Gov. Mark Gordon announced $250 million in budget cuts as the state tries to deal with a massive budget deficit of over $1 billion. Nine percent of that cut will come from the Wyoming Department of Health, which will eliminate a number of programs that serve seniors and low-income people.
That includes phasing out of funding of home services for the elderly. In another area, the governor announced he was getting rid of his workforce development program Wyoming Works.
"That workforce development was designed to help adult students learn a skill that leads to secure employment, but we can't afford it. So I'm sacrificing a program that I believe deeply in," said Gordon.
The governor also announced cuts of $42 million to the University of Wyoming and $26 million to community colleges across the state. The Wyoming Department of Corrections will also see a reduction of $23 million.
"I am saddened that we have to make these cuts. I know people from across the state will be greatly impacted, and I know they will be calling. But Wyoming is facing a billion dollar shortfall. That's a third of our income," noted Gordon.
The governor doesn't have the authority to cut K-12 education, but urged districts to make similar cuts. Gordon will propose another round of budget cuts in a few months.
Have a question about this story? Contact the reporter, Bob Beck, at btwo@uwyo.edu.
