RETIREMENTS HITTING NEBRASKA LEGISLATIVE STAFF HARD

LINCOLN- As many already know, those who make up Nerbaska politics will be continuously changing in the next couple of weeks. From a new governor and cabinet to 14 new state senators and staff, the state's makeup will be different. “It’s going to be pretty devastating as far as institutional knowledge walking out the door,” said State Sen. Mark Kolterman of Seward, who is at the end of his eight years in the Legislature. “We’re just at kind of a crossroads right now.”

The Clerk of the Legislature, Patrick O'Donnell, announced he would be leaving last month. A legislative fiscal office veteran, Liz Hruska, announced she is calling it a career. Janice Satra, Bill Marienau, and Kate Allen are members of legislative legal counsel for various committees and are calling it quits. 

Longtime directors of three other legislative divisions retired in recent years — state Ombudsman Marshall Lux, Revisor of Statutes Joanne Pepperl and Nancy Cyr, director of research. That leaves only the performance audit division without a recent change in leadership. “We are diminished,” said State Senator John Stinner, who is at the end of his two terms. “We’ve lost that long-term knowledge. Where do we get our institutional knowledge now? The lobby? Trial and error?”

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NEBRASKA DEMOCRATS URGE STATE PARTY TO CAMPAIGN MORE MODERATELY IN FUTURE ELECTIONS

LINCOLN- Following the previous election cycle, several important Nebraska Democrats says the party needs to approach voters in a more moderate tone to better election results. But the current party chair, and others, contend Nebraska Democrats are already doing just that and criticism to the contrary doesn’t match the reality on the ground. 

The party recognized that currently there is a divide amongst its group members, but said the disagreements and stances are nowhere near the levels of the divide that is currently seen across the aisle with the Nebraska Republicans. The dispute was on display earlier this month when former U.S. Sen. Bob Kerrey described the state party as “pathetic.” Nebraska Democratic Party Chairwoman Jane Kleeb called Kerrey’s remarks a “slap in the face.”

Kerrey stood by his criticisms and said the state party painted the Democratic candidates in the midterms as more radical than they actually are. Kerry pointed to neighboring states who have been actively flipping seats in historically red districts. Kerrey, along with former Gov. Ben Nelson, the last Democrat to hold the office in Nebraska, suggested the party increase focus on pulling moderate voters to their side. 

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RICKETTS TO VISIT JAPAN FOR SECOND TIME THIS MONTH FOR TRADE MISSION

LINCOLN- For the second time this month, Gov. Pete Ricketts is headed to Japan on a trade mission to promote Nebraska's agricultural products and encourage international investment. Ricketts, alongside a state delegation of lawmakers, is set to meet Japanese officials to discuss Nebraska beef, pork, and ethanol, and encourage investment in Nebraska. 

Previously, Ricketts had gone to Japan on four other trade missions in 2015, 2017, and 2019. Japan is Nebraska's largest market for pork, the second largest for beef, and is an emerging market for ethanol, making these trade missions vital for Nebraska's economy and international outreach.

This week, Ricketts will meet with Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry, as well as the U.S. ambassador to Japan.  Gov. Ricketts and his Nebraska delegation are the first to visit Japan after the Japanese Legislature approved new beef tariff levels, allowing the country to receive beef exports without placing higher tariffs on international sellers. 

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RECOMMENDATIONS TAKE AIM AT NEBRASKA CONTRACTING FAILURES

LINCOLN- In light of Nebraska's recent failed contract with St. Francis Ministries, a nonprofit child welfare organization, Ikaso Consulting recommended to state lawmakers several changes that could be implemented to reinforce contract-making and procurement processes. 

In a report given to state lawmakers, Ikaso Consulting recommended a list of 33 changes to improve the state's contracting practices and to standardize the procurement and bidding process. The evaluation was called for by several lawmakers after years of costly procurement failures plagued the state.

