CASINO BILL CHANGES PROTECT KENO PARLOS, LIMIT HUSKER BETTING

LINCOLN- The Legislature on Thursday amended its casino gambling implementation legislation to level the playing field for community keno parlors and ban casino sports betting on games involving Nebraska sports teams when they are competing within the state. Those changes were designed to meet the objections of a number of senators in an effort to ensure that the bill, LB561, can command the supermajority vote of at least 33 of the 49 senators that ultimately will be required to implement the legislation on final enactment.

Sen. Tom Briese of Albion, sponsor of the bill, questioned some of the changes but accepted what he described as "a reasonable compromise" that appeared to be required in order to be certain that the Legislature ultimately will be able to "respect the will of the voters."

The amendment, brought by Senator Steve Lathrop, does not allow keno gambling with an electronic device at Nebraska casinos, requiring casinos to "live by the same rules" as keno parlors. The sports betting change also included in the amendment was added to attract the votes of a few senators who had strenuously argued against allowing sports betting on the Huskers when they are playing games in Lincoln.

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NEBRASKA LEGISLATURE NARROWLY ADVANCES BILL TO PROVIDE DIVERSION PROGRAMS FOR TRUANT KIDS

LINCOLN- LB568, introduced by Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks, would focus on counseling, rather than court, for kids who skip school. The bill would remove truancy as a status offense that requires a trip to juvenile court and instead mandate diversion programs that concentrate on the root issues of absenteeism. Pansing Brooks stated that the current program only contributes to the 'school-to-prison' pipeline. 70% of kids who end up in juvenile court later enter the adult court system. 

The measure would create a new position at the State Crime Commission, director of absenteeism prevention and intervention programs that would help develop practices for preventing truancy. Conservative senators questioned if the bill was necessary as juvenile court judges and probation officers have been working on turning around kids' truancy problems.

The bill advanced on a 25-19 vote, the lowest amount of votes needed to pass through first round debate.

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STATE CONTINUES TO EVALUATE ENHANCED UNEMPLOYMENT AS IOWA MOVES TO END BENEFITS EARLY

LINCOLN- Gov. Pete Ricketts is keeping an eye on the state's unemployment rates as a handful of other Republican-led states are ending federal pandemic unemployment benefits early. That includes Iowa, as Gov. Kim Reynolds announced that she would end three programs effective June 12. She blamed those programs for discouraging people from returning to work. 

U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse called for converting the additional pandemic benefits into a two-month bonus for anyone who gets a job. “Cut the spin, convert unemployment into a signing bonus, and get America and Americans up and running,” he said. 

In Nebraska, Ricketts reinstated work search requirements in July. The requirements apply to workers receiving regular unemployment and the additional $300 in federal pandemic unemployment benefits.

Labor experts point to other factors that are keeping people from looking for jobs. Many women aren't searching for jobs because of the lack of child care or because of children being home taking online classes for at least part of the week. Other workers are also afraid of taking jobs in service industries that require contact with people for the fear of contracting COVID-19.

All federal programs are set to expire in September. 

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HEARING ON PROPOSED HEALTH STANDARDS TEACHING GENDER IDENTITY HEARS DEBATE FOR NEARLY 4 HOURS

LINCOLN- Members of the Nebraska State Board of Education got an earful form opponents of draft health standards that would teach students as young as first grade about gender identity and gender stereotypes. The board also heard from advocates of the LGBTQ community and parents of gender-nonconforming children who support the standards. The hearing in Kearney lasted about 4 hours and 70 people testified. 

Many opponents were appearing on behalf of Protect Nebraska Children coalition, which claims to have 11,000 members. The testimony mostly focused whether it's appropriate to teach elementary school children about these topics. Opponents said introducing young children to sexual topics would sexualize them, encourage promiscuity, confuse them and leave them vulnerable to sexual predators. Supporters of the bill said the opposite, that teaching children about these topics would arm them with tools to fend off sexual predators. 

 Proponents of the measure said these standards could help all Nebraska children feel heard and seen by their teachers and peers. The curriculum would begin in kindergarten with more being added every year through eighth grade. Twenty-eight out of 49 state senators backed opponents and Gov. Ricketts in asking the Board of Education to remove all sex-education and other 'ideologically motivated content' from the standards.

The standards, if approved, would be recommended for use by school districts, not required. The final draft will be approved in the fall.

