This week, the Legislature has been debating on the budget for the next biennium. The Appropriations Committee has worked hard to introduce a fiscally-responsible budget that benefits the entire state, including our own District 1.

First, our state colleges will benefit greatly from this budget. The Appropriations Committee has proposed a nearly $3 million dollar increase in funding to our Nebraska State Colleges for FY2021-22. This increases again by $3 million in FY2022-23. Peru State College is a fantastic asset to Southeast Nebraska, and I’m thrilled to see the state college system receive the support it needs to continue to thrive and provide quality education. 

The budget from the Appropriations Committee also addresses property tax relief. The proposal increased the transfer to the Property Tax Credit Fund by $25 million in FY21-22 and $38 million in FY22-23. The total estimated funding in the Property Tax Credit Fund would be over $300 million annually, in addition to the over $1 billion in relief passed in 2020’s LB 1107. Through this fund, we will be able to provide relief to Nebraskans across the state that are burdened with sky-high property taxes. 

The proposed budget by the Appropriations Committee found that, after the expenditures in the main budget, it would leave $211 million for the Legislature to allocate to other items. Senator Friesen introduced LB 388 that would create the Broadband Bridge Act. Over the next two years, the Legislature would appropriate over $40 million with the purpose of facilitating and funding the development of broadband networks in unserved and underserved areas of Nebraska. Broadband access is of utmost importance in keeping young people in our state along with modernizing our systems. $40 million dollars will go a long way to address this dire issue. There’s also funding available for additional tax cuts, better funding for our rural schools, and rural economic development.

The budget will be a direct benefit, not only to our state, but to our district. By funding additional property tax relief, broadband connectivity, and state colleges, we can create positive change in our state. I look forward to seeing these dollars in action for our area

As always, I welcome your input on issues important to you. Follow along on my Facebook and Twitter pages, both entitled “Senator Julie Slama” for more updates, or contact me directly at Senator Julie Slama, District 1 State Capitol, PO Box 94604, Lincoln NE 68509-4604; telephone: 402-471-2733; email: jslama@leg.ne.gov.