Sen. John Arch, who led the investigation into St. Francis Ministries, was pleased with the evaluation given by Ikaso. He was particularly happy with the thoroughness and specificity of the recommendations, and said the changes, if implemented, will likely help address the problems caused by contract failures.

"We intend to follow those recommendations," said Sen. Arch, "I'll be personally introducing bills to do that." Jason Jackson, director of the Department of Administrative Services, said he was encouraged that the report found Nebraska's contracting process similar to other states. The evaluation compared Nebraska's processes with Colorado, Iowa, South Dakota, and Missouri.

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TEMPORARY CASINO IN GRAND ISLAND MIGHT BE OPEN BY CHRISTMAS

GRAND ISLAND- The new temporary casino at Fonner Park is expected to be open by Christmas. Fonner Park Chief Executive Officer Chris Kotulak hopes the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission gives final approval of the casino’s operation on Dec. 14. Work on the temporary casino began on September 8th inside the concourse of Fonner Park. 

“The Racing and Gaming Commission wanted to make sure that racing had a presence, and I appreciate that, so they’ve asked that we add additional television monitors and some wagering terminals where people can wager on horse racing in addition to whatever casino games they’re playing” in the temporary facility, Kotulak said.

Elite Casino Resorts, which is Fonner’s partner in the casino operation, is paying for the remodeling. The Grand Island casino will be the second to open at one of the state's licensed horse tracks after voters in November 2020 approved casino wagering. WarHorse Casino opened a temporary casino with 433 slot machines at Lincoln Race Course in October and generated more than $1.14 million in state and local tax revenue in its first five weeks.

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RICKETTS JOINS LETTER CALLING FOR END TO COVID VACCINE MANDATE FOR MILITARY

LINCOLN- Governor Pete Ricketts and governors from 20 states have joined together calling for Congress to block the Biden administration’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate for the military. The group of all Republican governors signed a letter to the top Republican and Democratic leadership of the Senate and House of Representatives, asking for action either through the National Defense Authorization Act or standalone legislation.

“The Biden vaccine mandate on our military creates a national security risk that severely impacts our defense capabilities abroad and our state readiness here at home,” the governors said in the letter. They claim that the injury caused by the mandate is that current service members are leaving the military and new recruits are not signing up in sufficient numbers to keep the National Guard and branches of the active duty armed forces at full strength. 

The U.S. Army National Guard Chief announced recruiting is down by 10% and that 7,500 members have left. An additional 14,000 soldiers are being discharged for refusing to get the vaccine. Maj. Gen. Daryl Bohac, the Nebraska National Guard’s adjutant general, said the mandate could affect those already serving. Currently, 10.7% of Nebraska National Guard Troops were unvaccinated and multiple members decided to leave. 

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INCREASED ENERGY ASSISTANCE ANNOUNCED TO HELP LOW-INCOME NEBRASKANS

LINCOLN- The federal government is sending an extra $9.7 million beyond the usual allocation to the state for the Low Income Energy Assistance Program, commonly known as LIHEAP. The program helps with heating and cooling assistance, year-round crisis aid, emergency furnace repair and replacement, fans and weatherization. 

The funding comes from a continuing appropriation of federal dollars and the federal infrastructure act. It amounts to about a 32% increase in the typical amount of money the federal government sends, according to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. 

Eligibility requirements include an income at or below 150% of poverty level and proper citizenship or residency status. For example, for a family of three, the income threshold is $34,545, according to the state.  The program is federally funded and administered by the state. If you’re uncertain whether you qualify, the state encourages you to apply. There is no penalty should you be denied.

To apply, visit the ACCESSNebraska website or by calling 800-383-4278.

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PILLEN NAMES COMMITTEE TO ADVISE HIM ON POTENTIAL STATE SCHOOL AID REVAMP

LINCOLN — Gov.-elect Jim Pillen on Thursday announced the creation of a school finance reform committee to advise him about how to update and change the state’s school aid formula.

In a press release, he said the new committee is the start of fulfilling his campaign promise to distribute state school aid on a per-student basis. He is asking the group to recommend how to “create a system that invests in every Nebraska student,” which he said the state does not do now.

