CARDIAC-ACTIVITY ABORTION BAN BILL DRAWS HUNDREDS TO NEBRASKA CAPITOL

LINCOLN- Dozens upon dozens of testifiers appeared at the Nebraska Capitol Wednesday as the Health and Human Services Committee prepared to hold its public hearing on LB626, a bill introduced by Sen. Albrecht that would restrict abortions after a heartbeat is detected. Sen. Ben Hansen, the chairman of the committee, allotted three hours of testimony to proponents of the bill, and three hours to opponents. 

Sen. Albrecht called LB626 the most important piece of Legislation considered this session. She went on to state that "we're not talking about women who want to have their baby, we're talking about women who want to not have their baby, elective abortions." Critics, of the bill, including State Sen. Megan Hunt, claimed that the bill does not give enough time for some women to figure out that they are pregnant.

"It's effectively a ban," said Sen. Hunt, "All they need to do is look at our sister states...passing abortion bans, and they can see exactly what we can expect." Many proponents of the bill argued that fetuses are not just "clumps of cells in the womb," and one supporter, Anna Olson, said that "these babies are not choices, they are children worthy of protection.

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NEBRASKA VOTER ID BILL REVISED BEFORE LENGTHY PUBLIC HEARING THAT DRAWS MOSTLY FOES

LINCOLN- Among the points that drew fire on Wednesday's public hearing for Sen. Slama's LB535, a bill to establish voter ID laws in Nebraska, was an amendment made that calls for all mail-in voters to notarize their ballot before sending it. Jaden Perkins, of the Heartland Workers Center, said that the bill is "full of flaws and bureaucratic B.S."

While critics dominated the legislative hearing, around a dozen proponents spoke on the bill, saying that passing Sen. Slama's bill would put Nebraska in line with 35 other states that require IDs for voting. Sen. Slama agreed, saying, "It is important that we ensure all eligible voters in Nebraska have access to the necessary identification. It is also important that everyone who has a right to vote can vote."

Secretary of State Bob Evnen joined other proponents of the bill in lauding it, claiming that 90% of all registered Nebraska voters already have a valid photo ID. However, for those that don't have a valid ID, Evnen stated that it's "very important that we address this group." The notary amendment that drew flack was, according to Slama, modeled after a similar law in Missouri.

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PARENT'S BILL OF RIGHTS LEGISLATION DIVIDES PUBLIC AT NEBRASKA LEGISLATIVE HEARING

LINCOLN- Dozens of teachers and parents, proponents and opponents, flooded into the Nebraska Capitol on Tuesday night to speak on LB374, a bill that would allow parents to have more control over what their children learn in schools. Under the bill, which was introduced by Sen. Dave Murman, parents would be able to review all learning materials their children's school uses, and allow them to object to certain materials and lessons.

"Above all else, this bill aims to make clear that every parent is the foremost decision-maker in every child's life," said Murman. The hearing for the bill, which took place in front of the state's Education Committee, stretched on for more than four hours, and over 400 comments were submitted. The bill also prohibits what Sen. Murman called "data mining," which he said refers to questionnaires and surveys schools send out to ask personal questions, such as asking a child to indicate their sexual orientation or gender identity. 

A substantial portion of the opposition to the bill argued that it was introduced to push back against 'critical race theory,' but Sen. Murman refuted these claims, saying that the specific words 'critical race theory' do not appear in the bill. Among the proponents of the bill, the general sentiment was that parents should have the ability and the right to block their children from viewing any material they find inappropriate. 

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BANKERS SAY PROPOSAL ON 'ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND GOVERNANCE' TOO BROAD, AMENDMENTS NEEDED

LINCOLN- A proposal aimed at preventing the Nebraska State Treasurer from using state funds for "social and political" goals ran into complaints on Monday that it was too vague and intruded too much in banking decisions. Robert Hallstrom, of the Nebraska Bankers Association, told the Banking, Commerce, and Insurance Committee that banks have traditionally been free to "lend to, invest in, and generally do business with any activity or entity that is legal."

Hallstrom provided amendments to the bill, and discussed them with State Sen. Julie Slama, the introducer of the bill, and Treasurer John Murante. By implementing these amendments, said Hallstrom, the bill would gain the support of the Nebraska Bankers Association. The bill in question, LB67, has been called "woke capitalism" by Treasurer Murante, since it deals with 'environmental, social, and governance goals, a contentious and highly political topic. 

