State Budgets: Wyoming Pushing to Spend Continuing Surplus

Wyoming banked a $500 million surplus from the first half of 2008, thanks in part to high energy prices, which adds to an accumulated surplus from past years. Gov. Dave Freudenthal (D) has proposed an additional $500 million in spending on top of the $8 billion two-year budget in effect, including raises, a new prison, and a property tax cut. He also urged longer-term spending restraint in preparation for a drop in tax revenue from lower energy prices and the recession.

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