UNION PACIFIC TO LAY OFF EMPLOYEES; COMPANY TIES CUTS TO EFFICIENCY EFFORTS

OMAHA- Union Pacific will be laying off an unknown number of employees according to the Nebraska Department of Labor. The railroad system has seen a huge hit in finances due to the pandemic, but the company claims it is part of their efforts to streamline operations. In September of 2018, the company employed 44,531 people. This July, Union Pacific was employing 32,820 people. This is mostly due to shipping volume decreasing by 20% in the second quarter of 2019. 

Their net income decreased by $500 million quarter-to-quarter in the last year. With the layoffs, the company is hoping to lower their 'operating ratio', meaning the percentage of each dollar received that is spent running the railroad.  

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NEBRASKA STATE LEGISLATORS JOIN CHORUS OF VOICES ASKING FOR BIG TEN TO RECONSIDER POSTPONEMENT

LINCOLN- A bipartisan group of 28 state senators from Nebraska wrote a letter to Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren and other administrators to reconsider their decision to cancel the football season. The letter notes that there is full support from University of Nebraska's student athletes, coaches and administrators. It goes on to say that it puts the state's athletes at a disadvantage to their competitors who are playing this season. It also puts the Nebraska Athletic Department at a huge loss financially which will force scholarship and program cuts. The letter is signed by 25 Republicans and three Democrats. 

Six other states around the Big Ten Conference also sent a letter to Commissioner Warren. The Chicago Tribune reported that a vote could be happening this weekend at the absolute earliest. If the return to competition is approved, the restart date has not been discussed at all. An early October start has little to no support, however Nebraska Athletic Director Bill Moos said they could be considering a start at Thanksgiving, January or even February. The letter shows that everyone wants sports to continue in a safe manner. 

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SPEAKER RELEASES TENTATIVE 2021 SESSION CALENDAR

This week Speaker Jim Scheer released his tentative schedule for the upcoming 2021 session which is scheduled to convene on Wednesday, January 6th. Of note is that this calendar is especially tentative given that Speaker Scheer will depart the body at the end of the year due to term limits, and a new speaker will be elected on the first day of the session. 

We are proud to represent you and your interests before Nebraska's government, and are looking forward to a successful 2021 session for all of our clients. Should you have any questions regarding this tentative calendar, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. Should there be any adjustments to this calendar over the next few months leading up to session, we will include an update in our weekly interim updates. 

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NEBRASKA STATE SENATORS ASK RICKETTS TO EXTEND EMERGENCY FOOD AID

LINCOLN- Twenty state senators wrote letters to urge the governor to join the rest of the country in extending emergency food aid in the pandemic. Nebraska is the only state not taking additional federal dollars for those on food stamps. This would help 173,000 Nebraskans, which is mostly disabled people and the elderly. 

Senator John McCollister says there is no obvious reason as to why Nebraska is not asking for greater assistance. According to state figures, 60% of Nebraska food stamps recipients would receive more money. The U.S. Agriculture Department calculates that a five-person household would receive an extra $240 to buy food per month. 

This extended program manifests itself in SNAP which would allow for the maximum amount of benefits to be given to all recipients. The federal government would be paying the entire cost of the extra food aid as well as half of the administrative costs. Administrators at food banks say they could use all the help they could possibly get after seeing an influx of 61% of people  using their services. 

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AG SECRETARY VISITS OMAHA, ANNOUNCES SECOND ROUND OF THE CORONAVIRUS FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

OMAHA- Sonny Perdue, the Secretary of Agriculture toured the Food Bank for the Heartland warehouse on Friday. The agency is dealing with increased demand due to the coronavirus. Perdue was joined by Governor Ricketts, the State Agriculture Director Steve Wellman and Representative Don Bacon. 

From March 15 to June 30 the Food Bank for the Heartland distributed over eleven and a half million meals through the new SNAP incentives. This was a 61% jump from the average amount of meals distributed over that time period. 

Before COVID-19, the bank's mobile pantry program in Grand Island served around 400 houses per month, that figure is now closer to 1,000.

Perdue then announced the third round of the Farmers to Families Food Box Program, which is worth $4 million will roll out Tuesday without any delays. Ricketts' spokesman said the governor stands by his decision not to extend the emergency supplemental food assistance program past July. The federal coronavirus relief bill allowed the states to boost all SNAP benefits to the maximum level. Nebraska was the only state not to provide this additional aid for August. Thirteen other states have already applied to continue past September. 

