FULTON TO RETURN TO PRIVATE SECTOR AFTER SEVEN YEARS AS STATE TAX COMMISSIONER

LINCOLN- After seven years in the state tax commissioner role, Tony Fulton has announced his return to the private sector. Fulton announced his last day will be December 30th. Fulton is a former state senator from Lincoln before taking the up the role of state tax commissioner in 2016.

Governor Ricketts, also in his final days in office,  thanked Fulton for being a “wonderful teammate” and delivering “excellent” service as the state as tax commissioner and head of the Nebraska Department of Revenue. Ricketts added. "I am grateful for his service to the state and wish him well as he returns to the private sector." 

Fulton previously ran a small Nebraska-based business before entering the political realm. With Fulton exiting, Deputy Tax Commissioner Glen White will presume the role of the interim tax commissioner. Glen White has been in the deputy role since 2017 and has worked closely with Fulton over the past 6 years.

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GOVERNOR-ELECT JIM PILLEN: TAXES, SCHOOL, FINANCE TOP LEGISLATIVE PRIORITY LIST

LINCOLN- Gov.-elect Jim Pillen has highlighted his top priorities for his first legislative session that begins a day before the takes office on January 4th. Gov.-elect Pillen has listed a number of priorities that he looks to check of the list over the coming months. 

Pillen first noted that school funding reform is a main priority and talks have already been underway. He noted that the second piece of that equation is property tax reform. Pillen said, "We can focus on the high value to make sure we provide the value of the services in a better way to Nebraska." In the big picture, Pillen said he wants to focus on making sure the state provides equalization aid to every student. 

On the topic of taxes and spending, Pillen said, "The key for us to cut property tax and cut income tax is to make sure we don’t spend more money." Pillen believes there are ways to improve Nebraska and its services without forcing people to sell their farm. Pillen did note that spending will need to occur in areas like mental health and caregiving as they are developing issues.

On the topic of prisons, Pillen said he is going to be aggressive in the legislature. He said that the body must appropriate money for a new prison, and doing so is key in the search for the new Director of Correctional Services. For the location of the prison, Pillen said it needs to be near people and near areas that can properly staff it.

On the topic of abortion, Pillen said the thinking process is still underway, but the plan needs to save as many lives as possible. Pillen said he is pro-life and that has not changed since day one. He said he will work very hard to find the 33 votes needed in the legislature. 

Pillen spoke on a number of additional topics such as higher education, the environment, immigration, and affordable housing. 

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NEBRASKA'S GOVERNOR MANSION MAY BE USED AFTER ALL

LINCOLN- Gov.-elect Pillen announced that he is going to use the governor's mansion more than he originally said. Pillen clarified his previous comments about his living arrangements, saying he plans to spend much of the work week at the mansion when the Legislature is in session. He said he will spend weekends at home but will be in Lincoln overnight regularly. 

There will be exceptions, he said. He may spend some weeknights at home when he finishes a travel day closer to Columbus, for example, or when his family gets together. During his first legislative session, which starts Jan. 4, Pillen expects to spend weeknights at the mansion alone while his wife, Suzanne, stays in Columbus with their youngest child, Izic, a high school senior.

After Izic graduates, First Lady Suzanne Pillen will spend more time in Lincoln, Pillen said. “Next year, you know, she’ll be with me three, four nights a week during session,” he said. “We’re … going to be there. But we’re still keeping home, too.” Governor Ricketts faced backlash for his lack of use of the mansion that has not been occupied since Governor Heineman. 

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NEBRASKA WORKERS LOOKING FORWARD TO MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE STARTING JANUARY 1

LINCOLN- On Jan. 1, the state’s minimum wage will rise from $9 per hour to $10.50 per hour. It’s the first increase in a series of gradual raises that will take the state’s minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2026 in line with a ballot initiative that passed in November. Initiative 443 passed in November with 58.6% approval.

The state’s minimum wage will shift to $12 an hour in 2024, then $13.50 an hour in 2025 before reaching $15 an hour in 2026. A report from the National Employment Law Project said more than 147,000 Nebraska workers make under $15 an hour. For employees who regularly work 40 hours a week, the $1.50 difference will add more than $3,000 to their annual income every year.

Opponents of Initiative 433 largely argued that raising the minimum wage would hurt small businesses, and lead to rising costs amid record-breaking inflation. Though supporters, including several small-business owners, have argued that raising wages is key to offsetting the effects of inflation.

