As a member of the Legislature’s Appropriations Committee, Senator Nordquist spent much of his time during the 2009 session reviewing, tracking, and assessing state spending. A difficult economic climate added to the Legislature's challenge of finding and cutting government waste while ensuring that state assistance still is available to Nebraskans who need it.

Thanks in part to the aid provided by the federal government’s adoption of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the Legislature was able to pass a budget that contained no tax increases or new taxes. In fact, most Nebraskans will benefit from tax cuts outlined in the Recovery Act. Senator Nordquist made every effort to ensure that the money received from the Recovery Act is being put to work in the best manner possible.

The end result of the Legislature’s efforts is a responsible budget that maintains funding for essential programs while holding state spending growth to sustainable levels.