Lincoln, NE – The Legislature adjourned three days early this year, which will save the state approximately $29,000. This early adjournment is due in large part to the long nights the Legislature worked as well as the body’s commitment to compromising on important, contentious issues. I am proud to be a part of a Legislature that passed a balanced budget without raising taxes, advanced important Commission of Industrial Relations reform, met our responsibilities with the redistricting process and strongly supported our state’s important roads infrastructure. Overall, I would say that the 102nd Legislative session was a success, particularly given the many hurdles we faced at the beginning of session.
The largest issue this session was the budget. We began this year with the understanding that the state would face a $986 million shortfall over the next biennium. With this in mind, we began looking for ways to cut spending. This was a difficult process, but ultimately we cut approximately $606 million from the budget. The Forecasting Board met twice during the session and revised the state’s revenue numbers which enabled the Legislature to cut less than anticipated. The economy appears to be trending toward a recovery with several months of higher than projected revenue. Over the interim, we will continue to monitor these economic indicators.
CIR reform was one of the most contentious issues of the session, with groups from across the state concerned about how the Legislature would handle this issue. During the session, these groups worked together to develop a compromise which all parties could agree. The bill will keep the CIR in place, while providing more transparency and accountability to taxpayers.
When I agreed to be a member of the Redistricting Committee, I understood that it would not be an easy job. Given the projected population shifts, I knew districts would have to change. When the census numbers were officially reported, I learned that District 43 had lost 9% of its population over the past 10 years. This extreme loss meant that our district boundaries would have to change much more than I anticipated. I spent many hours working with my colleagues to find a plan that would protect the core of our district while still meeting constitutional and legislative requirements. Ultimately, the plan that passed the Legislature was not the plan I preferred. District 43 changes significantly, as do many other rural districts. District 49, to our west, is completely dissolved and moves to Sarpy County. Given all of this, I will represent the new members of District 43 with great pride, and look forward to visiting these communities in the near future. I am truly saddened to lose Custer, Rock, Holt and Boyd counties, but I will continue to make these communities a priority during my last year in office.
My roads bill is a plan I have been working on for years, and I am so pleased the Legislature and the Governor agreed that properly funding our state’s roads is a priority. This bill will provide such an economic benefit to all parts of the state, including rural Nebraska. I am excited to see the many positive effects this bill will have on our great state.
As the session draws to a close, I am planning my interim visits to the district. As I do every year, I make a point to visit as many communities as I can during the Legislature’s time off. If you would like me to hold a listening session in your community, or have an event you would like me to attend, please feel free to contact my office at 402-471-2628 or email me at dfischer@leg.ne.gov. My office is open during the interim, and my staff is always happy to help with any questions or concerns you may have.
As always, thank you for sharing in our legislative process, and I’ll visit with you again soon.
Deb Fischer
Senator, District 43