The Nebraska legislature still has 11 days left after today in this year's session, but may finish early if it keeps up its current pace.

     Lawmakers today gave final approval to the package of bills needed to revise the current biennial budget...which runs through June of next year...to reflect lower than expected tax revenue, additional federal stimulus funds, and higher than expected state school aid demands.

     The package calls for 2% across-the-board spending cuts for most state agencies that are on top of the 5% cuts that came out of last November's special budget session. A few key agencies...such as the State Patrol...and some medical programs are exempt from the new cuts.

      The package going to the governor also takes another $3-million dollars from the state's rainy day fund, and shifts more money from agency cash accounts into the general fund.

      Also getting final approval today was a bill lowering the population threshhold for a community to be designated as a "city of the first class." Only Ogallala is affected at this time by allowing cities to keep first-class status if their population remains above 4,000.

     The old limit was 5,000...but that was revised earlier to allow Ogallala to remain a first-class city after its population fell to 4,930 in the 2000 census. The designation is important because first-class cities can receive direct state and federal dollars.  
   
     And the legislature has decided to ask the voters if State Treasurer should remain an elected office, giving final approval to putting a constitutional amendment on the November general election ballot.

     If approved then, the 155-year-old post now held by Shane Osborn and a frequent stepping stone to higher office would be eliminated in 2015.

     Backers say eliminating the Treasurer and related staff would save the state $400,000 or more, with other state agencies assuming the non-ceremonial functions of the office, but opponents question the figure. Salary and benefits for the Treasurer currently total about $117,000.

     Supporters of eliminating the office say it's not needed because its duties are strictly administrative and not policy-making. Opponents say having an elected Treasurer instills faith in government for cities and puts a human face on it.