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Nebraska lawmakers are facing a $305 million budget shortfall as they head into a three-day weekend, with the legislature’s Appropriations Committee needing to address the deficit in less than 30 days. State Sen. Brad von Gillern said the news is “not good news, but not totally a surprise either.”The projections indicate a $20 million boost this year but a $175 million fall next year, with the additional money this year not contributing to the general fund. “So that really doesn’t help us with balancing the budget, but it does go to property tax relief. So that’s a good news,” von Gillern said.The Revenue Committee Chair mentioned that a few bills, including one that would increase the state’s tobacco tax, could bring as much as $81 million into the general fund, which “helps offset some of the deficit.”State Sen. Robert Clements, Chair of the Appropriations Committee, expressed confidence in managing the situation. “We’ll probably go back over things we’ve already considered, and see if we can tighten the belt a little more. We still have an adequate reserve, and we’re in good shape. We’ll get through this,” Clements said.However, some lawmakers are concerned about the impact of budget cuts on everyday Nebraskans. “That’s what’s different this time around. We’re taking services away from people, especially on Health Human Services side,” State Sen. Dan Quick said. “It should have been a plan in place to bring back new revenue to the state,” said State Sen. Terrell McKinney.The full legislature will take up the revenue bills when all-day debate begins in the coming week, and the Appropriations Committee must present its budget proposal to lawmakers by Tuesday.Make sure you can always see the latest news, weather, sports and more from KETV NewsWatch 7 on Google search.NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |
Nebraska lawmakers are facing a $305 million budget shortfall as they head into a three-day weekend, with the legislature’s Appropriations Committee needing to address the deficit in less than 30 days. State Sen. Brad von Gillern said the news is “not good news, but not totally a surprise either.”
The projections indicate a $20 million boost this year but a $175 million fall next year, with the additional money this year not contributing to the general fund.
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“So that really doesn’t help us with balancing the budget, but it does go to property tax relief. So that’s a good news,” von Gillern said.
The Revenue Committee Chair mentioned that a few bills, including one that would increase the state’s tobacco tax, could bring as much as $81 million into the general fund, which “helps offset some of the deficit.”
State Sen. Robert Clements, Chair of the Appropriations Committee, expressed confidence in managing the situation.
“We’ll probably go back over things we’ve already considered, and see if we can tighten the belt a little more. We still have an adequate reserve, and we’re in good shape. We’ll get through this,” Clements said.
However, some lawmakers are concerned about the impact of budget cuts on everyday Nebraskans.
“That’s what’s different this time around. We’re taking services away from people, especially on Health Human Services side,” State Sen. Dan Quick said.
“It should have been a plan in place to bring back new revenue to the state,” said State Sen. Terrell McKinney.
The full legislature will take up the revenue bills when all-day debate begins in the coming week, and the Appropriations Committee must present its budget proposal to lawmakers by Tuesday.
Make sure you can always see the latest news, weather, sports and more from KETV NewsWatch 7 on Google search.
NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |
