LINCOLN — With extra revenue to spend this year, Gov. Ricketts used his State of the State address to outline his approaches for lowering the state's traditionally high property taxes and reversing the state's workforce shortage. The governor also thanked first responders, state workers and everyday citizens who jumped in to help when Nebraska was swamped by flooding last March. He called it the state's "finest hour."

"When we were faced with the most widespread and costliest natural disaster in state history, Nebraskans responded with heroic grit, determination, resilience and generosity," Ricketts said. Property tax relief, repairing flood damage, improving the state's economy and addressing some deficiencies in social services took center stage in his speech, his sixth State of the State since being elected in 2014.

"I think he hit the mark on all of the top priorities of the state," said State Sen. John Stinner of Gering, who heads the Legislature's budget committee.

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