Governor Jim Pillen followed through on his promise to call a special legislative session to address property tax relief. The special session commenced on July 29, and Senators introduced more than 100 bills and constitutional amendments aimed at finding funding for the governor’s property tax reform effort.
NAPE/AFSCME Executive Director Justin Hubly testified before the Appropriations Committee on July 30 in opposition of Legislative Bill 2, which would eliminate $400 million dollars of funding for State of Nebraska code and non-code agencies.
Hubly cautioned the committee about the effects of reappropriating money and closing state jobs. You can watch a video of his full testimony by clicking here.
Heads of multiple state agencies, including the Department of Health and Human Services, Game & Parks, the Foster Care Review Board, and the Crime Commission, also testified in front of the committee. Some expressed concerns about the ability to provide essential services without proper funding. Others, like DHHS CEO Dr. Steve Corsi, said they were in support of the bill.
Senator Tony Vargas (LD 7, Omaha) raised concerns about needs-based services and what lapses in aid to vulnerable Nebraskans may occur with decreased funding. Dr. Corsi said he was not concerned about the agency’s ability to continue operating effectively and efficiently.
Hubly’s testimony is part of our union’s ongoing effort to ensure our members’ voices are heard and recommend against balancing property tax relief efforts on the backs of State of Nebraska employees. Doing so will directly harm the Nebraskans we serve. Hubly also spoke at the July 23 town hall meeting hosted by twelve legislators in Lincoln.
“In May 2024 when the Governor issued an Executive Order closing nearly 1,000 vacant state jobs, nearly 1 in 5 positions were vacant. Now that the governor has eliminated around 400 positions, the vacancy rate is still in the double digits,” Hubly said at the town hall meeting. “Frontline state workers simply cannot provide quality services when we are short-staffed. Please do not reappropriate funds for frontline state employees. If you do, it will affect every single person in this room and every single Nebraskan. Our most vulnerable neighbors will be especially hard hit.”
Kristen Cox, CEO of Epiphany Associates, the Utah-based consulting company that Governor Pillen signed a more than $10 million dollar contract with to advise on cutting state spending, also testified before the committee. Cox talked about “thinning the system” and cutting costs – something which she said will not hinder services, but expedite them.
Our union has seen firsthand how a lack of funds can negatively impact the efficacy of state services. For instance, our union testified in front of the Appropriations Committee in February 2024 to advocate for an increase in the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) budget. DMV office closures or offices with limited operating hours across the state are a direct result of the lack of funding for the DMV and low wages that fail to attract and retain essential workers. This is just one of many examples of how a lack of funding for agencies negatively affects all Nebraskans.
To maintain a robust, efficient, and effective workforce, state agencies must be properly funded and employees must be appropriately compensated for the essential work they do for their fellow Nebraskans. This is at the forefront of our union’s approach to our upcoming contract negotiations which begin in September. We will continue to fight for State of Nebraska employees both in the legislature and at the bargaining table. There’s strength in numbers. If you’re not yet a member of our union, join us today!
Members can contact their State Senator and tell them to oppose LB2.
