The 2017 session of the Nebraska state legislature gets underway tomorrow in Lincoln. State Farmers Union President John Hansen says it looks to be a challenging session given the $900 million budget shortfall and the present status of the depressed agricultural economy.

He says the shortfall in the budget will make it tougher to achieve their main goal, which is reducing the high level of property taxes state residents are experiencing.

Hansen says another challenge will be to bring new members of the Unicameral up to speed on important ag issues.

Hansen says he’s also concerned the Governor and the Republican party are trying to get more control over the legislature’s non-partisan members.