3.1 percent growth in budget expected

The preliminary budget created by the Legislature's Appropriations Committee will be released to the legislature April 28 and it looks like they will recommend a growth in spending of 3.1%. The total budget will be in the $8.6 billion dollar range. The main problem the legislature will face is the Nebraska Forecasting Advisory Board, which predicts our future tax revenues, isn't set to meet until April 30. So we will be trying to approve a budget without the Forecasting Advisory Board's projections. Fortunately, the appropriations kept the growth rate low. If the forecast comes in lower than expected we would be able to make adjustments without needing to raise taxes. There is a little extra money in the budget for discretionary expenditures.

One of the bills that I have heard back from constituents on is LB 360, introduced by Senator Johnson. It passed the first round of debate with three amendments added into the bill, AM 1151, AM 1193 & AM 1194. This bill makes changes to the Commercial Dog and Cat Inspector Act. Some of the changes are: Clarifies the department of agriculture's authority. Use inspectors with law enforcement training. The term "significant threat", is changed, so there is no longer the implication that an animal must be in near fatal condition. It defines the terms operator and premises. It creates a non-lapsing license, that way, the department can still inspect a facility, even when a license has lapsed, but they are still operating. Makes changes to when a pre-license inspection is required if animals have not yet been placed, it also provides clarity on what the department is to inspect in those situations. Makes changes to "unannounced inspections" by the department. Expands the conditions that authorize a stop-movement to include failure to care, treatment or transportation, operating without a license, inference with the department, as well as other changes. Increases the license fees. Creates guidelines relating to the disposition, care, custody and costs associated with the impoundment of dogs or cats. Along with a number of small changes to the act.

Another bill that the legislature heard last week was LB 85 introduced by Senator Al Davis. It is a bill to increase the maximum fee charged by the Nebraska Brand Committee. The brand committee inspects cattle and investigates missing and stolen cattle in Nebraska. They are solely funded through the collection of fees. Our current fee, which was last changed in 2005, is $0.75 per head. Originally LB 85 placed the maximum fee at $1.25 per head, but an amendment offered by Senator Bloomfield was adopted and it changed the maximum fee to $1.10 per head. The amended bill passed the first round of debate on a 28-2 vote.

I look forward to hearing from you. Please feel free to contact my office with any questions or concerns that you might have. My email address is dhughes@leg.ne.gov and my phone number is (402) 471-2805. You can read more about these and any other bills at www.nebraska.gov.