JAC Finishes First Week of Budget Hearings

Wyo. (AP) — Wyoming lawmakers have finished their first week of hearings on Gov. Matt Mead's proposed budget without endorsing his proposal to redirect some state energy revenues away from permanent savings. Laramie Republican Sen. Phil Nicholas is outgoing chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee. He says he opposes Mead's suggestion that lawmakers redirect roughly $130 million a year of energy revenues away from permanent savings into the state's "rainy day" fund. Rep. Rosie Berger, R-Big Horn, is outgoing chairman of the House Appropriations Committee. She says she believes the Legislature will give the permanent fund issue close attention when it convenes in January. The Joint Appropriations Committee will meet again next month to draft a final recommendation for a supplemental budget for the fiscal year that starts next July.