GOVERNOR RICKETTS HAS DONATED MORE THAN $1.2 MILLION IN FEDERAL RACES THIS CYCLE

LINCOLN- Governor Ricketts has made headlines in the past for his campaign donations, most recently the Missouri Senate race comes to mind, but that is only the tip of the iceberg for Gov. Ricketts' spending.

During the 2021-22 election cycle, Ricketts has given more than $1.2 million to more than 20 federal races and committees, including to candidates in contested primaries.

Ricketts’ largest federal donation this cycle was the $266,300 he gave to a political action committee run by U.S. Rep. Adrian Smith, who represents the sprawling 3rd Congressional District.

Ricketts’ next largest donations were a pair of $109,500 gifts to the NRCC. He also gave $63,500 to the Republican National Committee.

He donated $55,000 to the Big Red Leadership PAC for newly elected U.S. Rep. Mike Flood, followed by $47,300 to 2nd Congressional District candidate Rep. Don Bacon.

Ricketts out of state donations includes $50,000 to the Carolina Senate Fund, $30,000 to Ohio GOP candidate Josh Mandel, $10,000 to the Illinois GOP, $5,800 to Illinois House nominee Esther Joy King and Arizona GOP candidate Juan Ciscomani.

Another $5,800 was donated to each Georgia nominee, Nevada nominee Adam Laxalt, Washington candidate Tiffany Smiley, and New Hampshire candidate Vikram Mansharamani.

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NO CHARGES AGAINST GROENE OVER LAPTOP PHOTOS

LINCOLN — Attorney General Doug Peterson will not file criminal charges against former State Sen. Mike Groene over photographs of a female staffer found on his laptop. 

According to a spokeswoman on Thursday, July 21, prosecutors in the office had reviewed the results of a Nebraska State Patrol investigation into allegations that Groene took inappropriate photos of his staffer without her knowledge and shared them with others. 

"It has been determined that there is insufficient information to warrant a criminal prosecution," said Suzanne Gage, the spokeswoman. 

Groene resigned in February of 2022 after admitting he had taken photos of the staffer, Kristina Konecko. After she discovered the photos of herself, she alerted the media and law enforcement, causing Groene to step down.

Tara Paulson, an attorney hired as part of the legislative investigation, reached conclusions similar to those of the attorney general. 

In a report released in April, she said Groene's actions were inappropriate and would have warranted him being disciplined or even fired in a private sector job. If he had not resigned, she said, he likely would have faced consequences "such as reprimand, censure or expulsion." 

She did, however, describe his actions as "Boorish, brainless, and bizarre, especially for the workplace."

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DOUGLAS COUNTY TREASURER IS SUED OVER MILLIONS OF 'IN-LIEU-OF-TAX' ERRORS

LINCOLN — Douglas County Treasurer John Ewing has joined his Sarpy County counterpart in getting sued over the mistaken distribution of millions of dollars of in-lieu-of-tax revenue.

In a lawsuit filed July 1, the Westside Community School District is seeking at least $11 million in tax revenue. The district maintains that money was wrongly distributed to other school districts in Douglas County during 2019-2021.

A similar lawsuit was filed last year in Sarpy County by four school districts: Omaha, Millard, Gretna, and Springfield Platteview. They allege they were underpaid by about $6.5 million during those three years because of mistaken calculations by the Sarpy County treasurer.

Both lawsuits concern in-lieu-of-taxes funds from the Omaha Public Power District. The utility pays the tax based on a percentage of its electric sales instead of local property taxes.

OPPD paid roughly $26 million of in-lieu-of-taxes in Douglas County last year which was then distributed to the school districts, cities, and the county. 

The Nebraska State Auditor's Office alerted Sarpy County in 2021, however, of incorrect distribution of the tax payments. A similar alert was sent to the Douglas County Treasurer's Office in May.

It stated that the Westside, Elkhorn, Millard, and Ralston school districts had been underpaid by amounts ranging from $800,000 in one year to $4.2 million. Meanwhile, the Omaha School District, the City of Omaha, and Douglas County had been overpaid by up to $5.6 million. 

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OKLAHOMA GROUP SAYS IT'S OUT AS PARTNER IN WOULD-BE NORTH PLATTE, GERING 'RACINOS'

NORTH PLATTE- A new horsetrack-casino combination in North Platte and Gering has lost its primary partner in proposing both.

