For the first time in half a century the Wyoming Legislature, under Freedom Caucus leadership, failed their constitutional duty to pass a state budget. These are just some of the programs and agencies that will go unfunded as a result.
Lawmakers are looking to reverse years of K-12 budget cuts in hopes of convincing the Wyoming Supreme Court to look kindly upon them in June, when the court will hear arguments in a lawsuit brought by the state teachers union and several school districts. A committee has proposed a $68 million funding increase aimed at providing teachers raises in hopes that the court will rule that they have met their constitutional obligation to properly fund schools.
Session preview: Facing a lawsuit, Wyo. legislators look to increase teacher pay Read More »
State lawmakers gutted the health agency in 2021 to the tune of $100 million in cuts, but then restored much of the funding using federal pandemic aid dollars. Now, the federal funds are expiring, and legislators will decide whether to backfill the agency’s funding or let the deep cuts return to mental health programs, senior services, provider reimbursement, and more.
Wyo. Dept. of Health to face funding challenges during 2024 session Read More »
Dozens of snowplow driver positions remain vacant because the Wyoming Legislature refuses to fund WYDOT enough to pay competitive wages. Thanks to their stinginess, we can all expect closed roads as winter approaches.
Stingy lawmakers leave Wyoming stranded Read More »
With a windfall of tax revenue from high gas prices, the Wyoming Legislature increased state employee and teacher pay and funded some economic development. But lawmakers failed to meaningfully address the state’s growing housing crisis, and they still would rather invest billions in Wall Street than our own local communities.
Session recap: The good, the bad, and the ugly of Wyoming’s 2023 state budget Read More »
