Nebraska lawmakers approve $11 billion two-year budget

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — The Nebraska Legislature passed a package of bills on Thursday to fund the government for the next two years.

The main piece of legislation, Legislative Bill 261, was approved on a 37-11 vote.

The $11 billion budget now goes to Gov. Jim Pillen’s desk.

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Pillen praised lawmakers for passing a “balanced and historically conservative” budget.

“I thank the Legislature for rolling back expanded spending, putting idle pillowcase money to work, and having the courage to say no to more spending increases,” he said in a statement. “This budget puts money toward education, property tax relief, elimination of the developmental disability waitlist, and bolsters our national nuclear security, all while closing the $432 million deficit reported in November.”

The governor has line-item veto authority, which means he doesn’t have to approve or reject each bill as is.

Instead, he can veto specific items in the budget.

The Legislature would need 30 votes to override each veto.