Budget gap bill advances

LINCOLN (AP) -- Nebraska lawmakers have given first-round approval to a plan to close a roughly $48 million gap in the current, two-year state budget.

Many state agencies would face 2 percent budget cuts, but many key services including the Nebraska State Patrol and centers that care for mentally disabled people would be spared.

The plan also includes tapping a couple of cash funds and taking $3 million from the state's rainy-day fund. The state also expects to receive nearly $19 million more federal stimulus dollars than originally expected.

Lawmakers said current budget problems will likely be dwarfed by a projected $670 million shortfall during the next two-year budget cycle that begins in July 2011.

On the Net:

Nebraska Legislature: www.nebraskalegislature.gov

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