Global Gaming Solutions LLC, a subsidiary of the Chickasaw Tribe of Oklahoma, told the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission it’s no longer involved in the two “racino” projects.

Executive Director Tom Sage said that Global Gaming told the commission as much in an email that was read into the record at the panel’s previous meeting.

The email included, "Global Gaming was no longer interested (in) or a party to the applications for Scottsbluff Expedition and Racing and North Platte Exposition and Racing.” 

Global Gaming was partnering with quarter horse owner Brian Becker who operates a one-day horse meet in Hastings.

Both Global Gaming and the Becker family have yet to comment on the termination of the plans.

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OMAHA CITY COUNCIL PREPARES TO SELL FORMER CIVIC AUDITORIUM SITE FOR HOUSING DEVELOPMENT

OMAHA- Development proposals for the site of Omaha's former Civic Auditorium have for years come and gone, but city officials at a previous meeting aimed to further solidify a plan that would bring hundreds of housing units into the city's urban core. 

Under the proposal, the seven acres of land would be sold for about $1.5 million.

Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert more than a year ago announced that the city had signed an agreement to sell the property to a development group called Civic Corner. It's being led by White Lotus Group, an Omaha company with a history of developing large-scale projects. 

While redevelopment plans have not yet been finalized, housing is a key focus for the property. Civic Corner plans to build a mix of 268 market-rate apartment units, about 120 affordable units, and about 25 townhouses that will be for sale.

Jay Kline, a representative for White Lotus said, "Due to the more recent announcements regarding the significant reinvestment in the urban core, mostly the streetcar, we are looking at potentially increasing the scale of our plans to make it even larger."

The space has been empty for nearly five years.

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SARPY COUNTY TAKES STEPS TO RENOVATE WERNER PARK TO MEET NEW MLB STANDARDS

SARPY COUNTY- The Sarpy County Board took the first steps toward complying with new standards being imposed by Major League Baseball for bringing the 11-year-old Werner Park up to par.

The board voted 4-0 to enter into a $76,000 contract with DLR Group Inc. to come up with designs for the renovation of existing areas. Those renovations will include locker rooms for female staff members, an expanded weight room and a players lounge, among other improvements. 

The total anticipated construction cost for the park to meet MLB’s standards is $500,000. Construction is expected to begin in October and span through March 15th.

The total anticipated construction cost for the park to meet MLB’s standards is $500,000.

In addition to the MLB-required improvements, the county will undertake three capital improvements projects that are estimated to cost $184,000. These projects include a new paved entrance, concrete repair, and carpet replacement within administrative offices.

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PUBLIC HEARINGS SCHEDULED FOR LATEST NOMINEES TO NEBRASKA HALL OF FAME

LINCOLN- Two meetings have occurred and one remains to gather testimony about the new nominees to the Nebraska Hall of Fame.

Each of the state's three congressional districts has either already held or is holding a meeting to decide this year's nominees. 

This year's nominees are:

• Grover Cleveland Alexander

• Calvin Chapman

• Elzada Urseba Clover

• Howard Hanson

• Ernst H. Herminghaus

• The Rev. Hiram Hisanori Kano

• Malcolm X

• Emma Louise Pound

The first public hearing took place at the Nebraska History Museum on Monday, July 18th. Those considered were Alexander, Clover, Hanson, and Pound.

The second public hearing took place in Omaha on Wednesday, July 20th. Those considered were Chapman and Malcolm X.

The third and final public meeting is Monday, July 25th at 6 P.M. at the Phelps County Historical Society in Holdrege. Those to be considered at this meeting are Alexander, Herminghaus, and Kano.

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GRANT APPLICATION PROCESS OPENS FOR SMALL NEBRASKA MEAT PROCESSORS AND $10 MILLION IN FEDERAL RESCUE FUNDS

OMAHA- The Nebraska Department of Agriculture has started to accept applications for nearly $10 million in grant money available for projects aimed at enhancing small meat processing facilities.

The Independent Processor Assistance Program grants come from Nebraska’s share of more than $1 billion in federal ARPA funds.

Qualifications to apply for the grant include existing sales revenue less than $2.5 million, fewer than 25 employees, and submission by August 12th.

“Nebraska is a leader in meat production and processing, which is a vital part of our nation’s food supply,” said Steve Wellman, director of the state Department of Agriculture. “Our livestock producers and meat processors have already faced many unique challenges created by the pandemic, and yet they continue to find solutions to keep the food chain operating.” 