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RICKETTS, 19 OTHER GOVERNORS RAMP UP PRESSURE ON BIDEN ADMINISTRATION TO ACT ON SOUTHERN BORDER

LINCOLN- Twenty governors signed onto a letter asking President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris to take action to close the U.S. border with Mexico. The letter comes after unauthorized crossings at the southern border increased throughout February and March, reaching a 20-year high. Border control took more than 172,000 people into custody in March alone.

The governors wrote in the letter that 'irresponsible rhetoric' was at fault, including the reversal of several Trump-era policies. Further, because of these changes more drugs and weapons are being smuggled into the country and that trafficking has increased. The letter addresses the requests housing for migrants, including unaccompanied minors from the U.S. DHHS to states in April-- which Ricketts denied. The letter states that their individual state cannot be used to circumvent the federal government's problems at the border.

They asked Biden to abandon policies they say made a “self-created crisis that exploits families, undermines public safety, and threatens our national security.”

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OMAHA VOTERS GIVE MAYOR STOTHERT A HISTORIC THIRD TERM

OMAHA- Omaha voters chose experience over change Tuesday as they delivered Mayor Jean Stothert with a decisive reelection victory over challenger RJ Neary. In 2013, Stothert became the first woman to serve as Omaha's mayor who now has 4 more years to oversee projects she began including fixing city streets, and completion of riverfront parks and redevelopments. She is the only mayor to be elected to three terms in modern Omaha history.

During her victory speech, she said her overwhelming victory validated the work she had done over her previous two years. 

Stothert thanked Neary and his family for the work they’ve done to make Omaha a better place, saying his “experience, his passion, and his ideas made him a very worthy candidate.”

She also has clear goals for her next term, saying guiding Omaha through the pandemic and handling the health, economic and social effects that have come with it. She also wants to improve the OPD after hearing concerns following the summer of social justice and racial equity protests in 2020.

Gov. Pete Ricketts and his predecessor Dave Heineman both attended Stothert's victory party and offered their praises of the incumbent. Ricketts said she is the best mayor in the country followed by Heineman saying she is well-respected and puts all people of Omaha first.

Said Stothert: “Ours will be an even more inclusive city, one that welcomes everyone and where everyone feels at home.”

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SEN. JOHN MCCOLLISTER AMONG REPUBLICANS CALLING FOR TRUMP-FREE PARTY, THREATENING TO CREATE A NEW PARTY

LINCOLN — State Sen. John McCollister of Omaha is one of more than 100 Republicans, including former governors and members of Congress, who say they will consider forming a new party if the GOP does not break free from former President Donald Trump.

Stand Up Republic announced its goal Thursday.

McCollister is serving his second term in the officially nonpartisan Legislature and is the son of former Republican Rep. John Y. McCollister, who served in the House from 1971 to 1977. McCollister has been sharply critical of Trump and endorsed Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden in the 2020 election.

"Principled Republicans are jumping ship," he said at the time. McCollister has often made the case for the party to return to its traditional values and said in an interview in October that "it will be interesting to see how the Republican Party reconstitutes itself after Trump gets beaten." Stand Up Republic's call for reform was expressed in a letter titled "A call for American renewal."

The letter says Republicans must "either reimagine a party dedicated to our founding ideals or else hasten the creation of such an alternative."

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NEBRASKA ATTORNEY GENERAL REACHES $200,000 SETTLEMENT WITH OMAHA MENTAL HEALTH CARE PROVIDER

LINCOLN — The Nebraska Attorney General’s Office has reached an out-of-court settlement with an Omaha mental health care provider accused of submitting false claims for Medicaid reimbursement. Kathleen Wiley, who provided counseling services, agreed to a $200,000 settlement with the state and its Medicaid contractor in exchange for dropping a civil lawsuit filed in Lancaster County District Court.

As part of the settlement, Wiley admitted no wrongdoing.

The state, in its lawsuit, had accused Wiley of submitting 1,201 claims totaling $109,274 to Nebraska Medicaid or its contractor between September 2013 and December 2018 without proper documentation showing that services had been provided. The state’s False Medicaid Claims Act allows the state to recover triple the amount that was paid to a provider like Wiley, who settled the dispute by paying $200,000. 

The matter was initially investigated by Magellan Health, a Nebraska Medicaid contractor, and the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. It was then referred to the Attorney General’s Office for further investigation and legal action.

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THREE NATIONAL PROFILE GOLF COURSES SET TO DEBUT IN NEBRASKA

OMAHA- After Sand Hills Golf Club put Nebraska on the nation's course map, the state is generating a second wave of intrigue for what's coming in the next year. Three national-profile courses are set debut over the next year, including CapRock Ranch, southwest of Valentine, Landmand on the bluffs of Homer and Lost Rail in suburban southwest Omaha. CapRock and Lost Rial will be membership-only courses and Landmand will have memberships but will open to the public. 

