A Nebraskan's View by Senator Ben Nelson

Monday, July 13, 2009 TAKING NEBRASKA SPENDING VALUES TO WASHINGTON Most Nebraskans are fiscally conservative. We are taught to live within our means from an early age. As independent spirited Nebraskans we understand the importance of saving for a rainy day. We know that you balance budgets through spending cuts, not tax increases. During 8 years as Governor it wasn’t easy to balance budgets but we did it. Now, in my first year as Chair of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Subcommittee, my hope is to instill some of Nebraska’s practical spending principles in Washington. Spending Cuts for Congress My first chance came with the bill that funds much of the operations of Congress. The original request totaled $3.4 billion, close to a 12% increase from last year. That kind of increase seemed excessive in light of the current recession. While it took some work we were ultimately able to prioritize and produce a bill that funds those activities identified as particularly timely and necessary. As a result, instead of an almost 12% increase, the final budget, with stimulus money included, is a modest 2.4% increase. I am proud of this bill. It was crafted in a truly bipartisan manner and avoids undue spending. It has been and will continue to be my goal to hold the line on spending whenever possible. What the Bill Does The focus of this bill is two-fold. First, it ensures safety within the capitol complex. This is reflected in that the largest increase was funding for the Capitol Police which received an 8% increase to accommodate their merger with the Library of Congress Police. Second, it provides funding for the organizations that enable the Senate to do its job. This includes funding for the Government Accountability Office and Congressional Budget Office that provide oversight and research functions for Congress. In order to meet the stiff demands they are under right now to provide facts and figures concerning major legislation they require adequate staff and technology. The bill also includes funding for offices like the Architect of the Capitol which is charged with maintenance and upkeep of facilities within the Capitol. Big Red Country Legislative Branch Appropriations is only one small part of the entire budget but in my new position as subcommittee chair it is an area where I can have a direct impact. My hope is to continue to influence overall spending and inject the Nebraska philosophy all along the way. Nebraska is Big Red Country. We are big on red but we are not big on red ink. It is a philosophy the federal government would do well to learn.