A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect until midnight for much of eastern Nebraska, including Omaha. A tornado watch has been issued for Cass, Gage, Jefferson, Johnson, Lancaster, Nemaha, Otoe, Pawnee, Richardson, Saline and Seward counties until 10 p.m. Sunday.
Iowa legislators expect debate over tax reduction and education funding proposals to dominate the session that starts Monday.
Gov. Terry Branstad is scheduled to unveil his budget plan next week. He has made clear that reducing commercial property taxes will be a key part of the proposal.
Speaking Wednesday at a legislative forum organized by The Associated Press, House Speaker Kraig Paulsen, a Republican from Hiawatha, noted he also wants lowering income taxes to be on the table. Paulson says some portion of the state budget surplus should be returned to taxpayers.
Branstad's top budget aide says the governor's priority is on lowering commercial property taxes, but that he will consider other proposals.
