Investment Returns Bolster Wyoming Budget

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Gov. Matt Mead said Wednesday he plans to call on the Legislature to approve some level of pay raises for state employees when it convenes early next year.

Returns on Wyoming's state investments have put state revenues over $300 million ahead of this year's early budget projections. A panel of state financial experts issued the updated state revenue projections on Wednesday.

Mead says he plans to meet with legislative leaders next week to discuss the updated revenue forecast. Mead says he wants to see the state save some of the windfall and also fund some construction projects.

Mead just returned from a trade mission to South Korea and Taiwan. He says both countries are anxious to buy Wyoming coal and says the state needs to resolve transportation issues.