Nebraska provides the bulk of its school aid through an equalization formula, which directs aid to districts that cannot raise enough money through property taxes to meet the needs of students. In the current year, $886 million of the $1.07 billion in state school support is going out as equalization aid.

The number of districts getting equalization aid has dropped over the years as property valuations, particularly agricultural land valuations, have grown. The higher valuations mean that more school districts can provide for student needs through property taxes without exceeding the state’s levy limit. But farm- and ranch-land owners have objected to the increased reliance on agricultural property taxes to support schools.

Members of his policy team; State Sens. Rita Sanders of Bellevue and Tom Briese of Albion; members of STANCE, a group representing midsized school districts, including Lakeview Superintendent Aaron Plas and Seward Superintendent Josh Fields; members of Omaha Public Schools, including Superintendent Cheryl Logan; members of Lincoln Public Schools, including Superintendent Paul Gausman; retired school superintendent and CEO of Avenue Scholars Ken Bird; Nebraska Association of School Boards; Nebraska Rural Community Schools Association; Nebraska Farm Bureau; Nebraska Cattlemen; and Americans for Prosperity-Nebraska.

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FISCHER'S YEAR-ROUND 15%-PLUS ETHANOL BILL HAS OIL BACKING

LINCOLN — The U.S. Senate, with volatile gasoline prices top of mind, is inching toward a bipartisan solution to a years-long push for year-round sales of ethanol blends of 15% or more.

Bills to codify the change have shared support from agricultural organizations and biofuels boosters, including the congressional delegations from ag states like Nebraska, Iowa and Kansas.

But the 2022 version of the Consumer and Retail Choice Act from U.S. Sens. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., and Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., has something new: support from the oil lobby. The American Petroleum Institute’s public embrace of Fischer’s four-page amendment to the Clean Air Act makes the bill much more likely to pass, political observers explained.

What got “Big Oil” on board? Backers said the bill would create a more predictable national framework for handling E15 blends, instead of relying on a “patchwork” of state regulations.

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PILLEN ANNOUNCES DETAILS OF INAUGURAL BALL

OMAHA- January 7th has been set as the date for Governor-Elect Jim Pillen's inaugural ball. The ball will be in Omaha at the CHI Health Center.

“Time for us to celebrate all the incredible things the state has done and what together we can do in the future years," Pillen said. The theme is "Nebraska: Day by day, better and better," which Pillen said he picked up from his playing days under then-coach Tom Osborne. “That comes from the Husker Football prayer of 'Day by day, we get better and better. We can't be beat,'" he said. 

Pillen’s wife, Suzanne, talked about why they decided to hold it in Omaha instead of in Lincoln. “We wanted a space large enough that all our guests can dine together in one room and on one floor," she said. "We think that's really important because we want to celebrate with everyone." The Pillens said they don’t want anyone to think the occasion is just for the movers and shakers, and that it’s welcome to anyone.

“Some people might think that an inaugural ball just isn't for them," Suzanne said. "There is a perception it's only for business and political leaders. That couldn't be farther from the truth."

The event will include dinner and dancing along to music from a live band. Who will the performer be? The Pillens said that’s a surprise.

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OMAHA SCHOOL PENSION FUND SHOWS PROGRESS BUT SUPERINTENDENT FORSEES HEADWINDS

LINCOLN- The troubled pension fund for Omaha teachers has shown improvement over the past five years, rising from 53% fully funded to around 63%

Since 2014, the Nebraska Legislature has required local government pension systems that are less than 80% funded to report to the Retirement Committee on how the organization plans to fix it and increase funding. 

This requirement came after the Omaha fire and police pension system was on the verge of collapse ten years ago, and has worked quite well in allowing organizations to create strategic plans to increase funding.

In yesterday's report to the Retirement Committee, it was revealed that only six defined-benefit programs run by local governments were less than 80% funded, and some have slipped even further to the point where certain organizations are unable to contribute the recommended amount to pension systems.

