The 106th Nebraska Legislature, First Session, will convene January 9 for 90 days, marking the beginning of a new biennium that includes passing a two-year state budget.
13 new senators will join the Legislature in 2019. With a quarter of the body recently elected, we expect to see new faces in both the Education and Health and Human Services committees, which hear the majority of bills affecting early childhood.
During the first 10 days of the session, senators will introduce bills, elect committee chairs and receive committee assignments. Governor Ricketts will submit his proposed biennial budget to the Legislature mid-January.
In addition to the budget, legislators are likely to address property tax reform, prison overcrowding, changes in TEEOSA (K-12 school funding formula) and workforce development.
As always, First Five Nebraska will continue to support well-designed, fiscally responsible policies that promote quality learning environments for our youngest Nebraskans and build an early childhood infrastructure that will keep our state strong and growing.