December 14, 2023 |
Photo – Governor Mark Gordon – Courtesy Facebook
Governor Mark Gordon delivered a stark message about Wyoming’s future in his proposed budget to the Joint Appropriations Committee this week.
The governor warned that revenue projections demand over $500 million dollars in budget cuts. Governor Gordon said the impacts on state government and its residents will not be pleasant.
The main themes of the Governor’s budget proposal included inflation and property tax relief; fighting against an “aggressive and imperialistic federal government;” adjusting to leaner times as federal declines; and addressing workforce shortages. The governor also expressed ongoing concern about Wyoming’s “unacceptably high suicide rate.”
In addition to belt-tightening, the governor also directed specific ways to save money. He proposed $265 million go into the Permanent Mineral Trust Fund. Gordon also wants to use $49 million to bring the Legislative Stabilization Reserve Account, or “rainy day fund,” to $1.6 billion.
The Governor said Wyoming is facing a difficult time because of the Biden Administration’s war on carbon energy, including coal and gas.
The governor admitted that people’s lives will be impacted by the budget reductions. He concluded his presentation to the JAC that his proposed supplemental budget is designed to keep the state living within its means while having enough slack to be able to respond to the historic shortfalls Wyoming faces a declining economic outlook because of outside political influences that are forcing declines in the oil, gas and minerals industries.
