How Bad Is Wyo School Funding Shortfall?
The state of Wyoming might have to transfer $222 million from savings in the coming biennium, according to forecasts that were made to the Joint Appropriations Committee.
According to a report in the Laramie Boomerang, the balance is falling from higher than $1.5 billion and is expected to be $1.22 billion for 2021-2022. By 2023-2024 the balance might be as low as $630 million.
In the next legislative session, which will begin in just a few days, state officials will have to decide where the missing money will come from to fill the gaps. So will the state make cuts, or raise taxes?
According to Senator Eli Bebout the word “flat” is the best way to describe the budget, and on the telephone call with the Boomerang he predicted that the Legislature wouldn’t do much to address the situation.
“It’s not going to be any surprise where we’re going to end up,” he said. “We’re not going to make any tough decisions. We’re going to kick the can and spend our savings.”