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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 7, 2024

CONTACT: Michael Pearlman, Communications Director

[email protected]

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**Governor Gordon Expresses Concern That Legislature has Only Passed Budget for Itself While the Rest of Wyoming Waits**

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CHEYENNE, Wyo. ?? Governor Mark Gordon?s message at the start of this legislative session was clear: The only constitutionally-required duty the Legislature has is to pass a balanced budget for the coming two years. That still has not happened. While the rest of Wyoming waits for its budget, the Legislature has passed a budget only for lawmakers and their staff.?

The Governor?s decision on the Legislature?s budget is due today (Thursday), while the budget for the rest of Wyoming remains in limbo until Friday. Noting that he is forced to consider funding the separate Legislative budget while awaiting that vote, the Governor issued several line-item vetoes. These vetoes would not imperil the ability of the legislative branch to function.

?I am optimistic even at this late hour that a budget for the other two branches of government could arrive as soon as tomorrow,? the Governor wrote. ?Accordingly, as I understand the importance of funding the Legislature in the coming two years, I am not vetoing this entire piece of legislation, but am exercising my constitutional ability to disapprove of items in this spending bill.?

Governor Gordon struck the word ?Energy? from a $76,800 appropriation for membership dues to the Energy Council, a legislative organization dedicated to energy policy. The Governor said ?the Senate persists in sending confusing messages? about its support for the state?s energy industry and the thousands of people it employs. He invited the Legislature to override his veto ?to send a clear message to the people of Wyoming and me about whether or not each chamber supports our energy industry, and follow up those words with action...??

The Governor also had requested an inflation adjustment of $48 million to address increased operational costs the state has experienced over the past two years. The Legislature reduced that request to $28 million in the version of the budget bill currently being considered. Accordingly, the Governor reduced the Legislative budget request by $50,000 for new Legislative furniture and accessories so that all branches of government can contribute to the cost savings imposed by the Legislature on the rest of Wyoming.

The Governor?s letter is attached and may be viewed here [ [link removed] ].

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* Line Item Veto_SF0002_ 3_7_24.pdf [ [link removed] ]
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?Wyoming Seal [ [link removed] ]

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This email was sent to [email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Governor of Wyoming ? State Capitol, 200 West 24th St ? Cheyenne, WY 82002-0012 ? 307-777-7434 GovDelivery logo [ [link removed] ]