Perdue said there will be a second round of the food assistance program coming in mid-September with the first round providing $16 billion to help farmers and ranchers through the pandemic. This round will mostly cover agricultural commodities. The Department of Agriculture's Forest Service and the state will also begin to work on grassland restoration with a focus on protecting at-risk communities from wildfire. 

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34 INMATES TEST POSITIVE FOR COVID-19 AT THE NEBRASKA STATE PENITENTIARY

LINCOLN- Since testing at the facility began one week ago, thirty-four inmates tested positive for the virus. One inmate was tested after arrival at the hospital for another issue and remains hospitalized now. Testing began after one inmate tested positive, then expanded once the facility was placed on quarantine. Over 600 people agreed to get tested, as it is voluntary. Once a person tests positive, they are housed away from the general prison population. 

Thirteen inmates have tested positive at the Diagnostic and Evaluation Center. Fifty-seven inmates living in Nebraska correctional facilities have tested positive since the beginning of the pandemic. 

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NEBRASKA APPLIES FOR $300 A WEEK FEDERAL BOOST TO UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS

LINCOLN- Nebraska is the last state to request the weekly $300 boost in federal unemployment benefits which President Trump made available through an executive order. 48 states announced plans to apply. State Labor Commissioner, John Albin said unemployed Nebraskans will state receiving checks in two weeks if all goes well. Nebraska did not apply earlier because the state had to find a way to pay administrative costs for this new benefit. 

Workers who were already receiving unemployment during specific weeks will not have to reapply for the funds. The department will send out emails for certification of the extra money. Jobless Nebraskans who receive less than $100 per week will not be eligible for the boost. This boost is similar to the original $600 payment plans that ended July 25th. Nebraska has opted to give the $300 federal dollars rather than adding in state funds to make it $400. 

The program will expire December 27th if it does not end sooner. Albin predicts it will expire by mid-September. 

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TYSON FOODS TO OPEN MEDICAL CLINICS AT SOME MEAT PLANTS

OMAHA- The Arkansas-based company which processes 20% of all beef, pork and chicken in the U.S. plans to open COVID-19 testing clinics near their plants. The pilot program initially will set up seven plants, one of which is in Storm Lake, Iowa. The plants are planning to open the clinics early next year. 

Tyson is joining a long list of companies that either have clinics on their property or provide physicians for checkups for their workers and their families. Clinics help reduce health insurance costs and improves productivity. Tyson says the pandemic showed them just how important these clinics are to ensure their workers are healthy. It is especially pertinent to meatpacking plants workers as coronavirus has been a huge issue because they stand shoulder-to-shoulder for their shifts. 

The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, which represents 24,000 Tyson workers in the U.S., praised Tyson's decision to do this. 17,700 meatpacking workers have been infected with the virus and 115 have died according the the Union. Tyson has been sued for putting their workers at risk early in the pandemic. 

Now, Tyson plants put up plastic dividers between workers, handed out protective gear and take temperatures of all employees when they arrive. Now, less than 1% of their workers tested positive this past week. The clinics will be run by Marathon Health and employees will receive no charges for the services. 

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NEW STATE HEALTH MEASURE WOULD ALLOW TEACHERS EXPOSED TO POSITIVE COVID-19 CASE TO KEEP WORKING

LINCOLN- This new directed health measure allows teachers and other school staff to continue working if they've been in contact with a positive COVID-19 case as long as they don't develop symptoms. Teachers and other staff will no longer have to self-quarantine after exposed.They will be required to wear face coverings, social distance and self-monitor twice a day for a fever and other symptoms. This measure does not stop teachers from quarantining if they wish to do so.

Teachers and other school personnel are not technically essential workers, instead they are 'critical infrastructure workers' as defined by the Department of Homeland Security. There has been research suggesting that schools are having to quarantine large numbers of their teachers even though they do not end up getting sick. 

Maddie Fennell, executive director for the Nebraska State Education Association said the measure has created chaos and is only putting more people at risk to get COVID-19. NSEA plans to produce its own guidelines for what teachers should do in the case that they contract the virus. 

