Budget Bill Fails to Advance for a Second Time at the Nebraska Legislature

Nebraska Senators failed to come to compromise on LB 1071, the main budget bill at the Unicameral.  A cloture vote was 27-15, six votes shy of the needed 33. It's the second time the bill failed to advance. The appropriations  committee reinserted 3.5 million dollars of gap funding for private school scholarships, Its elimination led to the bill's first failure. The revenue committee also put in a measure maintaining the 185 percent of poverty level for child care subsidies. That was set to return to its original 130 percent, the pre-covid level. 

District 37 Senator Stan Clouse of Kearney reluctantly supported this budget bill. 

District 38 Senator Dave Murman of Glenvil thought the budget bill was a fair compromise on the major issues.

District 34 Senator Loren Lippincott of Central City read a letter from GICC Superintendent Jordan Engle.

Nebraska legislative rules designate the 50th day of a short (60-day) session as the target for passing budget adjustments. While not a constitutional mandate, it serves as a self-imposed deadline to finalize state spending bills. They'll have to suspend that rule to complete the budget process with Wednesday being the 50th day.

LB 1071, introduced by the Speaker at the request of the Governor, is part of the Governor's 2026 mid-biennium budget adjustment recommendations for the 2025-2027 Biennium.  The bill makes adjustments to appropriations and reappropriations for state operations, aid, and construction programs, provides for transfers, and modifies intent language and earmarks accompanying appropriations for the current fiscal year ending June 30, 2026 and the next fiscal year ending June 30, 2027.