Wyoming's budget

Lawmakers are racing to mark up the spending bill that funds state operations for the next two years. Once the House finishes its work, the two marked-up bills will go to a Joint Conference Committee that will try to arrive at a unified bill.

The 68th Wyoming Legislature begins its budget session on Monday, Feb. 9. Lawmakers' main duty: Passing a balanced budget for the next two years. But that's a task easier said than done. WyoFile's Maggie Mullen and Wyoming Public Radio's Chris Clements review how this fast-paced lawmaking process works.

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.