Slama, who chairs the Business Committee, said that taxpayer dollars "should not be used to further political or social agenda," and wants to create neutrality among treasurers with her bill. Murante, who is the past president of the conservative treasurer's organization who claimed that ESG is "woke," said that lawmakers don't need to worry about him utilizing taxpayer funds for ESG purposes. 

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OMAHA WOMEN SAYS 'HEARTBEAT' BILL WOULD INJECT POLITICIANS INTO 'DIFFICULT' PRIVATE DECISIONS

OMAHA- On Tuesday, four women from Omaha shared their traumatic abortion stories, urging Nebraska lawmakers to reject a proposal to further restrict the procedure. "This legislation takes away Nebraskans' ability to control their bodies and their future," said Abby Waller, who had an abortion after doctors told her that her fetus would not survive, "It shouldn't be up to politicians in the statehouse to make personal and private health care decisions."

On Wednesday, the Nebraska Legislature heard testimony on Sen. Albrecht's LB626, or the Nebraska Heartbeat Act, which would ban abortions once a heartbeat is detected. Many dozens of people testified at the hearing on Wednesday afternoon, and many proponents argued that the bill is a government intrusion into personal health care decisions.

Another person argued that "abortion bans are only going to end safe abortions." Kacie Ware of Omaha, who was abused and raped by an older man while in high school, stated that she believes implementing the heartbeat bill would have prevented her from getting an abortion because many women have to go through time-consuming "judicial bypass" procedures required for a minor to get an abortion.

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EDUCATION COMMITTEE HEARS BILL AIMED AT EASING NEBRASKA'S TEACHER SHORTAGE

LINCOLN- The Education Committee heard about the Nebraska teacher shortage from teachers, administrators, and education advocates from all over the state. Public schools reported over 700 absences in teaching positions at the beginning of the school year. This is a 60% increase in vacancies from the 2021-22 school year.

Teachers were supportive of Linehan’s LB385, which would earmark $10 million to offer teachers up to three annual $5,000 incentives to stay on the job through their fourth year. Teachers widely backed Sen. Lynne Walz’s LB519, which would fund their certification fees, retention bonuses and a teaching excellence program and would pay student teachers. State Sen. Carol Blood also offered a bill teachers liked, LB413 would sign Nebraska onto a budding teacher certification compact with other states. 

The only bill educators really opposed over the course of the hearing was LB603. This bill would let certain nonprofits and companies certify teachers outside of colleges. Those opposed pointed to possible watering down of teaching preparation and allowing companies to profit off of the teacher shortage.

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NEBRASKA LAWMAKERS GEAR ARGUMENTS OVER BILL TO PAY TEENS LESS THAN MINIMUM WAGE

LINCOLN- On Monday, members of the Business and Labor Committee heard testimony from proponents and opponents of Legislative Bill 15, a piece of legislation introduced by Sen. Tom Briese that would allow businesses to steer around the recent minimum wage hike passed by Nebraska voters and pay teen workers a starting wage of $9 an hour, before increasing to $10 in 2026. 

Emma Haar, a 15-year-old teen from Grand Island who balances two minimum-wage jobs, told the committee that, if passed, this bill would make her dreams of attaining financial security almost impossible. "This bill treats me like a child when I have the responsibilities of an adult," she said. Proponents of the bill argue that keeping teen wages low will allow small businesses in the state to stay afloat, particularly in rural parts of Nebraska. 

Briese said during the hearing that he was not attempting to undermine the ballot measure passed last year by Nebraska voters, but rather that he was attempting to "iron out the details" of the measure. "We shouldn't be making it harder for employers to hire young folks," he told the Business and Labor Committee.

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NEBRASKA LAWMAKERS PROPOSE DISABILITY, RACIAL IMPACT STATEMENTS FOR CERTAIN LEGISLATION

LINCOLN- Most legislation introduced to the Nebraska Legislature features a fiscal impact statement, outlining the costs of introducing the proposal. However, under a set of newly-proposed bills, legislative bills 39 and 54, introduced respectively by Sens. Carol Blood and Terrell McKinney, legislators may have to provide to the Executive Board, if requested, with disability and racial impact statements. According to McKinney, such a change would advance Nebraska's value of "Equality before the Law."

"We must ensure that we pass legislation with all Nebraskans in mind," continued McKinney. During a hearing last Friday, dozens of supporters took to the floor in support of LB 39. including Kathy Hoell, a resident of Papillion, who said lawmakers often pass legislation with "little or no consideration" for those with disabilities. "Our community is very frustrated with able-bodied people making decisions with no consideration of the repercussions," finished Hoell.

