NEBRASKA LAWMAKERS HAVE GIVEN FINAL APPROVAL TO THE STATE’S $9.7 BILLION BUDGET PACKAGE BY A 47-0 VOTE.
THE PACKAGE INCLUDES A NUMBER OF APPROPRIATIONS TO ADDRESS THE STATE’S PRISON OVERCROWDING SITUATION, INCLUDING $100 MILLION IN GENERAL FUNDS TO BUILD A NEW STATE PRISON SHOULD ONE BE DEEMED NECESSARY IN THE FUTURE.
IT ALSO APPROPRIATES $14.9 MILLION TO FUND THE PREPARATION OF DESIGNS FOR A POSSIBLE NEW FACILITY, INCLUDING SITE SELECTION AND AN OPTION TO PURCHASE, AS WELL AS COMPLETION OF AN INDEPENDENT ENGINEERING STUDY REGARDING THE USEFUL LIFE OF THE CURRENT NEBRASKA STATE PENITENTIARY.
THE BUDGET BILL FUNDS STATE GOVERNMENT FOR THE NEXT TWO FISCAL YEARS.
GOVERNOR PETE RICKETTS HAS FIVE CALENDAR DAYS, EXCLUDING SUNDAY, TO SIGN, VETO OR LINE-ITEM VETO APPROPRIATIONS WITHIN THE BUDGET BILLS.
