Wyoming Governor Matt Mead is asking the legislature for what he calls a modest budget increase of roughly 156 million dollars.
His supplemental budget request features funding for a number of one time projects that includes improving the safety of Highway 59 near Gillette, millions in matching money for the University of Wyoming, and 25 million for local governments.
A recent revenue report suggested that the state could be short over four million dollars in projections. During his news conference today/Monday, Mead says the state also has investment income and robust savings.
There is plenty of opportunities for different coffee cans out there to fund the supplemental budget
“I do not make a recommendation for where the money should come from, but there’s plenty of opportunities for different coffee cans out there to fund the supplemental budget.”
Mead says it’s time to discuss whether the state should spend some of its income and invest in the state.
“We have flattened out the budget, we’ve had record savings in four years, extremely robust savings, but I think it is time we look at the savings accounts, how we are using them, how big should they be, and what investments should we be making.”
Mead also wants the legislature to consider spending 95 million to finish funding the Wyoming Wildlife Trust fund. The governor will present his proposal to the Joint Appropriations Committee later this month.