“This budget makes responsible reductions where necessary and respects the integrity and important work of Wyoming’s agencies and educational system.”
Cheyenne, Wyo. - Wyoming House and Senate leaders released the following statement on Friday after the Legislature’s bicameral, 10-member budget conference committee reached a compromise on Wyoming’s budget package.
“The process of arriving at a responsible and reasonable budget is never easy or free from disagreement. However, we all came to the table in good faith and worked through the differences between the House and Senate versions of the budget,” said Wyoming House Appropriations Chairman Bob Nicholas. “This is a good bill that makes responsible reductions where necessary and respects the integrity and important work of Wyoming’s agencies and educational system.”
“If the House and Senate fail to pass an education funding reform bill this session, this budget compromise will phase in $45 million in reductions to education funding over two school years, providing an opportunity for school districts to adjust to and plan for reduced funding levels,” said Wyoming Senate Appropriations Chairman Bruce Burns. “This reasonable 2.8 percent reduction in education funding, in addition to last year’s 1.4 percent reduction, was arrived at after much discussion and reflects an effort to respect the perspective of both chambers. As a Joint Appropriations Committee, and as a conference committee, we thoroughly vetted this budget and worked collaboratively to get it right. This budget makes substantive reductions that are necessary to bring spending in line with the reality of Wyoming’s diminished revenue picture.”
“Every member of the conference committee on the budget committed to do what’s right for Wyoming, right now. That commitment to working for Wyoming people is what made reaching a compromise possible,” said Wyoming House Speaker Steve Harshman. “We must take this budget and build on it in a way that will allow Wyoming to grow our economy, provide opportunities for our young people and provide stable funding for education and essential programs. I am grateful for the work and deliberation put forth by the members of the Joint Appropriations Committee and the conference committee. Because of their efforts, this budget bill sets Wyoming on a fiscally responsible course.”
“Reaching a compromise is never easy. It requires thoughtfulness and a commitment to advance the best possible solution for Wyoming taxpayers,” said Wyoming Senate President Eli Bebout. “I supported the Senate’s position and believe that both chambers worked through the amendments fairly and thoroughly to put forward a responsible solution. Wyoming’s legislative process works and I have every confidence that this compromise is a step toward putting Wyoming on a more responsible financial footing. I respect and value the work of every member of the budget conference committee. Riding herd on this budget process and finding common ground for the benefit of Wyoming people is a great achievement.”
