AP 6-21,2016
Wyoming Matt Mead on Tuesday announced $248 million in cuts to state agency budgets over the coming two years.
Mead told lawmakers in Cheyenne falling energy revenues require cutting the $3-billion state general fund budget lawmakers approved earlier this year.
Mead says it’s possible the revenue shortfall ultimately could exceed $500 million in the budget cycle that starts July 1.
The Wyoming Department of Health is the state’s largest agency and faces $90 million in cuts. Mead says the cuts will cost $41 million in lost federal matching funds and likely result in the loss of 677 private-sector jobs.
Other agencies facing large cuts include:
– The University of Wyoming: $35 million;
– Community colleges: $20 million;
– Department of Corrections: $17.4 million;
– Department of Family Services: $13.9 million.