Wyoming Lawmakers Want Agency Budget Cut Plans

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — The Wyoming Legislature intends to direct state agencies to prepare for a range of budget cuts despite Gov. Matt Mead's recent veto of a similar directive in the state's supplemental budget bill.

The Legislature's Management Council is a group of senior lawmakers who set legislative priorities. The council voted last week to require legislative committees to review budget cut proposals of 2, 4 and 6 percent from most state agencies.

Mead earlier had vetoed language requiring agencies to propose budget reductions of 4, 6 and 8 percent for each year of the 2015-16 biennium. He objected to preparing detailed plans for cuts in advance of revenue projections.

Senate President Tony Ross, a Cheyenne Republican, says it's a healthy exercise for agencies to look for ways to cut spending.