Scott Clem, Campbell County Commissioner

10/07/2026

Poll: answer the question in the comments by giving a thumbs up to what you think the answer is. Options are in the comments, but you can create your own. The question is provocative, along the lines of what Charlie Kirk spoke about before his death. It's to provoke thought and dialogue. It's okay to disagree, either with the premise or people's answers, but be respectful. We're all human and deserve a baseline of dignity and respect, recognizing we all have competing interests:

In Wyoming, we have a lower STATE sales tax and NO STATE PROPERTY Tax because of mineral severance taxes. The state has deliberately saved some of those one time minerals monies over many decades, as directed by the constitution and the will of the legislature (saving beyond what the constitution has required in boom times).

This savings now produces investment income on a massive scale, funding a THIRD of the state budget, in addition to providing investment earnings for public schools. The biggest account, the Permanent Mineral Trust Fund, has resulted in a suppressed state sales and use tax rate, and the ELIMINATION the STATE assessed property taxes (which could be as high as 4 mills). It produces revenues we don't have to pay in taxes.

ALL property taxes that currently exist in the state of Wyoming are ONLY for public education and local government services. It has been argued our forefathers had a vision for future generations, and saved for their progeny instead of spending ALL their raised minerals tax revenue on THEMSELVES.

Some contrast that with people today who wants even more governmental benefits now, but with less responsibility. Many argue our savings should be depleted for the spending needs of our contemporary time, while pushing financial obligations to future generations. Is there a particular generation that wants all the perks and benefits of past savings NOW, but doesn't want the responsibilities?

A. Baby Boomers
B. Gen Xers
C. Millennials, Gen Y
D. Gen Z, Zoomers
E. A combination of some or all
F. It's not generation specific, but a sign of the times
G. It has more to do with federal spending than anything else. Wyoming's local governments public schools are collateral damage.

10/06/2026

The state of Wyoming doesn't receive ANY property taxes for its general operations. None. Zero. Property taxes entirely fund local school districts, local governments, and local political subdivisions like fire districts, hospital districts, w**d and pest, community college districts, etc.

Of the property taxes collected, about 73% funds public schools, 17% funds counties, 8% political subdivisions, and 2% funds municipalities. The state government's main sources of revenue are sales and use taxes, severance taxes on minerals, other excise taxes (e.g. Alcohol, to***co, etc.), licenses and fees, and investment income (which provides a third of the revenue for the state's budget).

School districts depend entirely upon property taxes for their revenue, along with some investment income. Property taxes are also the main source of public funding for political subdivisions (community colleges, cemetary districts, senior districts, etc.). Counties and municipalities have other sources of revenue, like sales taxes, gas taxes, fees, etc. For counties, their main source of revenue comes from property taxes. For municipalities, their main source of taxes is sales and use taxes, followed by property taxes. Neither relies upon the state for a major source of revenue, which helps them have autonomy from state centralized power and control.

Property taxes are broken down by categories: minerals, industrial, agricultural, and residential/all other. The last category includes commercial property. The Dept of Revenue and county assessors, however, can and does distinguish between residential/owner occupied and other residential and commercial properties. In 2025 in Campbell County, 79% of property taxes were paid for by minerals, while 6% came from home owners (residential). The city of Gillette however, had about 55% come from homeowners (the mines/minerals aren't located on its tax district boundary). Meanwhile, in Sheridan County they had about 64% of all their property taxes come from homeowners. In Teton County, about 84% of all their property taxes came from homeowners.

All these differences and nuances matter, because the proposed ballot initiative of a 50% reduction in residential property taxes will affect everyone differently. Campbell County will feel it if the initiative goes through, but we can manage it. But in other counties, municipalities, and political subdivisions, they will be impacted much more severely, which will mean a vast reduction of services people rely upon. I predict the pain felt in those places and communities is what will drive the conversation statewide about raising sales taxes or creating new taxes like income taxes. I don't want that because increased taxes WILL affect Campbell County. It's why I'm voting no on the ballot initiative. Better to deal with the devil you know than the devil you don't know.

10/06/2026

With the 25% legislative exemption, taxes on a $400,000 property cost $1,995, which is now below Nevada (the data here is from 2024). All of the states below Wyoming have a corporate income tax, individual income tax, and/or a gross receipts tax. The ONLY other state that does not have ANY of the aforementioned taxes is South Dakota, and they have almost double the effective property tax rate as Wyoming as well as a higher sales tax rate by at least 2 percentage points. If Wyoming reduces its taxes more, the only place it can go is up, which means either higher taxes and/or new taxes, like an income tax.

🏠 Every number on this chart starts with one Census Bureau survey.

The 2024 American Community Survey asks homeowners what they paid in property tax and what their home is worth.

Construction Coverage used those answers to calculate each state's effective rate. That's the total property tax paid by homeowners in the state, divided by the total value of their homes.

We then applied each state's rate to the same $400,000 house. That takes home prices out of the picture, so you're comparing tax rates, not housing markets.

The result: $7,172 a year in Illinois and $1,232 in Hawaii. The U.S. average works out to $3,552.

Why not just use each state's official tax rate? Because rates are set locally and applied to assessed values, not market values, and assessment rules differ from state to state. An effective rate is the only fair way to line up all 50.

The Tax Foundation publishes a similar table from the same Census survey. Its figures differ a little, and it has New Jersey tied with Illinois for first, but the same states sit near the top and bottom.

Keep in mind these are averages across all homeowners. Assessments often lag behind market prices, so a recent buyer can pay more than the state figure, and a long-time owner can pay less.

P.S. Once a week, I email the best money article I read, with my take on this week's top Facebook posts and what's new on the Ways to Wealth blog. It's free, and you can sign up on the Ways to Wealth home page.

R.J. Weiss, CFP®



The content shared here is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not personalized investment, tax, legal, or financial advice. Consult a licensed professional before making decisions based on your specific situation.

10/05/2026

Public Enemy No. 1: Cheatgrass 👎

Cheatgrass left unchecked can spread quickly—reducing forage, crowding out native plants, and creating fuel for wildfires.

The cost of neglect adds up.

Spot it early. Control it early. Protect our lands.

Learn more at wyow**d.org

10/05/2026

I'm becoming more and more convinced that some in Wyoming who are pushing this ballot initiate to reduce personal property taxes by 50% ultimately want to trade property tax for a state income tax. It seems like everywhere this has been tried they end up with BOTH, even if their property tax is slightly lower. Don't California my Wyoming.

10/04/2026