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Mead says budget cuts will help cover costs of emergencies

One reason why the Governor is going ahead with budget cuts is because he wants to make sure the state has enough money to pay for emergencies. 

For example, the state will likely spend 50-million dollars to pay for 2012 forest fires.  

Governor Matt Mead said that weather forecast show that there is a good chance that the state will face a similar fire season next year.

“It’s not a good plan in my mind to not have money available to fight fires next summer.  As a result, I’m gonna have at least as much proposed in my budget to fight fires that we spent this year.  It’s not acceptable to me if a county or a town calls and says hey, come help fight this fire and we say, well we just didn’t budget for that.” 

Wyoming has also had to pay for the impacts of flooding in recent years.  Plus with the loss of Abandoned Mine Land Money due to federal cuts, Wyoming suddenly needs additional funds to pay for some construction projects.

Bob Beck retired from Wyoming Public Media after serving as News Director of Wyoming Public Radio for 34 years. During his time as News Director WPR has won over 100 national, regional and state news awards.
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