A letter to the JAC

Dear JAC Members

Being a Member of the Wyoming Legislature is a hard job. Balancing the state budget and protecting taxpayer dollars is not easy, and no one expects it to be. Asking tough questions about government programs is part of that responsibility. However, recent actions by the JAC to cut funding for the Wyoming Business Council, pull back unobligated grant funds, and move economic development duties to other agencies may create more problems than they solve.

The issue is not whether reform is needed. The issue is whether it makes sense to reduce or remove capacity before a clear replacement plan is in place.

The Wyoming Business Council was created to handle economic development work that takes time and coordination. Projects like infrastructure development, business recruitment, loans, and federal grants rarely fit into a single budget cycle. They often take years to plan and complete. When funds set aside for these projects are swept back into the general fund, projects are delayed or stopped, and trust with local communities is damaged.

Unobligated does not mean unused or unnecessary. Many of these funds were waiting on engineering work, permits, local matching funds, or federal approval. These delays are normal. Taking the money back mid-process puts local governments and private partners in a difficult position and can cause Wyoming to lose outside investment.

There is also concern about spreading economic development responsibilities across multiple state agencies. While this may look more efficient on paper, it often has the opposite effect. Economic development requires specific skills, experience, and long-term relationships with businesses and communities. Agencies focused on regulation or administration are not set up to do this work well. When responsibilities are scattered, accountability becomes unclear and progress slows.

The JAC has raised valid concerns about government choosing which businesses to support. That concern deserves respect. But removing coordination altogether does not create a free market. It leaves Wyoming at a disadvantage. Other states are actively investing in workforce development, infrastructure, and business growth. Choosing not to compete does not save money in the long run — it reduces opportunity.

This is not an argument for keeping things exactly as they are. Improvement and accountability are important. But reform works best when it is planned and thoughtful. Cutting first and redesigning later risks losing expertise, federal funds, and economic momentum.

Wyoming’s economic future depends on smart, steady decisions. Budget discipline matters, but so does long-term thinking. If the goal is to use resources wisely, the Legislature should slow down, review the impacts, and focus on reform instead of dismantling programs that communities rely on. Good government is not about doing less at any cost. It is about doing what works — clearly, efficiently, and with Wyoming’s future in mind.