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NEBRASKA COVID CASES, HOSPITALIZATIONS TICK UP

LINCOLN- After dipping last week, Nebraska Covid cases are on the rise as the numbers continue to fluctuate from week to week. The state recorded 3,892 cases for the week ending Dec. 21, up 42% from the 2,739 reported the previous week, according to data from the federal CDC. 

Case counts are widely considered to be underreported, with many people either not testing or using at-home tests that aren’t reported to health departments. Experts are awaiting the numbers from holiday gatherings and travel that will likely add to those case counts. Dr. James Lawler, a co-executive director with the UNMC Global Center for Health Security, noted last week that test positivity rates nationwide had increased 60% and hospitalizations 55% since mid-October.

 In Nebraska, an average of 261 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 last week, up from 255 the week before. That’s the highest level since March, when the state was coming down from last winter’s omicron peak. Cases of respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, still were high but continued to slowly trend downward last week after hitting a peak in early November. 

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GRAND ISLAND TEMPORARY CASINO OPEN FOR BUSINESS

GRAND ISLAND- The temporary casino in Grand Island is open and alive in Fonner Park. Fonner Park CEO Chris Kotulak said he was most excited about how the casino could affect the Grand Island area and thoroughbred horse racing at Fonner Park. Kotulak said he thinks the casino will elevate all parts of the community, and employ many in and outside the county lines. 

The temporary casino, which includes 300 slot machines, already has more than 100 employees. Table games are anticipated to be added in June, said Vince Fiala, general manager of the casino resort. Dealers are currently being trained. 

Construction of the permanent casino is slated to begin Fall 2023. It is touted to feature a 24-hour Vegas-inspired casino experience, which will include sports wagering. A 116-room hotel, first-class spa and multiple dining options will also be part of the completed facility. Grand Island Casino and Resort is under the umbrellas of Iowa-based Elite Casino Resorts. 

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RICKETTS LOOKS BACK AT LAST YEARS, EXPRESSES OPTIMISM ABOUT BRIDGING POLITICAL DIVIDE, SAYS HE RAN GOVERNMENT LIKE A BUSINESS

LINCOLN- As he approaches his final days as Nebraska's governor, Pete Ricketts expressed optimism that the United States will begin to bridge its political divide. "This is not the first time in history where we've had political contention--think about the 1960s," said the Governor, "We just have to hold on."

When asked about his fitness for the U.S. Senate, Ricketts said, "If you look at our record here over the last eight years, we've done some fantastic things. And I would put that record up against anyone else who wants to be the next U.S. Senator." Gov. Ricketts sidestepped a question about whether he'd be worried that some people might not see his potential appointment as legitimate after he gave $1.4 million to Pillen's campaign.

Ricketts instead responded by saying, "I supported Jim Pillen because he was the best candidate to be the next governor of Nebraska. He's a business man, he's created over 1,000 jobs and I believe he's going to take what we've done to the next level." Gov. Ricketts went on to state that "supporting candidates is a matter of free speech. Can you have too much free speech?"

Ricketts, who will be leaving the Nebraska governorship after serving for eight years, has faced several new and pressing challenges that were yet unseen in the state, including a deadly pandemic and record flooding. Ricketts also helped enact historic and major tax cuts, and said that he is most proud of his efforts to improve state government services to Nebraskans. 

Prior to being elected Governor, Ricketts worked as the Chief Operating Officer at Ameritrade, the financial giant built by his father, Joe Ricketts, where he learned to "run government like a business." The tax cuts Gov. Ricketts helped enact will be felt for years to come, and by 2027, will amount to around $12.7 billion in reductions. 

Gov. Ricketts was also proud of the fact that his office "kept spending low," resulting in a 2.8% state budget growth that will help fund additional tax relief next year. However, despite his successes, Gov. Ricketts acknowledged that there are still problems to be fixed, saying, "There's work yet to be done on the Perkins Canal and replacement of the Nebraska Penitentiary. I was against building a new penitentiary at the beginning, but you learn on the job." 

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PILLEN APPOINTS UTILITIES ADMINISTRATOR AS NEBRASKA'S NEXT FIRE MARSHAL

LINCOLN- On Tuesday, Gov.-elect Jim Pillen announced that Metropolitan Utilities District administrator Shane Hunter, who currently serves as the Vice President of Safety, Security, and Business Continuity, will replace current Fire Marshal Doug Hohbein, who was named interim Fire Marshal by Gov. Ricketts. 

According to a press release from Pillen's office, Hunter has more than 25 years of experience in fire and emergency response services, including with the Omaha Fire Department where he served as an assistant fire chief, battalion fire chief, and fire captain. Previously, Hunter also served with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, where gain wildfire fighting experience.

