(By Paul Strommen, Nebraska District 47 Senator)

LINCOLN -- On January 15, Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen delivered his State of the State address where he laid out his budgetary and legislative priorities for the next biennium.

A major proposal in the Governor’s budget is the creation of a Department of Water, Energy, and Environment, which will oversee the state’s surface waterways and the Ogallala Aquifer. This department would centralize efforts to protect our valuable water resources, ensuring sustainable management for future generations.

The Governor’s budget also includes a range of investments in critical infrastructure, education, and healthcare that will help strengthen our state and provide opportunities for all Nebraskans. As a member of the Appropriations Committee, I take my role very seriously and will be working diligently to ensure that the state budget reflects our priorities and responsibly addresses the needs of our communities.

Three hundred and eighty-two bills have been introduced in the Nebraska Legislature with more than 1,100 bill drafts requested as of adjournment on January 16. Among these, I am proud to sponsor LB 312, a bill that would support rural health systems and incentivize professionals to serve in rural areas. Specifically, LB 312 will provide student loan assistance for students in nurse anesthesia practice programs and offer loan repayment incentives for nurse anesthetists working in underserved areas. This bill is an important step toward ensuring that rural Nebraskans have access to high-quality healthcare, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to see it through.

The first meeting of Appropriations Committee was held on Wednesday afternoon, and we will continue to meet Monday through Friday throughout the session until full-day debate starts in late March. Our focus will be on reviewing the budget, discussing funding priorities, and ensuring accountability in how taxpayer dollars are spent.

This legislative session promises to be a busy and productive one. I am committed to advocating for policies that strengthen our state, improve healthcare access, support rural communities, and protect our natural resources. If you have any questions or would like to share your thoughts on any of the proposals under consideration, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Thank you for the privilege of serving you in the Nebraska Legislature.