Rep. John Bear, the chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, has accused Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon and former members of the Joint Appropriations Committee of violating a state law governing public spending, Wyo File reports.
The allegations come after Bear and his colleagues on the committee reviewed the state’s budgetary practices and identified discrepancies in how spending laws were followed.
Bear, a Republican from Gillette, stated that his investigation revealed violations related to the state’s rainy-day fund, known as the Legislative Stabilization Reserve Account (LSRA). He specifically pointed to a 2016 law that limits the governor’s ability to recommend appropriations from the LSRA to no more than 5% of the fund’s balance at the beginning of the fiscal year. According to Bear, the governor exceeded this threshold on multiple occasions, although Bear did not specify the exact amounts or how the funds were used.
In his statement, Bear highlighted that the law was intended to ensure the state lives within its means and to prevent overspending, a principle that Governor Gordon has emphasized during his tenure. However, Bear’s criticism suggests that the governor’s actions have not adhered to these restrictions.
Governor Gordon responded to the allegations by asserting that his budget recommendations were within the bounds of both the state Constitution and applicable statutes. In a statement to WyoFile, the governor defended his budget, which he said included substantial savings, and reiterated his willingness to cooperate with the House Appropriations Committee to address any concerns. Gordon also pointed to the financial strains caused by Wyoming’s recent wildfire season, which he said required the use of funds from the LSRA to cover firefighting expenses.
In response to Bear’s claims, Gordon’s Chief of Staff, Drew Perkins, emphasized that the governor’s budget recommendations complied with the law and the state’s constitutional requirements. Perkins, who previously served as chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, also offered to collaborate with Bear and the committee on resolving any concerns.
Bear’s criticism has extended beyond the governor, as he also accused former members of the Appropriations Committee of failing to address these alleged violations during the 2019 and 2024 legislative sessions. While Bear did not name specific individuals, Rep. Lloyd Larsen, a current member of the committee, defended the actions of previous committee members. Larsen, a Republican from Lander, suggested that Bear’s observations were inaccurate and cautioned him to be careful in making such allegations, implying that the prior Appropriations Committee had always had transparent discussions with the executive branch.
