YEAR-ROUND DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME HAS A CHANCE THIS YEAR IN NEBRASKA

LINCOLN- After years of attempts, the Nebraska Legislature appears poised to pass a bill that would be the first step towards ending the usual twice-a-year changing of the clock. LB143, introduced by Sen. Tom Briese, would allow Nebraska to stay in daylight saving time if Congress and a third neighboring state join Nebraska in passing such a law.

"It seems everyone in the state hates changing their clocks twice a year," said Briese during a Government, Military, and Veterans Affairs Committee hearing, "This practice, the changing of our clocks, is actually hurting and killing people." According to several researchers, daylight saving time has actually been the cause of a number of car crashes, heart attacks, work place injuries, and medical dosage mistakes.

A general disdain toward time changes from workers and parents with young kids may also be the catalyst for change, according to Briese. Sen. Briese went on to cite a JP Morgan study that found that people put nearly 2% more purchases on their credit cards in cities that had an additional hour of daylight during the winter.

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PROPOSED GENDER-ALTERATION BAN FOR MINORS DRAWS HUNDREDS TO NEBRASKA CAPITOL

LINCOLN- Senator Kauth's 'Let Them Grow Act', or LB574, just like last week's cardiac-activity abortion ban, drew hundreds to the Nebraska Capitol Wednesday afternoon. Kauth told the Health and Human Services Committee that the intent of her bill was to protect kids with gender dysphoria from "irreversible, destructive, experimental" medical care until they reached adulthood.

"Once the intensity of the treatment and surgeries are complete," said Kauth to the Health and Human Services Committee, "these individuals are still dealing with issues that the surgeries have only made more complex." Opponents of the bill, of which there were many at the hearing, called Sen. Kauth's bill an "extreme intrusion" into a family's medical decisions.

However, proponents of the bill, including several people who previously received, sought, or considered gender-affirming care, argued that the care they did or would have received was irreversible, and that they couldn't make proper decisions at the time. Several testifying in support of Kauth's bill have reportedly testified on several similar bills around the country.

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BILL CLARIFYING NEBRASKA'S LICENSE PLATE READER LAW OPPOSED BY ACLU

LINCOLN- LB777, introduced by Sen. Eliot Bostar, would limit who in Nebraska could use automatic license plate readers, and define whether or not collected data could be used in court proceedings. This bill, which was heard in front of the Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, was vehemently opposed by the ACLU of Nebraska for privacy concerns.

LB777 changes some language in the Nebraska Automatic License Plate Reader Privacy Act, the law that governs the use of controversial license reader devices. The Privacy Act limits how long enforcement can retain images captured by license plate readers, which usually are set to take pictures of all passing license plates. Police have touted the devices as a game-changing crime-solving tool.

The readers capture still images of license plates which are then stored by a third-party contractor for six months. However, what is and isn't allowed under the law is vague for law enforcement, and some officers are unsure if they can use license plate photos in court settings. Bostar's bill would add language indicating that license plate data and be used in court proceedings, prompting the ACLU to fight back.

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BILL WOULD GIVE MOST NEBRASKA FAMILIES $1,000 TAX CREDIT PER CHILD

LINCOLN- On Wednesday, a handful of supporters testified on LB294, introduced by Sen. Danielle Conrad, which would give families a $1,000 tax credit per child. Conrad said she introduced the bill after meeting several struggling families on the campaign trail last year, and discovered that a handful of other states have implemented similar child tax credits.

Conrad also found evidence that suggested that credits like these have proven helpful in lifting children out of poverty and helping families thrive. Research from the U.S. Census Bureau also showed that, in 2021, federal child tax credits cut child poverty rates by 46% nationally. "That policy choice was able to make a really positive difference for families," said Conrad, "I'm not sure we'll find a better bang for our buck when it comes to supporting families."

Specifically, LB294 would provide refundable tax credits of $1,000 per child for families with incomes up to $110,000 for married couples, or $92,500 for the head of household. The credits would not apply to families with higher incomes, and would only be provided to families with children under the age of 18.

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DISPUTE OVER INSPECTOR GENERAL POWERS APPEARS HEADED FOR LEGAL INTERPRETATION

LINCOLN- LB215 is designed to clarify the powers of the Offices of the Inspector General for Child Welfare and Corrections. This dispute has graced the Legislature for multiple years now posing the question, is it “constitutional overreach” to have special investigators assigned by the State Legislature look into problems, even deaths and injuries, involving state agencies?

