Joint Appropriations committee cuts $40 million from University of Wyoming block grant after hours-long debate

The Joint Appropriations Committee on Thursday approved substantial reductions to the University of Wyoming’s state block grant after hours of debate that split lawmakers along policy and political lines. Representative Pendergraft successfully moved a motion to remove $40,000,000 from the block grant, arguing the state must prioritize spending across agencies; the committee also approved a separate $1,698,084 cut intended to eliminate state support for Wyoming Public Radio.

The moves came during a lengthy review of Agency 067, which staff characterized as the university’s block grant. "We only have so much money to operate," Representative Pendergraft said when proposing the $40 million reduction and asked the committee to view the request as part of a zero‑based reprioritization. "We take a step back, and we prioritize." He framed the earlier $1.698 million reduction as a question of whether public radio should be subsidized by state dollars.

Opponents warned the $40 million cut would be crippling for the state’s only public university. Senator Driscoll, who said he spent “dozens of hours” with university staff reviewing the budget, described the reduction as a “major, major move” that threatens operations and the university’s ability to retain students and staff. "When you really look at it, this is a crippling amount," he said. Representative Sherwood and others urged caution, noting morale and recruiting challenges on campus.

The committee agreed to two footnotes tied to the reduction. One preserved funding for the College of Education and the College of Agriculture, exempting those colleges from the cuts; another requires the university to provide a transparent, line‑item report showing where reductions were applied so the Legislature can review the fiscal choices before the next supplemental. Director Richards and staff provided percent‑of‑budget figures during debate: earlier estimates placed the $40 million change at about a 6–11% reduction of certain base budgets, and committee discussion cited cumulative university reductions in the range of roughly $48–61 million depending on motions adopted.

Other line items on the UW agenda were amended as well: members trimmed matching funds, athletic support, and made targeted reductions to contracts and programs. The committee closed Agency 067 by roll call; the record shows the agency passed as amended and the committee moved on to the next agenda items.

What happens next: the committee’s changes will be folded into the budget bill process; the university will need to supply the requested transparency report and the appropriations will be carried into the Legislature’s upcoming floor debates and final budget reconciliation.