CHEYENNE,
Wyo. – Wyoming lawmakers have agreed to a state budget that Gov. Mark
Gordon began considering March 9.
A deal March
6 between the House and Senate ends a budgeting process that lawmakers began in
December and have continued through a legislative session that began Feb. 10.
Despite
reaching agreement, state representatives and senators both expressed
disappointment the budget lacked cuts amid declining revenue from the coal, oil
and natural gas industries. The two chambers disagreed on a dozen areas in
recent days including $2.5 million in matching funds for the University
of Wyoming law school and a 1.5 percent reduction in targeted state
spending. Lawmakers also disagreed whether to end health insurance coverage for
currently unfilled positions in the state’s education system and over a cost
adjustment for K-12 education.
