The Nebraska legislature on Friday gave its final approval to the state’s mid-biennium budget package, including key investments in student financial aid and water research at the University of Nebraska.
The budget package now heads to the desk of Gov. Pete Ricketts, who has five days, not including Sunday, to sign it, veto it or make line-item vetoes.
NU System President Ted Carter thanked elected leaders who — returning to finish their legislative session after a months-long suspension forced by COVID-19 — have made a “strong statement of support for the critical value of higher education.”
“The legislature’s action will help keep a University of Nebraska education affordable for our 51,000 students and their families,” Carter said.
“Furthermore, the investments in scholarships for high-need areas and innovative water research will expand access and economic growth in our state for generations to come. I’m grateful to Senators John Stinner and Kate Bolz for their leadership on these two initiatives, and to the Appropriations Committee for its thoughtful work in advancing a budget package that’s good for the future of Nebraska.”
The budget package, LB 1008, includes the following:
- No reductions to the previously approved state appropriation to the University of Nebraska for 2020-21. The state’s support allowed the university to implement a two-year tuition freeze across the NU system for the 2021-22 and 2022-23 school years.
- $2 million to the University of Nebraska in 2020-21 as part of a new Nebraska Career Scholarships program championed by Stinner and included in the governor’s budget proposals at the start of the legislative session. The program would invest a total of $16 million over the next four years in scholarships for students pursuing degrees in high-demand fields like engineering, health care, mathematics and information technology. Half of the total, $8 million, would be allocated to the University of Nebraska, with the other half split between Nebraska’s state and community colleges. Carter, along with a UNL engineering student and UNMC nursing student, testified in support of the Nebraska Career Scholarships program in February.
- $500,000 in recurring funds for research through the system-wide Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute. UNL Chancellor Ronnie Green, joined by Daugherty Institute Executive Director Peter McCornick, led the university’s testimony in support of investment in water research.
- A $1 million increase in annual funding for the Nebraska Opportunity Grant program, the State of Nebraska’s need-based financial aid program. Half of that amount, $500,000 would go to University of Nebraska students.
The budget package passed with 43 senators voting yes, three voting no and three present but not voting.