Sen. Mark Kolterman, who heads the Retirement Committee, was not happy to hear the news. "It's almost like anything we've asked here has fallen on deaf ears," he said, "It's blatant disrespect for the employees and the citizens of Omaha."

Despite the falling behind of certain expected contributions, Kolterman said several of the reforms created since 2014, including the decreasing of some benefits, have worked rather well, and are allowing some pension systems to be fully funded earlier than expected.

Despite this, Logan said she is worried that if the district receives a decrease in state aid, OPS won't be able to allocate excess funding toward the schoolteacher pension fund. 

Reforming the state's school aid program was a key talking point in Governor-elect Jim Pillen's campaign. His proposed changes, if passed, are expected to cost school districts about $270 million a year. This would greatly affect the amount school districts would be able to put towards pensions.

Logan said she is unsure if these changes will be approved by the Nebraska Legislature, but stated that it would be wise to be prepared for them.

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BOLDUC RETAINED AS SUPERINTENDENT OF NEBRASKA STATE PATROL; GOINS STAYING, AND VINTON TAKING OVER AG DEPARTMENT

LINCOLN- Col. John Bolduc will be retained as superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol, Governor-elect Jim Pillen has announced.

“Col. Bolduc has the temperament, experience and knowledge to continue leading the Nebraska State Patrol,” Pillen and Joe Kelly, his lieutenant governor running mate, said in a joint statement.

Pillen had a long list of praises for Bolduc. He continued to emphasize that Bolduc “embodies the tradition of excellence the Nebraska State Patrol has established for its members since its founding 85 years ago,” they said.

The Office of the Superintendent oversees the Agency's goals and objectives, policies and procedures and organizational structure and will remain under the supervision of Colonel John A. Bolduc, Superintendent of Law Enforcement and Public Safety. Colonel Bolduc directly oversees the Divisions of Field Services, Investigative Services and Administrative Services.

Bolduc, the 18th superintendent of the Patrol, was sworn into the leadership role in 2017. He has been a law enforcement officer since 1986, with service in three states.

Tony Goins, director of Gov. Ricketts' Department of Economic Development, will also retain his position under Governor-elect Pillen.

"Tony has a proven track record of executive experience that has created value and a business mindset for the state of Nebraska," said Pillen in a press release, "I look forward to working with Tony to grow Nebraska and continue to make our state the best in the country to work and live."

Pillen also announced that Sherry Vinton will be taking over as head of the state's Department of Agriculture. Vinton currently serves as the first vice president of the Nebraska Farm Bureau.

"Sherry will be a key partner in helping implement my vision of growing Nebraska agriculture," Pillen said in the same release, "As a lifelong Nebraskan and livestock producer, she is a leader in Nebraska agriculture who knows the importance of the industry for the future of our state."

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LAWMAKERS EYE 61 ACRES FOR INDUSTRIAL PARK IN OMAHA RECOVERY EFFORT

OMAHA- State lawmakers are eyeballing an industrial park that would be located in Omaha, take up nearly 61 acres, and create over 450 jobs at the site. 

State Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha gave an update to his fellow lawmakers on a $335 million recovery effort dedicated to underserved areas of Nebraska, primarily in North and South Omaha. Wayne has been focused on efforts in Omaha, while the State Department of Economic Development is leading the charge for other areas, he said. Wayne is part of a larger committee that has been working to find a way to distribute the funds.

The industrial park was one of several projects or initiatives specifically earmarked for funding in the legislation, which lawmakers passed earlier this year. The development of affordable housing was another initiative designated for funding. Senator Wayne said that if this plan is completed successfully, it provides a functioning model to be replicated in other areas of the state.

Wayne said state officials are working to purchase about 61 acres of vacant land just off North 16th Street directly west of Carter Lake. He said six businesses have already expressed interest in developing on the land. Despite the land and industrial park being prepared, the committee still has over $250 million to spend.

Wayne said lawmakers must distribute the remaining money before 2026, as the bulk of the $250 million comes via the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, which expires in 2026. 