CapRock Ranch has eight holes along the rim of Snake River and the rest on coop hills. Landmand, once wooded hills was long ago cleared for farming and will play like many of the courses in the Sand Hills region. Lost Rail reminds many of Omaha Country Club's land during construction a century ago. Both were part farmland part wooded hills and streams. It is the most natural site for a championship course since OCC, next being Platteview Country Club. 

The first to open, CapRock, will be ready for member play on June 21. Landmand has already sold out its 100 available memberships. 

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NANCY HOCH, 1984 US SENATE NOMINEE AND FORMER NU REGENT DIES AT 84

OMAHA- Nancy Hoch, a barrier-breaking Nebraska woman and Republican nominee for U.S. Senator in 1984, died Wednesday at age 84. Her death followed that of her husband in January. Hoch was raised in Nebraska City, known for leaving her mark in political circles. She was the first woman to join a rotary club in the state. She went on to earn the Outstanding Citizen Award from the Nebraska City Chamber of Commerce in 1983. Shortly after, she became the first woman elected to the University of Nebraska Board of Regents in which she represented District 4 on the board for 12 years.

In 1984, she became the state's Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate, challenging the incumbent Sen. J.J. Exon. In 1986, she ran for governor but lost to then State Treasurer Kay Orr. Orr went on to become the state's first female governor and the nation's first female Republican governor. In 2015, she was recognized with the Henry Fonda Award, the Nebraska Tourism Commission's highest female honor. 

Later in their lives, Nancy and her husband, Richard moved to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. She kept in touch with her Nebraska roots by watching Husker football every weekend. 

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COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT GROUP DIRECTOR SEEKS TO REPLACE SENATOR PANSING-BROOKS (DIST 28) WHEN SHE IS TERM LIMITED

LINCOLN- The director of a community improvement organization in Lincoln announced her candidacy for the District 28 seat in the Legislature on Tuesday. Nancy Petitto will seek the seat held by Sen. Patty Pansing-Brooks, who will leave the Legislature after being term-limited.

Petitto is the director for Collective Impact Lincoln, a partnership among Civic Nebraska, Nebraska Appleseed and the South of Downtown Community Development Organization. A two-time graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Petitto said civic engagement, political advocacy and "an active commitment to justice" led her to run for office.

A map of district 28 can be found by clicking HERE

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55th WING PUTS TROUBLE PRONE OPEN SKIES JET OUT TO PASTURE

OMAHA- Offutt Air Force Base said goodbye to one of its most trouble-prone jets, an OC-135B that logged 36,064 flight hours and 6,135 takeoffs and landings in 60 years of use. The plane was most notably used for aerial photography missions, mostly over Russia, in carrying out the international Open Skies Treaty, but had not been used since President Trump pulled out of the agreement last November. However a hardline Republican faction has advocated for scrapping the treaty citing Russian violations. President Joe Biden has not yet made an announcement on if he will rejoin the treaty. 

This is Offutt's second retirement on a plane in six months as new technology has become imperative for certain missions in the military. The OC-135B jet has also seen the most maintenance requirements in recent years. 

“It’s become kind of a family. You get to go out, you get to be part of a team, away from anyone else — on your own, unafraid, in a place that not many Americans go to,” said Lt. Col. Chris Reteneller, a veteran of the squadron.

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10,000 HOGS KILLED, BUILDING DESTROYED IN FIRE AT GOVERNOR CANDIDATE’S PILLEN FAMILY FARMS

ALBION- A large fire near Albion has claimed the lives of approximately 10,000 hogs, according to the Petersburg Volunteer Fire Department. The fire occurred on the business’ property located approximately 17 miles west of Petersburg, according to Petersburg Fire Chief Neil Baumgartner. The Petersburg Volunteer Fire Department received the first call at 3:14 a.m. on Wednesday, Baumgartner said.

“When I arrived on scene, it (the fire) had already (come) through the roof. So it was … a very long, very, very large building long and probably 70-feet wide, I suppose,” Baumgartner said. “(It was) very hard to control being the building is tin – tin on the inside (and) tin on the outside … and it ran through the attic, and we could not stop it.”

The incident remains under investigation, according to Baumgartner. Jim Pillen, owner of Pillen Family Farms and University of Nebraska Regent has announced his candidacy for governor in 2022

The cause is still under investigation, but Baumgartner said there had been construction on-site previously.

