Omaha World-Herald on Jan. 1: Nebraska faces smaller budget gap than last year, but decisions will be tougher
LINCOLN — Nebraska lawmakers will be facing a familiar problem in the coming legislative session: a budget shortfall.
Last year, lawmakers closed a nearly $1 billion shortfall for the two-year period that began July 1.
This time it’s $200 million, but decisions will be tougher. Last year, lawmakers cut some state spending, slowed other spending growth, tapped cash funds and drew $173 million from the state’s “rainy day” cash reserve.