Lincoln Journal Star on July 20: Editorial: Early move on spending is prudent
Gov. Pete Ricketts had the proper, proactive response to the latest revenue figures, which showed that state government ended the fiscal year about $95 million short of projections.
The governor told state agencies to take various measures, such as postponing or eliminating hiring when possible, limiting equipment purchases to improve efficiency or maintain services and to use video calls and web meetings when possible to avoid travel.
The governor also ordered a 1 percent reduction in the 25 percent of appropriations that is allotted to agencies, boards and commissions.
Net tax receipts in June were 5.5 percent below projections, and the state ended the year about 2.2 percent below projections. Revenue has come in below projections four out of the past seven months.