Budget Passes Session Ends

Cheyenne, Wy – By overwhelming margins, the House and Senate have approved the state budget -- which will cover the next two years of state government services.
Governor Freudenthal proceded to sign the budget, vetoing two sections. The House and Senate chose to let them stand.
The budget bill, combined with other measures, would increase immediate state General Fund spending by an estimated 125-million dollars.
Spending for the next biennium would increase by about 280-(M)-million dollars over the current level.
But lawmakers also put 250-(M)-million dollars into savings -- including 100-million in the Permanent Mineral Trust Fund.
Majority House Leader Randall Luthi of Freedom says the budget is "extremely large" but he says it will provide great benefits to the state.
Minority House Leader Wayne Reese of Cheyenne says there's no perfect budget, but this one is balanced and does take care of many of the needs of the state.