LINCOLN- As passed, the legislature's $9.7 billion, two-year state budget package was sent to the governor's office with just over $205 million for other legislative priorities. Gov. Ricketts' decision to sign the budget or veto specific provisions will tell the legislators how much is available for other spending or tax cut measures. He has until Monday to approve or veto the budget bills as a whole or issue line-item vetoes targeting specific items.

"We're always hopeful that the governor will sign the budget without vetoes," said Sen. John Stinner of Gering, the Appropriations Committee chairman. "It's a good budget that covers a lot of ground. I think it checks off a lot of boxes."

The package would build up the state's 'rainy day' fund to about 14% of annual revenues while capping spending growth at a two-year average of 1.7%. It also increases payment rates for health and human services and educational endeavors. The budget also includes the $230 million prison. That figure is the only budgetary decision that garnered debate and was the only bill to receive 'no' votes on the budget package.

In the upcoming weeks, the legislature will be debating more tax cut and spending measures. Many priority bills are also coming up that would combine to cost more than twice the available funds, with the cost increasing in the future. Please see our Speaker's Weekly Announcement story to see which bills can be expected to be considered during debate in the legislature over the next two weeks.

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