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COMPROMISE ON COMMITTEE MAKEUP ALLOWS SCHOOL FINANCE SUTDY TO MOVE FORWARD

Senator Wendy DeBoer COMPROMISE ON COMMITTEE MAKEUP ALLOWS SCHOOL FINANCE SUTDY TO MOVE FORWARD

LINCOLN- With the promise of a compromise in hand, state lawmakers advanced a bill on Thursday to create a committee that will study public school finance in Nebraska. To help move the bill (LB132) forward, Sen. Wendy DeBoer of Bennington agreed to scrap her proposal creating an independent commission of senators, education officials and tax experts to study the state aid formula known as TEEOSA (Tax Equity and Educational Opportunities Support Act) and recommend changes to the Legislature.

DeBoer, who said she was open to changing her bill in order to push the issue forward, heeded a suggestion made by Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn to make the Legislature the one to do the review. When the bill returns for the next round of consideration by lawmakers, it will likely call for a committee of 11 legislators representing various geographic and political interests of the state.

After the vote, Linehan reiterated that she believes the responsibility to study and recommend any changes to TEEOSA rests with the Legislature.

"We can't outsource our work," she said. "Nobody else is going to solve this."

Multiple reports may emerge from the study, including a majority report as well as a minority report for lawmakers to consider. Linehan said if nothing else, the study would help state senators broaden their knowledge base of the state aid formula.

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NO UNITY IN TESTIMONY ON RESOLUTION ALLEGING FEDERAL OVERREACH

LINCOLN — A legislative firebrand on Thursday called for Nebraska lawmakers to “maintain and defend” the U.S. and state Constitutions against federal “abuse of power.” State Sen. Mike Groene of North Platte urged the Executive Board to send Legislative Resolution 107 to the full Legislature. He introduced the nonbinding resolution, which was co-signed by 30 other senators and details alleged abuses in several areas, including gun rights and religious liberty.

But there was little unity among those who testified at the Thursday hearing. Supporters included Kathleen Kaugh of Omaha, who described the resolution as a statement of where Nebraska stands on the “insidious erosion” of constitutional rights. She pointed particularly to people’s right to make their own health care decisions on vaccinations and masks. Among other supporters was Ryan Hamilton, executive director of the Nebraska Republican Party. He said there are “clear preparations” in Washington to deprive Americans of their rights, ranging from Second Amendment rights to state control of election laws.

Earlier in the day, Sen. Megan Hunt of Omaha introduced another resolution in response to LR 107 that called for lawmakers to “maintain and defend” the right of Nebraskans to “an urgent, robust, and professional response” to the pandemic. On Wednesday, she introduced a resolution to condemn the “treasonous” attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, which the resolution said was “spurred” by former President Donald Trump and some members of Congress. Hunt has promised to filibuster the Groene resolution should it be advanced by the Executive Board to the full body for consideration.

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UNMC'S MULTIBILLION-DOLLAR PROJECT NExT REACHES 'KEY MILESTONE'

OMAHA- Omaha has been selected as one of the five sites to test a pilot program that will develop a federal program to bolster the nation's disaster response capacity. The move marks a key step for local plans to develop a multibillion-dollar, all-hazards response facility.

U.S. Rep. Don Bacon announced the decision after receiving a letter from the acting undersecretary of defense notifying him of Omaha's selection. The other four sites selected are Washington, D.C., San Antonio, Sacramento and Denver. The goal of the program is to improve the National Disaster Medical System. Bacon said this helped Omaha reach an important milestone for the proposed project by UNMC and Nebraska Medicine that would combine a state-of-the-art teaching hospital and federally funded wings designed to enhance the nation's response to natural disasters, environmental accidents and highly contagious diseases.

Project NExT already has pledges of funding from the city and state with the state's contribution contingent on securing federal and private dollars. The project also has potential to create 8,700 high-paying permanent jobs with an estimated $1.3 billion total annual economic impact. The Nebraska Legislature has pledged $300 million in state funds toward the project if the federal government and private donors contribute $1.3 billion. The City of Omaha also pledged $93 million over the next decade in support. The proposed facility will be located on a 7.5 acre plot north of the Buffett Cancer Center that currently houses the Munroe-Meyer Institute.

UNMC and Nebraska Medicine helped care for citizens returning from Wuhan, China and a virus-stricken cruise ship after also having cared for Americans returning from West Africa during the 2014 Ebola outbreak.

