Budget Adjustments Considered by Appropriations

Mid-biennium adjustments to the state’s budget were considered by the Legislature’s Appropriations Committee Jan. 29.

Three bills, introduced by Speaker Jim Scheer of Norfolk at the request of Gov. Pete Ricketts, comprise the governor’s mid-biennium budget recommendations:

• LB 1008 which would provide, change and eliminate state appropriations;

• LB 1009 which would transfer funds, repeal a fund and change the use of a fund; and

• LB 1010 which would change provisions relating to the state’s Cash Reserve Fund.

Presented to the committee by State Budget Administrator Gerry Oligmueller, the bills would make adjustments in the current fiscal year ending June 30, 2020, as well as the next fiscal year. Oligmueller said the state collected $176.4 million more in general fund tax receipts than forecast. There is now a forecasted $337.3 million available for the current budget year.

The governor’s budget adjustments recommend using $109.4 million – about a third – for one-time, disaster related repair costs, state building repairs and patient safety measures at the Lincoln Regional Center. The remainder would be used to increase the cash reserve balance to $507 million.

LB 1010 includes $9.2 million for the counties hardest hit by flooding last year and $3 million for future emergency events.