FL, WY Govs Make Early Proposals for FY 2017 Spending

A number of governors around the U.S. have already begun rolling out budget proposals for the next legislative session. This week, SSTI examines gubernatorial spending recommendations related to research, commercialization, STEM education and entrepreneurship in Florida and Wyoming.

Florida

Gov. Rick Scott released his $79.3 billion spending plan for fiscal year 2017, promoting the proposal’s $1 billion in spending reductions and elimination of 1,000 state government jobs. The governor recommends permanently ending income taxes on manufacturing and retail businesses, as well as sales taxes on manufacturing equipment.

Gov. Scott proposed the creation of a new $250 million business attraction fund based on the Texas Enterprise Fund to help the state compete for large job creation projects. Another $42.5 million would be allocated for economic development public-private partnerships, including $17.5 million for Space Florida and $25 million for operations at Enterprise Florida. Another $80 million would be directed toward marketing efforts. The MAF Center for Advanced Manufacturing Excellence FloridaMakes center would receive $500,000. Florida’s 24 Regional CareerSource Boards, which provide training and job placement, would receive $229.3 million.

Under the proposed plan, higher education funding would remain stable, with no increase in tuition.

Read the announcement and full budget…

Wyoming

Gov. Matt Mead released his proposed biennial budget for fiscal years 2017-18 earlier this week. The $3.4 billion general fund budget would reduce spending by about $200 million from FY 2015-16, a reduction attributed to declining energy revenues.

Wyoming’s key economic development body, the Wyoming Business Council, would receive $19.9 million in general funds under the proposed budget, a reduction of $750,000. The governor’s message attributes the reduction to declining revenues.

The University of Wyoming’s operating budget block grant request totals $318 million, a $5 million reduction in response to the revenue shortfall.  The UW Science Initiative, an effort to boost the university’s profile in foundational sciences would receive $2.3 million, according to the university. The budget would add $30 million to the $330 million set aside by the legislature this year for a new facility centered around active learning classrooms and imaging and biological research centers. Another $8 million would be provided for an Engineering Education and Research Building.