Gov. Dave Heineman outlined a two-year state budget on Jan. 13 that would close Nebraska’s projected $986 million revenue shortfall without raising taxes. The governor’s budget proposes cutting up to 500 state jobs, nearly 400 of which have been unfilled for more than a year, for a savings of $672 million and maintaining current levels of state aid for schools and cities. The state would transfer $260 million from its cash-reserve fund to make up the budget gap. “We have worked together to put Nebraska in a strong financial position and I have every confidence that by continuing to work together we can put Nebraska in an even stronger financial position in the years ahead,” Heineman said during his annual State of the State address. If approved, the new budget would take effect July 1.