Christensen: Reserves will be needed

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Nebraska needs to save for a rainy day, State Sen. Mark Christensen said this morning.

In response to state tax revenues increasing 21 percent for the first quarter of 2011, Christensen said a healthy reserve needs to be built in anticipation of a decline in the agriculture industry.

He told McCook Area Chamber of Commerce members during his weekly conference call at the Keystone Business Center, that it is typical for the ag industry to boom during a recession and a dip when the economy recovers.

"The first quarter being up doesn't mean we have started to recover, but it is a great sign and I hope we can continue to hold it," Christensen said.

The senator also repeated his support for the new state budget, which he said was proactive in that it trimmed spending and avoided new programs.

Gov. Dave Heineman has signed a $7 billion state budget that pulled about $105 million from the reserve fund, but left about $300 million in it.

Christensen said he worked out the amendment for Sen. Kate Sullivan's pipeline reclamation and recovery bill, LB 629. "It's not what they wanted, but what they could get," said Christensen. He explained that he had suggested the amendment to Sullivan and told her he could garner support from the committee for it.

The amendment removes some of the strict liability for pipeline companies operating in Nebraska and focuses on returning land they disturb to its original contour.

"Next year, the strict liability can be brought back," said Christensen as he explained it was still a victory for Sullivan, who would now have a year to work on gathering support for the stricter liability provisions.

Sen. Christensen said LB 690, which changes consent and parental notification provisions regarding abortion, advanced Wednesday. Christensen said the bill made sense, stating the current law prohibits a minor from getting any medical procedure, without parental consent, other than abortion.