State Sen. Tom Brandt of Plymouth, who sponsored the legislation, has said the COVID-19 pandemic illustrated how easily the food chain can be disrupted, particularly when it comes to fresh beef and pork.

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LPS LOOKED TO OTHER DISTRICTS WHEN REVISING PUBLIC COMMENT POLICY, BUT RULES VARY ACROSS STATE

LINCOLN - When the Lincoln Board of Education revised its public comment rules last May, board members said the change would bring Lincoln Public Schools more in line with other school districts in the state. 

The most significant changes include reducing speakers' time from five minutes to three and setting limits on when speakers could sign up.

However, the ways that school boards in the state approach public participation at meetings are almost as varied as the number of state districts. These meetings have become an outlet for parents and patrons to voice concerns over a variety of issues. 

"There's a whole slew of ways of doing it," said David Jespersen, public information officer with the Nebraska Department of Education. 

LPS officials say the revisions to the policy and regulations that govern public comment flesh out practices already in existence, such as defining what people can bring to meetings.

Additionally, they argue the reduction in speakers' time allows for more speakers in the first public comment period while allowing the board to get to its business.

LPS board member Bob Rauner, who serves on the Nebraska Association of School Boards Board of Directors, said the changes were, in part, the result of conversations he had with board members from other districts and how they run public comment. 

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FARMLAND PRICES CONTINUE TO RISE IN NEBRASKA, HITTING RECORD LEVEL

LINCOLN- Farmland sales have historically been the most active after harvest and before planting season, generally October or November to April. 

Chris Scow of United Farm and Ranch Management said he has seen a noticeable change in the past couple of years.

"We've kind of had an active sales market all through the year," said Scow. 

The demand for farmland that's driving year-round sales also is pushing prices to heights not seen in Nebraska history.

According to final results from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Nebraska Farm Real Estate Report, overall farm prices in the state rose 16% this year to $3,360 an acre, an all-time record. Values were strongest in the northeast part of the state, up 21%, while the northern region had the smallest increase of 11%.

A report from the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City estimated Nebraska's fourth-quarter land prices were up 31% for non-irrigated cropland, 21% for irrigated land and 23% for ranchland compared with a year ago.

There are a number of reasons driving both demand and prices, including higher crop prices, political and economic instability, increased interest from investors and historically low interest rates.

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PROPERTY TAKEN FROM NEBRASKA GOP HEADQUARTERS FOLLOWING CONTROVERSIAL CONVENTION

LINCOLN- Following a convention that changed the leadership of the Nebraska GOP, about $1,000 worth of property was reported as stolen from the party headquarters. 

A party volunteer had arrived at the party headquarters to meet a locksmith. Upon entering the office, the volunteer noted that the building had “obviously been disturbed,” and that there was a computer missing and the security cameras had been removed.

New party chairman Eric Underwood and other Republicans have preached a message of unity. The new leadership said they hope to bring a “people-first, bottom-up approach” to the party. 

Underwood acknowledged the missing items at a press conference but said he had “no actual facts” regarding what happened at the GOP headquarters. Underwood said he still had the resources he needed to continue running the party. He said he has the party’s bank funds secured, as well as access to the party’s website and social media accounts.

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NEBRASKA'S 2022 REVENUE RECEIPTS EXCEED ANNUAL FORECAST BY 30.1%

LINCOLN- Nebraska closed out its fiscal year on a record high note, with net tax revenues nearing $6.35 billion, according to a new state report.

The Nebraska Department of Revenue report shows the state collected $624 million more for the fiscal year that ended June 30 than predicted just four months earlier.

State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn, the Revenue Committee chairwoman, said the increased revenues mean lawmakers should do more to reduce taxes next year, perhaps by cutting income tax rates more or faster or both.

“This sets the next Legislature up with a prime opportunity to build on the historic tax relief we delivered to Nebraskans in 2022,” said Governor Ricketts.

But Sen. John Stinner of Gering said the increased tax collections will bolster the state’s cash reserve fund and leave Nebraska in a better position to weather economic uncertainties.

The State’s strong revenue numbers come on the heels of news affirming Nebraska’s business-friendly climate.  Earlier this week, CNBC released its annual ranking of America’s Top States for Business.  Nebraska climbed to #7 nationally and is now the top state in the Midwest.

