As we wrap up coverage of the Legislature, we hear from Governor Matt Mead who sent these comments from his office following the session.
The governor says that work between the Senate and House produced a solid budget moving the state forward.
Legislators told state agencies to prepare for 4 percent cuts in the coming year, citing the much talked about issue of falling natural gas prices. Along with that, Mead says that the state should be prepared to keep its budget thin because Congress should be spending less anyway.
He added that the state will also take this conservative approach when dealing with funding infrastructure needs.
According to the media release from the governor's office, the state plans to spend $560 million on health care in the next two years, up from $80 million a decade ago. Mead said neither he nor legislators are happy with having to spend this much, and will work to find ways to bring that number down in the future.
