Budget recommendations out

Cheyenne – Gov. Matt Mead’s final budget recommendations place an emphasis on higher education, local governments, state employees and public infrastructure. The supplemental budget recommends expenditure of approximately 1.5 percent of the increased revenue identified by the Consensus Revenue Estimating Group (CREG) in October – totaling $148 million in general fund. 

Most of the recommendations are for one-time expenditures.

If adopted, Mead’s recommendations will allow the state’s rainy day fund, the Legislative Stabilization Reserve Account (LSRA) to post an all-time high balance of $1.879 billion. The 2019-20 biennial budget would still remain lower than the 2011-22 budget during the first years of his administration.

“The supplemental budget honors the intent of the biennial budget process – to provide stable and sustainable funding for state government,” Mead said. “Where circumstances compel action, I have recommended additional funds. Given continuing resource constraints, the use of one-time funds seems the prudent course, and 82 percent of the recommendations are for one-time needs.”

Mead has recommended $20 million in consensus grant funds be made available to local governments, which will require cooperation between local governing bodies to submit a request. He also recommends $5 million in additional direct aid and $1.5 million in funds for local governments to develop local resource plans.

The budget recommends funds for the University of Wyoming to expand in-state scholarship programs, create an “Excellence in Agriculture and Research” initiative and continue the investment in science education programs. 

Mead has proposed a “government emergency operations account” to assure the next Governor has the resources and flexibility to address anticipated urgent needs.

Visit governor.wyo.gov for Gov. Mead’s complete budget message.