Another large group of supporters testified in support of McKinney's LB 54, and many proponents argued that the bill, if passed, would help certain racial populations get more recognition from the Legislature. Jasmine Harris, director of public policy and advocacy at RISE in Omaha, also said that LB 54 would help identify disparities in the criminal and juvenile justice systems. 

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FORMER NORFOLK SENATOR TO FILL OPEN UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA REGENTS SEAT

LINCOLN- Governor Pillen has appointed former State Senator Jim Scheer to replace Pillen's seat on the University of Nebraska Board of Regents. Scheer will sit in the District 3 seat across northeast Nebraska. Scheer is a Norfolk native and resident. Scheer will only serve the remaining portion of Pillen's term, extending until 2024.

"Jim is a public servant who will work to grow the University of Nebraska," Pillen said in a press release. "He believes in educational excellence, the importance of agriculture and fiscal conservative leadership." Scheer served two terms in the Legislature from 2013 to 2021. He was elected speaker in 2017. Previously, he served on the Norfolk school board and as the mayor of Norfolk. Between 2004 and 2008, he was on the Nebraska State Board of Education and served as the board president in 2011 and 2012.

Scheer is a graduate of the University and now owns and insurance agency as well auto part stores. The Board of Regents has eight members elected by district to six-year terms. The board next meets on Feb. 10. Pillen has now made two prominent appointments to major roles after appointing Former Governor Ricketts to the U.S. Senate in January.

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MATT MILTENBERGER WILL HEAD RICKETTS' SENATE STAFF

LINCOLN- After 8 years with the Governor, Matt Miltenberger will follow Senator Ricketts to D.C. and be his chief of staff. Senator Ricketts announced his staff this week and made sure to note that he is especially appreciative when it comes to the work Miltenberger has done in the past and is excited to see what the pair does in the future.

Prior to serving in the governor's office, Miltenberger was campaign manager for Ricketts when he was elected governor in 2014 and he subsequently managed the governor's transition efforts. Miltenberger has worked on multiple campaigns prior to Ricketts, and announced that he looks forward to the work that they will complete in Washington.

Alyssa Burleson, who was a member of former Sen. Ben Sasse's staff and has nine years of experience in Washington, will be deputy chief of staff for Ricketts. Joanna Rodriguez was named communications director and Paul Guaglianone will be legislative director.

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PILLEN TAX-CUT IDEAS WIN SUPPORT OF BUSINESS GROUPS, PROMPT CRITICISM FROM COMMUNITY COLLEGES

LINCOLN- Senator Linehan answered questions pertaining to her bill LB754. Under the bill, top individual and corporate income tax rates would be gradually reduced to 3.99% by tax year 2027. A second pair of bills, LB 804 and 806, would accelerate phased-in income tax cuts passed last year, allowing the reductions to 5.84% to go into effect in 2024 instead of 2027. Those two bills would presumably be supplanted by LB 754 if it passed.

State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn said the state has more than a $2 billion surplus of state tax funds and needs to return that to Nebraska taxpayers in the form of lower tax rates. “It is imperative that we improve our tax climate so it is more welcoming for current and future Nebraskans,” Linehan said.

LB 783, introduced by Glenvil Sen. Dave Murman on behalf of the governor, would shift financing of Nebraska’s community colleges from property taxes and onto state sales and income taxes, as the University of Nebraska system is funded. A parade of community college administrators, board members and students opposed the legislation, expressing doubt that the state would live up to its funding commitment.

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PILLEN PLAN TO SHIFT VALUATION OF AG LAND GETS STATIC, EVEN FROM FARM GROUPS

LINCOLN — Gov. Jim Pillen’s plan to relieve property taxes paid by farmers and ranches got a rough reception Friday, even from some farm groups.

The head of the state’s largest agriculture group, the Nebraska Farm Bureau, said Pillen’s plan to shift the valuation method from being based on recent sales of land to its production capability — as is done in Iowa, South Dakota and Kansas — needs more work to avoid increasing taxes.

“There is a sense that this isn’t ready for prime time,” said Mark McHargue, a Central City farmer and president of the Farm Bureau.

McHargue joined representatives of the Nebraska Farmers Union and a handful of school groups in saying that such a complicated, and momentous, change needs more discussion.

For one, McHargue said, making sure farmers and ranchers are “held harmless” and don’t see unintended tax increases is essential.

Under Legislative Bill 820, the Agriculture Valuation Fairness Act, the state would change the way it values agricultural land from the current market approach — which is based on recent sales of nearby ag land — to basing it on the productivity and income-producing potential of the land. A committee of five people would be formed to devise how land would be valued on its income-producing potential. Under the bill, statewide increases in valuations of ag land would be capped at 3.5% a year.

