The Wyoming House of Representatives has passed two bills aimed at reducing state spending, including significant cuts to education funding, Wyoming News Now reports.
The measures, House Bill 270 and House Bill 271, collectively reduce the amount available for spending by approximately $30 million per fiscal year, prompting debate among lawmakers about the state’s financial priorities.
During the third and final reading of the bills, Rep. John Bear, R-Gillette, emphasized the need for fiscal restraint.
“Folks, we don’t have a revenue problem. We have a spending problem,” Bear said.
The chairman emeritus of the Wyoming Freedom Caucus and current House Appropriations Committee chair advocated for a strategy to “live within our means” by reducing expenditures and increasing savings.
However, Rep. Karlee Provenza, D-Laramie, countered Bear’s optimism about the state’s financial outlook, expressing concerns over the long-term impact on public education funding.
House Bill 270 proposes reducing spending from the Wyoming Permanent Mineral Trust Fund from 5% to 4.5% of a five-year rolling average market value. House Bill 271 follows a similar approach for the Common School Account.
An amendment to HB 271, introduced by Rep. Ken Clouston, R-Gillette, proposes a phased approach, reducing spending to 4.75% in the first year before dropping to 4.5% in subsequent years.
“This will give us a way to evaluate what this change does,” Clouston explained.
He estimated a smaller initial reduction of $12 million from the School Foundation Program for the 2026 fiscal year.
Bear supported the amendment, describing it as a “reasonable” approach.
“I’ve been resistant to most of these amendments, but I believe there’s nothing wrong with taking a moment to pause, and that’s what this amendment does,” he said.
Not all lawmakers were convinced by the spending cuts. Rep. Steve Harshman, R-Casper, warned that the legislation would have severe consequences for K-12 school districts. He likened the loss in revenue to defunding an entire small school district.
Harshman proposed amendments to slow the reduction rate, including a three-year step-down to the 4.5% spending limit rather than implementing the cut immediately.
“This cut is going to happen right now,” Harshman cautioned.
He emphasized the immediate impact on fiscal year 2026. However, his amendments were unsuccessful.
Both bills passed the House and will now move to the Senate for consideration.
