Gordon Sees ‘Cuts in Name Only’ in House Budget, But Remains Optimistic

Gov. Mark Gordon expressed cautious optimism Tuesday about Wyoming’s two-year budget negotiations, but said many of the House’s $171.4 million in reductions from his own proposal are “cuts in name only.”

Speaking at a roundtable press conference, Gordon noted the two chambers are $170 million apart on roughly $10 billion in planned expenses—a slim gap compared to the $900 million chasm they overcame in 2024. “It’s obviously been pretty wild and wooly for a bit,” he said. “We’re generally encouraged by what we’re seeing.”

But at least half the House’s reductions appear to be for show, Gordon told Cowboy State Daily. Examples include separating a $615 million federal rural health grant into its own bill, funding some agency technology upgrades for only one year of the two-year budget, and denying the Public Service Commission authority to use $600,000 in fee collections for a docket system upgrade.

“When we make cuts we should understand what they are, not anticipate there’s going to be a subsequent budget we can come in and add back into,” Gordon said.

House Appropriations Chair John Bear, R-Gillette, pushed back. “This from the man that said the Joint Appropriations Committee took a chainsaw to the budget,” Bear said. “So now it’s a tomahawk?” He cited projections showing Wyoming could face a deficit in about six years, urging caution on spending growth.

Gordon also expressed disappointment that the House opted not to fund the “Sun bucks” program, a $3.53 million summer lunch initiative for children.

House Speaker Chip Neiman, R-Hulett, announced his five negotiators for the joint conference committee that will smooth out budget differences: Neiman, Bear, Majority Floor Leader Scott Heiner, and Reps. Abby Angelos and Ken Pendergraft. Senate President Bo Biteman has not yet named his chamber’s five negotiators.

The Senate finished its budget $1.4 million under Gordon’s recommendation after what leaders called organized debate. The House ended $171.4 million under after fiery debates on political philosophy and government’s role.