Matt Mead in 2013 Governor's State of the State speeches
On Budget & Economy:
Reduce the budget & build up the rainy-day account
Governor Mead's recommendations to the Legislature include:- Build savings
- Reduce the ongoing budget
- Cut the size of government
- Streamline state regulations
- Decide on the funding mechanism for our highways
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Change fiscal policies to build up the rainy-day account; and
- Provide funding for major items including wildfires, landfills, local government, the Gillette-Madison water project, UW School of Engineering and employee performance pay.
Source: Press Release on 2013 Wyoming State of the State Speech
Jan 9, 2013
On Government Reform:
6% reduction for most agencies; 10% for Governor's Office
I have recommended a reduction to the standard budget of over 6%. This reduces ongoing spending by over $60 million a year. I took it agency by agency--not an across the board cut. I wanted to lead by example, so my proposal has a 10% reduction for the
Governor's Office and Governor's Residence--hard to do but doable. Some state agencies have 8% reductions, some less. For community colleges and the University, the reduction is about 6%.
My recommendations also reduce the size of government, eliminating 86 vacant positions.Regarding budget reductions, we know that some feel they are too deep. We also know that some in the Legislature feel they need to be deeper.
For those who feel more cuts are needed, this session is the time to weigh in, not with conceptual ideas, but with specific cuts to specific agencies and programs. I have made my recommendations and I look forward to seeing your budget reductions.
Source: 2013 State of the State Speech to Wyoming Legislature
Jan 9, 2013
On Health Care:
ObamaCare is law of the land; let's decide on an Exchange
The implementation of the ACA [ObamaCare] and associated costs are looming. Despite my strong objection to the ACA and my asking the Attorney General to fight the case in the U.S. Supreme Court, it is the law of the land.
We now have to play the cards in our hand. We have to make decisions regarding Medicaid expansion and insurance exchanges. Last year the discussion on a state-based exchange was suspended.
That and a lack of answers from the federal government mean the federal government will likely run an exchange for Wyoming when exchanges start operating in 2014. But a federal exchange could be temporary because we can choose a state exchange
down the road. We should make an informed choice; therefore, one of my budget recommendations seeks $100,000 to assist in the process of deciding what exchange option is best for Wyoming.
Source: 2013 State of the State Speech to Wyoming Legislature
Jan 9, 2013
On Health Care:
ObamaCare is not good policy; but we must act on it
Addressing health care, Governor Mead said he continues to believe the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is not good policy. "Unfortunately there is no magic wand waving, there is no approach that will extricate us from the ACA. It is upon us and we must act."
Full implementation of the ACA begins in 2014 and Governor Mead said now is the time to prepare a set of conditions for Wyoming to submit to the federal government on a health insurance exchange and
Medicaid optional expansion. "This body (the Legislature) has the opportunity to develop what we would like to see in that request. Now, perhaps the federal government will not agree to our terms.
We can say no if they do not, but it is far better that we express our terms and make a request than to not make a request and get a package without our input. Let's view this as an opportunity for innovation."
Source: Press Release on 2013 Wyoming State of the State Speech
Jan 9, 2013
Page last updated: Dec 05, 2018