ll continue traveling, meeting with folks (1:17) and learning about what’s important to them (1:20) and look forward to a positive outcome on the 18th. (1:24) As you’ve traveled around the state (1:26) and have talked with people, (1:27) what have been some of the top concerns (1:29) that you hear time and time again (1:31) across the entire state of Wyoming? (1:36) Yeah, there’s a handful of things (1:38) that touch everybody’s lives. (1:40) Education, our education system from K-12 (1:43) all the way to community colleges and the university.

(1:47) Healthcare, challenges in healthcare, (1:50) both with access, affordability. (1:53) And that’s in every corner of the state. (1:54) Sometimes it’s a little different (1:55) in the different corners of the state.

(1:57) But EMS, obstetrical care, those types of things. (2:01) Water. (2:03) Water is something that we’re challenged with (2:06) because of a drought, (2:07) but we also have other states that we’re in compacts with.

(2:12) And what are the challenges and frustrations (2:14) we’re having with some of those things? (2:16) So Colorado River from southwest part of the state. (2:21) So those are the types. (2:22) And then just how do we strengthen (2:24) our communities and our industries? (2:26) So young people have the opportunities, (2:29) have the choice to stay in Wyoming (2:31) where they have the quality of life (2:33) and meaningful options and opportunities for them.

(2:37) So those kind of summarize the bigger things (2:40) that are on folks’ mind. (2:43) Now, when you get into particular communities, (2:45) there might be some community-centric type things. (2:49) But those kind of encapsulate everything (2:52) with number one being how do we build a Wyoming (2:55) where our kids and grandkids can choose to be here (2:58) and have opportunity? (3:00) And then you get into the different buckets, (3:02) if you will, of community of education, healthcare, (3:05) go down the list, water, go down the list.

(3:09) So yeah, that’s, I mean, (3:10) and it’s consistent across the state. (3:12) Consistent across the state. (3:14) The final thing I’d say is, (3:15) just the interest in having civil dialogues (3:21) in our political space.

(3:22) That is also a theme that’s out there (3:25) that folks just want to have honest conversations (3:28) with good information so they can understand (3:30) what’s going on and the state of Wyoming (3:33) can move forward in a meaningful and respectful way. (3:37) Senator Eric Barlow, (3:38) candidate for Wyoming governor this morning (3:39) on the weekday wake up. (3:41) Some of the things you mentioned there, Senator, (3:43) include, well, I’ll just ask more specifics (3:45) about a few of them and one being EMS funding.

(3:48) That’s a really tight discussion right now (3:51) in Lincoln County, both in Star Valley (3:52) and in the Kemmer area. (3:55) What do you see as a potential long-term solution, (3:58) not just in places like Lincoln County, (4:00) but across the state to make sure (4:02) that emergency medical services (4:03) remain funded and operational? (4:07) Yeah, thanks, Duke. (4:08) So healthcare is a challenge.

(4:10) EMS happens to be one of those places where, (4:13) for many years, we were relying on volunteer services, (4:16) folks in the community, no different than fire, (4:19) fire services as well. (4:21) But we’re in a different space now (4:23) where the level of care that’s expected in an EMS service (4:26) requires certifications, requires, (4:29) or would be best served by folks (4:31) that really do have the experience and training (4:33) to be out there assisting folks. (4:35) So for Lincoln, for different parts of the states, (4:39) we’re taking different approaches.

(4:40) Some of them are taking a regional approach (4:41) where they, for this entire, for this area, (4:44) Northeast Wyoming or the Bighorn Basin, (4:47) we’re gonna have one EMS service (4:50) that’s gonna service the majority of our territory. (4:54) And then everybody kind of collaborates together, (4:58) funds, pools their money, and supports that EMS service. (5:04) Now, we have the Rural Health Transformation Funds (5:06) that are coming from the federal government.

(5:09) And so that, those funds are, (5:12) some of those funds are slated to be used (5:13) to support EMS in different communities (5:16) and potentially those that choose (5:19) to this regional type approach. (5:23) The other thing we have to be clear about (5:24) and clear-eyed about is the effect of, (5:27) what’s paying for basic services in our communities? (5:30) It’s property taxes. (5:31) And we’re talking about, (5:34) and there’s an option on the general ballot coming at us, (5:37) that there’ll be a reduction for some community, (5:41) many communities in residential property tax, (5:43) which means less money to fund local services.

(5:47) So we have to be clear-eyed (5:49) about some of the options before us. (5:52) And what do we do to leverage the dollars (5:56) that we are going to receive to provide that? (6:00) Now, I want the local communities, (6:02) North County, South County in your area, (6:06) there really are two different challenges in that, right? (6:11) You have a kind of a more isolated community in Kemmerer (6:16) that South end of the County, (6:17) and then you’ve got a multiple communities (6:19) up in the Star Valley area where, (6:21) and then Coquitlam of course sits in the middle. (6:23) So it’s a challenge (6:23) and the geographic challenges are real.

