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editor@newslj.com
news letter journal MOWS
October 22, 2015 -- 7
from page 1 .............................................................................................................................
SmartAsset, suggested however
that the figures might have
been impacted by the number
of non-drivers in the county.
Additionally, though less than
Other counties in the state,
Weston's average burden is still
significant, she said.
"Part of it will be the popu-
lation of driving age that will
impact the number of miles
traveled that gets calculated for
each cotmty," Smith said. "That
$295-per-year burden, that's
just in fuel taxes. That's still
just under $25 a month, just in
fuel tax."
"Even though Weston is
number one in the state," Smith
continued, "you don't see it
doing particularly well com-
pared to the nation, and that's
probably taking into account
the kind of rural driving that
you have to do to get from one
place to another."
According to 2014 Fuel Tax
Administration press release,
an entity which falls under
the Wyoming Department of
Transportation and is respon-
sible for administering state
motor fuel tax laws, Wyoming
ranks number one nationally in
terms of fuel consumption per
capita.
Nationwide, Smith named
sented the process of collecting
and distributing fuel taxes
within the state as a somewhat
involved one, with taxation
actually occurring at the level of
wholesale distributors, although
naturally passed along eventu-
ally to consumers at the retail
level in terms of pricing.
24 cents are collected by the
state on each gallon, according
to Fuel Tax Administation
materials the pair provided,
with one cent set aside for the
Department of Environmental
Quality's program for cleaning
up leaking underground fuel
tanks. The rest is distributed
according to a formula that sees
13.5 percent going to counties
based on land area, rural popu-
lation, and assessed valuation;
15 percent to cities based on
gasoline taxes paid and popula-
tion; 14 percent to county road
construction based on land area
and rural population; and 57.5
percent going to the Highway
Fund.
Taxes distributed in the 13.5
percent category can be used
either for road construction
or maintenance, while the 14
percent can only be used for
road construction, explained
Burrows.
Prior to this distribution,
SmartAsset's calculations, 18.4
cents per gallon of gas and 24.4
cents per gallon of diesel go to
the federal Highway Trust Fund
from where they are distrib-
uted back to the states. Several
factors, most notably increasing
fuel efficiency of vehicles have
negatively impacted the fund in
recent years.
In terms of the actual cost
of fuel, which was one factor
considered by SmartAsset,
Will Speer, senior petroleum
analyst with GasBuddy.com, a
site whose figures were utilized
by SmartAsset, said access to
crude is one of the most impor-
tant things that determines gas
prices.
"Wyoming is situated very
well as being close to produc-
tion from Wyoming itself,
but also from South Dakota,
Canada, some of the other
Rocky states ... Some states
don't have refineries. If you're
far away from a refinery, that's
just going to add on to how
much gasoline is going to cost
you in the end."
That doesn't mean that gas is
going directly from the refinery
One disadvantage to the
state in terms of gas prices is
that Wyoming is landlocked,
said Speer, so refinery health is
key, both statewide and region-
ally, in keeping gas prices in
check.
"Other areas like the Gulf
Coast or East Coast, if they
have some major refining issues
they can bring in cargo from the
water," said Speer. "Refineries
in either Montana, Wyoming,
or Utah, if they have a bad
spell, it's a lot harder to get
gasoline into the area ... You'd
have to either rely on trains or
something to bring in product,
which takes a lot longer."
SmartAsset's page regarding
Wyoming tax rates can be found
at: https://smartasset.corn/taxes/
wyoming-tax-calculator
The Fuel Tax Administration
official site is found at: hap://
www.dot.state.wy.us/home/
businesswith_wydot/fueltax.
default.html
Weston County
fuel tax distribution by
calendar year
(includes both gas and diesel)
to the nearest gas station, 2010-$338,321
however. As Speer explained, 2011' $327,385
refineries first send their refined 2012 - $341,941
products to wholesale truck 2013-$444,996"
two counties in Alaska ashowever, tax revenues on fuel racks, where 18 wheelers pick 2014- $617,951
among those paying the least in for snowmobiles and motor- up fuel for distribution to local 2015 total to date -
fuel taxes along with New York boats are sent to a fund set aside stations. There are three or four $433,524**
City, somewhat surprisingly, for the Department of Parks and such facilities serving the state, Total for 2010-15
New York's average burden, Cultural Resources. Speer said, in areas of popula- • $2,553,758
despite high fuels taxes, is low According to the same FTA tion density such as Casper and 2ot3figures represent the IOcent increase
that went into effect July l of that year,
because not a lot of driving source, distribution of tax rev- Rock Springs. white 2Ol4 reflects the first full year of that
is taking place relative to the enues from diesel fuel. which "Most of the time I would tn , se.
