Gov. Matt Mead recommends state lawmakers address education

Gov. Matt Mead is recommending that Wyoming lawmakers generally hold the line on state spending when they convene in general session in January.

However, Mead warns the state urgently needs to develop a long-term strategy for funding its school system given the recent decline in energy revenues.

Wyoming operates on a two-year budget cycle. Lawmakers last spring adopted a $3.1 billion general fund budget to fund operations for the biennium that began this July. Falling energy revenues already prompted Mead to cut that budget by over $250 million.

Mead’s now recommending that lawmakers approve new supplemental spending of just over $8 million.

Mead’s also proposing that they approve contingency spending of over $140 million from the state’s so-called rainy day fund in case it’s necessary for state programs.