“This budget is a roadmap emphasizing the core principles necessary to promote a solid economy, support strong communities..."





wyoming governor mark gordon




*For Immediate Release:*

*Governor Mark Gordon Will Present Budget: **"The Essentials"*

"“This budget is a roadmap emphasizing the core principles necessary to promote a solid economy, support strong communities, maintain educational excellence, develop our natural resources responsibly, and care for our people in need.”"

*CHEYENNE, Wyo. - Nov. 30, 2025* - Governor Mark Gordon (R-WY) will present his 2027–2028 biennial budget recommendation, "The Essentials", to the Joint Appropriations Committee at 8 a.m., Monday, Dec. 1.  The presentation will be publicly live streamed [ [link removed] ].  

*Fiscal Responsibility and Long-Term Stewardship*

In his written budget message [ [link removed] ], Governor Gordon underscored: 


* earnings from the state’s investment portfolio are expected to generate *$913.7 million* for the General Fund this biennium,* revenue that directly offsets the tax burden on Wyoming residents.*

The Governor recommended:


*  *$250 million* in permanent savings, split evenly between the Permanent Wyoming Mineral Trust Fund and the Common School Permanent Land Fund. 
* The Governor left *$80 million* in the Strategic Investment Projects Account and *$130 million* in the School Foundation Program.
* This will leave the Legislature roughly *$462 million in available surplus* for additional savings or future decisions.

The Governor also notes for Monday’s discussion: 


* *76% of Wyoming’s entire budget* ($8.4 B of the $11.1B) goes back out the door to Wyoming communities, schools, hospitals, and local providers. "(see Background below)"

*A Roadmap for Wyoming’s Future*

In his written budget message Governor Gordon tied today’s challenges to the stewardship of earlier generations. Wyoming’s forebears, he said, “set aside mineral wealth in permanent funds and reserves for future generations.” The Governor urged the Legislature and citizens to support a budget that continues that legacy of responsibility.

“This budget is a roadmap,” he wrote, “emphasizing the core principles necessary to promote a solid economy, support strong communities, maintain educational excellence, develop our natural resources responsibly, and care for our people in need.”

*About the Governor’s Budget:*

The Governor’s budget [ [link removed] ] is built around “The Essentials” - the foundational responsibilities of government that support Wyoming families, communities, and long-term prosperity. These essentials include:


* Protecting families through education, community stability, and access to care
* Strengthening core industries while encouraging diversification and innovation
* Maintaining effective and efficient government 
* Saving for the future to prepare for economic volatility
* Supporting local communities and local control by recognizing the role taxation plays in their autonomy 

Budgeting for a bright future for Wyoming can not happen if we create a budget for the past.  Which is why the Governor emphasizes stability, responsible investment, and preparing the state “to meet the challenges of an increasingly complicated, yet promising, future.”

*For more information: *

Amy Edmonds, Communications Director, [email protected]  

Janelle Collins, Strategic Communications Director, [email protected]  

###

*BACKGROUND:*

*Overall Budget Themes*

* The budget is titled *“The Essentials”*, reflecting a focus on core priorities: strong families, strong communities, a strong economy, and effective, efficient government.
* Governor Gordon has emphasized budget transparency, conservative stewardship, long-term savings, and maintaining Wyoming’s tradition of balanced, responsible budgeting.
* The Governor’s budget is *a recommendation*, not binding—consistent with Wyoming’s constitutional structure. The Legislature ultimately controls appropriations.

*Fiscal Profile & Savings*

* *Investment income* is projected to be the *largest revenue source*, with *$913.7 million* in General Fund investment earnings for the biennium.  This is *revenue that directly offsets the tax burden on Wyoming residents.*
* Total investment income across all funds topped *$1.8 billion* this year.
* The budget recommends:
* *$250 million* in "permanent savings", split 50/50 between the Permanent Wyoming Mineral Trust Fund and the Common School Permanent Land Fund
* *$80 million* left in the Strategic Investment Projects Account (SIPA)
* *$130 million* remaining in the School Foundation Program Account

* After accounting for judicial, legislative, and statutory expenditures, the Governor leaves *approximately $462 million in SURPLUS* for the Legislature to save or allocate.

