Wyoming governor: Revenue drop means 'tough decisions' ahead

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Wyoming's governor says less wasteful spending won't be enough to address budget shortfalls.

A report released Tuesday predicts $185 million less revenue for major state accounts over the next three years.

The Consensus Revenue Estimating Group report comes as Gov. Mark Gordon prepares to release his first state budget Nov. 18.

Gordon says in a release Wyoming may be facing a "fundamental change" in how it will be able to fund government services.

Wyoming officials already have made a series of spending cuts to address declining revenue from the fossil-fuel industries, especially coal and natural gas.

State lawmakers have been reluctant to boost revenue through new and higher taxes. Gordon isn't proposing tax increases yet but says the state faces many "tough decisions" in the years ahead.

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