8.2%

The Nebraska Department of Revenue recently released April General Fund tax receipts, showing a gap of 8.2% between actual collections and the amount forecasted by the Nebraska Economic Forecasting Advisory Board (NEFAB). April is typically the highest month for tax refunds, due to the state and federal income tax filing deadline of April 15. Tax refunds for April 2026 were $327 million,  98.3% above forecast. 

When added to the March tax receipts, which were also below forecast, the state is now projected to be in a budget shortfall of approximately $129 million. If the shortfall persists, it will need to be closed by the Nebraska Legislature in the 2027 90-day session. However, NEFAB will meet again in October to adjust revenue projections, which could change significantly. 

A new chair of the budget-writing Appropriations Committee will be selected in January after Senator Rob Clements was term limited. At least three new members will make up the remainder of the committee, either due to term limits or declining to run for reelection. Committee members are decided by the Legislature’s Committee on Committees in the first few days of the legislative session. 

$141 million

Congress is currently considering a proposal to reduce benefits by $141 million in this year’s agriculture budget for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, commonly known as WIC. The cuts would target a specific benefit that allows expectant parents, infants and young children to purchase fruits and vegetables. Congress rejected a similar recommendation last year, but it was included again in President Donald Trump’s FY 27 proposed budget for the second year in a row. 

WIC has been studied extensively as a way to improve health outcomes for low income families. A study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine outlined several benefits, including lowered risk for preterm birth, low birthweight and infant mortality. They also found a correlation between WIC participation and increased well-child visits and childhood immunizations. Other studies have shown stronger cognitive development for participating children as well as a more stable food landscape in low-income neighborhoods. 

Should the cuts to WIC be adopted as outlined in the subcommittee’s recommendations, 29,000 Nebraskans would lose additional support for purchasing nutritious fruits and vegetables, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

6%

Enrollment in Nebraska’s statewide affordable health care marketplace decreased 6% so far in 2026, impacting more than 8,000 Nebraskans. This decline is due to Congress’ decision to not extend the premium tax credits (PTCs) made possible by the Affordable Care Act. The PTCs, intended to make marketplace insurance accessible, expired at the end of 2025. Without the PTCs, marketplace deductibles have increased by 37%, or $1,027 per person, reaching an all-time high of $3,786 per person for this year. Many Nebraskans have also downgraded their plan from a silver to bronze level, which has very high deductibles, potentially increasing out-of-pocket costs for care.

According to KFF, a health care policy think tank, nationwide enrollment numbers could decline by anywhere from 17-26% in 2026. This would include those who enrolled in a plan but could not afford their premiums. Small business owners, employees, and self-employed workers make up about half of marketplace enrollees. 

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