Legislators divided on budget

A fundamental philosophical difference divides the Wyoming House and Senate heading into the last two weeks of the 2018 budget session.

The state’s increased investments in the stock market are doing well, generating an 8 percent return over the last year. The question the Legislature now faces with is whether that money should be put to use right away or placed in the state’s savings account.

While both chambers approved spending bills of similar amounts, roughly $2.9 billion, they went about allocating the funds in different ways, setting up a debate on how Wyoming should manage its money.

“There’s a wide gulf between the two spending bills,” said Rep. Mike Gierau, a Democrat from Jackson. “Combining the two bills will come down to some basic philosophical questions. It’s going to be an interesting discussion.”

Read more: http://www.jhnewsandguide.com/news/legislature/budget/legislators-divided-on-budget/article_9a4a877c-1f8e-5df8-9cc9-b4a801f33a70.html