Dr. James Linder, CEO of Nebraska Medicine said, “This is really a key steppingstone to realizing that goal, the fact that we were chosen as one of these five sites really positions us well to execute on the programs we’ve discussed over the last year with the federal government.”

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LAWMAKERS ADVANCE BILL TO BOOST SHOVEL-READY ARTS, MUSEUM, SPORTS PROJECTS

LINCOLN- The pandemic quickly shut down all arts, museums and sports projects, leaving many without any money to continue. The Blue River Arts Council said a bill introduced by Sen. Mike McDonnell would provide the boost they need to get back on track. Many other groups are looking at the measure as well, including Joslyn Art Museum and the Henry Doorly Zoo.

Lawmakers gave first round approval for McDonnell's bill, LB566 on Tuesday. The bill would set aside $25 million of state dollars and $75 million of federal state aid to help nonprofits complete capital construction projects that were interrupted by the pandemic. Grants would be available for those involved with arts, culture and humanities. McDonnell is also getting approval for an amendment to add nonprofit sports complexes to the mix.

There would be four tiers of support based on the size. Groups will be able to apply in July and would have to complete fundraising by the end of the year. This bill would help organizations that employ more than 90,000 people that pay more than $4 billion in wages.

“Right now, many of these organizations are being forced to look through their budget, meet with their donors and decide between their capital plans, rehiring staff or cutting their programming,” Sen. McDonnell said.

Opponents of the bill argue that the $25 million should go to other priorities and that these groups should turn to private donors.

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CONSUMPTION TAX PROPOSAL BLOCKED BY NEBRASKA SENATORS

LINCOLN- LR11CA, a tax reform proposal sponsored by Senator Steve Erdman, fell two votes short of clearing first round advancement in the Legislature. The bill would have created a constitutional amendment to replace the state's income, corporate, sales and property tax system with a new consumption tax, a previously known concept known as a 'flat tax', of 10.64%.

Erdman said his proposal would provide "the real solution (to) a broken tax system" and he warned his colleagues that "voters will be taking things into their own hands" if the Legislature does not act now. The proposal created a new revenue system that would center taxation on the purchase of services and new goods he said, "you can never, never be overtaxed because you decide how much tax you pay."

An argument established by opposition senators was that the new system would be regressive and had too many unanswered questions, 16 of the 23 'yes' votes came from rural senators with many noting that approving the proposal would only mean further conversation. Sen. Steve Lathrop said the proposal was very risky that raised many new questions such as how to fund schools in the system. Sen. Matt Williams said the measure would destroy the insurance industry.

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CENSUS FIGURES TO ARRIVE EARLIER, AVERTING 'MAJOR PROBLEMS' WITH NEBRASKA'S 2022 ELECTION

LINCOLN- Nebraska dodged 'major problems' in preparing for the 2022 election after getting word that the census figures needed for redistricting will arrive mid-August, according to state election officials. Census figures, due to the pandemic, had been expected to arrive as late as Sept. 30, six months later than normal. Receiving figures that late could have caused major problems in preparing for elections, said Secretary of State Bob Evnen.

Aug. 16 is the new expected date of receiving census numbers which will allow the legislature to hold a session and get needed population information by the end of September. Senators are expected to meet in Special Session on redistricting in September, following the release of the data.

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BILL REQUIRING COVID PROTECTIONS FOR MEATPACKING PLANT WORKERS ADVANCES IN NEBRASKA LEGISLATURE

LINCOLN- Sen. Tony Vargas of South Omaha won initial approval for LB241, a bill that would provide COVID-19 protections to meatpacking plant workers over the next year. Sen. Vargas' district includes many meatpacking workers who he says deserve safeguards for working in close quarters through the pandemic despite high rates of infections and deaths. Nebraska counties with meat processing plants were hit the hardest by the pandemic, with data showing that 7,382 packing plant workers were infected, 256 hospitalized and 28 deaths.

"And these are just the numbers that were reported ... they don't represent the community spread," said Vargas, whose own father, a former food processing worker from New York, died due to the coronavirus.

A group of senators opposed the bill saying that this is an 'empty' bill and if this could actually drop the number of people getting infected. Other senators said their district's meatpacking plants have seen little to no COVID-19 activity recently. "His heart is in the right place," said Blair Sen. Ben Hansen. "(But) sometimes you have to trust the people and err on the side of liberty."

Proponents of the bill say that the pandemic is not over and many people are still unvaccinated and go to work in fear everyday. The measures passed with a 27-16 vote.

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