Wyoming Governor Matt Mead unveiled his proposed budget for the next two years. The governor will address the budget shortfall by borrowing short term from the legislative reserve account and pay back that account with investment income.
Mead says his budget is about 200 million dollars less than it was two years ago. Much of the proposed cuts are to local government funding. Mead reduced spending for cities and counties to 90 million dollars down from 175 million dollars two years ago. The governor says that reduction will have a big impact.
“If we can’t fund local governments at least at this level, it’s not a question of whether they can hire a bunch more people it’s a question of whether they can even provide fire, police, and those types of things. So I think it is critical that we get that 90-million.”
The governor is also urging lawmakers to finally expand Medicaid in the state. He says that would free up money from the Department of Health that can be used in other areas.
Mead defended his budget to those who might suggest that his cuts were not deep enough by saying “the cuts will be difficult “ for those affected. Mead didn't approve any pay raises and will continue the state hiring freeze for the time being. He also cut roughly 160 million dollars to balance the current budget.
The governor will present his budget to the legislature’s Joint Appropriations Committee next week.