The Wyoming Legislature’s Joint Appropriations Committee recently approved a supplemental budget that slashes approximately $235 million from Governor Mark Gordon’s recommendations.
The cuts affected funding for wildfire recovery, energy initiatives, emergency support for local governments, and reimbursement rates for maternity and mental health care services.
The fiscal plan now moves to the House and Senate for separate deliberations, where lawmakers will determine its final form.
The committee, now predominantly composed of Wyoming Freedom Caucus members, set a conservative tone during the review process, overriding several of Governor Gordon’s previous line-item vetoes. One of the largest cuts was $100 million from the governor’s Energy Matching Funds program, which aims to leverage private and federal investments in energy projects. The funding reduction reflects ongoing legislative resistance to energy initiatives perceived as favoring carbon capture technologies.
Additionally, $2.4 million in recommended increases for Medicaid reimbursement rates for maternity and behavioral health services were struck from the budget. Wyoming faces ongoing challenges in retaining obstetric and mental health services, which Governor Gordon emphasized in his budget request.
Lawmakers also reduced wildfire recovery funding by $30 million, opting instead to provide loans rather than grants to residents affected by the 2024 wildfires. Governor Gordon expressed concerns over the decision, citing the need for a flexible and immediate relief program. He argued that loans would create financial complications for landowners already struggling to recover from extensive damage.
Despite this, the committee increased discretionary funds for wildfire relief from $20 million to $30 million and allocated funds for a new helicopter to fight wildfires.
The Wyoming Business Council’s Business Ready Community Grant and Loan Program saw a $14 million reduction. Senator Mike Gierau, a Jackson Democrat, voiced concerns over the cut, emphasizing the program’s role in diversifying the state’s economy.
A proposed $4 million allocation to child development centers failed to gain committee support. These centers provide early intervention services for children with developmental delays or disabilities. Proponents, including Gierau, highlighted the long-term cost savings of early intervention, but the motion narrowly failed.
The revised budget, totaling about $265.5 million, now heads to the full House and Senate for floor debates. Lawmakers will also need to consider the financial implications of several pending non-budget bills, including property tax legislation and other spending proposals.
Governor Gordon has signaled concerns about the committee’s spending decisions and their potential impact on Wyoming’s economic and social infrastructure. The coming deliberations are expected to reflect ongoing tensions between the executive branch and the increasingly conservative legislative panel.
Wyo File and Cowboy State Daily contributed to this report.
