Joint Appropriations Committee

Wyoming’s energy resources were in full focus on the Legislature’s Joint Appropriations Committee’s 14th day of budget hearings.

On day 13 of Wyoming lawmakers’ budget hearings, agencies brought up issues with water infrastructure and rising costs for equipment and construction.

Lawmakers asked for more information relating to long-standing issues, like the explosion of off-track betting locations and which section books are placed in the state library.

Lawmakers heard from agency leadership at the Department of Transportation, the Game and Fish Department, and the Department of Workforce Services.

Wyoming’s number of wildfires and acres burned were well above average, but well below the records set in 2024.

When you think about how the state of Wyoming spends its money, where it all goes and why it goes where it goes, things can feel pretty abstract. Those cash questions got real this month.

Employee salaries came up as a common theme throughout the day. Departments say higher wages will allow them to be more competitive in the market.

The 2024 fire season is still fresh in the minds of legislators. They want to avoid spending that much money again, and some are willing to pay now if it means fewer costs later.

Lawmakers heard from two agencies with similar goals of reducing administrative costs.

Legislators said they were there to look at which elements of one of the state’s largest agencies are the “proper role of government.”