News

The End is Near Speaker Hilgers announced that Thursday, May 27, the 107th Legislature, First Session, will adjourn sine die. Brings a tear to one's eye. It certainly does for those 49 COVID-aweary state senators. Procedurally, all General File bills, or those dogs...

Guardrails According to transcripts from this legislative session, guardrails is the second most disingenuous expressive used in the Nebraska Legislature. Tax relief remains solidly in first place, while for the children has fallen to a distant third. Take LB241, for...

More Money, More Spending The Nebraska Economic Forecasting Board met again to adjust their revenue predictions for this fiscal year (ending June 30) and FY2021-22 and FY2022-23. Holy Hanna! They increased projected receipts for this fiscal year by another $90...

"Unicam, Unicam, don't tax me!" "Tax that guy behind the tree!" Last Tuesday, the Legislature approved ten bills on Final Reading. They comprise the State's $9.7 billion-ish biennial budget. With not so much as a "hurrah or harrumph," the bills were whisked to the...

Betcha The Legislature reconvenes on Tuesday, Day 63 of this 90-day session. The $9.7 billion biennial budget is scheduled for Final Reading after advancing from Select File last Friday. And yes, the kids were active and noisy. When the Appropriations Committee...

Budget Advances The Legislature's proposed 2-year $9.7 billion budget advanced to Select File last Friday. The Unicameral Update Page does an excellent job in summary. General File Floor debate can be like watching a mother goose protect her goslings. Picture...

Follow the Money The Appropriations Committee delivered their $1.526 billion-ish FY2021-22 / FY2022-23 biennial budget proposal to senators last Thursday. According to Speaker Hilgers, General File budget debate begins Thursday. If you remember nothing else about this...

Consent Tomorrow is Day 51 of this 90-day legislative session. It is also the first time this year we've seen Consent Calendar. The process is not unlike the Password Lightning Round. First, the Speaker identifies "non-controversial" bills that advanced to General...

Piles of Money The Appropriations Committee sent their $9.7 billion biennial budget to the printer. That means floor debate will soon turn to the distribution of piles-o-money over the next two fiscal years. K-12 education stands at the head of that line. Their $2.65...

Bills, Bills, Bills Wednesday will mark the 45th legislative day of this COVID molested 90-day session. Public hearings for new legislation concluded Friday, and all-day floor debate begins tomorrow. Senator Priority Bills (1 each) and Committee Priority Bills (2...