Nebraska governor withdraws vetoes from $11 billion budget
The governor, Speaker of the Legislature John Arch, and the state's Secretary of State Bob Evnen released a joint statement, saying they're still in disagreement on whether the constitutional requirements for filing those vetoes in two measures met the deadline of midnight on May 21.
The governor, the Legislature, and the Secretary of State continue to disagree about whether the constitutional requirements for filing budgetary line-item vetoes in LB 261 and LB 264 were met last week by the deadline of midnight on May 21, 2025.
However, given how closely the budget bills match the Governor's originally introduced budget, the Governor has decided to refile them with the Secretary of State accompanied by a statement of the withdrawal of the line-item vetoes. That will render the underlying constitutional dispute moot and bring the matter to a close.
The mid-biennium budget adjustment process is only seven months away, and the Governor and the Speaker have agreed budget adjustment measures next session will be a priority.
To avoid a similar future dispute, all parties have agreed to meet during the interim to clarify and confirm procedures that meet the constitutional requirements for transmittal of budget vetoes, and ensure they are maintained in a clear written guidance for future implementation by all offices.
Statement from Gov. Jim Pillen, Speaker of the Legislature John Arch, Secretary of State Bob Evnen
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Governor Pillen decided to refile the bills with the Secretary of State, removing the vetoes due to how close those measures match the governor's budget that was originally introduced.
This means the dispute is moot, and the matter is now closed.
Those vetoes were for reducing the Nebraska Supreme Court budget increase by almost $12 million, cutting $2 million from the state's public health departments, taking nearly $512 thousand dollars from the state Fire Marshal's Office, and cutting an $18 million cash fund re-appropriation for recreational upgrades at Lake McConaughy.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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