State lawmakers begin work today in Cheyenne on the state’s new biennum budget.  And its setting up to be a spirited session thanks in no small part to state revenues being down considerably due to the on-going recession.  State revenue forecasters say the state has roughly 3 billion dollars to work with for the next two years, that’s about billion less than the current two-year budget. 

Governor Freudenthal says there is only so much lawmakers can do with the budget.  He says lawmakers need to decide if the want to break into the state’s so called rainy day fund to make ends meet, or simply tighten the state’s belt…(Click to hear comment from Governor Freudenthal)

Rosie Berger is chairman of the House Appropriations Committee.  She tells affililate KROE she does not support dipping into the state’s 700 million dollar so-called rainy day fund.  Berger and others say despite the drop in revenue there are some areas her committee will be looking at for funding…(Click to hear comment from Rosie Berger)

The Governor will formally begin the budget session at 10 oclock this morning with his state of the state address.