LINCOLN- Nebraska entrepreneurs, interns, and affordable housing advocates were among those who converged at the Capitol Wednesday to oppose several of Gov. Jim Pillen’s recommended budget cuts. Fifteen Nebraskans, in all, objected to various reductions proposed in the Nebraska Department of Economic Development agency budget over the next two years.

Garnering the most protest during the hearing before the Legislature’s Appropriations Committee was a $5 million annual slash from the Business Innovation Act program and a shift of any remaining balance from the internNE fund. Currently about $11 million is in the intern fund, which started at $20 million two years ago and still has some obligations outstanding.

Defending program trims was DED Director K.C. Belitz, who said the agency worked with Pillen’s office to find savings that would help balance the state’s biennial budget and provide support for other priorities, including property tax relief. In some cases, Belitz said, the agency would return to pre-COVID spending levels, and in a few instances, programs with less than desired payoff were discontinued.

For the full article click HERE