STATE SENATOR TOUTS USING MILITARY VETERANS TO HELP ADDRESS 'CRISIS' IN TEACHER SHORTAGE

LINCOLN- As many know, the teacher shortage is increasing and poses a major threat to the future of education. Senator Ben Hansen has a solution to help aid that problem with LB188. The bill places veterans with mentors who would be assigned to help them work with students. Veterans would have to pass a test on the subject they would teach before they could enter the classroom.

“This bill fits the time,” Hansen said of his proposal. “It’s not just a teacher shortage, it’s a crisis now.” Hansen’s bill ran into a wall of opposition from past and present teachers, some with military backgrounds, during a public hearing before the Legislature’s Education Committee. Many pointed out that the training of soldiers and children is not the same.

Nicole Hochstein, an Air Force veteran, a former special education teacher and now a substitute teacher, said that even after obtaining her degree in education and her experience in student teaching, she felt unprepared when she finally got into the classroom full time. “We are essentially saying anyone off the streets can teach,” Hochstein said, of LB 188.

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PILLEN LEANS INTO 'OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIPS' DEBATE

LINCOLN- During a Tuesday press conference, newly-elected Gov. Pillen expressed interest in adopting a school choice model for Nebraska, saying that, "We are the last of two states...that don't have school choice. It is a really critical, fundamental thing that's got to happen in Nebraska." Pillen outlined his support for Sen. Linehan's LB753, which would provide up to $25 million a year in income tax credits for "opportunity scholarships" for families that need financial help to attend private schools. 

During the conference, Pillen also stated that, as he built his budget, he made sure to leave room for the "school choice" bill. If passed LB753's dollar-for-dollar tax credit would allow donors to reduce up to half of their income tax liability each year. Linehan, who has 30 co-sponsors on the bill, said Tuesday that "there's nothing more important to a parent than to be able to do the very best for their kid."

However, a good deal of criticism has targeted Linehan's bill, and Gov. Pillen's plan to adopt it. Dunixi Guereca, executive director of Nebraska Stand for Schools, said Linehan's LB753 is more of a tax break for the wealthy than a way to help private education. Guereca went on to state that the contents of the bill are an "out-of-state idea," not tailored to Nebraska's needs. 

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NEBRASKA STATE SENATOR PROPOSES LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR PET INSURANCE

LINCOLN- Two weeks ago, newly-appointed Sen. Beau Ballard introduced LB296, formally titled the 'Pet Insurance Act', which would establish a legal framework in Nebraska for the policies and consumer protections for pet insurance, a growing industry in the country. Last year, The North American Pet Health Insurance Association reported that the industry exceeded $2.83 billion in value, growing 30% from the previous year. 

The consumer protections outlined in the bill mirror those of health insurance policies, and require insurers to disclose certain services, tell insurees about any waiting periods, and how a pet's preexisting conditions may impact insurance prices. Ballard said that he adopted a cocker spaniel, Cosmo, last year, and told the Banking, Commerce, and Insurance Committee that, if Cosmo needed care, Ballard would have to decide whether or not to pay the high costs associated with pet care. 

"Much like other things in life, veterinarian costs are skyrocketing," said Ballard, "and this type of insurance provides a little bit of ease on consumers that they can get some insurance and then pay for those unexpected occurrences."  Michelle Muirhead, assistant vice president at Physicians Mutual Insurance Company, said her company began offering pet insurance in August of 2022. Muirhead emphasized the importance of such a bill, saying that it will give pet owners the ability to pay for the medical treatment their veterinarian recommends, not just what they can afford on a given day. 

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MEASURES SEEK TO CHANGE NEBRASKA'S NEW VOTER-APPROVED MINIMUM WAGE PROVISIONS

LINCOLN- Just months after Nebraska voters approve a minimum wage hike schedule, two state senators have introduced bills to try to change the projected course. One of these bills, LB15 introduced by Sen. Tom Briese, would allow employers to pay less than the minimum wage to workers under the age of 20. Briese's bill would allow employers to pay youth workers, ages 14 to 17, $9 an hour until 2026, when it would increase to $10. 

Briese emphasized that this change was made to benefit small businesses, and said that employers would still be free to pay youths more if they choose. "As legislators, we can't allow provisions like this to force mom-and-pop stores out of business," said Sen. Briese. Another bill, LB327 introduced by Sen, Jane Raybould, would tweak the voter-approved motion to adjust the minimum wage each year after 2026 in accordance with inflation and the cost of living. 

