A revenue forecast that does little to close Nebraska's budget gap leads today's brief, alongside the AG's review of a no-bid contract, record campaign fundraising and a final Senate poll on the eve of Election Day.
Forecasting board offers little relief for Nebraska's budget shortfall
The board raised this year's estimate by $23 million and set first projections for the next biennium
The Nebraska Economic Forecasting Advisory Board on Friday raised its current-year revenue forecast by $23 million, or 0.3%, to $6.805 billion, leaving an anticipated shortfall of about $209 million. Its first forecasts for the next two fiscal years, $6.795 billion and $6.985 billion, came in below Legislative Fiscal Office projections, which would deepen the $847 million shortfall projected for that biennium.
Why it matters: Lawmakers will begin the 2027 session facing gaps in both the current and next budgets, and Gov. Jim Pillen said the state must "reduce the size of government instead of growing it."
Read the full story: Nebraska Public Media
Update: AG says governor's office not implicated in no-bid contract probe
The AG's Office will independently review the Lincoln Police file
The Attorney General's Office said Friday that the Lincoln Police investigation into a $2.5 million no-bid bioeconomy contract did not implicate the Governor's Office in any criminal wrongdoing, and LPD confirmed that statement. The AG's Office said it accepted the file for an independent assessment and would refer the matter to Lancaster County Attorney Pat Condon if its review implicated Pillen's office.
Why it matters: The statement comes days before Election Day, while the AG's Office says its independent review of the contract the state auditor flagged has begun and could prompt further steps.
Read the full story: Nebraska Examiner
Nebraska candidates and ballot campaigns top $63 million in fundraising
Legislative races in Omaha drew more than $1 million each in direct spending
General-election candidates for 43 state-level offices have raised $36.5 million, and four ballot measure campaigns have raised nearly $26.9 million, according to campaign finance data available Sunday. Candidates in Legislative Districts 4 and 18 each spent or raised more than $1 million, while the Republican and Democratic Governors Associations put $2.5 million into the governor's race.
Why it matters: Voters are deciding some of the most expensive races in state history, with heavy outside spending in Omaha-area legislative contests that could affect the Republican supermajority.
Read the full story: Nebraska Examiner
New York Times/Siena poll shows Ricketts leading Osborn by 6 points
A majority of respondents described Osborn as more of a Democrat than an independent
A New York Times/Siena College poll of 809 Nebraska voters, conducted Oct. 23-29, found Sen. Pete Ricketts leading independent Dan Osborn by 6 percentage points. Fifty-five percent said they see Osborn as more of a Democrat, while Osborn led among independent voters by close to 30 points and drew more than 90% of Democrats.
Why it matters: The poll shows Ricketts ahead in a state President Trump carried by more than 20 points two years earlier, with close to half of voters approving of Trump's job performance.
Read the full story: The New York Times
U.S. Treasury approves 28 Nebraska census tracts as opportunity zones
Designations in all three congressional districts take effect Jan. 1, 2027
Gov. Jim Pillen announced Friday that the U.S. Treasury approved 28 census tracts he submitted for the new federal Opportunity Zones program, including tracts in Omaha, Lincoln, Hastings, North Platte, Scottsbluff and other communities. Investors in certified Opportunity Funds can receive tax incentives, including deferrals on capital gains, for investments in new businesses and workforce housing.
Why it matters: The designations give the selected communities a federal tax tool to attract private investment, including housing projects, beginning in 2027.
Read the full story: Office of Gov. Jim Pillen
Around Nebraska
- Two U.S. Department of Justice election monitors will be at Omaha-area polling places Tuesday as part of a nationwide deployment of 1,000 monitors, according to the Douglas County Election Commission.
- Lincoln secured an $11.7 million federal Safe Streets and Roads for All grant for four roundabouts and other safety improvements along a nearly 2-mile stretch of West O Street.
Watch Next
- Nov. 3: Nebraska's general election will decide races for U.S. Senate, Congress, governor, the Legislature and statewide ballot measures.
- Nov. 4: The first gates in Eppley Airfield's renovated South Terminal open to travelers.
- Nov. 9: Cohort one applications close for the Nebraska Rural Health Technology Catalyst Fund.
- Nov. 10: The Omaha City Council is scheduled to vote on the proposed plumbing code changes.
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