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Senate Approves Local Government Funding

Despite some concerns from members of the Appropriations Committee the Wyoming Senate passed a bill that provides 105 million dollars to local government over the next two years.  

Several Senators tried to reduce the funding from 105 million back to the 90 million dollar amount suggest by the Appropriations Committee. Senate Appropriations Chairman Tony Ross noted that the funding is coming out of the legislative reserve account. He said lawmakers need to save as much of that money as possible.

“And I do not disregard the needs of cities, towns, and counties, but I think that in the end a more gradual glide path is the way to go. I’m afraid that if you pass this and move this on we’re just building ourselves a bigger and deeper financial hole.”

Wyoming Association of Municipalities Director Shelly Simonton says even with the 105 million dollars, local government is receiving less than it did two years ago. 

“I think they really understand that 105 million is already a cut from 183-million that we got in the last biennium and that we also face it on the local level with reduced collections of sales tax that we receive locally and reduced assessed value locally.”

Simonton added that many communities will still have to lay off employees.

Bob Beck retired from Wyoming Public Media after serving as News Director of Wyoming Public Radio for 34 years. During his time as News Director WPR has won over 100 national, regional and state news awards.
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