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The 107th Legislative session officially concluded on April 20th. This session was a fast-paced, legislation-filled session where money largely drove the agenda. The largest tax cut in Nebraska's history passed this year through LB 873, along with significant investments in healthcare, infrastructure, recreation, and workforce. Here’s the investment breakdown:
$75 million towards workforce (community colleges, capital projects, workforce development, and high school dual credit) and $40 million towards apprenticeships, customized workforce training, and childcare
$129.5 million towards rural and urban housing
$110 million in recovery assistance for the hardest-hit Nebraskans
$110 million in supply chain infrastructure
$100 million towards community development in the arts, entertainment, sports, and capital projects as well as $107.5 million in healthcare recovery and infrastructure
$55 million in an agricultural innovation research center
Additionally, the Legislature overrode three line-item vetoes from Governor Ricketts related to the state’s budget adjustment. The Governor vetoed over $105 million in line items. The bills in question were LB 1011, which increased funding for the Department of Health and Human Services, LB 1012, which adds $15 million in the Vocational and Life Skills Programming Fund, and LB 1013, which adds $20 million to the Middle-Income Workforce Housing Investment Fund.
Between tax cuts and major investments in key economic sectors throughout Nebraska and the Kearney area, these pieces of legislation positively impact two of the three strategic objectives the Chamber Board of Directors developed – workforce and housing initiatives (our strategic objectives can be found on our website under the Marketing tab in the News Releases section titled Chamber Unveils New Strategic Plan). Senators will return for the first session of the 108th Legislature in January 2023.