Budget package approved

Lawmakers gave final approval May 20 to the eight bills comprising the state’s $7.8 billion budget package. The state budget is structured on a two-year basis, with the budget enacted during legislative sessions held in odd-numbered years.

Included in the budget package were:
• LB194, which provides for deficit appropriations, passed 49-0;
• LB195, which appropriates funds for state government expenses, passed 46-3;
• LB196, which provides for the salaries of Nebraska state senators, passed 48-0;
• LB197, which funds salaries and benefits for judges and constitutional officers, passed 48-0;
• LB198, which funds capital construction projects and property acquisition, passed 42-3;
• LB199, which makes various cash fund transfers, passed 49-0;
• LB200, which provides transfers from the cash reserve, passed 49-0; and
• LB536, which approves claims against the state, passed 46-0.

The governor has five calendar days, excluding Sunday, to sign, veto in total or line-item veto appropriations within the budget bills.

If the budget bills are returned to the Legislature with line-item vetoes, the Appropriations Committee must report on the impact of the vetoes within one day and may offer a motion to override them. Thirty votes are required to override a veto.