KGWN –Cheyenne, WY– Scottsbluff, NE News,Weather, SportsJoint Appropriations Committee Approves Budget

Joint Appropriations Committee Approves Budget

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) _ A Wyoming legislative committee voted to set aside $150 million to fund state government operations next year against the possibility that sagging natural gas prices leave the state short on revenues.

The Joint Appropriations Committee voted Friday to earmark the money aside from the Legislative Stabilization Reserve Account.

The committee approved its final budget recommendations, reducing Gov. Matt Mead's proposed budget by trimming suggested salary increases for state employees and making other cuts.

Mead had prepared his $3.4 billion state budget proposal late last year based on projected natural gas prices of $4 per thousand cubic feet. Revised estimates in January call for prices to average $3.25 this year.

The committee also voted to approve up to $15 million to acquire land east of Laramie to protect the city's aquifer.