In a column that appeared in The Grand Island Independent on Monday, OpenSky Policy Institute Executive Director Renee Fry wrote, “As Nebraska lawmakers head into the heart of this short session, three proposals — LB 720, LB 974 and LB 1084 — have emerged as the most prominent fiscal items for the Legislature to address this year. And a major factor for lawmakers to keep in mind is that the bills’ combined fiscal impact could make it difficult to impossible to balance the state budget without having to raise taxes or slash funding for vital state services like K-12 education.
“If the measures are approved, combined they could consume between roughly 7% and 9% of state revenues a year between FY 23 and FY 28. The average annual cost could be more than twice the size of the state appropriation for corrections and nearly equal to state funding for the University of Nebraska.”
Fry went on to highlight that two of the measures — LB 720 and LB 974 — create other significant concerns for lawmakers to keep in mind.
Attend Friday’s NAM forum in Omaha
There is still time to register for Friday’s Nonprofit Association of the Midlands’ fiscal policy update in Omaha. At the forum, which will run from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at The Living Room at the Mastercraft Building at 1111 N. 13th St., OpenSky will provide an update about the state tax and budget debate. Register for the forum here. IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT RSVPS: If you are not a NAM member, please register as a guest.
If you’re unable to attend in person, the forum will be streamed live on NAM’s Facebook page.