Rodeo: Another Government Handout

Quit honestly, I never thought I’d write a blog about rodeos, but, as it turns out, rodeo just may fall under the category of government handouts. The possible move of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association to Cheyenne, from Colorado, likely depends on government money. Wyoming’s $15 million would be matched with $15 million from Cheyenne LEADS, the city’s economic development organization (which is half funded via memberships).

Wyoming, the state with a bucking horse logo, the University of Wyoming Cowboys, and the world’s largest outdoor rodeo (also the official state sport), seems like a logical choice. The move is considered almost a sure thing.

However, there’s one possible hitch: Conservative state lawmakers in Wyoming who supposedly balk at government funding for private enterprise. I’m not quite sure I believe that. Otherwise, this wouldn’t even be considered. Wyoming receives 70% of its tax revenues from businesses, the second highest rate in the US. Why not give handouts if it brings in more tax money? Beyond the proper morals of supporting self-reliance, and avoiding favoritism, I can’t think of any.

Wyoming Representative. Rachel Rodriguez-Williams, chairwoman of the powerful Freedom Caucus, say she is opposed to the idea. “What Wyoming doesn’t love is when multimillion-dollar corporations attempt to blackmail the taxpayers for handouts. We’re happy to welcome the PRCA to the Cowboy State, but would hope they’d come the cowboy way — on their own dime.” That sounds like one of my own mantras; “Pay your own way.”

On the other hand, it’s possible she just may be bitter. Williams is from Cody, which lost out to Cheyenne when the PRCA board voted to “seriously consider” moving its headquarters to the state.

Cheyenne is arguably a much better choice. It has a population of 65,000 compared to Cody’s 10,000, and it also sits along interstate highways. Frontier Days Rodeo draws over 100,000 visitors, something that probably wouldn’t happen in remote Cody.

Governor, Mark Gordon, who like Williams is a Republican, but not aligned with the Freedom Caucus, supports state help for the PRCA move. “Rodeo has been a part of Wyoming since before we were a state. It is in our DNA,” he said. That’s code for... he only supports fiscal conservatism when it’s something he’s opposed to. Otherwise, spend away!

Rep. Scott Heiner, a Freedom Caucus Republican from Green River, also sounds a lot like me. He doesn’t think the state should “pick winners or losers” by giving out funding to private enterprise. “Businesses and industry should be able to stand on their own. If they have a valid reason to come to Wyoming and have the means to do that, I welcome them with open arms.”

A study showed that landing the PRCA would net a $253 million economic benefit to Wyoming over a decade, said Rachelle Zimmerman, director of business recruitment and retention for Cheyenne LEADS. If that’s the economic boon the state receives, imagine the PRCA profits. They can certainly afford to pay their own way, and Wyoming taxpayers should revolt if they end up paying a single penny in taxes for the move.

Source used: Associated Press