Wyoming Lawmakers Convene For Budget Session

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Leaders of both houses in the Wyoming Legislature say they expect to start work introducing bills immediately after Gov. Matt Mead presents his State of the State address today.

House Speaker Tom Lubnau, a Gillette Republican, says he expects this will be a "journeyman" legislative session, concentrating mainly on drafting a state budget for the coming two years.

The Legislature's Joint Appropriations Committee generally has endorsed Mead's recommendations to give state employees pay raises while increasing funding for counties and local governments.

Both Lubnau and Senate President Tony Ross, a Cheyenne Republican, say they intend to start bill introductions after Mead's address. The session is set to run for four weeks and this Friday is the deadline for bill introductions.