This week, we began to discuss our state budget adjustments for the year, which are contained in three bills: LB1011, LB1012, and LB1013. Although the entire budget is too comprehensive and complex to discuss in one column, I would like to highlight some of the allocations that will directly benefit Southeast Nebraska.

First, this year’s budget adjustments will transfer $30 million to the Rural Workforce Housing Fund. This fund was first enacted in 2018 as part of the Rural Workforce Housing Investment Act and provides competitive matching grants to non-profit development organizations that administer workforce housing investment funds. The funds are invested into eligible projects that increase the supply and reduce the costs of workforce housing in Nebraska’s rural communities. Housing is scarce in rural Nebraska, and this record investment will pay dividends for Southeast Nebraska.

The proposed budget also includes a cash fund appropriation of $5 million to assist the Peru levee repair, which was destroyed in the 2019 floods. Since then, the Army Corps of Engineers has designated the Peru levee eligible for federal funding to repair the damages, but Peru needs to have local funding available upfront for this project. If this budget passes, it will help Peru to qualify for federal funds to help restore the levee and protect it from any future floods.

Finally, the budget includes significant salary increases for a variety of health care and social services-related jobs. Specifically, a total of $26 million dollars would be allocated to allow for a nursing facility provider rate increase of approximately 16%. A recent study of Nebraska nursing facility rates showed that an extra $126.9 million dollars would be needed for nursing facilities to offer competitive wages. This budget will fill in around 50% of the funding gap. Although this budget will not fill in the wage gap entirely, it will greatly benefit our nursing facilities in District 1, including Ambassador Health in Nebraska City. Our office received many calls in support of this increase, as it is long overdue. 

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.