*Budget Structure Overview (Executive Branch, per B-1 Summary)*

* Total Budget: *$11.1 billion*
* *47%* Other Funds (School Foundation Program, trusts, pension funds, enterprise funds, etc.)
* *30%* General Fund
* *23%* Federal Funds

* *Grants and Aid, Non-Operating Expenses, and Contractual Services* now total *$8.4 billion of the $11.1 billion*, representing *76% of all expenditures.  *
* Two-thirds of Wyoming’s entire budget goes back out the door to Wyoming communities, schools, hospitals, and local providers. These categories, Grants and Aid, Non-Operating Expenses, and Contractual Services, total $8.4 billion. 
* That’s 76% of all state spending, and it funds everything from Medicaid services for the elderly, disabled, and children, Homeland Security grants that go primarily to local law enforcement, hazardous materials response teams and local emergency management to school finance to local schools and to private businesses delivering services such as:
* Department of Workforce Services Grants
* Department of Family Services Grants used to purchase parenting support services, employment and training services for single mothers (CLIMB), food boxes for the elderly, community emergency services so vulnerable adults can live safely at home, and heating assistance. 

*Budget Components Forwarded to the Governor*

These items are included because they are forwarded by the Judiciary, Legislature, or by statute:


* *School funding (JEC/JAC):* $2.2 billion
* *School Capital Construction (Select Committee):* $400 million
* *Judicial Branch budget:* $111 million
* *Legislative Branch budget:* $26 million
* *Steamboat Scholarship ESA:* $30 million (or $60 million with Superintendent Degenfelder’s letter)
* *Statutory items:*
* $130 million transfer of vehicle sales tax to Highway Funds
* 5% statutory reserve requirement ($193 million)

*Major General Fund Priorities (Not in any particular order)*

* * Families, Food Security, and Education*

* Additional support for *SNAP administration* due to reduced federal cost-share.
* Continued funding for *Cent$ible Nutrition Program*.
* Emphasis on *Farm to School* food sourcing (pending federal grant).
* Support for education at all levels.

* * Healthcare*

* Funding for developmental disability services, maternity care access, healthcare and community support for seniors, and home health reimbursements for high-needs children.
* Support for the *Rural Health Transformation Program*, including rural hospitals, EMS, behavioral health, and a basic health plan for individuals/small businesses.

* * Public Safety*

* Two state wildland *firefighting modules*: $4.6 million
* Expansion of the *Smoke Buster* program at the Riverton Honor Farm
* *Fire Suppression Account* increase to $30 million
* *Fire recovery and invasive species management:* $29 million
* Department of Corrections requests:
* $9.3 million for out-of-state housing
* $9.7 million for medical/food/utilities inflation
* $1.4 million to maintain Adult Community Corrections (ACC) beds through FY 2026


* * Local Government*

* Governor recommends continuing the *$105 million direct distribution*, but with a caveat:
* If the Legislature increases the sales-tax distribution to local governments by at least the same amount, the $105 million should be suspended to avoid double-funding localities.

*Energy, Water & Economic Development*

* Funding for State Engineer’s Office and AG’s Office to defend Wyoming’s water rights in the *Colorado River Basin* and other interstate basins.
* Energy development and permitting support, including:
* DEQ permit processing
* Coal pyrolysis research in Gillette
* Enhanced oil recovery research
* Critical minerals extraction from coal ash

* Continued support for nuclear expansion including the *Natrium project* in Kemmerer.
* Funding for international trade work, market access, and innovation via the Wyoming Energy Authority, Wyoming Business Council, and School of Energy Resources.

*State Government*

* *State workforce:*
* *The number of authorized full-time positions is down 274 since 2018.*
* The budget includes funding to bring wages from *2022 market levels *up to *2024 levels* to prevent rising vacancy rates.
* Total compensation impact: *$62 million general funds*, *$111.8 million* all funds.

* *Facilities & Construction:*
* *Major maintenance:* $471 million
* *State Building Commission contingency:* $6 million
* *Facilities master plan study:* $1.2 million
* *Veterans’ Home of Wyoming renovation:* $87 million

* Federal-funded Military Department projects and Park-funded capital construction are recommended for approval.

*-End-*

REAL BUDGET COVER





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 Wyoming Seal [ [link removed] ]

   



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