As proposed, Raybould's bill would hold post-2026 annual minimum wage bumps to either 1.5%, or lower depending on the cost of living. A concern that prompted Raybould to introduce LB327 was that annual wage increases after 2026 were "not well defined." State Sen. Danielle Conrad stated that she will go the distance to stop both bills, claiming that they are attempts to "undercut the will of the people as expressed in the 2022 citizen initiative."

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MEASURE TO REPEAL MOTORCYCLE HELMET LAW IN NEBRASKA RETURNS TO LEGISLATURE

LINCOLN- Under current Nebraska law, and since 1989, all motorcyclists are required to wear helmets while on the road. However, under a bill proposed by State Sen. Ben Hansen, LB91, riders may be able to do away with their helmet if they are over the age of 21 and have completed a basic safety certification course. 

According to Hansen, his bill would still keep Nebraska as one of the most restrictive states in the region when it comes to helmets, but will give riders over a certain age the freedom to make a personal choice about their own safety. "I would personally wear a helmet and would encourage everyone else to wear one," Hasen told the Transportation and Telecommunications Committee, "But this is a risk they are free to take."

Backers of the proposed bill believe that current statute denies them a freedom granted by other states around the country, and argued that some motorcyclists avoid traveling through Nebraska so as to not be burdened by the law. Former State Sen. Dave Bloomfield, who fought for similar measures in past years, argued that Nebraska is losing out on thousands of riders who might stay in hotels, eat at restaurants, and spend their money in the state. 

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NEBRASKA UNEMPLOYMENT RATE TICKS UPWARDS AS NATIONAL RATE DROPS SLIGHTLY

LINCOLN- According to a report released by the Nebraska Department of Labor, private industry jobs, like construction and hospitality, have seen the greatest job growth when compared to other fields. Labor Commissioner John Albin said Tuesday that Nebraska has seen "the largest December to December growth since 1984" over the past year. Nebraska's unemployment rate for December 2022 was 2.6%, up slightly from 2.5% the month before and 2.3% last December. 

While Nebraska's unemployment rate saw a slight increase, the national gross rate has fallen every so slightly from 3.6% to 3.5%. One year ago, the national average sat at 3.9%. The report released Tuesday indicated that around 1.03 million Nebraskans are employed, and private industries saw the most growth, with fields like economics, manufacturing, transportation, and utilities seeing the biggest uptick.

When comparing certain fields this past December, construction and mining saw about 6,500 jobs be added, hospitality and leisure saw around 5,000, and trades saw a 4,000 job boost since last December. The data collected by the Labor Department come from surveys conducted by the Census Bureau. 

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BILL LOOKS TO EXTEND NEBRASKA'S STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS AFTER TOXIC CHEMICAL EXPOSURES

LINCOLN- At the beginning of the Nebraska Legislature's 108th session, Sen. Carol Blood introduced LB7, a bill that would extend Nebraska's statute of limitations for hazardous or toxic chemical exposure. Sen. Blood introduced this bill following a pipe break at the AltEn ethanol plant in Saunder County, which contaminated the waterways and surrounding area. 

"This is the key to the courthouse for people," said attorney Vince Powers, who testified at a Judiciary Committee hearing for the bill this week. Blood introduced a similar piece of legislation last year, but it "failed to do what was needed," according to the senator. "The Legislature needs to take a hold of its responsibility, and protect Nebraskans from parties that knowingly or accidentally, expose their constituents to hazardous chemicals," said Blood in defense of her bill.

Eleanor Rogan, a UNL professor, said Blood's bill is a reasonable extension of the chemical exposure statute of limitations. Rogan spent years studying the time between exposure to chemicals and when the first symptoms occur, and claimed this latency period can last up to 35 years. Trevor Towey, president of the Omaha Professional Firefighters, echoed a similar sentiment, saying that bill would benefit local firefighters. 

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PETE RICKETTS HAS BEEN SWORN IN AS NEBRASKA'S NEWEST SENATOR

WASHINGTON D.C.- Former Gov. Pete Ricketts, R-Neb. was sworn in as a member of the U.S. Senate Monday, officially taking the seat formerly held by former U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse. Ricketts' family, including his wife, Susanne Shore, watched from the Senate gallery as he was sworn in by Vice President Kamala Harris. 

“There is no higher honor than serving the people of Nebraska, and representing my fellow Nebraskans in the Senate is an incredible privilege,” Ricketts said in a statement released by his office. As is tradition, he was accompanied by Republican Sen. Deb Fischer of Nebraska as he walked down the main aisle and stood at the Senate dais to take the oath of office.