"I am looking forward to working with Shane to lessen the undue burdens facing our volunteer fire departments and paramedics serving Nebraskans," said Pillen in the release, "Our job is to inspire our volunteers, not burden them, so they can continue their work to keep us safe."

Maj. Gen. Daryl Bohac, who has served as adjutant general of the Nebraska National Guard since 2013, will retain his position, according to a release from Pillen's office. "General Bohac is a man of character who leads the Nebraska National Guard with integrity," said Pillen, "Our National Guard has played a key role in our state's flood and pandemic response these past couple of years."

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LEGISLATION TO RESTRICT ABORTION IN NEBRASKA EXPECTED BUT DETAILS UNCLEAR, AND TWO POLLS FOUND MAJORITY OF NEBRASKA RESPONDENTS OPPOSE MORE ABORTION RESTRICTIONS

LINCOLN- Several proposals to further restrict abortion in Nebraska are expected to be put forward after the State Legislature reconvenes in just over a week, but the specific details and parameters of the legislation are unclear thus far. Last session, Republicans tried and failed several times to strengthen Nebraska's abortion restrictions, but failed each time.

This year, the Legislature's political landscape has changed, and aggressive abortion restriction legislation and its likelihood of success may have increased, but it remains unclear. Scout Richtersm senior legal and policy council for the ACLU of Nebraska said that "anything is on the table" when it comes to abortion legislation this year, and believes that such proposals will be determined by a "razor-thin margin."

"It's not clear that we have the votes we need to oppose abortion restrictions," continued Richters. Past abortion restriction proposals ranged from trigger bills that would ban all abortions in the state, to banning abortion past 12 weeks from fertilization. Although Republicans are just short of the 33 legislators necessary to end the filibuster, some have noted that there are anti-abortion Democrats in the body this upcoming session. 

Over the weekend, two polls were released that suggest Nebraskans aren't quite ready to ban abortion in the state after the overturning of Roe V. Wade, and a majority might even oppose it. One poll, from the ACLU of Nebraska, found that 59% of 604 registered voters polled last month either "somewhat opposed" or "strongly opposed" more restrictive abortion bans in Nebraska. 

Furthermore, the ACLU poll found that those who "strongly opposed" abortion bans outnumbered those that "strongly supported" them by a margin of 48% to 24%. "months since the end of Roe, we are seeing the horrifying impact of extreme abortion bans in other states, and Nebraskans do not want that here," said Scout Richters, the ACLU's senior legal and policy counsel.

Similarly, the Holland Children's Movement released a poll indicating that 67% of 600 registered voters polled in mid-October opposed a total ban on abortion in Nebraska. Both polls were released just weeks before the start of the next Legislative session, and it remains unclear whether or not an abortion ban will pass this year. 

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LATHROP SAYS NEBRASKA LEGISLATURE CHANGED SO HE'S MOVING ON

LINCOLN- State Sen. Steve Lathrop, who has served in the Nebraska Legislature for three full terms, said that the body has "slipped more and more into partisanship," a far cry from the nonpartisan and more independent body that he served in during his first eight years. For this reason, Lathrop said, he had decided not to seek reelection. 

"When I got here in the first class of term-limit replacements, there were a lot of folks still here with years of experience," said Sen. Lathrop. He went on to state that these more experienced and hardened Senators were happy to mentor newcomers, and stressed "the importance of preserving its nonpartisan traditions."

"Now," said Lathrop, "It's less about solving problems and more driven by partisanship." One of the most important functions of the Legislature is to provide oversight of the executive branch, but according to Lathrop, "we haven't seen much of that going on lately." The failure of the Legislature's carefully constructed package for prison, programming, and sentencing reform, which was heavily supported by Lathrop, was "purely political" according to the Senator. 

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CLERK CLOSING OUT 45-YEAR CAREER AS STEADYING FORCE IN NEBRASKA LEGISLATURE

LINCOLN- Clerk of the Legislature Patrick O'Donnell, who has served in that role for 45 years, will retire Friday. O'Donnell has held the body's top administrative position through 14 Speakers, eight Governors, and hundreds of State Senators. For the past several years, O'Donnell has been the nation's longest-currently-serving legislative clerk.

Outgoing Speak of the Legislature Mike Hilgers, who will assume the role of Nebraska's Attorney General, said O'Donnell's departure marks a major change for the legislature. Hilgers stated that, over the past 45 years, countless Senators have leaned on O'Donnell for advice and legal counsel. 

