Governor Mark Gordon held a press conference about the fiscal year 2025 -2026 supplemental budget.
Governor Mark Gordon weighed in on this year's supplemental budget. He spoke of some of the obstacles this legislature will need to confront.
On Thursday morning, Gordon discussed how the budget would pay for hospitals, water systems, and more.
As the COVID era and inflation federal funding sunset in the next quarter, the state is left with $6.5 million in ongoing expenditures, mainly due to inflation.
Gordon discussed how the state must grapple with losing obstetric providers in Wyoming.
“Evanston regional hospital will no longer provide labor or delivery service. The loss of these providers puts an undue strain on many new families as they struggle to find time gas the opportunity doctors to visit clinics located increasingly often out of state,” said Gordon.
Gordon suggests increasing the Medicaid rates to retain these services in Wyoming and combat this.
Gordon also spoke about how mineral resource restrictions affect other sectors like education.
He expects a relaxation of regulatory measures under the new administration and discusses ways they are looking to diversify and stabilize these industries.
“Never the less we still face daunting legal challenges, which is why I've asked for funding for additional resources i the attorney generals office to fight illegal regulatory efforts that restrict Wyoming's ability to fight the clean power plan 2 to make some adjustment,” said Gordon.
The conference followed the governor's keynote address and spoke on the economy, energy, education, and infrastructure with another representative in attendance.
The next supplemental budget session has about $220 million in one-time spending, about half of which is dedicated to wildfire fighting and restoration.
The next legislative session begins in mid- January.
