No new taxes in 2018?

WORLAND — With a more positive CREG report, Rep. Mike Greear said the Wyoming State Legislature likely won’t be looking at any new taxes during next month’s budget session.

Greear spoke to the Worland City Council Tuesday night about the upcoming session.

“We’re going into a budget session this year. Really going into 3 ½ years of the downturn in Wyoming’s economy. We’ve been working on paring back the budget,” he said.

Greear said the most recent report from the Consensus Revenue Estimating Group added another $197 million in revenue for the biennium.

Some of the increase is an increase in sales tax, which some can be attributed to the online sales tax bill passed in 2017, Greear said. He added that there is also increase activity in the oil and gas industry.

He said despite the increase in revenue projections, the state is still facing a shortfall in education funding as well as some other funding.

The consulting group hired to look at education funding is recommending additional funding for education rather than less, Greear noted.

He said the Legislature will be looking at alternatives of redirecting funds to help with the education shortfall.

TAXES

“I think there is a very strong consensus that no taxes will be implemented this year. That being said there still is some discussion about a statewide lodging tax,” Greear said. The state lodging tax would be used to fund the Wyoming Tourism Board, allowing funds that had been allocated to the Tourism Board to be allocated elsewhere.

He said there is also discussion about a gross receipts tax on retail sales with a $25 million threshold. He said revolves around the larger box stores.

Greear said, “There is a real strong stance in the Senate of no taxes whatsoever. That’s why we go down there, we go down there to discuss what’s reasonable and to find some solutions forward.

DIRECT DISTRIBUTION

Greear said the legislators do not seem to have an objection for continuing the direct distribution of $105 million to cities, towns and

counties. Greear said he knows the municipalities in the Big Horn Basin would like to ensure that the direct distribution is left alone.

Mayor Jim Gill said while the city appreciates the direct distribution, there needs to be a way for municipalities to generate more revenue.

PUBLIC PURPOSE INVESTMENT AMENDMENT

Greear said the Management Council has discussed using the Public Purpose Investment Amendment from the Permanent Mineral Trust Fund that allows a percentage to be used for public improvements through low-interest loans.

He said there is a draft bill that would provide two pots of funds that would be available, one for enhancements for recreation districts or fire districts, and another pot for roads, storm sewers “that type of thing.”

The bill also outlines how the funding would be distributed to communities based on size.

The budget session opens Feb. 12 in Cheyenne.