LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Lawmakers have started to debate a series of bills that will make up Nebraska's next state budget.
The proposals that won committee approval allocate about $7.8 billion for the new two-year budget cycle, which begins on July 1. Sen. Heath Mello, the Appropriations Committee chairman, presented the measures Tuesday to the full Legislature.
The budget includes higher-than-average spending increases for higher education, state equalization aid for schools, funding for the developmentally disabled and for state employee retirement plans. It also allocates money to comply with requirements of the Affordable Care Act.
The budget was released after the state board that projects tax revenue predicted a roughly $51 million increase in the upcoming budget years.
Lawmakers are expected to continue their debate on Wednesday.
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