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RICKETTS STICKS TO HIS SCRIPT, SAYS WAIT AND SEE ABOUT U.S. SENATE VACANCY

LINCOLN- Governor Pete Ricketts stuck to his script of not showing interest or disinterest in the Senate seat vacancy caused by Senator Sasse becoming the next president of the University of Florida.

The only true hint the Governor would offer was a response to a caller on his monthly radio show. In the call, a constituent asked what he wants to do moving forward. Ricketts's response was, "I would love to remain involved in policy and politics." Although this hint is not much, it does identify Ricketts's intentions moving forward.

Ricketts has said he would not fill the vacancy himself had the resignation come while he was still in office, but was deferring the pick to Pillen, whom Ricketts financially backed for $1.4 million and endorsed.

It is assumed that Governor Ricketts is the point man for the job if he were to accept. Ricketts has faced direct senate-related questions and has been continuously noncommittal. “Gov.-elect Pillen is going to have a process,” Ricketts said. “We’ll wait and see what happens.” 

When asked if he might decline to seek a seat in the U.S. Senate, as his predecessor, Gov. Dave Heineman, did because he preferred to be an executive rather than one of many legislators, Ricketts said that the executive and legislative branches are two separate wings of government that have “different roles.”

“There’s lots of ways to contribute. We’ll what Gov.-elect Pillen does in regard to this process, and we’ll see what happens from there,” Ricketts said.

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LINCOLN MAYOR GAYLOR BAIRD ANNOUNCES SHE WILL RUN FOR RE-ELECTION

LINCOLN- Lincoln mayor Gaylor Baird has announced her re-election bid by embracing her record as mayor, highlighting the city's responses to Covid-19 in the onset of the pandemic.

Baird said she was proud of the fact that Lincoln and Lancaster County retained mortality rates at the lowest levels not only in Nebraska but in the nation. Nebraska's highest-profile Democrat said she will use the pandemic in her campaign. 

“We kept people alive, working together,” said Baird. “We continue to monitor the data and get out information. But look where we are now. Life is so much better.”

Baird is not only pointing to various accomplishments pertaining to Covid-19, she is also pointing to the money the city received because of it. She pointed to nearly $10 million in rent and utility stabilization grants that the city awarded to local small businesses from federal coronavirus relief funds and $12 million in federal funds for worker training programs. 

Baird said she knows she will be the top target next spring of a well-funded Republican political machine known for big advertising buys and political attacks. Top GOP donors are lining up behind Republican State Sen. Suzanne Geist, who announced her bid for mayor in mid-September. Christian broadcaster Stan Parker, another Republican, threw his hat into the ring.

Gaylor Baird, a former management consultant, said she is confident she will raise the money she needs to compete. 

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HOME BUILDERS GROUP EAGER FOR NEBRASKA TO DIG 4,000-ACRE RECREATION LAKE

OMAHA- Home building companies in Nebraska are eager to begin working around a possible 4,000-acre manmade lake set to be built between Omaha and Lincoln. 

After state Senator Mike McDonnell introduced a progress report on the potential lake, members of the Metro Omaha Builders Association stated that they stand ready to do their part and get the project started.

"This is a tremendous opportunity for private development and not necessarily only along the shoreline," said former MOBA president Greg Frazell, "Nebraska needs something--and we'll never have mountains."

Frazell was among around 150 MOBA members who heard Sen. McDonnell present highlights of the lake proposal, which came about after a special legislative study last year.

The committee charged with planning the new lake is led by state Sen. Mike Hilgers, and is meant to explore avenues for Nebraska to reinvigorate its recreation, economic development, tourism, and population.

Sen. McDonnell revealed the potential location of the lake, adjacent to the Lower Platte River at Highway 6, and estimated revenue to be around $1 billion, most of that coming from private investments.

If the lake materializes, Brett Clarke of Frontier Builders and current president of MOBA sees "year and years" of ongoing development on the shore.