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RICKETTS APPOINTS NORFOLK REAL ESTATE AGENT TO FLOOD'S LEGISLATIVE SEAT

LINCOLN - Norfolk real estate agent Robert Dover was appointed Friday by Gov. Pete Ricketts to fill the District 19 seat in the Legislature vacated by the election of Mike Flood to the U.S. House of Representatives.

Dover is the president of Coldwell Banker Dover Realtors in Norfolk and has previously served as chairman of the Madison County Republicans. 

Ricketts introduced him at a brief event Friday, July 22 where he was sworn in by Secretary of State Robert Evnen.

Upon his swearing-in, the event ended somewhat abruptly without giving members of the media to ask the new senator any questions. 

This comes in stark contrast to the event last month when Ricketts appointed and introduced Sen. Kathleen Kauth of Omaha to fill the District 31 seat vacated by the death of Sen. Rich Pahls.

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NO HONEYMOON FOR NEW CONGRESSMAN MIKE FLOOD AS DEMOCRATS SLAM HIS 'NO' VOTE ON ACTIVE SHOOTER ALERT SYSTEMS

LINCOLN- Two days after being sworn into office U.S. congressman Mike Flood was blasted by Democrats following a vote on an amber alert type warning system for active shooters.

The bill that was being voted on had fellow Rep. Don Bacon listed as a co-sponsor to the proposal.

The House bill advanced Wednesday to the Senate on a 260-169 vote, with 43 Republicans, including Bacon, voting yes. Flood and U.S. Rep. Adrian Smith, R-Neb., voted no.

Pansing Brooks, in a tweet Thursday, slammed the “no” vote, saying the proposal was widely backed by law enforcement.

“His vote is another example of the lock-step partisanship tearing our country apart,” she tweeted.

Jane Kleeb, the chair of the Nebraska Democratic Party, and Dennis Crawford, a former Democratic candidate for Congress, also tweeted their criticism of Flood’s vote. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi — whom Flood has criticized during his campaign — also slammed Republicans who voted against the proposal.

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FLOOD AND PASNING BROOKS SPAR OVER HOUSE ABORTION RIGHTS BILL

LINCOLN- Rep. Mike Flood voted against legislation that sought to restore abortion rights in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court decision that wiped out Roe v. Wade.

The bill was approved by the Democratic majority in the House on a 219-210 vote and is almost certain to be blocked in the Senate.

Flood, the newly elected 1st District Republican congressman, described the proposal as "abortion-on-demand extremism."

Patty Pansing Brooks responded by saying, "Mike Flood's draconian position on women's reproductive access became even more clear."

Flood "voted against a bill to allow women and children to travel across state lines for life-saving health care services," Pansing Brooks said.

After only over a week with Flood House of Representatives, it is clear that abortion will be a driving topic in the November rematch between Flood and Pansing Brooks.

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SLAMA'S LAWYER CALLS HERBSTER'S MOTION TO AMEND HIS LAWSUIT 'FUTILE' AND AN ATTEMPT TO DELAY

LINCOLN — A lawyer for State Sen. Julie Slama is calling an attempt by former gubernatorial candidate Charles Herbster to amend his defamation lawsuit “futile” and a delaying tactic.

Herbster, a former gubernatorial candidate, filed suit after Slama and seven other women accused him of sexually groping them. Slama reported that Herbster had reached up her dress at a Republican event and toucher her inappropriately.

Slama, a state Sen. for Nebraska's 1st District and law student, countersued.

Now, Herbster has filed legal motions to amend his original lawsuit, citing the allegations against him had changed from "groping" to "sexual assault" and that Slama's attorney was attempting to try the legal battle in the media.

David Lopez, Slama's lead attorney, refuted those claims in a five-page legal response posted Monday, July 18.

Lopez wrote that his comments to the media are within the state's guidelines for conduct by lawyers when dealing with a public trial and that Herbster used his "media bullhorn" to attack the state Senator.

Additionally, Lopez says that Herbster's recent request "only confirms that the true purpose of amendment is to interfere with Senator Slama's counsel and unduly delay this litigation."

The next court hearing in the legal battle is scheduled for August 15.

