Tag Archives: Budget

Vested Interests Block Healthcare Deregulation and Choice

In today’s political environment, regulations are often used to strengthen powerful and well-connected special interest groups at the expense of everyone else. This means those looking to unburden business from the heavy hand of government regulation could be in for a big fight with those all-too happy with the status quo. Continue reading

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Responding to Severance Tax Loss: No Tax Hikes, Please

Last week I explained that the U.S. Department of Interior is withholding 5.1 percent of the severance taxes that they owe Wyoming for 2013. Another two dozen states will also lose money, though with $53 million Wyoming is by far … Continue reading

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State Government Revenue Reform, Part 1

It is a well-known fact that the more tax revenues our legislators get their hands on, the more they spend. The reason is not necessarily that they want more government at any cost. Many of our elected officials are simply … Continue reading

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2013 General Session Nears End

The 2013 General Session of the Wyoming Legislature winds down this week.   Today is the final day for third reading of bills, marking the end of floor work and the beginning of a long and boring wait for lawmakers.  The … Continue reading

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Wyoming Revenues: A Lesson in Transparency

In 1974 the Wyoming Legislature created the Permanent Wyoming Mineral Trust Fund (PWMTF) by passing a constitutional amendment that was ratified by the people of Wyoming on November 5, 1974. This amendment made the PWMTF a constitutionally protected, inviolable fund … Continue reading

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The Supplemental Budget: Mirror Amendments

This week began a new phase for the Supplemental budget process as the two final versions of the budget, passed in each chamber on Friday, must now be reconciled through a joint conference committee.  (see the Senate or the House … Continue reading

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The Supplemental Budget: Sausage-Making in Cheyenne

Well folks, the Wyoming Legislature is currently in the process of amending the Supplemental budget.  German statesman Otto von Bismarck said “laws are like sausage, it is better not to see them being made.”  He wasn’t far from the mark.  … Continue reading

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Game and Fish Hunting Fee Bill Killed by House of Representatives

In a victory for fiscal responsibility, House Bill 260, which would increase many Game and Fish hunting fees, was killed in the House Committee of the Whole (CoW). This is the fourth bill in the 2013 legislative session to propose … Continue reading

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A Deaf Ear to The People

This session the Wyoming Legislature passed, and Governor Matt Mead signed, SF104. This bill divests elected Superintendent of Public Instruction Cindy Hill of authority over the Department of Education and awards it to a new Director of Education, to be … Continue reading

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Fourth Time’s the Charm with Hunting Fee Increases

Over three short weeks of Wyoming’s 2013 legislative session, four bills were introduced to raise Wyoming hunting license fees. While the later bills are a little watered down, the piecemeal increases still do nothing to address the Game and Fish … Continue reading

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