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BATTLE OVER PUBLIC FUNDS FOR PRIVATE SCHOOLS SCHOLARSHIPS RETURNS TO LEGISLATURE

LINCOLN — The annual battle over whether to devote public funds to private schools was renewed Friday at the Nebraska Legislature, with testimony extending into the evening.

Nebraska is one of only two states that doesn’t allow “school choice” by extending public state funds to private schools. Backers of parochial and private schools said Friday that the state should provide tax credits for donations to private school scholarships to help families have that choice.

State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan sponsored LB753, the Opportunity Scholarships Act. The bill, Linehan’s fifth attempt at the idea, includes a new provision this year, one that seeks to prioritize the scholarships for low-income families and for children with special needs or those who have experienced bullying.

Opponents said that LB 753 creates a more generous tax break for donors to such scholarships than for other causes and that about 70% of such aid benefits current – and not additional — private school students.

“If you want to help children, fully fund public schools,” said Williams, voicing a comment repeated by several opponents of the bill. They included Superintendent Cheryl Logan of the Omaha Public Schools and former State Sen. Brenda Council.

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NEBRASKA'S RESURRECTED PERMITLESS CONCEALED CARRY BILL CONTINUES SEEING DIVIDED PUBLIC OPINION

LINCOLN- In the latest attempt to allow residents to carry concealed weapons without a permit, the bill continued to see a split in opinion from Nebraskans. The hearing for LB77 had dozens of testifiers that waited in lengthy lines to share their opinion on allowing Nebraskans over age 21 to carry concealed weapons without a permit.

The hearing began at 1:30 PM and finished around 6:15 PM. There were dozens of in-person testifiers and hundreds of letters in both support and opposition. Currently in Nebraska, getting a concealed-carry permit requires passing a criminal background check, paying a $100 fee and taking an eight- to 16-hour gun safety class.

Brewer argued at the hearing that the fee prevents some Nebraskans from seeking a permit. He said that while he believes training is “essential” for gun owners, he doesn’t think it should be mandatory. He said multiple neighboring states have passed similar measures. “We’re not trying to make Nebraska a pioneer in this,” Brewer said. Similar legislation was brought last year, but failed in a filibuster by opposing senators.

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DEBATE IN NEBRASKA LEGISLATURE FORESHADOWS FIGHT OVER PROPOSED 6-WEEK ABORTION BAN

LINCOLN- A known debate that will reach the Nebraska legislature was foreshadowed this week amongst the body. Senator Hunt had filed a motion that would have recommitted the abortion bill (LB626) to the Judiciary committee rather than the Health and Human Services Committee. This prompted a 2-day heated debate that surely foreshadows what is to come.

The vote to recommit barely failed as party lines were very evident. Changing committees would have slowed down the forward progress of LB626, but it would not have stopped it in all. The bill would prohibit abortions after embryonic cardiac activity can be detected, with narrow exceptions for rape, incest and to save the life of the woman. Physicians who violate the ban would be subject to losing their professional licenses.

The HHS Committee has four Republicans to three Democrats, while the Judiciary Committee has four of each, meaning the bill probably would have stalled there. But abortion rights opponents could have used another procedural motion to pull the bill out of committee to the full Legislature. Senators argued that the injury to doctors in the bill falls under Judiciary jurisdiction.

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THINK TANK SAYS PILLEN EDUCATION, TAX INCENTIVES WOULD 'QUICKLY DRAIN' STATE COFFERS IF ENACTED

LINCOLN- Last week, newly-elected Gov. Pillen announced his plan to bolster state education and offer tax incentives and state aid to K-12 schools. However, according to the OpenSky Policy Institute, which worked alongside the Insitute on Taxation and Economic Policy to release a report on Pillen's changes, the plan the Governor laid out would "quickly" drain Nebraska's $1.9 billion state revenue surplus. 

The report went on to detail that Pillen's plan might force the state to tap into its "rainy day" cash reserves, which are usually carefully used for one-time expenditures during times of economic recession, not long-term commitments. "To ensure our state's future fiscal health, it will be important for policymakers this session to prudently use the projected $1.9 billion on proven initiatives that empower hardworking Nebraskans to support their families and their communities," said the report. 

State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan, who chairs the Legislature's Revenue Committee, questioned how the initiatives could be analyzed before the Governor's budget has been introduced, which is set to happen on Wednesday. "We have over $2 billion in extra funding," said Linehan, "which clearly means that we are taxing people too much. To say that we shouldn't cut taxes shows a total disregard for the taxpayers."

