Surplus-Rich State Goes on Spending Spree

At a time when other states are pinching every penny they can find, Wyoming lawmakers boosted state spending by 5% a year. And they did it with no program cuts and only one tax hike, a 48-cent boost on a pack of cigarettes.

Wyoming is enjoying the effects of recent high prices for the resources that provide the bulk of its revenue -- mainly coal, oil and natural gas.

“Are we lucky? Sure we’ve been lucky,” state Sen. Rich Cathcart said.

Lawmakers opened their just-completed session with a $169-million surplus and went on a spending binge, creating programs for senior citizens, insect management, animal euthanasia and public television.