LINCOLN — After two failed attempts at advancing Nebraska’s main budget bill, state lawmakers moved the budget forward Thursday with little fanfare or fuss. Lawmakers advanced Legislative Bill 1071 in a 34-7 vote, moving the bill to its third and final round of floor debate. The state’s second budget bill, LB 1072, was also cleaned up and sent to its final round Thursday, setting the stage for Nebraska’s budget to be sent to Gov. Pillen’s desk next week.

LB 1071 failed to secure the 33 votes needed to overcome a filibuster twice before Thursday. The first attempt at advancing the bill failed 19-10, and the second failed 27-15. Thursday took a different tone toward the budget, as LB 1071 saw little debate and no opposition. Though the bill received more than 33 votes toward advancement, it was the first time this session that a cloture motion wasn’t needed to advance the bill.

It sharply contrasted the tense discussions that made up the budget debates to this point. Thursday’s debate was mostly quiet and sometimes celebratory. It included a standing ovation for Appropriations Committee chair State Sen. Rob Clements of Elmwood and Speaker John Arch of La Vista for their work.

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