In the Unicameral

State Capitol Contacts,

Proposed Ed-Related Legislation

And Education Laws

Gov. Dave Heineman

The governor's 2007 State of the State address called for two things that appear to conflict: lower taxes and yet higher spending on K-12 education, with what he called "fully funded" state aid to education. Heineman acknowledged that state aid and special education are receiving a record $1.8 billion in tax dollars in this two-year budget cycle, and that projected K-12 spending increases represent about half of all growth in state spending during that time. His budget called for increases of 6% and 12.2% in general education over the next two fiscal years, with special ed funding increasing by 3% per year. Gov. Heineman called for reducing state taxes by $475 million over the next two years, a tax cut he said was "aimed at hard-working, middle-class families."

Legislature's Education Committee:

�� Chairman Ron Raikes, Lincoln and northeast Lancaster County:

�� rraikes@leg.ne.gov

�� Sen. Gail Kopplin, Gretna:

�� gkopplin@leg.ne.gov

�� Sen. Gwen Howard, mid-east Omaha:

�� ghoward@leg.ne.gov

�� Sen. Greg Adams, York:

�� gadams@leg.ne.gov

�� Sen. Brad Ashford, mid-Omaha:

�� bashford@leg.ne.gov

�� Sen. Carroll Burling, Kenesaw: