Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Public Service Commission warns cuts to regulatory funds would impede broadband, 9‑1‑1 and gas rate proceedings
Summary
The Public Service Commission told the Appropriations Committee that proposed transfers and permanent sweeps of cash‑fund interest would impede long‑running broadband grant closeouts, public safety 9‑1‑1 operations and expensive natural‑gas rate cases; industry and the public advocate urged the committee not to sweep dedicated funds.
Deputy Director Suzanne Hinsman told the Appropriations Committee the Public Service Commission needs carryover and limited administrative funding to complete obligations under the Nebraska Broadband Bridge Program and opposed several proposed fund transfers in the Legislature’s budget bills.
Hinsman said the commission has run four cycles of Broadband Bridge grants since 2021 and awarded projects that will not finish until mid‑2026 or later. She asked the committee to preserve administrative Payroll/Salary/Lease (PSL) authority for at least six months into fiscal year 2027 to close out grants and review carrier reimbursement requests, and warned that removing out‑year PSL would make it difficult to process extensions or final payments.
Hinsman also objected to a proposed transfer of $250,000 —…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