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ADVOCATES SAY RESTORING VOTING RIGHTS FOR FELONS WOULD IMPROVE PUBLIC SAFETY

LINCOLN- Following the introduction of Senator Justin Wayne's legislative bill 20, which seeks to restore voting rights to felons after they've completed their sentences, advocates came together last Friday to in support of the change, saying that it's the first step in removing a "punitive" stigma and improving public safety. Currently, around 20,000 Nebraskans cannot vote because they are serving time in prison, are on parole for a felony crime, or have not waited the two-year period to regain their right to vote.

During a press conference sponsored by the Voting Rights Restoration Coalition, Sen. Wayne stated that "People who are engaged are less likely to reoffend." Demetrius Gatson, a representative from the ACLU, similarly defended the restoration of voting rights by saying, under the current system, "It's taxation without representation." LR4CA, introduced by Senator Machaela Cavanaugh, is similar to Sen. Wayne's bill, but would instead eliminate entirely the clause that requires convicted felons to lose their voting rights. 

Nicole Porter, senior director of advocacy for The Sentencing Project, outlined the fact that over 4.6 million felony-convicted Americans are currently not allowed to vote. The Voting Rights Restoration Coalition is made up of 28 smaller organizations, including the ACLU, Black Votes Matter, the NAACP, and Civic Nebraska. 

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BILL AIMS TO PROTECT FARMERS FROM NUISANCE LAWSUITS, RESTRICTING WHO CAN FILE AND WHEN

LINCOLN- The Nebraska "right to farm" law has a proposed revision in the Nerbaska legislature. Under LB662, introduced by State Sen. Beau Ballard of Lincoln, only landowners who live within a half-mile of agricultural operation, and only those nearby landowners who have a majority interest in their land, could file nuisance lawsuits against an ag operation.

In addition, such lawsuits would have to be filed within one year,  rather than within two years as in the current law. Lawsuits would be disallowed if an operation was utilizing “commonly accepted” practices and was in “material compliance” with applicable laws and regulations. This comes as protections for farmers are being condemned by environmentalists. 

The proposal “eviscerates having nuisance laws,” according to Jonathan Leo, an environmental lawyer who lives in Omaha. “The bill effectively shuts down almost all public and private nuisance lawsuits against ‘agricultural operations,’ ” Leo said. Ballard said the bill was inspired by concerns raised by large-scale chicken farms in his district.

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OMAHA STREETCAR DEBATE ROLLS INTO THE NEBRASKA LEGISLATURE

LINCOLN- Omaha has already given the go to the streetcar through Downtown Omaha. Senator Lou Ann Linehan has different plans with legislation ready to block it. Among streetcar-related bills introduced by State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn is a call for the city or its streetcar authority to cover costs of gas and water utility work necessary to build the city-driven rail system. 

Such language takes aim at a current conflict between officials of the city and the Metropolitan Utilities District over who should foot the bill for an estimated $20.5 million of utility line relocation and reinforcement needed. Another Linehan bill calls for a restriction in tax-increment financing, a statewide development tool she believes has become overused, in some cases abused. TIF is the key revenue source in paying off debt for Omaha’s modern-day streetcar system. 

Linehan said she appreciates what the streetcar will do for Omaha. But the streetcar venture has financial implications beyond Omaha, said Linehan, chair of the Legislature’s Revenue Committee. She thinks more airing is needed and looks forward to learning more during public hearings in the State Capitol. 

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SENATOR SAYS STUDENTS BECOME MORE 'ENGAGED' WHEN INVOLVED IN SCHOOL POLICIES, POLL WORK

LINCOLN- Senator Dungan of Lincoln claims that civic engagement amongst high school students would increase if there was a program that had them work at polling places. Under LB225 students ages 16 and older could also fulfill their civics graduation requirement by working a shift as a poll worker and then writing about it.

The senator said the bill would help address a shortage of poll workers and would foster civic engagement by students. One supporter, Heidi Uhing of Civic Nebraska, said the proposal was part of a national trend to “broaden student participation” in civic affairs. Another supporter cited a recent Tufts University report that found students are inspired to become more involved in civics activities when they see other youths in leadership roles. 

Dungan said his proposal would leave it up to local school boards on how to select students for their civics subcommittee. Currently, students can satisfy their civics requirement in one of three days: take the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Test; attend a public meeting and write about it; do a project on a person or persons commemorated in a national holiday.

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