Governor Cancels Duplicative Study

Move Saves Taxpayers $44,000

(Lincoln, Neb.) Letter (pdf) - Today, Governor Dave Heineman sent a letter to the Speaker and members of the Legislature, noting that the State will not proceed with a previously planned study on climate change. Researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources have stated they would conduct a University study, therefore negating the need for a climate change study authorized by the Legislature.
A bill in the 2013 Legislative Session, LB 583, authorized the study. The requirements for the Climate Assessment Response Committee study and the accompanying $44,000 appropriations are expected to be eliminated in the 2014 Legislative Session.
The text of the letter follows:
Dear Speaker Adams, Senator Haar, Senator Hansen and Senator McCoy:
I am writing you today to inform you that I have directed the Department of Agriculture to cancel the Request for Information for a climate study.  Additionally, my deficit budget request will eliminate the $44,000 requested for a climate study.
After receiving the November 25 letter from Speaker Adams and Senator Haar, I contacted Senator McCoy and Senator Hansen about cancelling the Request for Information and eliminating the funding and they both agreed with my suggestion.