Gov. Ricketts Nebraska budget vetoes survive override attempt

LINCOLN — Gov. Pete Ricketts’ budget vetoes survived several override attempts on Wednesday despite warnings that the governor’s cuts would hurt some of the state’s most vulnerable residents.

Lawmakers fell three votes short of the support needed to restore $32.4 million in funding for groups that serve the elderly and people with developmental disabilities.

“I can’t believe what we have done,” Sen. Bob Krist of Omaha said after lawmakers rejected one of his attempts to override a veto. “I’m only proud of the fact that I’m not a part of the decision to cut these services.”

Senators who supported the veto said the governor’s action was prudent given a shaky farm economy and state revenues that have lagged behind projections. Ricketts has said he opposed the Legislature’s decision to lower the minimum amount of cash lawmakers are required to keep in the state’s general fund.

Read more: http://www.capjournal.com/news/gov-ricketts-nebraska-budget-vetoes-survive-override-attempt/article_21041500-3c55-11e7-afe7-6bd2a22237fe.html