Sen. Mitch McConnell, the Republican leader, praised Ricketts' service in Nebraska and said the wealthy investor has "applied private sector savvy to the work of public administration with great effect. The people of Nebraska chose wisely in electing and re-electing Gov. Ricketts by huge margins, and their new governor chose wisely in sending his predecessor here to this chamber." 

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NEBRASKA EXPERIENCES FIRST WINTER COVID LULL AS CASES HIT LOWEST POINT SINCE APRIL

LINCOLN- An official nine-month low in covid cases has occurred in Nebraska for the first time in winter, a season were the virus is expected to spread. Nebraska reported 924 cases for the week ending Wednesday, down 38% from 1,486 the previous week. It was the first time new cases in Nebraska had dropped below 1,000 since the first week of May, and it’s the lowest case level since late April. 

All other indicators, including hospitalizations, also point to falling virus levels. Nebraska cases have been below 2,000 for four straight weeks after hitting a recent peak of 3,900 just before Christmas. The state has seen similar drops in the past, but never in the winter months.

To be sure, case counts no longer are considered as accurate a measure of virus activity as they once were. Many people no longer are testing or are using at-home tests that aren’t reported to health departments. Hospitalizations for COVID also decreased last week, by 18% in the U.S. and by 17% in Nebraska. 

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SOME LAWMAKERS PRAISE, HEALTH CARE ORGANIZATIONS CRITICIZE PILLEN'S STATE OF THE STATE

LINCOLN- Gov. Pillen gave his first State of the State address before the legislature this week. As Pillen outlined his priorities, it was received with both glee and caution by lawmakers, nonprofits, and organizations. 

Senator Clements, who has just taken over leadership of the powerful Appropriations Committee, and with an excess in state revenue, said he’s a little overwhelmed as he’s “wading into deep water” with his new role, but he said he is taking it one day at a time to support Pillen. State Sens. Tom Briese of Albion, Executive Board chair, and Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn also praised Pillen for a budget they said was tight enough on spending to offer historic tax relief.

State Sen. Carol Blood of Bellevue, who challenged Pillen for the governor’s seat, said his speech fell flat, giving her “grave concerns” the new governor doesn’t understand how government works. Senator Raybould said her main concern is whether future lawmakers will “have the stomach” to maintain the level of funding needed to continue Pillen’s requests year after year. 

Nebraska health care and human services providers joined in a statement against Pillen’s budget proposal saying it “ignores the crisis” their field is facing that “we haven’t seen in generations.” The joint statement was issued by 10 health organizations, including the Children and Families Coalition of Nebraska, Nebraska Hospital Association, Nebraska Rural Health Association and Nebraska Association of Behavioral Health Organizations. 

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RETIRED LT. COL. JOHN GLEN WEAVER ANNOUNCES BID FOR U.S. SENATE

LINCOLN- This week, Lt. Col. John Glen Weaver announced that he will make a bid to represent Nebraska in the United States Senate. Weaver is a decorated veteran who has served 22 years in the United States Air Force, serving numerous tours in both Afghanistan and Iraq. 

Weaver was one of nine candidates selected for an interview with Gov. Jim Pillen regarding the Senate seat vacated by Ben Sasse, who resigned to become the next president of the University of Florida. The appointment ultimately went to outgoing governor Pete Ricketts. Weaver had also ran in the 1st District special election that Rep. Mike Flood ultimately won.

“Nebraska and our nation face many challenges -- inflation, immigration, and incarceration are recklessly out of control,” Weaver said in a statement. “Today’s problems must be solved by a conservative combat leader and courageous leader like myself who is willing to put service to America and its people above all. Nebraska needs a Senator that represents the people.” 

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COVID CASES, HOSPITALIZATIONS REMAIN LOW IN NEBRASKA, BUT BOOSTERS URGED

LINCOLN- As in past weeks, the number of Covid-19 cases and hospitalizations has remained low and declined slightly nationwide, but health officials all over the country are still urging citizens to get booster shots. During the week of January 11th, Nebraska saw around 1,486 reported cases of the virus, fairly close to the 1,420 cases reported a week before. This is down significantly from the peak of cases seen in early December, when around 3,600 cases were reported.

A new subvariant of the coronavirus, called XBB.1.5, has become dominant on the East Coast, but has only slightly affected Nebraska. Last week, according to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, only around 9% of positive samples were caused by the XBB.1.5 variant. However, nationwide, XBB.1.5 made up around 43% of positive cases, and 80% of cases in the Northeast.