"I think you'll see demand through the roof for those lakefront properties," he said, claiming also that there is a local appetite for luxury homes in the price point of $1 million and above.

Although several attempts have been made since 1896 to create a large reservoir in Nebraska, McDonnell claims that this project will not require damming the Platte River, something that many have thought may be an expensive undertaking.

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NEBRASKA GOVERNOR-ELECT PILLEN BEGINS FORMATION OF CONSERVATIVE STATE BUDGET PROPOSAL

LINCOLN- Governor-elect Jim Pillen is gearing up to be Nebraska's next governor, and after making some key staffing decisions, he seems to be eyeing the state's budget. 

During an interview at the State Capitol, Pillen stated that he "will listen to [his] partner, Joe Kelly" when making the decision whether to build Gov. Rickett's proposed $270 million prison to replace the aging State Penitentiary.

Besides that, Pillen is also seeking to develop a budget targeting property tax reduction and school funding reform, wrapped inside a fiscally conservative two-year budget proposal.

Kelly, who was elected as Lieutenant Governor on the same ticket as Pillen, was Lancaster County Attorney for seven years before becoming a U.S. Attorney for three.

Pillen also stated that he's comfortable with opening up discussion for immigration reform in Nebraska, which may allow the state to accept more refugees, a possible solution for Nebraska's workforce shortage.

"We need to make sure there's a pathway," said Pillen, Nebraska is a melting pot for people from all over the world, people of different colors speaking different languages. Refugees have a great home here." However, Pillen is also focused on "keeping our kids here." 

Pillen stated that he also plans to stay in Columbus for most of his tenure and does not plan on moving into the Governor's residence in Lincoln. "I expect to spend the majority of time in Columbus, being with family and neighbors. Four grandchildren live next door," said the Governor-elect.

Pillen has been speaking with senators as well in preparation for next year's legislative session, and believes "it's important to build relationships. There are a lot of new senators. We're all newbies."

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NEBRASKA'S VOTER TURNOUT WAS LOWER THAN 2018, BUT STILL HIGHER THAN NORMAL

LINCOLN- Nebraska's voter turnout in this year's midterm elections was 54.8%, a small dip from 2018's 58%. However, although turnout was lower than the last midterm's, it was still higher than the norm.

Before 2018, midterm voter turnout usually sat between 45% and 53.6%. These newer, higher numbers mirror national trends. According to the U.S. Elections Project, the 2022 and 2018 midterms had higher nationwide turnouts than previous years. 

Many speculate that the reason for the higher numbers seen this year was issues like abortion and inflation, which both parties are heavily interested in.

The Washington Post noted that voter turnout in battleground states was particularly high, with Pennsylvania and Michigan surpassing their 2018 results. Other states that surpassed their 2018 results are Arkansas, Arizona, Hawaii, Maine, New Hampshire, and South Dakota.

Some also believe that voter turnout was so high in 2018 and 2022 because the governorship was on the ballot as well as several contentious ballot measures, like Medicaid in 2018 and voter ID in 2022.

The heated congressional races in Nebraska may also have increased turnout this year, and some of the races, like Tony Vargas and Don Bacon's, were much closer than expected.

Perre Nielan, a political consultant, and John Hibbing, a political science professor at the Unversity of Nebraska-Lincoln, believe the Vargas-Bacon race was the reason for such high turnout this year. Douglas County Election Commissioner Brian Kruse confirmed that his county saw a 53.8% turnout, a few points shy of 2018's 57.7%.

Kruse said that he thought the lower turnout in Douglas County may have been because people are tired of politics. "I think people just--they want a break," he said. 

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FLATWATER FORUM EXPLORES PROBLEMS WITH NEBRASKA'S PRISONS

LINCOLN- Last week, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln hosted the Flatwater Free Press in a forum titled "Nebraska's Prisons at a Crossroads," with the intention of discussing the future of prisons in Nebraska amid the highest overcrowding the state has seen.

