The election is over. 

Now, it’s time for those we’ve elected, or who were elected in spite of our votes, to prepare for the work ahead. 

An election doesn’t solve anything. Nothing changed across Wyoming Wednesday morning. Instead, it’s still to be determined what a new crop of state and local leaders will do to address some of the big issues across the state, from affordable housing to public lands and property taxes. 

And while voter turnout was lower than it could have been — down from the last midterm general election — our newly elected officials still owe it to all of their constituents to do what is best, whether that’s Wyoming, a Senate or House district, the City of Powell or a voting district. 

Around Park County, as I see it, one of the biggest challenges for this new crop of elected officials will be to solve the problem of a lack of affordable housing without turning to burdensome regulations or impeding private property rights.  

Young people and families are being priced out of the area — not just Cody, but Powell too. There’s a gap between their housing needs and what many can afford to pay. Think “Jackson problem” on a mini scale. These should be communities for all people, not just those with enough money. 

Just as I supported the fifth penny sales tax measure to build a new Powell Senior Center for our retired population, so we need to continue to ensure we have the infrastructure — the new library was a great addition — to attract and retain more people of working age, and more families with kids who can arrest the decline in school enrollment.

I believe a thriving community requires a wide spectrum of people — we don’t want our communities to be so unlivable for certain groups that we become like Jackson, where middle class workers are often commuting to town from another county or even another state.

And while new infrastructure is good, this state also needs to make better use of its large reserves and solve many of these upcoming problems without raising taxes. In my view, voters’ rejection of Proposition 1, which would have halved property taxes on primary residences, was not a sign that voters are OK with a higher tax burden, only that they didn’t see Prop 1 as the best way to trim taxes. 

Waste ought to be trimmed with a scalpel, not a mallet. 

At the state level, our legislators will need to solve the unintended consequences of last year’s school recalibration legislation and find a way to ensure activities can still be funded across our schools. From when I was young, my father forced me to be involved, and thus I participated in sports and activities all throughout school. I’ve done the same with my kids to push them to be involved, and as Powell Middle School Assistant Principal Chanler Buck has mentioned numerous times when talking to parents, children who are involved in activities, sports or otherwise, do better in school. 

Wyoming is a great state, Park County a great county and one where I am proud to have raised my family the last nine years. I hope this new crop of elected officials will strive to maintain the great quality of life we have here using the same conservative principles I believe most residents support. 

It may require some more pushback going forward, with Democratic majorities in the U.S. House and Senate espousing a number of views not shared by most Wyomingites. 

Our new governor and our Washington, D.C. delegation will have to stand strong on key issues, compromise when necessary, but keep Wyoming residents front of mind.