© 2024 Wyoming Public Media
800-729-5897 | 307-766-4240
Wyoming Public Media is a service of the University of Wyoming
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Transmission & Streaming Disruptions

Lawmakers Mixed Over Local Government Funding

Bob Beck
/
Wyoming Public Radio

Local government funding will be among the most debated topics during the upcoming legislative session. Due to a revenue shortfall, Governor Mead has cut funding for local government from 175 million dollars two years ago down to 90 million for the next two years. 

A number of cities and county governments have instituted hiring freezes and are looking at major cuts in an effort to deal with the shortfall. Laramie Democratic Representative Cathy Connolly says that is a massive cut to local government funding and Republican Senator Drew Perkins said it comes at a bad time.

“Those monies could result in as much as 25 to 50 percent cuts in local government at the same time they are seeing decreasing substantial decreases in their sales tax revenue.”

House Appropriations Chairman Steve Harshman said local government has been given a chance to generate more money locally in an effort to smooth out their revenue. He noted last week that the state funding was supposed to be used for one time projects.

 “We’ve from day one said do not use this to supplement your on-going operations, you know do this for the one time type of things. In fact we put in language that it cannot be used for salaries or personnel.”

Senate President Phil Nicholas added that the state money was never supposed to be permanent. 

Bob Beck retired from Wyoming Public Media after serving as News Director of Wyoming Public Radio for 34 years. During his time as News Director WPR has won over 100 national, regional and state news awards.
Related Content