Wyoming towns and counties rely on state funds to help pay for local services. But state funds are drying up.

Legislature passes a bill making it easier for Wyoming communities to tax themselves

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The increased ability for towns and counties to raise revenues is a nod toward diversifying Wyoming's tax structure. But because the new revenues will come from sales tax, they will come at the highest cost to the state's poorest residents.
For the fourth straight year, the Senate will try to defund Wyoming education while the House will attempt to shield schools from harmful cuts.

Four ways to cut school funding: House and Senate at odds as education budget negotiations begin

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The Senate is proposing nearly $40 million less than the House for the state education budget, looking to cut funding for cost-of-living raises, transportation, discretionary funds, and compensation for National Board Certified teachers.
The $19 million a year raised by the tax won't come close to fixing Wyoming's budget problems. But it's a start.

“An honest first step”: Wyoming Senate passes statewide lodging tax

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The Legislature’s approval of an actual tax increase suggests that lawmakers understand cuts alone can’t fix Wyoming budget crisis.
While the Legislature cuts funding for public institutions, the House advances a plan to decrease revenue.

Wyoming House advances oil tax break that would cost the state millions

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A proposed severance tax break for Wyoming oil and gas companies is meant to prop up the industries. But markets—not tax rates—have historically determined production levels.
Rep. Bob "Marco Coal-o" Nicholas charts a trade route to exotic lands.

Lawmakers seek a new route to “the Orient” for Wyoming’s “green coal”

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A bill would give a tax break to coal companies who ship their coal from Wyoming to Asia through ports in Canada and Mexico.
People from around the world travel to Wyoming and stay at hotels like the Old Faithful Inn.

Wyoming House advances statewide lodging tax bill

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The proposal would impose a 5 percent tax on hotel stays, generating an estimated $19 million per year mostly from out-of-state visitors.
When these kids grow up, the Wyoming Legislature will have likely spent the state's Rainy Day Fund because they didn't want to raise taxes.

Wyoming House kills bill to create new school funding source, will instead spend state savings

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The House declined to hold an introductory vote on a proposed corporate income tax that would have generated tens of millions of dollars each year for Wyoming schools.
Controversial bills tend to at least get debated in the Wyoming Legislature, but this year lawmakers killed Medicaid expansion without uttering a phrase.

Wyoming House wastes no time—or words—killing Medicaid expansion

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A bill to expand Medicaid failed an introductory vote Monday, just hours after the Legislature convened, leaving tens of thousands of Wyomingites without healthcare … again.
Peter Wold thinks Wyoming should tax huge corporations like Walmart to diversify the state's revenue structure

Wyoming oil CEO supports state corporate income tax

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Peter Wold, president of Wold Oil Properties, has a message for the Wyoming legislature: Diversify our state tax structure by passing the National Corporate Profit Recapture Act.
No one who doesn't have healthcare access was asked to participate.

The Wyoming Liberty Group’s Medicaid expansion dog and pony show

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The Wyoming Liberty Group actively opposes Medicaid expansion, but it hosted a panel discussion to (allegedly) present “both sides” of the debate. It was facts and information against folksy catchphrases and scare tactics .