Gov. Mead Wants To Meet With Lawmakers Over Budget Issues

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Gov. Matt Mead says he hopes to meet with Wyoming lawmakers over the next year to try to resolve a fundamental disagreement over whether the state should be putting its extra cash into permanent savings or into the state's rainy day fund.

Mead has recommended that the state put less into permanent savings and school construction to allow it to beef up deposits into the state's rainy day fund. Mead says flat revenue projections mean the state may need the money to pay for government operations.

Both the House and the Senate on Tuesday gave their initial approval to a budget bill that disregards Mead's recommendations and would continue to put more money into permanent savings. Leaders say they want to increase interest income from the state permanent fund.