Gov. Pillen emphasizing budget cuts in Nebraska’s next legislative session

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Nebraska’s Governor Jim Pillen is giving a sneak peek into the next legislative session, emphasizing budget cuts statewide.

In a governor’s column posted on Friday, Pillen said the government needs to be run like a business and stressed the importance of tightening the state’s belt financially.

“The objective is to shift funding for education away from local property taxes and utilize the state’s investment to provide dollar-for-dollar property tax relief,” Gov. Pillen wrote. “Through the infusion of state dollars, as well as the creation of the Education Future Fund, our Nebraska Legislature delivered historic tax relief. While some school districts have taken the funding, and its purpose, to heart – others have not. The increase in property tax attributed to K-12 public schools in 2024 has reached $85 million.  As the state has increased its financial commitment to the districts, many have responded by bloating their budgets.”

He also said the government needs to do more with less by cutting both spending and growing services.

In addition to those cuts, the governor reiterated the importance of investing in kids by paying for community colleges and the government having a greater role in K-12 education.

The next legislative session begins on January 3rd.