WYOMING — The governor unveiled his 2027-2028 biennial state budget proposal on Monday, titled “The Essentials,” which will attempt to prioritize funding for food assistance, health care and wildfire fighting response.
A press release from Gov. Mark Gordon’s office describes the budget proposal as reflecting Wyoming residents’ concerns about strengthening families, communities, opportunities and the next generation’s future. In his budget message, Gordon reaffirmed his and Wyoming’s commitment to a lean and efficient government, noting that the state budget has grown by 3.5% per biennium since 2019.
“Some suggest this is the time to cash in, take care of ourselves, and stop worrying about Wyoming’s future or our children,” Gordon said in the statement. “These are the actions that seemingly guided our nation for the last couple of decades as Washington, D.C., piled up debt without regard to consequence.”
In his budget message, Gordon recommends stepping in to fund government food assistance programs, like SNAP and SNAP-Ed (Cent$ible Nutrition). He supports addressing Wyoming’s health care needs including access to labor and delivery services, as well as support for rural providers and the behavioral health crisis system. He recommends enhancing the state’s firefighting ability by establishing modules that can respond rapidly to wildfire threats.
According to the statement, the budget recommendations are grounded in support for Wyoming’s main industries of agriculture, energy, mining and tourism. It also aims to encapsulate Gordon’s four core principles:
- Protect Wyoming citizens and ensure their future.
- Support core industries, growing new ones and expanding opportunities.
- Maintain and improve effective and efficient government.
- Respect the principle that government is best when it is closest to the people.
On Tuesday, Wyoming State Treasurer Curt Meier expressed support for Gordon’s proposal by saying it is fiscally responsible and in step with a vision for the state that eventually will not need to worry whether the energy segment is in a boom or bust cycle.
“As widely reported after the release of the October report from the Consensus Revenue Estimate Group, Wyoming realized record investment earnings this fiscal year,” Meier said in the news release. “Our investments generated $1.86 billion, beating returns from severance taxes and federal mineral royalties combined.”
According to WyoFile, the Joint Appropriations Committee will consider the governor’s proposal in December before drafting a budget to present to the Legislature in February.
