LINCOLN- Gov. Pillen's proposed state budget plan was outlined to a panel of Revenue Committee legislators on Monday, which included his plan to divert $14 million over the next two years from the Environmental Trust and place them in a state water resources fund. Critics of the plan argued that it would divert important funds away from recycling and conservation projects, and that, if necessary, the funds for the water resources fund could be garnered from state tax dollars.

One testifier even went so far as to say that Pillen's plan might be unconstitutional, and that it disregards the intent of the Environmental Trust, which seeks to "conserve, enhance, and restore natural environments." The shifting of funds away from the Environmental Trust was defended by Pillen's office, which claimed that they will be able to contribute millions of dollars to several needed water projects.

Some critics of the proposal, like Spike Eickholt from the ACLU of Nebraska, argue that some of the funds taken from the Trust will be used in the building of former Gov. Ricketts' long-sought-after 1,500-bed state prison, which, if built, is expected to reach full capacity by 2030. "This commitment should not be made without significant criminal justice reforms," argued Eickholt.

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