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Nebraska Gov. Ricketts approves new state budget package

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts has approved a new state budget with no line-item vetoes.

Ricketts says he signed the $8.7 billion package Wednesday despite some misgivings.

He says he took issue with funding increases for priorities that he doesn't consider an emergency, such as $1 million for community colleges. He also opposes using state money for a scholarship program just because it lost federal funding.

Despite his concerns, Ricketts says he signed the budget in the spirit of compromise with lawmakers who crafted the budget. He says the budget holds state spending growth at 3.5 percent, less than the historic average.

The package will allow new construction on levee systems surrounding Offutt Air Force Base and provide $1.5 million for pay increases at the short-staffed Department of Correctional Services.

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