Hey Answer Girl -

Answer me this: Check out a map of Wyoming. On the north end of Albany County there is an almost circular "bite" out of Albany, and this chunk of territory has been added to Converse County.

Why, who authorized this, when and how much battle ensued over the taking of land from one county and adding it to another?

- Joann M. in Lander

Kevin Anderson, guru of all things Western history, found one document relating to the "bite" out of Albany county.

In "The History of Albany County, Wyoming to 1880" by Lola M. Homsher (privately published in 1965), the author says that one boundary change was made so that "an area in the northern portion of Albany County be attached to Converse County."

What other area could it be, but the chunk about which you speak?

"The boundary change was made by the 32nd Legislature, Chapter 137, Session Laws of Wyoming," according to the book, and the change occurred in 1953. "The change became effective later that year after a majority of the electors of the area, including Esterbrook, voted for it."

The reason for the change, and mention of any conflict over the change, was not included in the book.

Hey Answer Girl -

How many states have state income taxes, and how many don't? Do most people have sales tax as high as ours?

- Edwin in Bar Nunn

As far as taxes are concerned, Wyomingites are pretty lucky.

Wyoming is one of only seven states with no income tax. The others - Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas and Washington - adhere to the same "we need another tax like we need a nail in the foot" mentality that we here in the Cowboy State are happy to champion.

Two states - New Hampshire and Tennessee - have a state income tax that is limited to dividends and interest income only.

And the other 41 states? They pay the tax, which varies from state to state.

In the sales tax department, we're like many other states, with the 4 percent base and optional one cent temporary additions. Colorado has a lower tax base than Wyoming. Our neighbors to the south benefit from a 2.6 percent tax base.

And the happiest non-taxpayers in the world are those in Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire and Oregon. They pay no base sales tax.

If you want to feel sorry for residents of a particular state as far as sales tax goes, California wins the competition for highest rate in the country, with a 7.25 percent sales tax base. People in big cities, like Chicago or New York, are often hit with a "city tax" as well, which can be as much as an additional 1.5 percent tax.

Contact reporter Megan Lee at (307) 266-0616 or megan.lee@trib.com

Ask Answer Girl

Answer Girl tackles your questions about Casper, the universe and everything else. Submit your questions by email to megan.lee@trib.com, or call Megan Lee at 266-0616. You can also write to Answer Girl, Box 80, 170 Star Lane, Casper, WY, 82602.