Jule 08 , 2007
Now that we have crossed the finish line of the 2007 legislative session, I want to take this opportunity to share some of the accomplishments contained in the new budget that was crafted during this year’s session.
Every two years, the state adopts a new budget for the coming biennium and while next year will be an opportunity to review and adjust the budget, a number of decisions impacting the priorities of state government were made this year.
One of the most significant achievements of this session was the work to rein in spending. The budget passed this year provided for a 4.6 percent average increase in spending over the next two years, which is significantly lower than the average 6.9 percent increase we’ve experienced during the past 20 years.
While some will argue that this was too much or too little, it’s important to note that in addition to bringing spending down, we’ve also made some critical investments in the future of our state.
A top concern for many Nebraskans is the growth of property taxes. While property taxes are set by local units of government, each year the state provides a substantial amount of funding in an effort to limit the need for higher property taxes.
The additional investment provided as aid to schools, cities, counties, and other units of government is more than two times that of the additional amount needed to operate every state agency, including the University of Nebraska. That is in addition to the $220 million in property tax credits homeowners will see on their statements, thanks to the tax relief package passed this year.
We can be proud of the education the children in this state receive. One of the major accomplishments of the new budget is an increased commitment to K-12 education, which provides an additional $199 million in funding for schools, in addition to more than $96 million in new funding for state and community colleges and the University.
We’ve also taken a significant step forward with this budget by providing funding for a statewide communications network, which will ensure that first responders across our state can communicate with each other. We’ve set aside nearly $9 million to help in constructing this shared network.
We’ve used federal homeland security funds to help create these regional communications networks. With many of these regional networks nearing completion, our goal now is to develop the statewide system to link each of these networks.
There are a number of other critical investments contained in the next budget, such as providing $23 million for a successful ethanol production incentives program, and investing $33 million in the Homestead Exemption program to help ensure that the costs of maintaining homes owned by seniors and disabled residents remain affordable.
From my first day in office, my belief has been that we can’t afford to fund every project, and that the way to move our state forward was to set priorities. I’ve tried to do that by emphasizing investments that benefit education and economic development in Nebraska, and strengthen public safety and ensure greater efficiency in government, while providing a safety net for the less fortunate and the tax relief every Nebraskan needs.
These are the principles that guide me as I develop budget recommendations and evaluate the request coming to my desk.
Working together with members of the Legislature, were successful in crafting a budget that meets many of our state’s needs while investing in projects that benefit Nebraskans.