"He's been a significant part of the institution," said Hilgers, "There's no one in the state who knows the process like Patrick. He was one of a kind." Other lawmakers described O'Donnell as a steadying force for the body, including State Sen. Ray Aguilar, who said, "I'm going to miss his glare. He was able to control a lot of things with his icy cold stare."

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NEBRASKA FARMERS FRUSTRATED BY MEXICAN PLAN TO STOP BUYING GMO CORN FROM U.S.

LINCOLN- Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador announced plans to stop allowing imports of bioengineered corn by the end of January, arguing that the ban is necessary to protect Mexico's native corn varieties from genetically modified seeds. According to the Nebraska Corn Growers Association, around 90% of American corn used in the country and imported to others is genetically modified.

State agriculture statistics show that Nebraska exported more than $348 million worth of corn to Mexico, the state's top export market. Because of this, Nebraska's corn growers and other American agricultural organizations called on President Biden to use upcoming trade talks to change Lopez Obrador's mind. Andy Jobman, president of the Nebraska Corn Growers, said he was "baffled" by the administration's "lack of action on this issue."

The coalition of corn growers urged President Biden to file a trade dispute under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement to stop this export cutoff. U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer, alongside a group of 25 other Senators, signed a letter criticizing Mexico's move, arguing that their "action are unsupported by science and a breach of USMCA."

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TWO OMAHA POLICE OFFICERS PLACED ON LEAVE AFTER FBI CONDUCTS SEARCHES

OMAHA- Early Tuesday morning, FBI agents and troopers from the Nebraska State Patrol began a three-hour search of the South Omaha home of City Council member Vinny Palermo, who is serving as Omaha's acting Mayor while Mayor Jean Stothert and Council President Pete Festersen are out of town. 

The federal probe was started after PACE, a police officer-run charity organization that offers free sports activities to youths, was suspected of criminal activity. Two officers, Johnny Palermo and Daniel Torres, were placed on paid administrative leave by Omaha Police Chief Todd Scmaderer for their involvement with PACE, and an internal investigation will be conducted.

In a statement, Schmaderer said, "I am concerned that PACE may have been used for criminal activity. Heightening my concern is the possibility that a few current and former Omaha Police officers may have been involved." Mayor Jean Stothert and Schamderer confirmed that a criminal investigation of PACE was underway, but neither they nor the FBI could share any details. 

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SET TO ARRIVE AT KEARNEY AIRPORT: $6.28 MILLION GRANT TO GROW FACILITY

KEARNEY- The Kearney Regional Airport is set to receive a $6.28 million grant from the Federal Aviation Administration for the expansion and its facility, announced U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer on Tuesday. "Nebraska's airports ensure our communities can stay connected and help our state's world-class products make it to market," said Fischer.

The federal funding specifically allows for an additional 4,325 square feet of space, as well as renovation of the main airport terminal. Plans have been laid out to enhance passenger seating and baggage services, and the airport is expected to grow to around 11,000 square feet. 

The funds stem from the CARES Act, which Fischer voted for, and was enacted in 2020. An intent to fund the grant has been set since 2020, when the Office of the Secretary of Transportation expressed interest in expanding the airport. 

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NEBRASKA STATE TROOPERS TO GET 22% RAISES UNDER 'HISTORIC' NEW LABOR CONTRACT

LINCOLN- A new contract, signed by incoming Gov.-elect Jim Pillen and the Nebraska State Patrol, will give state troopers a 22% raise amid agency retention struggles. "The highest calling of the government is to protect its citizens," said Pillen in a release, "This new contract is part of my commitment to ensure law enforcement has the necessary tools, funding, and manpower needed to protect our communities."

A representative of the State Law Enforcement Bargaining Council, a union that represents state troopers, called the new contract a "historic deal," and claimed that the new wages are among the top five in the state. "It was clear from the beginning that Governor Pillen agreed and has made it a priority to fix it," said Dan Fiala, President of the SLEBC. 

Fiala and other union officials raised concerns earlier this summer after it was found that the wages being paid to state troopers had slipped behind 14 other law enforcement agencies in the state, and were even lower than the wages paid to state corrections officers. Starting pay for troopers is currently set at $51,105, but will increase to $62,400 once the contract is implemented. 

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EXPANDED NEBRASKA ELECTION AUDIT FINDS MINIMAL ERRORS IN STATE'S VOTING SYSTEM

LINCOLN- Secretary of State Bob Evnen announced that an audit of the 2022 general election has found only eleven discrepancies in the state's voting system. That translates to an error rate of 0.023%. “Our friends and neighbors who run our elections have done exemplary work,” Evnen said. “We should be thanking and congratulating them for the work they have done.” 