School districts have said they will not follow this measure and will instead continue to quarantine teachers in order to protect students and staff. The issue begins when the schools are unable to find substitutes for the infected staff. The substitutes also have not been trained in hybrid teaching with online and in-person learning. LPS is including additional incentives for substitutes such as bonuses and additional compensation because of the extra work involved. 

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RICK GALUSHA: WANT RESPECT? BE LIKE CLARE DUDA

OMAHA- The Prospect Hill Cemetery is a short walk through Omaha's history with headstones bearing names such as Levi Carter, Sorensen, Hitchcock, Hanscom and Buffett. The sense of duty to give back to their community is what makes Omaha philanthropic community special. It is not about having things named after them, rather it is about what they can do to make a change. 

Clare Duda's career as the County Board President just came to an end. To have known Duda was about laughing, smiling and being humble and confident in yourself. Her most proud achievement is the Douglas County Health Center where 250 call it home. She also helped develop the Aksarben area which was about creating jobs. 

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EDITORIAL: OMAHA ORGANIZATIONS PROVIDE IMPORTANT SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMEN

OMAHA- The Open Door Mission recently had their graduation, with 11 people bettering themselves through the New Life Recovery Program. Nebraska has been searching for ways to boost substance abuse treatment efforts for decades. The state began the shift from regional behavioral health centers to community-based services in 2004. Addiction treatment is a huge challenge in Nebraska, any efforts to help should get sustained funding. 

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$220 MILLION SEWER EXPANSION WOULD HAVE OMAHA PROCESS WASTEWATER FROM SARPY COUNTY

OMAHA- Due to massive sewer expansion, a flush from Sarpy County could end up in Omaha. The City of Omaha has said Omaha's system would be able to process the additional waste. The agency behind the project-made up of the mayors from Bellevue, Papillion, La Vista, Gretna, Springfield and the chairman of the Sarpy County Board approved the partnership with Omaha. It still needs to be approved by the Omaha City Council. 

With this partnership, the county will save millions of dollars by using the Omaha treatment plant. Omaha will benefit by receiving more revenue. The total cost is estimated to be $220 million for the project. The first phase of the project won't be completed for at least two years, with the entire project likely taking multiple decades to be finished. 

Eventually, the agency will have to seek out a private company that will build the lift stations that actually get the water to the Omaha plant. Omaha has two wastewater treatment plants, one by the Omaha Veterans Memorial Bridge and the other is close to Offutt Air Force Base. The city is planning a $50 million investment to increase its capacity at the Papillion plant. The project is expected to create 97,000 taxable properties in Sarpy County. 

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RURAL NEBRASKANS REMAIN OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE PRESENT, FUTURE

LINCOLN- Even after the catastrophic events of the flooding last spring and the present pandemic, rural Nebraskans have a positive outlook on their future. According to the 2020 Nebraska Rural Poll, 53% of rural residents said they are better off now than they were five years ago. Optimism has decreased only 3% since before the flooding. They are also have a lot of faith in their communities with 63% of people saying their respective communities have the power to control its own future. 

This poll is the largest survey of rural Nebraskans' on life and policy.

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GRAND JURY TO REVIEW SHOOTING DEATH OF JAMES SCURLOCK NEXT WEEK

OMAHA- A grand jury has been called to investigated whether charges will be brought against Jake Gardner after he shot and killed a protester, James Scurlock, on May 30. The jury will be under guidance of special prosecutor Fred Franklin III. The Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine previously decided to not bring charges against Gardner saying he shot in self defense. Kleine is not afraid of having a grand jury review his decision. 

40 Douglas County residents will be notified with the pool eventually winnowed down to 16 grand jurors and 3 alternates. It takes at least 12 jurors to indict. If Gardner is indicted by the jury he will then be tried in the Douglas County District Court.

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STOTHERT'S VETOES OF MENTAL HEALTH, HEALTH DIRECTOR BUDGET AMENDMENTS WILL STAND

OMAHA- The Omaha City Council fell short on votes to override vetoes by Mayor Jean Stothert over amendments to Omaha's 2021 budget. No council member voted to override the Mayor's veto on a budget to hire a part-time city health director. 

The Council President, Chris Jerram, introduced that amendment so the city would be able to not worry about future directed health measures. The Douglas County Health Director, Adi Pour, chose not to order a mask mandate early in July after the Attorney General challenged her ability to take those measures. 

Another amendment would have taken almost $2 million from cash reserves to pay for more mental health services such as a job program. This money would have come from the Omaha Police Department. This amendment failed on a 4-3 vote. 

