A state prison in Lincoln that lawmakers voted to close last year would remain open under Gov. Mike Johanns' budget.

Johanns includes $7.3 million in his budget released Thursday to keep the Lincoln Correctional Center running.

The closing was approved last session by the Legislature as part of massive budget cuts.

The closing is set for Oct. 1.

But lawmakers are expected to revisit the issue.

In a pre-session Associated Press survey, 22 lawmakers said they opposed closing the prison. Seven others said they were leaning that way.

Only three senators said they supported closing the prison, while 10 were leaning that way.

Senator Dwite Pederson of Elkhorn proposed the closure.

He has said it is a good idea because it would save the state money and force up to 500 inmates already eligible for parole to be released early.