Amid concerns about what health issues the new variant may cause, health officials from around the country have urged people to get up to date on vaccinations and boosters. A recent study from the CDC, which was published in December, suggested that people over 65 who have updated boosters are 85% less likely to be hospitalized by the new variant.

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SURVEY GIVES PUBLIC SOME INPUT ON SELECTING NEBRASKA'S NEXT EDUCATION COMMISSIONER

LINCOLN- A new survey released by the Nebraska Board of Education will allow citizens of the state to give input for the selection of Nebraska's new Education Commissioner, but doesn't drill into the contentious issues that have rocked public education over the past few years. However, the survey does give participants the ability to list what they believe to be the greatest challenges the new commissioner will have to face. 

In addition to this, respondents can state whether they agree or disagree with a large list of characteristics members of the State Board of Education identified as important in the next commissioner. The list includes such attributes as "ability to make difficult decisions," "prioritizes academic achievement", and "energetic and hard worker." Survey results, according to the Nebraska Department of Education, will be used to help guide the selection of finalists for the position.

The survey was created after Matt Blomstedt, the former Education Commissioner, resigned on January 3rd. In the meantime, the Board of Education selected Deputy Commissioner Deborah Frison to fulfill the duties of commissioner until the next commissioner is hired. The survey will be closed on January 31st.

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NEBRASKA'S FLOOD NAMED TO HOUSE FINANCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE

WASHINGTON D.C.- The House Financial Services Committee has a new member in Rep. Mike Flood. "Banking, finance and insurance are key job creators across the 1st Congressional District," the Republican congressman noted. "There's important work to be done on this committee to grow and protect the economic well-being and freedom of Americans as our country's financial system evolves in a digital economy," he said. 

"I look forward to collaborating with Chairman (Patrick) McHenry and Nebraska's banking and insurance sectors on a diverse set of priorities ranging from digital asset regulation to the encroachment of ESG," Flood said. ESG is environmental, social, and governance investing. The committee has jurisdiction over banking, capital markets, housing, insurance, international finance, money and credit, and urban development. 

McHenry said Flood's "work to support small businesses and increase access to capital make him a valuable addition to our already dynamic team." McHenry said there is a lot of work and areas that need addressing, and he knows that Rep. Flood is ready to take on that job over the coming term. 

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A $10 MILLION REQUEST AND A NEW COALITION TAKE AIM AT HEALTH CARE WORKER SHORTAGE

LINCOLN- A new coalition in the state, formally called the Nebraska Healthcare Workforce Collaborative, has been formed to solve the healthcare worker shortage, and has already been able to request nearly $10 million to expand clinical training sites for nurses. These sites, at which medical students get hands-on training under seasoned professionals, are a critical step toward filling nursing jobs faster, according to Jeremy Nordquist, president of the Nebraska Hospital Association.

State Sen. Jana Hughes, in partnership with the coalition, intends to introduce a bill that would allocate the necessary funding to build these sites. Sen. Hughes' bill would also offer financial incentives for nurses to become trainers at these clinical sites. On top of this, the collaborative is also seeking to conduct extensive employer and worksite surveys, hoping to collect enough data to identify the problems affecting the medical workforce.

"Taking a larger step back and putting together a statewide plan has really been missing," stated Nordquist, "and we're kind of paying for it right now." Currently, Nebraska is facing an impending shortage of 5,435 nurses by 2025, according to the Nebraska Center for Nursing. As for physicians, 58 of the state's 93 counties have been designated as "shortage areas."

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UNMC OFFICIAL PREDICTS NEXT TWO MONTHS WILL BE 'REAL UGLY' DUE TO NEW 'SUPER KRAKEN' COVID-19 VARIANT

OMAHA- Infectious disease authority Dr. James Lawler is predicting a couple of “real ugly” months ahead due to the arrival of a new, more transmissible, more immunity-evasive variant of COVID-19. Lawler noted that the variant is already causing hospitalizations on the east coast and is destined to become dominant in the U.S.

“Its ability to spread in populations is dramatically higher than anything we’ve seen recently,” said Lawler, of the Global Center for Health Security at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.  The latest variant, Lawler said, has shown to be more highly transmissible and better able to evade immunity from prior infections and vaccinations. Lawler dubbed the new XBB. 1.5 variant “Super Kraken” because of the concerns it generates. 

Already, more than 40% of cases in the U.S. are linked to the Super Kraken, he said. But, it accounts for 75% of cases in the New England states, where hospitalization rates are spiking. While the number of reported cases of COVID remains relatively low in Nebraska, Lawler said those statistics are really “bunk” because few people are getting tested and home tests aren’t being reported.

