It is the last week of the First Regular Session of the 100th Legislature and any bill that has not made it onto the agenda by now has little chance to see debate this year. With only three legislative days left the bills that have not been indefinitely postponed (killed) and are sitting in committee or in the debate process at the end of this session, will be carried over to next year's session.

On a side note, I would like to encourage family members in the 44th District, who have loved ones that are currently on active duty in the U.S. Military, to send me a picture of those serving so we can honor them in my office in Lincoln. We would appreciate your participation in saying thank you to our hometown troops.

Last week the governor vetoed about $41.7 million from the two-year $7 billion budget sent to him by the Legislature. This reduced the average increase in spending to 4.3 percent.

An expected gas tax veto was delivered by the governor that reduced the appropriations from the Highway Trust Fund for roads preventing a 1.8 cent gas tax increase in FY2008-09. The $19 million reduction in the second year of biennium was from $370 million to $352 million. Other reductions in spending growth included $11 million from provider rates that also included agencies that care for adults with developmental disabilities, $1.3 million in Department of Education administration costs, $5.4 million in Special Education, and $1.5 million from Supreme Court special raises for court staff and probation officers.

Individual senators responded with seven different motions to override the governor's vetoes on Wednesday. There were motions to put back $732,000 for salaries of county court staff and probation personnel, $60,000 for diversion courts for prostitutes, $3.6 million to increase provider rates for several services provided through Health and Human Services, and $5.4 million for special education.

Additional motions targeted the restoration of $580,000 for the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging, and $750,000 for Area Health Education Centers. None of the motions to override were successful and the governor's vetoes were upheld. I was satisfied overall with the budget and was glad to see the average two-year budget growth be set at a reasonable and responsible rate.

Moving to another issue, LB 475, which would have created a new and vague protected class with respect to sexual orientation, also saw further debate. After an extended discussion on a motion to indefinitely postpone the bill, a vote was taken and the motion prevailed with a 24-15-5 vote. This issue failed to advance for this session, but will probably return next year. I voted with the majority to kill LB 475.

As always, please contact me with any questions or concerns.