The Wyoming legislature will begin work on the state supplemental budget next week.
Lawmakers asked several questions after hearing a two day presentation on the budget. Some are concerned about a lack of new funding for such things as teacher salaries, local government, and some nursing home services. There’s also a reduction in the governor’s request for highway 59 near Gillette.
But an ongoing concern is over how much of the budget is funded using projected revenue. Senate Minority Leader Chris Rothfuss says that funding model has people nervous.
“There’s some discomfort with saying we’re looking to potential future revenues from investments and we’re gonna spend those about a year and a half ahead of time. I think there’s some uncertainty and not a lot of confidence in that process.”
Rothfuss says a better way to go would be to have the state use reserve funding if the investment income does not come through. He predicts the funding structure will be debated on the floor when the legislative session resumes on Tuesday.