The panel included Mark Foxall, former Douglas County Department of Corrections director, Doug Koebernick, Inspector General of the Nebraska Correctional System, Carla Walker, a formerly incarcerated veteran, and Jasmine Harris, Director of Policy at RISE, a nonprofit focused on helping the incarcerated prepare for societal reentry.

The forum discussed a wide range of topics, including the lack of resources available to inmates, the immense overcrowding, and the rampant understaffing in Nebraska prisons.

Walker, who served a 20-year sentence at Lincoln's Work Release Center, was recommended an anger management program prior to being put inside. However, as she served her sentence and got closer to release, the program was never offered to her.

"I'm a military veteran who committed a violent crime," said Walker, "You really want to send me back out there, and I haven't had help? I've been asking for help."

According to Harris, 95% of incarcerated individuals eventually integrate back into society, but have trouble finding work or housing. She went on to state that around 80% of the individuals who are rearrested do not have a job at the time of the arrest. 

"That's where the rubber hits the road, where we need to be helping folks when we have the opportunity," said Harris, "If we don't, then what are we doing? We're rendering them to where they can't meet their basic needs. So then, what do people do? They return to those criminogenic behaviors because they have to survive."

Nebraska currently has a 31% recidivism rate, with many formerly incarcerated individuals finding their way back into the system within three years of release. 

Foxall believes the issue can only be fixed with a large overhaul of the prison system, and believes a lack of housing, proper education, and job opportunities are the main culprits. 

Mental health issues, said Foxall, are also a problem. "Trauma will begin before you arrive in jail, before you arrive in prison. It's very difficult to treat trauma in a place of confinement," he said.

Koebernick described during the panel an experience from his first day in the corrections system. When visiting the Omaha Corrections Center, Koebernick saw a single room housing eight men, all lying on top of eachother. This particular facility is meant to hold around 390 inmates, but currently houses 800.

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STATE LAWMAKERS CRAFTING A 'CODE OF CONDUCT,' MULLING HIRING AN ATTORNEY FOR WORKPLACE ISSUES

LINCOLN- A special Legislative committee has been created to build Nebraska's first lawmaker 'code of conduct' amid complaints about the Legislature's handling of workplace harassment. The resignation of former Senator Mike Groene prompted the committee's creation.

Besides the 'code of conduct,' the Nebraska Legislature is also considering hiring an attorney with expertise in workplace issues to assist in dealing with harassment cases at the Capitol.

The committee, which was created by the Legislature's Executive Board amid Groene's resignation, is called the Select Interim Ethics Committee and is tasked with reviewing the body's workplace policies. State Sens. Mike Hilgers and Wendy DeBoer will sit on the committee, along with four other state senators.

Former Sen. Mike Groene was investigated last summer after it was revealed that he had taken, and saved, pictures of a female staffer that she described as "objectifying and demeaning." Groene maintained that the complaints against him were "trumped up," but the Legislature concluded that the pictures were "boorish, brainless and bizarre, especially for the workplace."

After Groene's exit from the Legislature, State Sens. Megan Hunt and Machaela Cavanaugh said his case called for a thorough review of the Legislature's harassment policies. They also wanted to see improvements in how complaints are handled, especially since the Nebraska Attorney General's Office declined to prosecute.

Hilgers, in a statement, said the Nebraska Legislature currently has no code of conduct for its members, and that outlining and defining one would allow the body to establish what is and isn't appropriate in the workplace. Hilgers also claimed that a social media policy is being outlined, and believes this will also help.

DeBoer, another committee member, believes proper training of legislators and staff will help make clear the new rules. On a briefing Friday to fellow senators, however, DeBoer and Hilgers confirmed that the six-member committee has yet to vote on either the hiring of a workplace attorney or a code of conduct.

Sen. Dan Hughes, who leads the Executive Board, questioned whether or not a full-time attorney would be necessary. The Groene case, he said, was the only significant case of workplace harrassment to appear in the Legislature in a long time. 

DeBoer then said that the attorney would be hired on part-time, and Hilgers said the attorney could handle other issues in the Legislature besides harrassment.

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