I knew Nebraska's budget situation wasn't looking good. I guess I didn't realize just how ugly it had gotten.
Thanks to an anticipated $679 million shortfall (gulp!) Governor Dave Heineman has frozen the pay of non-union state employees. That'll save all of $4.4 million, leaving a mere $674.6 million to go. Yikes.
Not surprisingly, commenters went right after the (ahem) true cause of the shortfall: the arena! But believe it or not that was just on KOLN's website. The commenters on the LJS website are being surprisingly sane about this so far. Whodathunkit?
Gov. Heineman also wants union employees to accept a pay freeze, but sticking points remain before that will happen. Cue the war of words in the media. I'm sure one of the issues will be whether or not Heineman will promise to avoid layoffs of union personnel. With such a large budget gap there's surely no way the governor could guarantee such a thing. Somebody -- several somebodies, actually -- is getting the axe.
So, who can find a spare $675 million in the state's budget?
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And this would be due to the arena passing in what universe? People just frighten me with their logic (and lack thereof) sometimes.
We agreed to a pay freeze last year in the legislature. Was a pretty good deal must of us agree. We also had a furlough day and it seems there will be more.
Easiest solution would be a golf tax though. And of course more tax breaks for Whitehead oil 😉
Nebraska homeowners have been receiving a real estate property tax credit the past few years. Mine was a little over one hundred dollars this year. I would be willing to give up my property tax credit to help close the gap. If we’re serious about reducing government spending, we all have to grow-up and offer ways to cut our own benefits from the government. We can’t simply point at someone else’s benefits and whine about government spending. If you receive a tax refund or tax credit, consider giving it up for one year.
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