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2010 Wyoming Legislative Session Begins Today
The Wyoming Legislature holds its budget session for four weeks, from February 8 through March 5. Non-budget bills can only be introduced with a 2/3 vote of either the House or Senate during the first week. If introduced, the bill moves onto a committee. The budget bill will be debated simultaneously in the House and the Senate after the first week. Citizens can contact their legislators before and during the session by email, telephone or in person at www.legisweb.state.wy.us.
WTIC is primarily watching the budget during this budget session and members talked to their legislators during the last two months to support the following issues. Lobbyists Lynn Birleffi and Susan Menghini will be at the Capitol every day and will keep you posted.
Budget Issues
Support the Governor’s and the Joint Appropriations Committee Recommendations for the Wyoming Travel and Tourism budget.
Both the WTT budget and the proposed new visitors center in Southeast Wyoming was approved by both the Governor and the JAC. Now it is time to make sure when the budget is debated on the floor of both the House and the Senate, it is approved. The budget is expected to begin the week of February 15. Here are some talking points:
• Tourism is an export industry and generates new money brought into the state.
• Provides thousands of career and part-time jobs, quality of life enhancements, tax relief for our residents, and immeasurable support of our various economic development initiatives through our promotions.
• The Governor’s and JAC budget for WTT is the same as the budget after the 10% cut July 1. It does not include the additional $955,000.00 emergency advertising funding allocated last session.
• The SE Wyoming Visitors Center was approved because the land was donated, the project is already underway and studies prove that visitor’s centers cause visitors to spend more time in the state.
• While the state marketing budget is $11.7 million a year, the private sector spends well over $14 million in marketing dollars. Neither the state nor private sector can be fully successful in Wyoming tourism promotion without the other!
Support the Governors Recommendation for the Wildlife Trust Fund. The budget proposal to administer the fund is the same as last biennium less the 10% reduction made July 1.
• The legislative appropriation provides for administration and augmentation of the permanent account and private donations. The budget was reduced $2.5 million by the JAC. Supporters need to make sure this budget is not reduced further.
Support the Workforce Development Training Fund-Dept. of Workforce Services. Again, supporters need to make sure this budget is not reduced further.
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