The Nebraska Legislature ended its 2021 regular session Thursday morning, wrapping up on the 84th day – 6 days ahead of schedule.
Both Governor Pete Ricketts and Speaker Mike Hilgers praised the senators for all they accomplished this year, especially given the uncertainty in January of whether COVID-19 would let them meet in normal fashion.
Ricketts congratulated the lawmakers for their successful work on a wide range of subjects including the budget and tax relief.
Ricketts tempered his praise on taxes because lawmakers blocked a bill limiting the growth of property taxes to 3% a year, and he called on the legislature to take up the issue again next year and carry it to the finish line.
While calling for passage of a property tax relief bill, the governor didn’t push any particular measure.
The special session on redistricting is expected to be held in mid-September, but the timing depends in part on when the Census Bureau finally releases all the needed data to the states.