FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Governor Gordon Presents “The Essentials” Budget: A Conservative Plan Focused on Savings, Strong Communities, and Wyoming’s Energy Future

“As a conservative, I always think, well, if I can put that money aside… then it will return, as we have seen this year.”

CHEYENNE, Wyo. - Dec. 1, 2025 - Governor Mark Gordon (R-WY) presented his 2027–2028 biennial budget, “The Essentials,” to the Joint Appropriations Committee, outlining a conservative, balanced plan grounded in Wyoming values: strong families, strong communities, a strong economy, and responsible stewardship. After his presentation, he took questions from the committee. 

“This budget is fiscally conservative and balanced… concentrated on what is truly essential. It seems appropriate to title it The Essentials.”

The Governor emphasized that Wyoming continues to lead the nation in disciplined budgeting. Investment income, not taxes, was the largest revenue source for the General Fund this year, the Governor noted. 

“The investment earnings… are anticipated to reach $913.7 million in this biennium. This is $913.7 million that Wyoming taxpayers won’t have to pay. I commend the Wyoming Treasurer's Office for his vision. Wyoming's savings are not idle, but invested, serving as a powerful diversifier to the volatility of the common commodity driven economy.”

The Governor recommended $250 million in permanent savings, split between the Permanent Wyoming Mineral Trust Fund and the Common School Permanent Land Fund. His recommendations also leave $462 million in surplus for the Legislature to save or allocate.

Chairman John Bear questioned whether more funds should remain in available reserves for potential spending instead of being put in permanent savings.

 Governor Gordon defended long-term investment, explaining that, consistent with his conservative principles, he believes in setting money aside so it can generate long-term, permanent returns. He noted that former Governor Stan Hathaway warned future legislatures about the importance of saving rather than spending everything, and said this year’s strong investment earnings show exactly why that philosophy matters for the future.

The Governor also noted that while reserves are essential for short-term needs, permanent savings protect Wyoming from volatility and mirror the foresight shown by past generations that have led to the current income from investments.

The Governor highlighted an important fact regarding state spending which is that the vast majority of the state budget is not spent by state government, but are passed through to communities and private businesses across the state or are transferred between government agencies.

“76% of Wyoming’s entire budget isn’t spent on administration at all. It goes out the door to communities, schools, hospitals, and local providers,” Governor Gordon said. The budget categories of ”Grants and Aid, Non-Operating Expenses, and Contractual Services, total $8.4 billion out of $11.1 billion.”

These dollars fund education, healthcare, childcare, Medicaid, workforce training, and local government services across the state.

In response to a question about the state’s high youth out-migration despite economic diversification, the Governor emphasized Wyoming’s family-centered strengths and ongoing work to align education with employer needs.

“Wyoming is a great place to raise a family. It’s safe. It’s got the right values… I think this is a snowball that will begin to grow.”

He cited progress in re-envisioning education and workforce pipelines, which have already helped attract companies like KelTec without major state incentives.

Energy remains a cornerstone of Wyoming’s economic future. The Governor reiterated that Wyoming must develop all its energy resources, traditional and emerging, based on what is best for the state.

“I’ve amended [all-of-the-above] to talk about ‘best of all of the above….’ Wyoming has the potential to have tremendous resources.”

Rising national electricity demand presents a significant opportunity for Wyoming, he said, especially if the state keeps control of its own energy policies.

“I have several times this fall talked about the possibility of perhaps containing most of that new demand within the state where we are not bothered by the dictates of California or Washington, but we can actually develop our resources as we see fit.”

Committee members raised concerns that data centers might attempt to dictate how Wyoming generates its electricity. The Governor was clear he believes a policy needs to be developed:

“It’s to protect our ratepayers. That’s one of the biggest concerns that I have… If you’re interested in doing it here, where we do it better, then maybe there’s a place for you.”

He noted that data center construction provides strong employment opportunities similar to oil and gas cycles at the onset, but, like oil and gas, scale back after they are built. 

Governor Gordon also highlighted new international opportunities following trade missions to Taiwan and Japan, where demand for American natural gas, critical minerals and Wyoming-based energy technologies is rising.

“It turns out that if you link New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming together, we have the resources that Texas does,” Governor Gordon said.  “Whenever anybody thinks about energy, they think about Texas. They should be thinking about the Intermountain states.”

The Governor emphasized overall that “The Essentials” reflects Wyoming’s legacy of prudence and stewardship.

“Times like these remind us of the essentials underpinning American prosperity. Strong friendships, strong families, strong economy, strong communities that care about kids and grandkids, and the promise of opportunity for the future. These same factors underlie this budget.”

For more information: 

Amy Edmonds, Communications Director, [email protected] 

Janelle Collins, Strategic Communications Director, [email protected] 

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