Mead Touts Wyoming as ‘Strong’

Wyoming Governor Matt Mead presented his second state of the state address to the legislature this morning, emphasizing the need to support those industries that keep the state sustainable.  Not surprisingly, he pointed to Agriculture, Tourism, Energy and Small Business as the state’s economic focal points.  However, he made a special point to underscore the importance of continued financial support of education while at the same time establishing consistent standards which he said need to be Wyoming’s standards – not federal standards.  Pointing to the loss of income from natural gas, Mead said he has reduced his recommended budget by $64-million.  Despite the challenges, Mead declared that this legislature will be able to accomplish goals the federal government seems unable to.  Mead told the gathering that Wyoming is on the right track and is a state that has proven it can guide its own future.  Quoting Mead, “We will produce a budget, something that has not been done in Washington in over 1000 days; and we will produce a balanced budget, something not accomplished in D.C. for far too long!”  Mead admonished the legislature, however,  to assure through the budget process that every child, every family and every business is managing the best and doing the best they can.