Evnen said he ordered the expanded audit to answer questions raised about the integrity of elections both in Nebraska and across the country. There have been no claims of election fraud in Nebraska, but Evnen said he thought it was “important to check and see how we’re doing on a broader basis and to report those findings.” 

In all, a total of 48,292 ballots randomly selected ballots were counted by hand by local election canvassing boards, with representatives from both major political parties looking at the races for governor, U.S. House of Representatives, and a local race. Of the 11 ballots that were flagged for discrepancies, the secretary of state’s office said five had ovals that were filled in too lightly for the tabulating machines to detect. The remaining six were counted by the machines but were missing from the precinct box — likely filed away in another precinct’s box, Evnen said.

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'BIG, COMPLICATED BUILDING': STEWARD OF NEBRASKA'S CHERISHED CAPITOL TALKS ABOUT ONGOING CONSTRUCTION

LINCOLN- Bob Ripley looks after the Nebraska Capitol, whose construction began a century ago, and he is now guiding what ultimately will be a $131 million project to totally renovate its heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system through a COVID-delayed path to completion. 

Ripley says the current project is the biggest since the building was built. The projected, expected to be completed in 2026, has suffered the price of increased supply chain costs and COVID-related issues. "When we renovate and preserve the Capitol, we think in terms of decades," Ripley said. "And doing things well now will save us money in the long run." 

The Capitol was constructed over a 10-year period from 1922 to 1932 at a cost of just less than $10 million. It was fully paid for when finished in the throes of the Great Depression with taxpayers incurring no debt. Ripley his focus will always be preservation, restoration, renovation, and enhancement of the building we all cherish and protect. 

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NEBRASKA, IOWA GOVERNORS JOIN CALL FOR END TO FEDERAL COVID EMERGENCY

LINCOLN- Twenty-three governors from around the county, including Governor Pete Ricketts and Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, have signed a letter asking President Biden to end the COVID public health emergency. The main argument is that states are spending hundreds of millions in excess since they are required to keep more people on their Medicaid rolls. 

“While the virus will be with us for some time, the emergency phase of the pandemic is behind us,” they wrote. “We have come so far since the beginning of the pandemic — we now have the tools and information necessary to help protect our communities from COVID-19.” 

Currently, the emergency is declared through January 11th, 2023, and is expected to be renewed. The administration has promised to give at least 60 days’ notice before the emergency ends. Health policy experts have raised concerns about ending the emergency in January, while communities are dealing with increases in COVID cases, plus influenza and respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV. 

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NEBRASKA RACING AND GAMING COMMISSION RELEASES NOVEMBER MONTHLY GAMING TAX REVENUE REPORT

LINCOLN- On December 19th, the November monthly gaming tax revenue report was released by the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission. The report includes two categories detailing total tax revenue in November followed by the breakdown for that tax revenue distribution. 

Total gaming tax revenue for November 2022 was $809,627.78. The breakdown of the tax revenue is as follows:

• 70% to the Nebraska Property Tax Relief Fund: $566,739.45

• 2.5% to the Nebraska General Fund: $20,240.69

• 2.5% to the Compulsive Gaming Assistance Fund: $20,240.69

• 12.5% to the City of Lincoln: $101,203.47

• 12.5% to Lancaster County: $101,203.47

The total year-to-date gaming tax revenue is now at $1,950,406.00. The Chairman of the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission, Dennis Lee said, "The cumulative gaming tax revenue of $1,950,406.00 represents the 10 weeks of operation of the Lincoln War Horse Casino." Lee went on to add, “This represents a significant addition to the Nebraska Property Tax Relief Fund, as contemplated by the legislature and Governor Ricketts in adopting the Property Tax Relief Fund statutes.”

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NEBRASKA'S COVID CASES TREND DOWNWARD AFTER HITTING RECENT HIGH

LINCOLN- Only one week after hitting the highest levels of cases since last January, the state has already begun its downward trend. The state recorded 2,739 new virus cases last week, down 24% from the 3,619 recorded the week before, according to data from the federal CDC. 

Joseph Fauver, an assistant professor of epidemiology in the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s College of Public Health, said it’s difficult to predict what will happen because COVID immunity levels are more complex than they were last year. People have had a lot of different combinations of infections and vaccinations. 

“I think we are absolutely going to see an increase in cases,” Fauver said. “... But the conditions for what we saw last year are not quite there.” Cases of RSV, while still high, have begun to come down. But influenza activity remained very high in Nebraska last week. Nearly 400 Nebraskans were hospitalized with influenza-like illness last week, up 49 from the week before. 

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