Mid-biennium adjustments to the state\u2019s budget package were considered by the Appropriations Committee Jan. 22. The state budget is structured on a two-year basis, with the budget passed in odd-numbered years and adjustments made during legislative sessions held in even-numbered years.<\/p>\n
Three bills, introduced by Speaker Jim Scheer of Norfolk at the request of Gov. Pete Ricketts, comprise the governor\u2019s mid-biennium budget recommendations:
\nLB944 would change, eliminate and reduce state appropriations;
\nLB945 would transfer funds and change transfer provisions; and
\nLB946 would change provisions relating to the state\u2019s Cash Reserve Fund.<\/p>\n
Presented to the committee by State Budget Administrator Gerry Oligmueller, the bills would make cost-saving adjustments in the current fiscal year ending June 30, 2018, as well as the next fiscal year. Oligmueller said the adjustments are required to address a $173 million budget gap resulting from a downward revision in forecasted tax receipts.<\/p>\n
He said that a balanced budget for the biennium would be achieved in part through the governor\u2019s recommendation of an overall reduction of $48 million in general fund appropriations in LB944. The bill would eliminate $1.1 million in fiscal year 2017-18 reappropriations and includes a 2 percent across-the-board reduction in certain state agency appropriations in FY2017-18 and 4 percent in FY2018-19.<\/p>\n
In addition, he said, LB944 and LB945 together propose additional transfers or changes to existing transfers to the General Fund that would increase revenue by $16.7 million. LB946 would transfer $108 million from the Cash Reserve Fund to the General Fund.<\/p>\n
The result, Oligmeuller said, would be a cash reserve balance of $273.9 million at the end of the current biennium.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs always, we look forward to working with you as you consider mid-biennium budget adjustments during this 2018 session of the Legislature,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Meg Mikolajczyk, associate general counsel for Planned Parenthood of the Heartland, testified in opposition to a provision in LB944 that she said \u201cseeks to completely restructure and likely dismantle Nebraska\u2019s Title X program.\u201d<\/p>\n
Title X funds are used to subsidize Pap smears\u2014including follow-up treatments and procedures for abnormal results\u2014as well as the diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted disease, cancer screenings and family planning services.<\/p>\n
Mikolajczyk said Title X is a substantive policy issue that operates outside the budget process and should be handled by a committee with proper subject matter jurisdiction, likely the Judiciary Committee.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not here today to testify on the merits of this proposed policy change,\u201d Mikolajczyk said. \u201cRather, my testimony is focused on process. I encourage this committee to find another way\u2014absent the budget bills\u2014to determine whether or not this Title X proposal is an appropriate policy endeavor and worthy of becoming law.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gering Sen. John Stinner, chairperson of the committee, said that a separate hearing on the Title X provision will be held Feb. 5.<\/p>\n
\u201cI do appreciate your comments relative to the germaneness \u2026 is it germane to this committee? That\u2019s an interesting discussion,\u201d Stinner said.<\/p>\n
Also testifying in opposition to LB944 was Jane Polson, president of Keep Nebraska Beautiful. She said a proposed $900,000 transfer from the Waste Reduction and Recycling Incentive Fees Collection Fund to the General Fund would jeopardize important programs across the state.<\/p>\n
She said many community organizations dedicated to reducing litter and waste and promoting recycling would have great difficulty continuing operation without a guaranteed source of funding.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy fear is that these long-standing organizations will simply close their doors,\u201d Polson said.<\/p>\n
No proponent testimony was offered on the budget proposal and the committee took no immediate action on the bills.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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