Wyoming's budget

Legislators across the political spectrum have been hosting town halls and listening sessions on the upcoming session and this year’s elections.

That time translates to about $54 million every year that might otherwise be billed to programs like Medicare.

Wyoming is set to lose about $50 million a year because of new federal breaks for the coal industry. This has state lawmakers looking for ways to recoup the revenue loss.

Gov. Mark Gordon has signed over 60 bills into law with just days left of the legislative session. He’s also let six bills become law without his signature. They include a repeal of gun free zones, a repeal of the state budget reserve account and tightening abortion restrictions.

Gov. Mark Gordon’s suggestions would set aside $130 million for a wildfire restoration program. 2024 was one of the worst years on record in terms of Wyoming wildfires. Over a thousand wildfires burned across nearly a million acres of land.

A state budget agreement was reached Tuesday night after the last attempt to negotiate differences between the House and Senate versions failed. It now heads to both chambers for presentations.

Negotiations on Wyoming’s budget hit a roadblock on Monday night. Legislators in both chambers were unable to reconcile their fiscal differences. After passionate debate, the slate was wiped clean with new committee appointees and a budget agreement was reached late Tuesday.

Lawmakers could pass a measure allowing the state to sell a migration corridor near Grand Teton National Park to the federal government — but with some caveats.

Wyoming lawmakers have had some time to rest and reflect on the 2023 legislative session. Several notable things happened this year – there were a lot of new lawmakers, the Republican party had some division between traditional Republicans and a newer, national party called the Freedom Caucus and there was a budget surplus. Wyoming Public Radio spoke with the leaders of both the House and Senate to re-cap. This interview is with WPR’s Caitlin Tan and Speaker of the House Albert Sommers (R-Sublette County). They spoke recently at Sommers’ ranch in Sublette County.

Financially things are looking good for the state of Wyoming, according to a new report; however, the governor warns some future concerns remain.