Wyoming House District 14 Choose 1
The Wyoming House of Representative is the lower house of the state legislature. Similar to the U.S. House of Representatives, they work with Senators to create laws, set the state budget, and determine state tax rates. State Representatives are elected to a two-year term with no term limits.
Biographical Information
Campaign Email
treysherwood@gmail.com
Facebook
www.facebook.com/reptreysherwood
Campaign Phone
307-760-2722
Website
http://www.treysherwood.com
Why are you running for this office? Describe the experience and skills that make you the most qualified candidate.
I have 20 years of community building experience in Laramie, as an economic developer, a non profit director & public historian. I am a graduate of Leadership Wyoming & am the most experienced member of the House Appropriations Committee. I utilize civility, honesty, optimism & empathy as essential leadership skills to serve my constituents, small businesses & hard working families. I enjoy learning new things & building relationships based on shared values. When re-elected, I will continue to work on solutions for affordable housing, opportunities for young people, stable funding for education, access to mental health services & public lands, while preserving the freedom of individuals to make their own healthcare decisions.
Do you support the ballot initiative for a 50% reduction in property taxes, and why? If passed, should the state backfill the loss of local revenue? Please explain.
NO! I do not support further reducing revenues for essential local services - our roads, water, emergency response, and public education. Property taxes are NOT collected by the state. They stay in our communities and fund county and city services.
Wyoming residents deserve a fair tax structure that provides targeted relief to homeowners who are burdened by their property tax bill, NOT reductions for the ultra rich. Tax relief should be means tested and targeted to our most vulnerable residents. It should NOT benefit those who have the ability to pay, second homeowners and wealthy corporations.
Passing a 50% reduction in property taxes only ensures sales taxes will go up and increases the need to implement a statewide income tax.
Do you support or oppose the sale or exchange of public lands? Please explain.
Public lands belong to the public. They are NOT to be traded for corporate gain or sold to the highest bidder for private use. Wyoming’s public lands are tied to our identity. Access for outdoor recreation, hunting, wildlife conservation, tourism, and rangeland management is critical for local economies and our way of life. I strongly oppose the sale of “we the people’s” public lands.
Is the current structure and funding level for public education appropriate? Please explain.
If by appropriate you mean constitutional, then no, funding for public education falls short. Wyoming’s Constitution requires the state to provide students with a quality, equitable education, but funding for a "uniform system of public instruction" faces legal challenges. In response, the legislature passed a new model providing raises for teachers and additional staff positions - instructors, nurses and counselors. However, because of a lack of flexibility in the model (silos), districts are facing shortfalls for school activities, security, nutrition, technology and mental health support.
I’ll continue to advocate for our public school system while working towards a funding model that meets or exceeds our constitutional obligation.
What is your opinion on the use of public funds for social services?
Taxes are how we pool our shared resources to provide public services that build strong communities. On their own, individuals cannot afford to pay for the essentials - safe roads, clean water or shared physical or social infrastructure. Public funds should provide safety nets for our most vulnerable and a hand up for hard working families. I support the transparent use of state and federal funds for mental health and substance abuse services, childcare, food programs for low income and school aged children, resources for seniors and residents with disabilities to live independently.
Biographical Information
Mailing Address
PO Box 664
Laramie, WY 82072
Laramie, WY 82072
Campaign Email
study4wyoming@gmail.com
Facebook
facebook.com/study4wyoming
Campaign Phone
3073149198
Website
http://study4wyoming.com
Why are you running for this office? Describe the experience and skills that make you the most qualified candidate.
I am running for HD14 because I believe public service is about solving problems, listening to people and leaving our state stronger for the next generation. For decades, I have served Wyoming's military members, veterans, and their families through my work with the Wyoming Military Dept, through various positions at the Federal and State level. I am also a Veteran Service Officer (VSO) and currently, I work for a nonprofit as their Veterans Service Coordinator. These experiences have taught me how government policies affect real people, and how to navigate complex systems to help others. As a spouse of a veteran and a mother of 3, I will bring practical experience during my service.
Do you support the ballot initiative for a 50% reduction in property taxes, and why? If passed, should the state backfill the loss of local revenue? Please explain.
Yes. I support providing meaningful property tax relief for WY homeowners because many families, seniors on fixed incomes & working residents are feeling the financial strain of rising property taxes. People should not have to worry about being taxed out of their homes. At the same time, I recognize that property taxes help fund essential local services, including schools, counties, municipalities, and special districts. If the ballot initiative significantly reduces local revenue, the Legislature has a responsibility to carefully evaluate whether and how to backfill those funds. Any backfill should be fiscally responsible, transparent and should not create long term structural deficits or simply shift the tax burden.
Do you support or oppose the sale or exchange of public lands? Please explain.
I support carefully considered sales or exchanges of public lands when they clearly serve Wyoming's long term interests, improve public access, strengthen local communities or provide a greater public benefit. Many public lands like the Kelly Parcel (state land) was sold and preserved in Grand Teton National Park. Wyoming Public schools received $100 Million in this land sale. I do not believe every parcel of public land should be treated the same. Each proposal deserves to be evaluated on its own merits with transparency and public input.
Is the current structure and funding level for public education appropriate? Please explain.
No. We need more in State Online school, of which the money follows the child. We need teachers in Wyoming, teaching our kids online school. We're not getting rid of teachers, we're providing our parents more flexibility to adjust to their child's needs. I also believe that we must do more to prepare students for successful careers. Every student should have access to vocational certifications, apprenticeships, and on the job training before graduating high school. Whether a student plans to attend college, enter the trades, serve in the military or join the workforce, they should graduate with practical skills and a pathway to success. Workforce readiness strengthens Wyoming's economy and likely keep our young people to build their future.
What is your opinion on the use of public funds for social services?
I believe public funds should be used responsibly to provide essential services that help protect our most vulnerable citizens while encouraging long term independence and self sufficiency. Every tax dollar should be spent with transparency, accountability and measurable results. Responsible stewardship of public resources is not just a fiscal obligation, but a moral one, ensuring that assistance reaches those who truly need it while maintaining trust to tax payers. Gov't has a responsibility to support services to protect children, assist seniors, care for individuals with disabilities and support veterans. These programs should be administered efficiently, with safeguards. Plus, we should invest in solutions that equip people to succeed.