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STATE SENATORS COMPLETE BILL INTRODUCTIONS, FALL SHORT OF RECORD VOLUME

LINCOLN- The Nebraska Legislature has officially wrapped up the 10 days of bill introduction for this session. The amount of bills introduced in the ten days falls just short of a record number of bills. A total of 812 legislative bills were introduced, which is short of the record 885 bills introduced in 1997 for a similar  90-day session.

The 1990s were a big decade for bill introduction, with more than 800 bills introduced four times, in 1991, 1995, 1997 and 1999, during the first year of the Nebraska Legislature’s two-year sessions. State Sen. Ben Hansen of Blair had introduced a rule change to limit each of the 49 senators to introduce only 12 bills each session. He contended that too many proposals are being introduced, which has reduced the time available to debate bills. But the Rules Committee did not advance the bill limit proposal.

Sens. Wendy DeBoer of Omaha and Eliot Bostar of Lincoln each questioned whether a limit was necessary and whether such a limit would work. Bostar said lawmakers would “find a way” around any limit by combining more subjects into one proposal. Introducing bills, DeBoer and Bostar argued, was a way to represent a senator’s constituents, and limiting it would be problematic.

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NEBRASKA PUBLIC POWER DISTRICT TO STUDY SITES FOR NEW NUCLEAR PLANT IN NEBRASKA

LINCOLN- Nebraska is moving forward in the nuclear power world as Nebraska Public Power District announced they are beginning a study into possible locations for a small modular reactor. The study and project are thanks to new funding from the legislature. The study will be working with a $1 million budget. 

Small modular reactors are the new type of nuclear reactor under consideration around the world. Utilities say these smaller reactors offer several advantages over the much larger traditional reactors by requiring less space, costing less to build and providing greater flexibility in where they can be built and how much electricity they generate. 

Grant Otten, spokesman for NPPD, said the study will put NPPD in a better position should small modular reactors prove themselves and the district decide that nuclear power is something it wants to pursue. Factors used in evaluating sites include access to water and transmission lines and criteria set by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

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AFTER EIGHT YEARS OF FAILED EFFORTS, ADVOCATES FOR LEGALIZING MEDICAL CANNABIS TRY AGAIN IN THE LEGISLATURE

LINCOLN- Despite eight years of setbacks, proponents of medical cannabis are again attempting to pass a bill to legalize the medicinal product in Nebraska. On Tuesday, Senator Anna Wishart introduced LB588, the "Medical Cannabis Act," which according to the Senator is "one of the most conservative medical cannabis bills in the nation." Thirty-seven states, including Missouri and Colorado, have legalized can medical marijuana.

LB588 is very similar to a bill introduced in 2021, which came just two votes short of overcoming the filibuster. Crista Eggers, a spokesperson for Nebraska Families for Medical Cannabis, said the bill would prohibit the smoking of marijuana as medicine and home growing of the plant, and that the list of maladies treatable by the drug was narrowed. "Hopefully, with a new administration and a new governor, we can have a conversation," said Eggers. 

Newly-elected Gov. Pillen seems to have a similar stance on the drug as his predecessor, former Gov. Pete Ricketts, and is expected to vehemently oppose any legislation seeking to legalize the product. Eggers added that if LB588 fails to pass, advocates will once again come together to launch a petition drive and seek voter approval. 

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CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT WOULD ELIMINATE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION

LINCOLN- Last Friday, State Sen. Joni Albrecht proposed LR24CA, a legislative resolution seeking to dismantle Nebraska's State Board of Education and replace it with a governor-appointed education commissioner. If passed, the amendment would erase the Board's role in setting K-12 education policy. Currently, the Board sets the academic standards for math, language arts, science, and social studies. 

Albrecht stated that she considers the legislative resolution a "conversation starter" for lingering frustrations about the Board's 2021 efforts to consider new health education and sex education standards. "We are the Legislature," said Albrecht, "We guide whether they can do what they did with...the health standards, and it's absurd that it's gone this far. But it only has because they didn't have to answer to anybody."

The new health standards proposed in 2021 by the Board of Education would have been optional for schools, but still drew an immense amount of ire and scrutiny from conservative voices in the state. Critics of the changes argued that the sex education portion offered too much information too soon to children around the state. The Nebraska Department of Education declined to comment on Albrecht's proposal, but former Education Commissioner Matt Blomstedt testified against a similar proposal introduced last year. 

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