Q. what search engine would I use if I wanted to find out what the state of Nebraska's fiscal year budget is? In particular I need to find out how

I would start by looking at the following state of nebraska website:  http://budget.nebraska.gov/

You can also look in America's News database, select the Omaha World Herald, and search the terms Nebraska, Budget, and Surplus.  As you scan through the headlines you'll find a story from June about tax receipts.

This should get you going.