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On Thursday, Jan.15, Gov. Pillen presented his State of the State Address to the Legislature.
The Governor emphasized his administration and the Unicameral should continue to work together to grow Nebraska and keep “The Good Life” open for business.
He said the current administration in Washington has created countless new opportunities for Nebraska. The Governor also touched on his priorities for this year and endorsed several legislative proposals: reforming tort litigation, creating new economic development incentives, lowering property taxes, ending diversity, equity, and inclusion spending in Nebraska’s higher ed system, implementing agriculture data privacy protections, and stopping biological males from intruding into women’s bathrooms.
The Governor also submitted his recommended adjustments to the 2025-2027 biennial state budget to the Legislature.
His recommendations include $277.9 million in transfers and adjustments from various cash and trust funds.
These cash and trust funds were identified as having excess money. Additionally, the Governor’s budget proposal includes a series of cuts to various state agencies and programs.
For example, the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services would see its 2026-2027 general fund reduced by $152.4 million. The Governor’s proposed budget, if left untouched, would reduce state spending by 1.1 percent and leave the state with a little over $125 million above the minimum reserve at the end of the two-year budget cycle.
In terms of impact to Northeast Nebraska, I am pleased that the Governor’s budget proposal maintains funding for the improvements proposed at the Weigand Marina at Lewis and Clark Lake, which are expected to begin construction later this spring.
This project was a recommendation of the Statewide Tourism and Recreation Water Access and Resource Sustainability (STAR WARS) Committee of the Legislature.
I am also pleased to see both additional funds be allocated for property tax relief and the inclusion of appropriations language banning the use of state funds on diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in this year’s proposed budget.
Additionally, the Legislature started floor debate this week.
Several bills introduced last year were debated and advanced to Select File.
LB60 would eliminate the restriction on selling a lottery ticket through a vending or dispensing device.
LB212 would establish a maximum tax cap of 50 cents per unit on cigars, cheroots, and stogies beginning Jan. 1, 2027.
LB207 would require commercial electric vehicles weighing more than 7,500 pounds to pay a higher registration fee to the Department of Motor Vehicles since electric vehicles do not pay gas tax.
The Legislature will continue to debate bills in the order they were advanced out of committee until senator and committee priority bills begin to reach the floor for debate.
I invite you to let me know your thoughts or concerns.
My Capitol office telephone number is (402) 471-2801 while my email is [email protected]. My mailing address is: Senator Barry DeKay, District #40, P.O. Box 94604, State Capitol, Lincoln, NE 68509.
