Wyoming House pass bill 54-5 that could halt state funding for juvenile justice programs By Brendan LaChance on January 29, 2021
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CASPER, Wyo. The Wyoming House of Representatives passed legislation during their Friday floor session which could lead to community juvenile justice programs ceasing to receive funding support from the state.
The House passed House Bill 48 on third reading, sending the proposed legislation to the Senate for consideration. The bill would remove a statutory requirement that the Wyoming Department of Family Services help fund community juvenile service programs in the state, though funding could still be provided when the state revenues are sufficient.
Wyoming Democrat, GOP leaders see common paths for economic diversification By Brendan LaChance on January 18, 2021
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CASPER, Wyo. Some Republican and Democrat leaders of the 66th Wyoming Legislature share similar visions for what could help diversify the state’s economy.
Majority Floor Leader Albert Sommers, a Republican representing Sublette County, said in a press conference with legislative leadership held last week that improving broadband access is crucial.
Sommers said that the COVID-19 pandemic has also highlighted this issue with people traveling and moving to Wyoming looking toward reliable, high speed internet.
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“We have people moving in[to] my area from all over,” Sommers said. Were high speed, reliable broadband more widely available, he suggested more people might consider re-locating to the state.
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The Wyoming Consensus Revenue Estimating Group (CREG) said the state s revenue picture looks brighter. The latest CREG forecast shows an $82 million improvement from October. The news came as the legislature held an opening day session.
A lot of focus has been on budget cuts, especially to programs in the Wyoming Department of Health. Cheyenne Rep. Jared Olsen said the revenue picture is trending in the right direction. That means we have another pool of money that we didn t anticipate having when we began building this budget in December, said Olsen. I do think there s an opportunity for the Appropriations Committee to revisit those health cuts.
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File photo | The Sheridan Press
File photo | The Sheridan Press