State revenue in Nebraska exceeded expectations during the last fiscal year, but the legislature’s Appropriations Committee chairman wants to maintain a cautious approach to the state budget.
Net General Fund receipts for the 2013-2014 fiscal year came in just over 4-point-1(B)Billion dollars, 2-point-4 percent higher than forecast.
Appropriations Committee Chairman Heath Mello of Omaha says the revenue report validates how the Unicameral approaches the budget. . .

Mello says the 687-Million dollar cash reserve has more than enough to pay for a 15-Million dollar child welfare penalty and a 5-point-5 Million dollar Republican River Compact lawsuit settlement. The state also might have to absorb up to 50-Million dollars in added prison costs due to the miscalculation of prison sentences by the Department of Correctional Services.

Mello says the legislature cannot expect the state economy to continue to exceed the national average. . .