Fiscal Year 2013 has been a good year for Wyoming economically. The Consensus Revenue Estimating Group, or CREG, report says the state’s general fund exceeded 2013 projections by $333 million.
Governor Matt Mead says much of that comes from investments. Mead cautions that revenues from coal and natural gas are lackluster, but says oil did better than expected.
“The budget session coming up - for those who are thinking about where I’m headed - we’re not looking at additional cuts,” Mead says. “We’re going to be able to address some capital construction projects, we’re going to be able to address - I’m going to meet with leadership next week - but I think we’ll be able to address some of the needs we were concerned about last session.”
Some of the specific expenses Mead wants to tackle include the mandatory expansion of the Affordable Care Act, the Department of Corrections’ staffing needs, and raises for public employees in the state.