A Me,,~soge from Weston County Public Health
if you know someone::who is crisis:
Take a step forward
Get involved; first tell the ~rson ~ou are c0n~erned
and tell them why
Recognize the signs of someone who is depl~s~
or suicidal
Availability of means. Remove any firearms, drugs
• ik or sharp objects that could be used for sutclt:~
Core :symptoms of major depressloA are a :"down" or
depressed mood for more than ~wo wi~e~
If YOU are in crisis:
"Pake a step back
Getting help is not a sign of weakness, It IS a sign:of
strength
Realize you're not alone; there are people who care
about you and want to help
Avoid alcohol drugs and other methods of self,
medication especially if you are tn crisis
Contact a friend, fatuity member, teacher, minister
who can be with you during this crisis
veryoA~'s recovery is different: don't give up. With
help, comes hope
For more information and resources go 1o
www. grace for2 brothers, corn
Call 91 I or the National Suicide prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-talk t1-800-273-8255)
B on DDS
307-746-4600
130 Sough Seneca
45 ye~r~ Ex~erLen~e Newcastle, WY
population, Smith explained, is also taxed at 24 cents per say it's your nearest wholesale *:*State flgures for 2015 ore expected to be
Similar "to 2ot4, ~ccording to the Fuel Tax Dr. Erickson... On Call 24/7... 746-8963
Among the worst in the gallon with one cent going to location [where gas is coming Administration.
nation when it comes to fuel tax the DEQ, somewhat differs. In from] but sometimes if there's Source. Fuel Tax Administration --
burden are counties in Southern comparison to the total of 27.5 a price discrepancy that's big Wyomtng Department of Transportation
California, she indicated, percent of gas revenues that enough between different
Smith, who said the studygo to counties, only 20 percent wholesale locations, you could County fuel tax distribution
of fuel tax was done as part of of diesel revenues go to coun- get someone who'd be willing by calendar year
a broader look by SmartAsset ties, 5 percent to cities, and 75 to travel further to pick up (includes both gas and diesel) ,.
into how several different types percent to the Highway Fund. cheaper fuel," Speer speculated. Crook
of taxes effect people's annual Up to two percent collectedBruce Hinchey, president of 2014 $925,906
budget, suggested that while
fuel tax may seem trivial on
a day-to-day basis, it quickly
adds up over time.
WYDOT spokesman David
Kingham, however, told the
NLJ that SmartAsset's figure
the Petroleum Association of Total 2010-15
Wyoming, an industry lobby Campbell
group, noted that gasoline is 2014
typically transported by truck Total 2010-15
rather than pipeline in the state Niobrara
due to the proximity of refin- 2014
eries. Total 2010-15
"Because we . live in
Wyoming, we don't,have to-put
additives in our fueb like they
do in the big cities to control
some of the pollution ... so that
keeps prices down a little bit,"
Hinchey added.
Wyoming National Avg.
42.40 cpg 48.88 cpg
23.00 cpg 20.77 cpg
1.00 cpg 9,71 cpg
18.40 cpg 18.40 epg
$3,777,893
$3,642,194
$14,873,454
$456,278
$1,877,158
goes to the Highway Fund
before this distribution for costs
associated with collections and
distribution.
As most will recall, state fuel
tax for both gas and diesel was
increased by the Legislature by
24.4Oepg
Converse
• 2014 ............ $1,292 642.
Tota12010*I5 $5,119,152
Source: Fuel Tax Administration
l$~¢oming Department of Transportation
Wyoming counties with
least average annual fuel
tax burden per capita
1. Weston - $295
2. Big Horn - $308
3. Goshen - $316
4. Washakie - $317
5. Platte- $324
6. Crook- $328
10. Teton- $346
SOUrCe: SmartAs~com
are' i! dicatiye of .little per .gallon. on July 1
flow much ,people are )4 3. tl :-ni h i g teincrease
revenues for construction and
maintenance of roads and high-
ways.
As for federal taxes, which
of course also figured into
Motor Fuel Taxes
They are, he wrote, "just a
very rough estimate of hOW
much the average driver in the
county pays in state and federal
fuel taxes annually, based on
estimates of how many miles
they drive and how much fuel
they would need to drive those
miles."
"The figures really having
nothing to do with the fuel tax
rate, which is the same in all
~Ot~V
vv LLe
iii/.:~:
on Halloween
Saturday, Oct. 31 • 4-6 p.m.
Start at Western Skies Real Estate
to get your trick-or-treat bag &
follow the signs!
For more information,
Call the Custer Area
Chamber of Commerce
at 605-673-2244 or
intb@custersd.com
Gas
State excise tax
Other state taxes
Federal excise taxes
counties, or distribution of fuel
tax revenues compared to other Diesel 48.40 epg
counties,' he continued. State excise tax 23.00 cpg
Kingham, along with Bruce Other state taxes 1.00 cpg
Federal Rate 24.40 cpg
Burrows, a public affairs spe-
cialist also with WYDOT, pre- Source: American Petroleum lnstitute
from page 1 ............................................................................................................................
of funding that match, and the decision was
made to host someTundraisers to help raise
the money.
The reason for the shortage, according
to Kenagy, comes from an increase in
the cost of services and a decrease in
funding from other sources. She noted that
with money being tight for most entities
in Wyoming, it is expected that alterna-
tive funding sources-- like municipalities
and other organizations-- may have to
decrease, or at least not raise, the amount
they provide, even though service costs
continue to rise.
Kenagy said the money generated by
next month's magic show will go directly
to providing services for at-risk elderly.
In-home services provides help for tasks
at home that may put the elderly at risk,
and this allows patients to continue living
in their homes for a longer period.
Tickets for the magic show are avail-
able in advance at a discounted price
at the Weston County Pharmacy, Home
Health and the Weston County Health
Services office. Tickets purchased in
advance will cost $10 for ages 18 and up,
$5 for children, and $25 for a family of
four. People will also be able to purchase
tickets at the door at a cost of $13 for 18
and up, $7 for children, and $30 for a
family of four.
"We would like to see at least 250
people, if not more," announced Kenagy,
indicating that Home Health wants to
continue this event in future years and
possibly even expand it. This year's
show will demonstrate if there is enough
interest in the event to do so.
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! Pahents come
with all types of fears, and if
that patient hope, it's ......