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NEW NEBRASKA GOP CHAIR SAYS FALL RACES WILL FEEL THE SAME, BUT THE PRIMARIES MIGHT LOOK DIFFERENT

HASTINGS- Republicans have already picked their general election nominees, but may notice a difference in elections following November.

New party leadership, like the former leadership, said it will support every GOP nominee in November.

But leaders who were voted into control of the state GOP say they expect livelier primary elections, driven by grassroots Republicans, in the future.

“I think there’s going to be a healthy conversation done that way,” said new state GOP Chairman Eric Underwood.

Some Republicans have worried privately that having more challenges to incumbent Republican officeholders could harm the quality of candidates willing to step forward.

Underwood disagreed, saying “iron sharpens iron.” More frequent challenges to Republican incumbents could be “a healthy thing for the Republican Party … and for Nebraska,” he said.

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BACON LEADING VARGAS IN FUNDRAISING WHILE JUNE SPECIAL ELECTION POWERS FUNDRAISING IN NEBRASKA'S 1ST DISTRICT

OMAHA — In the 2nd District, incumbent U.S. Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., outraised State Sen. Tony Vargas of Omaha by June 30, $2.72 million to $1.64 million, campaign finance reports show. Bacon reported spending $1.64 million through June. Vargas reported having spent $1.11 million over the same span.

Bacon and Vargas have spent the summer painting one another as extreme and partisan in a race that is expected to draw a lot of outside money. 

Bacon has already seen more than $800,000 in outside money from police and firefighter SuperPACs come his way. He’s likely to benefit from National Republican Congressional Committee spending, having been identified as a purple seat the national GOP wants to protect. A progressive outside group, Unrig Our Economy, has pledged more than $1 million in outside spending against Bacon. Vargas has also been identified by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee for its “Red-to-Blue” program, targeted at GOP-held swing districts that Democrats want to gain. 

Meanwhile a rare special election in June jolted fundraising in eastern Nebraska’s 1st Congressional District, making the dash for dollars nearly as competitive as the fight for votes.

In the 1st District special election, then-State Sen. Mike Flood of Norfolk won after out-fundraising State Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks $1.36 million to $983,000. Flood, who entered the race in January, listed $47,435 in cash on hand at the close of the second quarter. Pansing Brooks, who faced nominal competition in the primary, listed $356,511 in cash on hand as of June 30. 

Pansing Brooks, an abortion-rights Democrat, says she has received more interest from donors since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned its longstanding position on Roe v. Wade, sending decisions on the legality of abortion back to lawmakers. Flood, an anti-abortion Republican, has supported an abortion ban at the state level. He has also said that he is willing to pass a ban at the federal level.

As an incumbent congressman, Flood is now backed by Republican Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, whose fundraising prowess could help him refill his campaign funds quickly.

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TEMPORARY CASINO IN LINCOLN COULD BE OPEN IN JUST OVER 2 MONTHS

LINCOLN- The Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission gave WarHorse Gaming and the Nebraska Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association the go-ahead to start work on a temporary casino at the Lincoln Race Course that will have up to 300 slot machines.

Lynne McNally, executive vice president of the horsemen's group, said work will include laying out and reconfiguring space in the existing simulcast wagering building and doing wiring for gaming equipment.

McNally said that if all goes as planned, the temporary casino will open Sept. 19 at Lincoln Race Course, which is located near U.S. 77 at West Denton Road.

WarHorse held a groundbreaking on July 12th for its Lincoln casino resort, which has a projected price tag of $220 million and will include 1,200 gaming stations, a 196-room hotel, event space, spa and several restaurants.

Fonner Park in Grand Island also is planning a temporary casino with about 200 slot machines that it hopes to open sometime in the fall.

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OPS BOARD APPROVES RAISE AND CONTRACT EXTENSION FOR SUPERINTENDENT

OMAHA- The superintendent of Nebraska’s largest school district received a raise and contract extension.

The Omaha Public Schools board approved a 4.85% raise and an employment contract through June 30, 2025, for Cheryl Logan during its meeting.

“It has been and continues to be the honor of my career to serve here,” Logan said.

Logan will receive $329,113 as her base salary for the 2022-23 school year, according to a pay transparency notice. Last year her salary was $313,890.

Logan’s contract features a $12,000 transportation stipend and a new provision that allows her to take up to 10 paid days of consulting leave per year. This will allow her to provide consulting services outside of OPS.

Five board members who were present supported raising Logan’s salary and extending her contract.

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