The Wyoming Business Council on Monday survived being dismantled, as the state Senate voted down a bill that would have purged it from state law, 21-10.
But the agency, which gives grants and loans to businesses and communities in the name of economic development, is still facing a viable budget amendment that would defund it.
The Senate or House may change or reject that budget amendment as they work on the budget bill in the coming days.
Wyoming Business Council CEO Josh Dorrell told Cowboy State Daily just outside the Senate gallery that the 21 votes to rescue it are "a pretty strong signal, of business being open in Wyoming."
Dorrell said the agency is looking forward to "the next round” of the budget debate.
He also said he's heard that an individual lawmaker is bringing a bill to create a task force that would evaluate the Wyoming Business Council and possibly reform it.
Gov. Mark Gordon recommended such a task force in his State of the State address, hours before the Senate rescued the business council.
"We're open to helping people know more about the business council," said Dorrell, "so whether it's a task force or work in the interim or however that looks, we're open to showing what the business council does and helping people to understand how we can work together with the Legislature."
Close Call
Had it survived, the bill would have left $2 million and two full-time employees within the state's executive branch to shutter the agency and finish implementing its outstanding loans and obligations.
It would have transferred some of its energy-support programs to the Wyoming Energy Authority and placed a $335 million broadband installation program under the purview of the state executive branch's five elected officials.
Sen. Dan Laursen, R-Powell, noted that since its formation in 1997, the Wyoming Business Council has received nearly $1 billion in state funding alone.
"Yet many constituents question (if there's a) measurable return on that investment," said Laursen while arguing for the dismantling bill Monday in the state Senate.
The Joint Appropriations Committee majority and Laursen's constituents also question whether incentivizing private business with public dollars is the proper role of government, he said, adding that the agency is prone to "the selection of winners and losers" in the private sector.
Lawmakers have had concerns, also, that the agency lacks legislative oversight, he said. He also said some communities are frustrated with "responses from the council that suggest certain communities are less deserving of support based on their local tax decisions."
With 39 employees at $11.6 million per biennium, the agency is at about $115,000 per employee, added Laursen.
Roll Call
Roll call on the bill to dismantle the agency went like this:
Sen. Anderson no
Sen Eric Barlow, R-Gillette: no
Sen. Brian Boner, R-Douglas: no
Sen. Evie Brennan, R-Cheyenne: no
Sen. Cale Case, R-Lander: no
Sen. Ed Cooper, R-Ten Sleep: no
Sen. Barry Crago, R-Buffalo: no
Sen. Gary Crum, R-Laramie: no
Sen. Dan Dockstader, R-Afton: no
Sen. Ogden Driskill, R-Devils Tower: no
Sen. Tim French, R-Ralston: yes
Sen. Mike Gierau, D-Jackson: no
Sen. Larry Hicks, R-Baggs: no
Sen. Lynn Hutchings, R-Cheyene: yes
Sen. Bob Ide, R-Casper: yes
Sen. Stacy Jones, R-Rock Springs: no
Sen. John Kolb, R-Rock Springs: no
Sen. Bill Landen, R-Casper: no
Laursen: yes
Sen. Taft Love, R-Cheyenne: no
Sen. Troy McKeown, R-Gillette: yes
Sen. Tara Nethercott, R-Cheyenne: no
Sen. Jared Olsen, R-Cheyenne: no
Sen. Stephan Pappas, R-Cheyenne no
Sen. Laura Pearson, R-Kemmerer: yes
Sen. Chris Rothfuss, D-Laramie: no
Sen. Tim Salazar, R-Riverton: yes
Sen. Wendy Schuler, R-Evanston: no
Sen. Charlie Scott, R-Casper: yes
Sen. Cheri Steinmetz, R-Torrington: no
Senate President Bo Biteman, R-Ranchester: yes
Clair McFarland can be reached at clair@cowboystatedaily.com.
