State parks could feel the pinch of budget cuts

If Governor Matt Mead’s eight percent budget cuts go through, Wyoming’s state parks would have to make significant cuts in services and staffing. Milward Simpson is the Director of the Department of Parks, Historic Sites and Trails, and he says every state park would be affected.

"We’ll be doing less hiring if these budget cuts come to pass. We’re also going to eliminate a currently vacant position at Hotsprings State Park, and we’re going to be reducing all of our supply and operations and maintenance budgets across the board, around the state," Simpson says.

Simpson says the cuts would also impact the state’s cultural resources, like the state museum and state archives, as well as the Wyoming Arts Council. Lawmakers will make decisions about the budget cuts before the 2013 legislative session.