The council also voted to approve the city's 2021 budget, which passed in a 5-2 vote.

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MEDICAL MARIJUANA CERTIFIED FOR INCLUSION ON NEBRASKA'S GENERAL ELECTION BALLOT

LINCOLN- Bob Evnen, Nebraska's Secretary of State announced he will allow for the proposal for a constitutional amendment to legalize medical marijuana will be included on the general election ballot. He says the amendment is legally sufficient and he will not restrict it from the ballot unless ordered by the court. Opponents will be taking the issue to the Nebraska Supreme Court. 

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BUDGET, BANKING CHIEFS LEAVING STATE GOVERNMENT POSTS

LINCOLN- Gerry Oligmueller, veteran state budget administrator will retire in September after 44 years in state government that has included working under six governors. Oligmueller has been the state's chief budget officer since 1995. 

The State Banking Director Mark Quandahl will also be stepping down from his post that he has held for over five years. 

Lee Will, Deputy Budget Administrator will be taking over for Oligmueller and Kelly Lammers, Deputy Banking Director will be replacing Quandahl.

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ERNIE CHAMBERS FALLS SHORT OF SIGNATURES NEEDED TO RUN FOR DOUGLAS COUNTY BOARD

OMAHA— Longtime state Senator Ernie Chambers, who will soon be leaving the Unicameral due to term limits, will not be appearing on the upcoming ballot for a spot on the Douglas County Board. A petition drive to get him on the ballot was turned in to the Douglas County Election Commission on Monday. 

According to the Commission, Chambers needed 2,000 signatures and received 2,499 but 845 of those were rejected, which means less than 2000 signatures were validated. Signatures were rejected due to the signers not being registered in the proper board district, or not being registered to vote in Douglas County.

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NEBRASKA PAYDAY LENDERS TURN TO COURT TO FIGHT BALLOT MEASURE TO CAP LOAN RATES

LINCOLN — People with ties to payday lenders have brought three lawsuits against a ballot measure seeking to cap loan rates for the quick-cash businesses.Brian Chaney of Omaha, who has worked in the payday loan industry, filed the latest legal challenge Monday in Lancaster County District Court. His lawsuit seeks to have the measure taken off the Nov. 3 ballot.

The suit is accompanied by affidavits from 188 people who say they want to withdraw their signatures from the petition to put the measure on the ballot. They claim that petition circulators did not read them the object of the petition, as required by law, and that they do not support the object of the petition.

The 188 live in 10 smaller-population counties. If their signatures were removed, the petition no longer would meet the requirement to have signatures from 5% of registered voters in each of 38 counties. As a result, Chaney’s suit argues, the payday lending proposal does not qualify for the ballot.

Secretary of State Bob Evnen announced last month that the proposal had enough signatures to go before voters at the general election. Supporters collected well over the 85,628 valid signatures needed to qualify.

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MEDICAL MARIJUANA CERTIFIED FOR INCLUSION ON NEBRASKA'S GENERAL ELECTION BALLOT; RICKETTS DOUBLES DOWN ON OPPOSITION TO MEASURE

LINCOLN- Bob Evnen, Nebraska's Secretary of State announced he will allow for the proposal for a constitutional amendment to legalize medical marijuana will be included on the general election ballot. He says the amendment is legally sufficient and he will not restrict it from the ballot unless ordered by the court. Opponents will be taking the issue to the Nebraska Supreme Court. 

Following the Secretary's announcement, Governor Pete Ricketts doubled down on his opposition to the medical marijuana measure that is expected to be considered on the November General Election ballot.

“There is no such thing as medical marijuana,” Ricketts said during a press conference in Lincoln. “This is not something that would be prescribed by a doctor. It’s not going to be distributed through a pharmacy. These are dispensaries that would be in your communities.” 

Ricketts argued that in other states where it has been legalized, people show up to work “stoned” and are at greater risk for accidents on the job. He also argued that the cognitive development of children is impacted when they have access to marijuana."This is not a benign thing. This is a dangerous thing," Ricketts said.

The comments come as the Nebraska Supreme Court is set to decide whether or not to let voters decide on medical marijuana in the state this November. Supporters of the measure called the legal challenge “a last-minute attempt to derail the precious right of the people.” They are confident the measure will survive the pending legal challenge. 

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