Debate starts today on spending cuts

Lincoln Journal Star | By JoAnne Young on November 17th, 2009

Tony Discusses State Budget

Sen. Fulton discusses the Legislature's debate with the Lincoln Journal Star.

The Legislature will begin debate this afternoon on a package of spending cuts that are mostly similar to Gov. Dave Heineman’s budget-cutting proposal, but with some key differences.

The changes, say Appropriations Committee members, are important ones. They include changes to proposed cuts to education — from early childhood to college — small raises for healthcare providers and a decision not to authorize a transfer of cash funds from the state’s commodity boards to help balance the budget.

The major areas of difference to close a $334 million budget gap came about through a consensus of the committee, said Lincoln Sen. Danielle Conrad.

“Those decisions should remain strong,” she said.

The committee sent three amended bills (LB1, LB2, LB3) to the full Legislature, all on unanimous votes.

One emphasis as both Heineman and the Appropriations Committee went about making decisions on solving the budget deficit was that the pain be shared by all in state government — from the largest agencies to the smallest, and including the Legislature.

Across-the-board cuts for state agencies would be 2.5 percent this year and 5 percent next year. The state’s universities and colleges would see cuts of 1.8 percent this year and 3.4 percent in 2010-11.

The committee has proposed allowing state agencies, including non-union employees, to use employee furloughs that do not adversely affect employee’s health insurance or start dates as a short-term means of addressing budgetary shortfalls.

Senators have asked that all agencies report to the Legislature by mid-January on how they are making the cuts.

Speaker Mike Flood praised the committee and legislative fiscal analysts for working — under tough circumstances — through days of hearings, committee discussions and crafting of the bills, and finishing a day earlier than expected.

Lincoln Sen. Tony Fulton said the debate in committee was spirited, and he’d like to see some good debate from the Legislature, and questions on the committee’s decisions.

“All our decisions are defensible,” he said.