Mead Presents Proposed Budget To Lawmakers

Gov. Matt Mead is urging lawmakers not to cut his proposed $3.4 billion state budget for the fiscal period that starts next July and runs through June 2014. Mead told members of the Legislature's Joint Appropriations Committee on Monday that Wyoming should invest in infrastructure, including highway construction and local government funding. Some lawmakers have suggested budget cuts of up to 8% for state departments from the $3.2 billion state budget for the current 2-year funding cycle. They say the state needs to cut spending and increase savings in the face of flat revenue projections. Mead's budget proposal would put more than $400 million into accessible savings. The committee will hold hearings on Mead's recommendations this week. The full Legislature will consider the committee's budget proposal starting in February.