Omaha World Herald on May 19: Midlands Voices: State budget solid; challenges loom
This session, the Appropriations Committee and the Nebraska Legislature have advanced a solid state budget that maintains investments in our schools, safe communities and other vital aspects of “The Good Life,” while keeping funding growth to 3.1 percent — third-lowest in the past 30 years.
A key factor in keeping growth down in this budget was low school funding growth, which was about half the average annual growth rate over the past 15 years.
The low school funding growth was due in large part to an expectation that statewide school spending growth would decrease along with renewed growth in commercial and residential property values and continued increases in agricultural land values. When school spending growth declines and property values increase, Nebraska’s K-12 funding formula calls for less state aid to fund schools.