Wyo. lawmakers say brace for budget cuts

Top Wyoming lawmakers are directing state agencies to brace for possible budget cuts.

Republican Sen. Phil Nicholas, of Laramie, and Republican Rep. Rosie Berger, of Big Horn, are co-chairmen of the Joint Appropriations Committee. They wrote a letter telling state budget officials that agencies should be prepared for cuts ranging up to 8 percent in the coming two-year budget cycle.

Budget analysts predict Wyoming will have nearly $1.5 billion in cash reserves at the end of the current budget cycle next June. But they're also predicting flat state revenues over the coming five years.

Renny MacKay, spokesman for Gov. Matt Mead, says Mead plans to present lawmakers with a budget next month including some spending cuts, but says the lawmakers' proposed cuts may not be sustainable in some instances.