(6:26) So how do we support those in a meaningful way? (6:29) And I think there’s absolutely a role (6:31) for the state in this, (6:32) but also communities have to understand how they can, (6:35) what part of it they are (6:36) and what part of it they see a future in. (6:39) So this isn’t a top one size fits all top down. (6:43) This is literally community by community, (6:45) region by region has to have those tough conversations (6:48) and including as you and your community know, (6:53) is there interest in creating a district, (6:59) a special district to support those services? (7:01) And I know that’s been an ongoing conversation (7:03) in your community and will continue to be (7:05) because I don’t know that there’s resolution yet (7:07) or understanding about what the opportunities are.

(7:11) Eric, let’s talk education funding here (7:13) while we have you still for a couple of minutes. (7:15) Of course, the legislature went to the silo funding model. (7:18) We’ll see what kind of changes (7:20) may be coming in the upcoming session.

(7:22) But when it comes to education funding in Wyoming, (7:24) what direction from this point moving forward (7:26) would you like to see the state of Wyoming go? (7:30) Well, the state of Wyoming has a constitutional obligation (7:32) and I think it’s a moral imperative (7:34) to prepare our young folks (7:36) for fruitful and productive lives. (7:39) K-12 education is foundational to that. (7:42) And the courts through multiple court cases (7:46) have given us guidance, (7:48) have given the legislature guidance (7:49) who is constitutionally required (7:52) to actually take this up and fund a model (7:54) that provides that equal and equitable education (7:57) across the state of Wyoming.

(7:59) So right now we’re actually in a lawsuit again, (8:02) as many of your listeners probably know, (8:04) and it’s based around two or three different things. (8:07) The last legislative session, to your point, (8:10) we added more money to the model, (8:12) but we restricted how those funds could be used, (8:16) restricted school boards from actually making decisions (8:19) in community by community in those 48 school districts (8:22) across the state of Wyoming. (8:24) So it was a little bit of a challenge.

(8:28) You say we’re adding more funds to the model, (8:31) which is appropriate to support (8:33) the educational endeavors and needs of our students, (8:37) but we restricted the local control. (8:39) We tried to get rid of that local control component, (8:42) couldn’t get it done. (8:43) The next legislature, I’m very confident, (8:46) will take away that.

(8:48) So school boards, elected officials in your community (8:51) have the opportunity to develop (8:53) and put forth the educational programs (8:56) that are most meaningful for your community (8:58) and the students and families in your community. (9:01) So absolutely imperative we fund it appropriately (9:05) and we give your community the opportunities (9:10) to do the things they think are best for your community. (9:13) Certainly that’s within the guidance and guidelines (9:16) of the standards that need to be taught, et cetera, (9:20) but 48 school districts, all types, (9:23) some that are just barely 100 folks, 100 children, (9:27) and some that are thousands.

(9:29) So they need flexibility, (9:32) they need to be able to tailor what they need (9:34) with the community and with the children’s goals. (9:38) And I’m confident we’ll get that done (9:41) in this next legislative session. (9:42) And as governor, I’ll be certainly supportive of that effort.

(9:48) That’s Eric Barlow, candidate for governor of Wyoming. (9:50) Eric, we’re running short on time here, (9:52) so I’ll just give you a chance to, (9:54) where can people reach you (9:56) and find out more information about you? (9:58) And finally, why do you feel people should vote (10:01) for Eric Barlow for governor? (10:04) Thank you, Duke. (10:05) Well, folks in Lincoln County (10:07) and the entire listening area of SVI, (10:11) thanks for an opportunity.

(10:12) My name is Eric Barlow. (10:14) The primary is August 18th, early voting. (10:16) Absentee voting has already begun (10:18) at your elections office.

(10:22) Barlow4WYO.com is a website. (10:25) We’re certainly on all the social media platforms as well. (10:29) My qualifications, I think, boil down to this.

(10:33) Kelly and I have lived Wyoming, raised a family in Wyoming, (10:36) made decisions about healthcare and their education. (10:39) We’ve worked Wyoming as business owners. (10:41) I’m a veterinarian.

(10:43) We’re ranch. (10:44) We’ve gone to the bank when times were good (10:46) and we’ve gone when things didn’t work out. (10:48) We’ve signed the front of a check (10:51) that takes care of folks who work on our behalf (10:54) and take care of our things.

(10:56) And we serve Wyoming. (10:57) We believe in service in our community, (10:59) whether it’s 4-H or the soup kitchen (11:01) or the Boys and Girls Club. (11:03) We believe in supporting the things (11:04) that strengthen our community, strengthen families.

(11:08) And then I’ve had the opportunity (11:09) to serve in the Wyoming legislature. (11:11) And for 14 years, I’ve showed up, listened, learned (11:14) and done the work that makes, improves people’s lives. (11:18) So I believe when you’ve lived Wyoming, worked Wyoming, (11:22) served Wyoming, that prepares you to lead Wyoming.

(11:26) And I can assure you, as governor, we will do that together (11:31) respectfully and effectively for a better and stronger (11:35) future for the state of Wyoming. (11:36) So thank you. (11:38) Please consider voting Eric Barlow on August 18th (11:42) and until then in your county elections office.

(11:45) That’s Eric Barlow, candidate for Wyoming governor. (11:47) It’s all part of the weekday wake up this morning on SVI Radio.