Legislature approves Building a Healthier Nebraska projects

Archived Story: This article is part of our newsletter archives. It has been preserved for reference, but the information may no longer be current.

The Nebraska Legislature on March 27 approved the state’s budget bills on final reading by a vote of 45-2-2. The budget package includes substantial support for three of the four projects that comprised the University of Nebraska’s Building a Healthier Nebraska initiative:

• $50 million for a cancer research tower at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, part of a larger cancer center project that will position UNMC to earn prestigious Comprehensive Cancer Center designation;
• $15 million for a building addition at the University of Nebraska at Kearney to house an expanded UNMC College of Nursing Kearney division and a new UNK-based UNMC School of Allied Health Professions; and
• A commitment to pay the debt service on a $50 million bond for a new Veterinary Diagnostic Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Institute for Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Each of the projects also requires a commitment of private or other funds. The fourth component of Building a Healthier Nebraska, a new College of Nursing Lincoln facility, was not identified for funding. The budget now will be delivered to Gov. Dave Heineman for his consideration.

NU President James B. Milliken said: “I am very pleased that the state budget package approved by the Legislature today includes an important investment in Building a Healthier Nebraska. The Legislature has approved a compelling set of projects that meets critical workforce needs, creates thousands of well-paying jobs, improves health care and expands educational opportunities for young people in our state. Clearly this is a strategy that has resonated with the Legislature – as it has with the numerous individuals and groups across the state who have endorsed the initiative.

“I want to thank the members of the Legislature for their far-sighted investment, which will be leveraged with hundreds of millions of dollars in private support to create an exciting public-private partnership that serves Nebraskans. State senators have worked diligently to craft a budget that addresses Nebraska's priorities and they deserve our gratitude. I want to especially recognize the hard work of Chairman Heidemann and the members of the Appropriations Committee and the key sponsors and supporters of the university capital projects. I know that Governor Heineman recognizes the tremendous value of this initiative and I am confident that his support will give us positive momentum as we raise private dollars to advance the projects.”

An economic impact analysis estimated that Building a Healthier Nebraska will ultimately support 4,700 jobs annually and have an economic impact of nearly $550 million per year.