LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts says his proposed budget to lawmakers will prioritize K-12 public education, the state corrections department and services for people with developmental disabilities.

Ricketts says the budget he will present to lawmakers on Wednesday would leave the state’s K-12 funding formula unchanged. It also would increase the number of corrections officers to address staffing shortages and use $5.8 million in unspent money to pay for 100 new prison beds to ease overcrowding.

Ricketts says his expected budget cuts won’t affect services for people with developmental disabilities.

Lawmakers face a projected $173 million revenue state revenue shortfall in the current two-year budget cycle, which is expected to rise to $200 million due to a reduction in federal funding.

The Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) is urging motorists to be prepared for the potential of hazardous conditions with an expected winter storm this week. The storm could make driving difficult in various parts of the state.

“The storm forecasted for this week could make for dangerous driving conditions across a large portion of the state,” said Colonel John Bolduc, Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol. “Drivers should be prepared by staying up-to-date on the forecast and plan ahead if you need to travel.”

Travelers are urged to stay up-to-date on travel conditions with information available through Nebraska 511, Nebraska’s Advanced Traveler Information System. The system is available at all times via phone by dialing 511, online at www.511.nebraska.gov, or Nebraska 511’s smartphone app.

NSP also issues the following reminders for motorists traveling in extreme weather conditions:

• Always wear your seat belt and never drive faster than conditions allow.
• Blowing and drifting snow can reduce visibility. Travel only when absolutely necessary.
• If you must travel, use well-traveled routes and give yourself plenty of time to reach your destination. Let others know where you are going, your route, and when you will arrive.
• If you do become stranded while traveling, stay in your vehicle until help arrives. Wind chill and freezing temperatures can be life-threatening.
• If your vehicle becomes stuck, run your motor sparingly and keep a window cracked to prevent the buildup of carbon monoxide.
• Carry a red flag or bandana in your car and attach it to the outside to signal for help.

Be sure to keep a winter weather survival kit in your vehicle as you travel. Some basic items to include are: First Aid Kit, phone charger, ice scraper, shovel, small bag of sand, flashlight with extra batteries, blankets or sleeping bags, extra clothing and winter accessories, jumper cables, tow rope, tool kit, matches, candles, red flag or bandana, high energy or dehydrated foods, and bottled water.

The NSP Highway Helpline is available 24 hours per day for motorists in need of assistance. Drivers can reach NSP by dialing *55 from any cell phone. Call 911 for any emergency.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska lawmakers have advanced a bill that would give former prisoners and jail inmates the chance to have a judge set aside their conviction once they’ve served their time.

The measure won first-round approval Tuesday with a 37-1 vote.

Nebraska already allows people who have spent time on probation to petition a judge to set aside their sentences.

The bill by Sen. John McCollister of Omaha would expand eligibility to include those who served time in prison or jail. It would not apply to people with pending criminal charges, sex offenders, those with traffic misdemeanors or felonies or those who have applied within the last two years.

McCollister says giving people the chance to set aside their convictions would help them move beyond their criminal pasts.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A bill that would raise the cost of a handgun permit from $5 to $25 is stirring debate among Nebraska lawmakers.

Sen. Carol Blood of Bellevue presented the measure to the full Legislature on Tuesday, describing it as a user fee that’s necessary to help counties cover their costs. Blood says Nebraska’s three largest counties have seen a sharp increase in the number of permit applications that need to be processed.

Blood says the Legislature’s reluctance to allow such fee increases creates pressure on county boards to raise property taxes.

Gun-rights groups argue that the increase is too large and question whether it reflects the actual cost of processing permits.

In 2015, a measure that raised the cost of marriage license fees triggered a contentious and drawn-out debate among lawmakers.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Planned Parenthood of the Heartland is criticizing Gov. Pete Ricketts’ attempt to end funding for any health care provider that also offers abortions.

A spokeswoman for the group issued a statement calling the governor’s Tuesday announcement “a blatant attack on Planned Parenthood” and part of an extreme agenda to dismantle reproductive health care access.

Ricketts is attempting to cut funding through his budget proposal to lawmakers. He included a provision in his proposed budget last year that would have prevented Planned Parenthood of the Heartland from receiving any family planning money, but lawmakers removed it.

Planned Parenthood says roughly 8,000 Nebraska residents could lose access to its health care services, even though the federal money in question doesn’t subsidize abortions.