K-12

State revenues are down due to tough times in the coal, oil and natural gas industries.

The consultants presented their plan to lawmakers Tuesday as the state tries to tackle a looming education funding deficit.

During the 2017 session, legislators trimmed around $34.5 million from K-12 education.

The Subcommittee says Wyoming is faced with a budget phenomenon known as a “double-whammy,”- mineral prices and production are in decline, but the State is still required to provide the same level of education goods and services previously maintained by the energy economy.

Wyoming State Senator Chris Rothfuss, D-Laramie, says the idea of cutting K-12 education funding is "absurd." Rothfuss says National Assessment of Educational Progress scores in Wyoming have risen in recent years while scores of other states have generally remained stagnant...