Investments Could Soften State Budget Blow

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — There's some hope that revenue from state investments could ease the pressure on the Wyoming budget from falling natural gas prices and avoid some feared cutbacks.

Through March, Wyoming's general fund investment earnings are at $29.3 million, or 15.5 percent above the projection for the current fiscal year that ends June 30.

In addition, the Permanent Mineral Trust Fund has made $83.5 million in capital gains this fiscal year as of March.

But senior economist Jim Robinson, of the state's Economic Analysis Division, tells the Associated Press  that the trust fund money won't be final until the fiscal year ends on June 30. Depending on what the markets do before then, the trust fund gains could still increase or decrease.