LINCOLN — The Legislature’s Appropriations Committee on Tuesday unveiled a preliminary committee budget, a key early step before Nebraska lawmakers pass a two-year budget by mid-May. Led by State Sen. Rob Clements of Elmwood, one of the committee’s biggest tasks this year is closing a projected $432 million budget shortfall, which the preliminary budget takes steps toward closing. The committee has gone through all state agencies at least once, in addition to the budget recommendations that Gov. Jim Pillen outlined in his Jan. 15 address to the Legislature, advancing some in the preliminary budget.

Pillen’s recommendations would close the projected $432 million budget shortfall with more than $63 million in the positive direction. Meanwhile, the committee’s preliminary budget closes approximately $171 million of the projected shortfall, leaving another $262 million to find either through increased revenue or reduced spending. State Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh of Omaha, a new face on the Appropriations Committee, said it is “not best practice” to make substantial policy changes through the budget.

For the full article click HERE