A budget bill, designed to get a quick start on closing a 900-Million dollar revenue shortfall, has advanced in the Nebraska Unicameral.

The bill, which modified cuts enacted by Governor Pete Ricketts, advances on a 46-to-1 vote despite some legislators contending the governor violated the constitution.

Appropriations Committee chair, Senator John Stinner of Gering, rejects the notion and tells colleagues his committee did its work. . .

Senator Burke Harr of Omaha says he doesn’t necessarily disagree with the results, but strongly disagrees with the process the governor used. . .

After a week of debate, the Unicameral gave first-round approval to a bill making about 135-Million dollars in budget cuts to the current fiscal year.

Supporters say that will ease the pain in the upcoming budget debate for the next two fiscal years.