Budget woes

Alexis Barker
NLJ News Editor
 
Now that the dust has settled from the general election, legislators across the state are narrowing in on the upcoming 66th Wyoming Legislature, although Sen. Ogden Driskill, R-Devil’s Tower, and Sen. Cheri Steinmetz, R-Lingle, say they have paid close attention to the upcoming issues and who among the newly elected they will be working with. 
In preparation for the upcoming session, which begins Jan. 12, legislators received their committee assignments and made decisions on leadership for both the House and the Senate, according to a Nov. 17 press release from the Wyoming Legislative Service Office. 
“I was lucky enough to not have to run for reelection but did put my hat in the ring for majority floor leader of the Wyoming Senate,” Driskill told the News Letter Journal. “I was unanimously elected, making me No. 2 in Wyoming Senate leadership. … The Senate and House leadership will have to be formally elected by the body when we convene in January.” 
Driskill was also appointed chairman of the Corporations Committee, which he said will be redistricting the state based on the 2020 Census. Steinmetz reported that she was assigned to serve on the Appropriations Committee for the upcoming session. 
Both senators explained that little is known about what the new session will look like because of COVID-19 restrictions. They said, however, that budgetary shortfalls are a major concern, specifically funding K-12 education. Steinmetz said that reductions in government spending have already begun, and must continue, to address the budget deficits and decreasing revenues.
“Our economic situation continues to brighten – slowly. We have gone from a $1.4 billion deficit in the coming biennium to around $700 million,” Driskill said. “We have about a $300 million shortfall in the general fund, but the governor’s cuts will likely cut that shortfall substantially. That leaves us with a shortfall of around $400 million in K-12 funding. This is a severe problem, and it appears it will grow to $1 billion plus by the next biennium if nothing is done to address K-12 spending.” 
According to Driskill, the general fund has taken a 30% to 35% cut in the past six years, while education funding has had “minimal cuts.” Because of the increasing shortfall, Driskill said, the school recalibration committee is meeting to decide the path for funding education in the future. 
“It is clear that there are only two paths for funding education – huge tax hikes or substantial cuts, or a combination of both,” Driskill said. “We will grapple with the solution in the coming years. Our savings will last only one to three bienniums, and then the state will be broke. Education and health care are close to 80% of the state’s spending – so cuts outside of education to fill the education shortfall are extremely difficult.” 
While legislators expect that budget shortfalls and COVID-19 will be topics of discussion during the session, they are unsure of how these conversations will look and when exactly they will happen, Driskill said. 
“Management council met last week and decided per the constitution, we must gavel in on Jan. 12 and all members must be sworn in. We will probably swear in 10 to 15 members a day,” Driskill explained. “The governor must also address the Legislature during this time. The bodies will then elect leadership.” 
After what he called the “short session,” Driskill said that exactly how the Legislature works bills is questionable. 
“COVID-19 is spiking statewide and shows no signs of slowing down before January. It is possible we could get a vaccine in January or February, allowing us to meet face to face,” Driskill said. “If this doesn’t occur, we will have to have a session before mid-May to get bills out before the new biennium.” 
A number of the bills that will be considered in the upcoming session, Driskill reported, will look at COVID-19 restrictions and the laws concerning health officers and regulations. He noted that he has heard several concerns from people across the state and that the Legislature is dedicated to looking at those issues.
“The only way we can deal with it is when the Wyoming Legislature is in session – there are multiple bills dealing with these issues when we meet,” Driskill said. “There have been lots of opinions on masking and restrictions. My personal belief is any restrictions of any kind should be locally driven, and I have fought for that. In addition, in the spirit of free enterprise, any business should be free to operate with minimal mandatory restrictions.” 
No matter what the issue is, or the possible solutions, Steinmetz said, it is important that the people of Wyoming remember that this is their state and that their voice can make a difference. 
“As we do our work and look at the challenges we face, a few questions come to mind: What is the proper size and scope of government? Are we serving the people effectively and efficiently? What should government look like for our children and grandchildren as we face the future? How do we ensure that Wyoming citizens are the freest, most prosperous people with the most opportunity in this nation? As we search for answers, we will find them together,” Steinmetz said. “Stay tuned in and stay involved.”