By Katie Knapp Schubert
Omaha, NE – State Senator Abbie Cornett says she won't consider any legislation introduced during the special session that calls for a tax increase.
The Unicameral returns to session Wednesday. Last week, Nebraska's economic forecasting board reported a $335 million shortfall in the biennial budget. Governor Dave Heineman wants specific reductions and across-the-board cuts. His budget reduction plans include canceling a state aid increase to schools in the 2010-2011 budget year.
Senator Cornett is chairwoman of the Legislature's Revenue Committee. Cornett says public hearings will be held on all legislation that comes before the committee during the special session. But she says she won't support any bill that would raise taxes.
Cornett says the Governor's budget-cutting plan is reasonable but lawmakers won't know specifics of it until the session starts.