A breakdown of Ricketts’ budget numbers

Last week, Governor Pete Ricketts presented his executive budget recommendation for Nebraska’s 2019-2021 biennium. The nearly-800 page budget includes increases in Medicaid coverage, property tax relief funding and veterans housing funding. However, the biggest increases come to education, particularly at the university and college level.

For Chadron State College, this would mean sizable changes in scholarships as well as general funding. Looking at Ricketts’ plan to “provide for two-year average growth in state appropriations of 3.1 percent,” here are four numbers to watch in the upcoming budget proposal.

$6.78 million: As part of Gov. Ricketts’ Grow Nebraska plan, he is recommending $6.78 million over the 2019-2021 biennium to the Nebraska Talent Scholarships program. This program, which could provide funds to all Nebraska public universities, state colleges and community colleges, is focused on recruiting more Nebraskans to fill “high demand and high-wage” jobs. $3 million each could be disbursed to Nebraska universities and state colleges, with the remaining $780,000 provided to the Nebraska Department of Economic Development for Nebraska’s six community colleges.

$1 million: Out of funding in the Nebraska Talent Scholarships program, this is the number that the state college system could see for the 2019-2020 school year. 250 scholarships would be split among the three state colleges for students studying rangeland management, justice studies, computer information systems and industrial technology. Students could receive up to $4,000 annually, with scholarships automatically renewed yearly based on eligibility standards. In the 2020-2021 school year, $1 million would grow to $2 million in scholarship funding.

$5.2 million: Ricketts is recommending full funding for the state college system’s request for salary and health insurance. This would result in a 10 percent increase over the 2019-2021 biennium, totaling $5.2 million. The University of Nebraska could also receive their requested full funding, which would result in a 6.3 percent increase, or $36.5 million, over the biennium.

$2.5 million: According to Nebraska.gov, The Developing Youth Talent Initiative (DYTI) is a collaborative program that connects Nebraska businesses and middle schoolers in Nebraska public schools to learning opportunities in manufacturing and IT industries. Ricketts is recommending a $2.5 million increase in funding on top of the existing $500,000 provided by the Department of Economic Development for businesses who partner with schools.

For more information on Ricketts’ budget proposal, visit   the State Budget Division’s website at http://budget.nebraska.gov/executive-budget-2019-2021.html.