LINCOLN- On Tuesday, the Nebraska Legislature passed its budget adjustment package, despite concerns over cost. Current estimates from the Legislative Fiscal Office show that if every bill currently introduced were to pass, the state's budget would be $272 million in the hole during the next two-year budget period.

"Every bill we pass that has a cost is adding to what we're spending," warned Sen. Tony Vargas during debate over the proposal. Despite concerns, however, Sen. Lou Ann Linehan, chairwoman of the Revenue Committee, expressed confidence that the potential budget crunch could be dealt with through negotiation and compromise. By the end of this week, lawmakers will only have eight days left in the session.

In previous session, lawmakers have met following the passage of the budget to talk through other bills and determine what costs could be scaled back. Sen. Rob Clements, chair of the Appropriations Committee, said he expected a similar process this year. The budget bills passed this week provide for an average increase in state spending of 2.7% over the two-year budget period, up slightly from the 2.3% approved last year

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