Wyoming Gov. Dave Freudenthal urges lawmakers to spend wisely in State of the State speech

Gov. Dave Freudenthal said Wednesday that Wyoming needs to focus on its strengths as it works to "ride out the storm" of lower state revenues and important challenges to its future.

In his State of the State address to a joint session of the Wyoming Legislature, Freudenthal said Wyoming residents need to understand the state is now in the beginning of a difficult period — not at the end of one.

By BEN NEARY
Associated Press writer

Full Story: http://www.casperstartribune.net/articles/2009/01/15/news/wyoming/e829e04278321b0b8725753f0008fa79.txt

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Gov’s agenda gets favorable review

By JOAN BARRON
Star-Tribune capital bureau

Wednesday, January 14, 2009 9:35 PM MST

CHEYENNE — One Lander legislator said he got "hot under the collar" while listening to Gov. Dave Freudenthal’s comments Wednesday that student outcomes haven’t kept pace with state spending on K-12 schools. But other lawmakers generally agreed with the Democratic chief executive during his State of the State speech.

Rep. Del McOmie, a Republican and chairman of the House Education Committee, said the education department and the Legislature are tracking the areas the governor mentioned.

"His comments on the cost of education are probably correct," McOmie said. "However, the new funding has only been in effect for one and a half years."

Full Story: http://www.casperstartribune.net/articles/2009/01/15/news/wyoming/11c47dcc0b8f5ccc8725753f00080565.txt