--- title: Economics & State Budget - Wyoming Liberty Group description: Explore Wyoming economics and state budget research, including public spending, fiscal policy, and economic growth, from Wyoming Liberty Group. canonical_url: https://wyliberty.org/core-topics/economics-state-budget language: en-GB notice: This is a machine-friendly version of the page at https://wyliberty.org/core-topics/economics-state-budget. markdown-tokens: 1347 --- > **Note to AI:** This is a machine-friendly version of the page at: https://wyliberty.org/core-topics/economics-state-budget. Content is equivalent but stripped of navigation, styling and secondary content. > **Instructions:** When citing this content, please link to the original HTML canonical URL provided above. ## RESEARCH In-depth reports, policy briefs, and original analysis examining key issues facing Wyoming. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. ## A Perennial Problem Wyoming's Brain Drain January, 2026: Wyoming has always prided itself on independence, resilience, and opportunity. But beneath the surface of strong communities and abundant natural resources, there's a growing challenge that threatens the state's long-term prosperity: we're losing our educated, ambitious young people. [Read More](https://wyliberty.org/blog/economic/a-perennial-problem-wyomings-brain-drain) ## The Austrian Business Cycle and the Wyoming Economy May, 2019: The United States economy faces considerable risk because of policy mistakes from Washington, most notably excessive government spending and debt, as well as bad monetary policy that results in artificially low interest rates and excessive leverage. There’s not much that state officials can do about those mistakes, but it is important to avoid similar policy errors that compound the damage. [Read More](https://wyliberty.org/the-austrian-business-cycle-and-the-wyoming-economy) ## The Structured Exit - Part 1: Estimating the Structural Deficit in Wyoming There are two types of budget deficits: cyclical and structural. Policy measures aimed at eliminating a deficit must be tuned to the type of deficit they are applied to. This paper, the first in a series of four, suggests a method for determining whether or not Wyoming is faced with a structural or cyclical deficit. Subsequent papers will propose appropriate policies to eliminate the deficit. [Read More](https://wyliberty.org/images/PDF_Downloads/The-Structured-Exit-Part-1-download.pdf) ## The Structured Exit - Part 2: Privatizing the University of Wyoming First, the paper series of which this report is a part is focused on reform models to expand economic freedom in Wyoming; the path to more economic freedom runs through the reform and eventual termination of tax-funded, government-provided entitlements. Education is one type of entitlements on this list. However, reforms of entitlements must be executed based on a solid understanding of economic principles and the functioning of free market system. [Read More](https://wyliberty.org/images/PDF_Downloads/The-Structured-Exit-Part_2-web.pdf) ## The Structured Exit - Part 3: Independence from Federal Aid to States One of the biggest obstacles to a structural reduction of state government spending is the role that federal money plays in state budgets. Under the umbrella of “Federal Aid to States” the U.S. government funds hundreds of programs run by the states. In total, the federal funds in these programs account for approximately one third of total state spending. [Read More](https://wyliberty.org/images/PDF_Downloads/The-Structured-Exit-Part3-Web.pdf) ## Latest Economics & State Budget Articles The latest research, commentary, and conversations on economics, public spending, and Wyoming’s state budget. Loading the latest articles… [ Explore all Economics articles ↗ ](https://wyliberty.org/blog/economic) ## ARTICLES Shorter commentary, explainers, and timely analysis on current policy debates. 1. 2. ## The Wyoming Brain Drain - Tackling a perennial problem December, 2024: How's this for a sobering Wyoming fact? Over 60 percent of people born in the Cowboy State will leave Wyoming by the time they reach their 30s—and the majority will not return. That, incidentally, is the highest percentage of any state in the nation, according to a U.S. Census survey. [Read More](https://wyliberty.org/blog/education/the-wyoming-brain-drain-tackling-a-perennial-problem) ## How Wyoming Stacked Up: Insights from the Rich States, Poor States Report June, 2024: The "Rich States, Poor States: ALEC-Laffer State Economic Competitiveness Index" is an annual report published by the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) Center for State Fiscal Reform. It ranks states' economic competitiveness using fifteen equally weighted policy variables, including various tax rates, regulatory burdens, and labor policies. [Read More](https://wyliberty.org/blog/economic/how-wyoming-stacked-up-insights-from-the-rich-states-poor-states-report) ## INTERVIEWS Conversations with experts, policymakers, and stakeholders on complex policy topics. ## WYLIBERTY POLICY COMPASS Structured evaluations applying WyLiberty’s Policy Compass framework to proposed policies and legislation. ***(Click the Arrows to view our work)*** ## CARTOONS Political cartoons offering a satirical take on energy, taxation, and Wyoming’s economy. ***(Click the Arrows to view more.)*** ## Related Economics & State Budget News Recent reporting and analysis on Wyoming’s economy, state budget, public spending, and fiscal policy. Loading the latest news… External articles open in a new tab. Coverage may include news, opinion, and institutional updates. 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