NEBRASKA CITY - In her latest legislative column, state Sen. Julie Slama comments on  state budget provisions including Sen. Rob Clements’ LB 681 that establishes a $1 billion Education Future Fund to increase school funding.

The proposed budget also includes funding to construct the Perkins County Canal in support of the Legislature’s 2022 construction authorization.

The Legislature began debate on the budget on Thursday.

Here is the senator's column:

 

Budget Debate
Last week, the Legislature debated the budget for 2023-2024. The Appropriations Committee,
which is tasked with making the budget, has worked hard to introduce a budget that benefits the
entire state. I thank them for all of their hard work. With this said, I would like to highlight some
proposals that would benefit all Nebraskans.

Provisions of Senator Clements’ LB 681 are included in the proposed budget, which would
establish a $1 billion Education Future Fund to transfer $1 billion in fiscal year of 2023-2024 to
the Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) in fiscal year of 2023-24 into the newly created
Education Future Fund, and $250 million each year after. To recap, LB 681 is intended to be
spent by increasing educational funding, and increasing school funding and grant programs, such
as teacher retention by addressing teacher turnover rates and by fighting to keep existing teachers
in classrooms. Moreover, it will increase educational opportunities for students to gain the skills,
knowledge, and training necessary to succeed in future careers. This will provide much-needed
support for education in not only our entire state but rural communities as well.

The proposed budget also includes funding to construct the Perkins County Canal. With a
growing population and irrigation use caused by droughts in both Colorado and Nebraska, water
demand is increasing. In response, Colorado has responded to this two-year water shortage by
maximizing its use of the South Platte River. The Nebraska legislature passed LB 1015 in April
of 2022, which proposes the construction of a canal that would divert South Platte River water
from Colorado to Nebraska with the hopes to conserve the amount of water traveling through our
state.

Also, included in the budget is $5 million of funds to address the provisions of Senator Brewer’s
LB 511, a bill that would grant money to the Nebraska Public Safety Communication System
Revolving Fund, which in turn will be used to buy portable and mobile radios, program them,
and install them in volunteer departments.

The budget is incredibly important as Nebraska’s budget reflects our state’s priorities; I
encourage you to analyze it or stay tuned to debate so you can see where resources are being
allocated. Increased funding for education and infrastructure shows a focus on equal
opportunities and economic growth and development. Our budget also shows investments in
public safety, environment/water conservation, and others. Prioritizing all of these needs is
important to ensure that all Nebraskans can continue to thrive.

As always, I welcome your input on issues important to you. Follow along on my Facebook and
Twitter pages, both entitled “Senator Julie Slama” for more updates, or contact me directly at
Senator Julie Slama, District 1 State Capitol, PO Box 94604, Lincoln NE 68509-4604;
telephone: 402-471-2733; email: jslama@leg.ne.gov.