CHEYENNE — Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon will be sending a $2.3 billion general fund budget to the state legislature for consideration in its upcoming budget session in February.

Gordon held a press conference yesterday outlining some specifics in the budget and noted that it’s roughly $500 million less than the last fiscal year proposal.

“While Wyoming’s revenue picture has improved since early last year, I believe we must be mindful about how we deploy the serendipitous, additional funds forecast for the coming biennium,” Gordon said. “Today’s good fortune is a reprieve, not a solution to our revenue stability.”

Gordon’s proposal allows for some savings while maintaining funding for education ($1.8 billion in school foundation programs) and not enacting any further cuts.

He will also release a proposal for how to spend American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars in mid-December. Wyoming is scheduled to receive about $130 million under the Act.

“There’s still quite a bit of volatility on how our revenue streams are going to move forward,” Gordon said. “We felt it was important that the external cost adjustments be met.”

A portion of the ARPA money can be used to replenish the general fund, and Gordon said the state is trying to use that in the most appropriate way possible.

He noted that ARPA money is actually being borrowed from future generations, so it’s important Wyoming invest that money in a way to protect its future.

Gordon said last year in order to avoid further reductions in the supplemental budget, the state deferred money from the general fund and used its savings for major infrastructure maintenance around the state. But his new budget aims “to return to the practice of using general funds for major maintenance.”

He also said Wyoming’s inflation rate is the highest in a decade, and the state lags behind in what it can offer its workforce services.

Gordon wants to make Wyoming more attractive for its workforce to stay in the state and not look elsewhere for employment, or have to take second jobs to make ends meet. More than 90 percent of Wyoming state employees are currently being paid below 2017 market rates. 

Governor Gordon’s letter to the 66th Legislature is available online as is the detailed budget proposal. The Governor’s budget is also published at www.wyomingsense.com. Gordon is scheduled to appear before the Joint Appropriations Committee at 8 a.m. on December 1st.