The Wyoming Transportation Department (WYNDOT) is facing a budget shortfall nearly three times more than originally projected, a new report by the Dye Management Group estimates, an issue that’s underscoring concerns about the state’s overall tax configuration.

“Due to the inequity in our tax structure, Wyoming is beholden to the extractive industries and the volatility of the market,” Ashley Harpstreith, executive director of the Wyoming Taxpayers Association, told The Center Square by email. “Compounded with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and funding our very expensive K-12 funding model, the result has ended in massive shortfalls in revenue that is unable to keep up with our expenditures.”