The start of the legislative sessions in each of the three Siouxland states is at hand.
First to gavel in was the Nebraska Legislature on Wednesday in Lincoln.
Iowa lawmakers will get started on Monday, January 12. The 2026 South Dakota legislative session opens on January 13, and more than 60 bills have already been introduced..
As for Nebraska, a budget squeeze could overshadow new initiatives to be funded, according to Nebraska Public Media.
As Speaker of the Legislature, State Senator John Arch sets the daily agenda for what senators will debate. Arch said plugging a budget gap will be a prime focus.
That gap for the current two-year budget shows the state falling $471 million short of its required 3 percent budget reserve. Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen plans to address that by proposing spending reductions.
The Nebraska Legislative session is slated to run through April 20.
