LINCOLN — Nebraska lawmakers voted overwhelmingly Thursday to override Gov. Pete Ricketts’ budget vetoes.
These vetoes effectively cut funding for an increase in provider rates, community corrections programs, urban housing, and a completion of a bike-hike trail. He said the funds needed to be preserved for tax cuts.
State Sen. John Stinner heads the budget-writing Appropriations Committee and argued, specifically, in favor of restoring $52 million to increase pay for private providers of services to the elderly, developmentally disabled, and those needing mental health care.
Wage inflation, Stinner said, has contributed to workers of this kind leaving for higher-paying jobs, creating vacancies and a decline in access to care.
He went on to point out the state has found the funds necessary to provide salary hikes of 20% to 30% to ensure staffing at state veterans homes, prisons, and other 24/7 facilities.
“Suddenly we have enough staff to accommodate patient loads at (the veterans home in) Kearney, imagine that,” Stinner said.
The Speaker of the Legislature, Sen. Mike Hilgers, also encouraged senators to vote in favor of overriding the governor's vetoes. He said they have an opportunity to achieve a "significant trifecta," by passing the largest tax cuts in state history, building the cash reserve fund to $1.3 billion, and funding important priorities, such as the provider rate increases.
The votes on the three override bills drew, respectively, 42, 42, and 41 “yes” votes in the 49-member Unicameral. It takes 30 votes to override a gubernatorial veto.
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