CHEYENNE - Winding down the budget session Thursday, legislative leaders cited the accomplishments in the last 19 days, ranging from no tax increases to educational spending to cutting-edge legislation on carbon storage.

"This is the press conference where we declare victory and go home," quipped House Majority Floor Leader Colin Simpson, R-Cody.

He added that the legislative leaders are justified in making that claim this year.

"We did not raise taxes," Simpson said. He noted, however, that a bill to raise state park fees is moving through the chambers.

The session has been low key.

"There was not a lot of controversy or controversial bills," Simpson said.

In Washington, D.C., meanwhile, Gov. Dave Freudenthal praised the work of the Legislature for moving swiftly to create a legal and regulatory framework for carbon sequestration.

"From a standing start nine months ago, our state now has the most complete and comprehensive carbon sequestration legislation in the country," Freudenthal told the Ninth Cross-Border Forum on Energy Issues in his keynote address, according to a release.

Also attending the meeting were state Sens. Grant Larson of Jackson and Hank Coe of Cody.

During the news conference in Cheyenne, Republican and Democratic legislative leaders agreed the session was productive and smoothly run. The Legislature is scheduled to adjourn today, the 20th day of the maximum 20-day budget session.

House Speaker Roy Cohee, R-Casper, said the goal of committee interim studies has been to produce fewer but better prepared bills.

Senate President John Schiffer, R-Kaycee, gave a rundown on high points in the $3.5 billion state budget for 2009-10:

* The $350 million for local governments represent an increase of $50 million over the last biennium.

* The Wyoming Wildlife and Natural Resource Trust Fund got $35.2 million but hasn't reached the goal of a $200 million corpus.

* The University of Wyoming got $405.9 million, including matching funds for athletics.

* Community colleges got $243.5 million, with authorization for some new dormitories.

Schiffer emphasized the importance of spending abandoned mine reclamation money on research and enhancement of the coal industry so the state doesn't get left behind.

The first priority will be to spend $30 million a year on abandoned mines, primarily coal mines in Rock Springs and Green River.

Senate Vice President Jim Anderson, R-Glenrock, described the last 19 days as the "Goldilocks session."

The Legislature, he said, didn't have too much money, or not enough, but just the right amount..

Contact Joan Barron at joan.barron@trib.com or by phone at 307-632-1244.