CHEYENNE – Republican Senator in District 2, Brian Boner, in one of his last tasks to Platte County voters has provided an update of the recent Wyoming Legislature 2022 Budget Session.
“The Wyoming Legislature finished the 2022 Budget Session last week,” Boner said.”The tasks before us were somewhat unique between dealing with the first budget surplus since 2015 and redistricting the legislature. As chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, I am thankful for a very successful year for our committee bills.”
The Joint Agriculture Committee produced 7 bills for the budget session. These bills generally delt with improving how the state supports the third largest industry and how to better manage the natural resources the state depends on to drive important parts of our economy.
“I am glad to report all of these bills which I hope to pass the process became law,” Boner said. “Two bills built upon the strengths of the Weed and Pest and Predator Control programs. Another bill gave the Wyoming Business Council another tool that - at no cost the taxpayer - can be used to improve our ability to process agricultural commodities in the state.
“Specifically, authorizing agricultural processing facilities to use Industrial Revenue Bonds will allow for tax breaks for these projects. This program will lead to creating jobs in Wyoming and give our farmers and ranchers more options to market their products.”
According to Boner, the committee also passed bills that will help increase capacity within the state to help the federal government comply with federal law regarding their management of wild horses.
“Finally, we passed a bill that will better define how the state manages vacant grazing leases,” he said. “The legislature also passed our biennial budget. This two-year budget will expend $2.8 billion in general funds over two years. Overall, the budget we passed reduces government spending by $400 million.
“Additionally, we finished the challenging process of redistricting the legislature. Under the plan we passed on to the governor, Platte County will have very different and improved opportunities for representation in the legislature. House District 4 will continue to contain all of Platte County, with the addition of around 300 residents in Chugwater area that live in northwest Laramie County. Platte County will also switch to Senate District 6, which will encompass HD4 plus another rural Laramie County House District.
“While I am deeply disappointed to no longer have the opportunity to represent Platte County, I am also thankful for the chance to do so over the past 7 years. I know this county is in good hands and am excited about the prospect of working with a Platte County Senator at some point in the future.”
