Gordon endorses most UW budget requests but axes AI funding
Funding for coal and critical minerals research, as well as $6 million for a career and technical education lab, remain. The appropriations committee could reduce or increase UW’s funding.
University of Wyoming leaders will soon defend their funding requests before the Wyoming Legislature’s Joint Appropriations Committee.
Of the $54 million in exception requests UW was originally seeking this winter, Gov. Mark Gordon has recommended awarding just under $44 million of that figure, on top of fully funding the university’s $440 million standard budget.
Gordon did not highlight his recommendations for UW during his presentation to the appropriations committee Monday, but he did nod to the importance of continued support for higher education.
“The government’s targeted support of the basic essentials like food and education is key to strong communities,” Gordon told lawmakers. “Our community colleges and the University of Wyoming continue to provide excellent education for aspiring high school students and those seeking further education or job training.”
Like all state agencies, UW is set to appear in Cheyenne ahead of the 2026 Budget Session, during which lawmakers will decide how Wyoming spends its money in the next two years. UW’s hearing is scheduled for the afternoon of Wednesday, Dec. 10.
In addition to its $440 million standard budget request — which would enable the university to continue providing what it provides now — UW requested an additional $54 million in exception requests.
That $54 million included $20 million to match private donations with state money, $12 million for research conducted by the School of Energy Resources, $6 million for a career and technical education lab, $6 million for athletics, and smaller amounts for critical minerals and AI initiatives.
Gordon’s recommended budget cuts UW’s request by $10.3 million.
The governor recommends cutting the requested endowment matching funds from $20 million to $12.5 million. Gordon would also shave $300,000 off of requested critical minerals research funding, and would totally reject a request of $2.5 million for UW’s AI Initiative.
But most of UW’s exception requests — including the entire $12 million for the School of Energy Resources — remain intact.
The recommended budget does not outline the governor’s reasons for his decisions.
The appropriations committee will consider UW’s requests and the governor’s recommendations during the university’s hearing next week. Then, ahead of the budget session in February, the committee will produce a budget bill for consideration by the full legislature. That budget bill could honor the governor’s recommendations, further reduce UW’s requests or even boost them, as it did in 2024.
When UW approved its budget priorities in August, it also highlighted the need for additional funds to raise salaries across campus. This, however, is now covered by Gordon’s recommendation to raise salaries for all state employees.
“Like all employees, state employees deserve to receive a fair day’s pay for fair day’s work,” the governor told the appropriations committee.
Gordon’s overall recommended state budget totals $11.1 billion and devotes money to enhance wildfire-fighting and to make up for a federal reduction in food assistance for Wyoming’s poorest residents. The governor has also recommended putting an additional $250 million into permanent savings.
Gordon should authorize $5M in PILT (payments in lieu of taxes) to fund the City for lost property taxes due to UW's tax exempt status. We've been providing it with fire, ambulance, and other services FOR FREE for many years, and that's not fair to residents.