Senator Briese, the sponsor of the bill, said he is waiting to take action on the bill until a colleague speaks with the Attorney Generals office to determine if it is a separation of powers issue. “We’re not going to rush it to floor, put it that way,” said Briese, who chairs the Legislature’s Executive Board. “Some of this might hinge on an AG’s opinion.”

During the LB215 hearing, Briese and some other members of the Executive Board defended the inspectors general’s watchdog function and the Legislature’s need to know that state agencies, and even state judges, are functioning appropriately. Current inspectors and other advocates for LB 215 said it was mostly a “cleanup bill” that clarified powers that are already recognized.

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BACON, ALREADY ATTACKED BY TRUMP, NOW UNDER FIRE FROM LINCOLN PROJECT

WASHINGTON, D.C.- During Nebraska's tumultuous 2022 GOP primary election, former President Donald Trump sought out new challengers to face Rep. Don Bacon. Although Trump's plans to oust the congressman didn't come to fruition, the Lincoln Project, a center-right political advocacy group, is now setting its sights on Rep. Bacon.

The Lincoln Project, already infamous for attacking pro-Trump Republicans, called on Bacon, as well as 17 other swing-district representatives, to denounce the "threats to democracy posed by Trump and his supporters." The Lincoln Project said that its goal with these attacks is to sway 18 House members away from populist Republican ideology ad ultimately "make them unelectable."

"If you want to still call yourself a Republican after all of the things that Trump has said and done," said Reed Galen, co-founder of the Lincoln Project, "you have to take a stand." Galen said his organization would rather see a Democrat hold the Omaha-area district than Bacon, calling him the "Joe Manchin of the House GOP."

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U.S. EDUCATION SECRETARY GETS INSIDE VIEW ON TECH ACADEMIES FROM OMAHA BRYAN STUDENTS

OMAHA- U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona made a visit to Omaha's Bryan High School to see the school's new career-connected technical academies. These programs prepare students for college or direct entry into the workforce. “We chose this school today, the day after the State of the Union, because I want to lift up what we’re seeing here,” Cardona said.

Cardona said that Bryan High School and its students are examples of how the country can better meet future demand for “high-skilled, high-paying” jobs expected through the CHIPS and Science Act, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act. Cardona experienced one of Omaha Public Schools' most culturally diverse schools. The school has students from over 30 countries and over 33 languages can be heard in the hallways and classrooms.

Dr. Rony Ortega, Bryan’s principal, said that while the technical academies were available in the past at Bryan, this was the first year for “wall-to-wall” academies, meaning that all students must participate in one. Among other officials at the secretary’s visit were OPS superintendent Cheryl Logan. This was Cardona's first trip to Nebraska and his 38th state since entering his position.

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FORTENBERRY AND SASSE HEADLINE UNUSUAL YEAR-END CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORTS

LINCOLN- Campaign spending saw a spike in 2022, a portion of this is a result of a special election and the departure of a Nebraska Senator. In eastern Nebraska’s 1st Congressional District, U.S. Rep. Mike Flood, R-Neb., defeated Democratic State Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks in a rare special election. In the Omaha-based 2nd District, Nebraska’s most competitive, Rep. Don Bacon, outraised his Democratic opponent, State Sen. Tony Vargas.

Flood, who challenged Fortenberry in the Republican primary, raised $2.2 million and spent $2.1 million in the primary, special and general elections combined. Pansing Brooks raised and spent $1.8 million over the same span. Bacon raised and spent about $4 million. Vargas raised and spent $3.4 million, the second highest of any Democratic candidate in the district over the years. He trailed only Kara Eastman, who raised and spent $4.5 million in 2020.

Rep. Adrian Smith, who serves Nebraska’s largely rural 3rd District, raised $1.7 million and spent $1.9 million – most of that in supporting other House Republicans. He spent about $70,000 on his own race, most of that for political and fundraising consultants. U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., left the Senate in January for the University of Florida’s presidency with $2.7 million left in his campaign coffers, which he could use in Florida.

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PILLEN NAMES NEW LANCASTER COUNTY ELECTION COMMISSIONER

LINCOLN- Todd Wiltgen, former Lancaster County Commissioner and Lincoln Chamber public policy specialist, was named the new Lancaster County Election Commissioner by Gov. Jim Pillen last Wednesday. Wiltgen is set to replace Dave Shively, who retired in January after 23 years of service to the state. Wiltgen will assume the role on February 13th.

"Todd is familiar with election processes, having run for office himself and in his prior roles serving state and federal elected officials," said Pillen, "He is committed to public service and will work hard as election commissioner, ensuring that voters in Lancaster County are informed and that election processes are secure."

Most recently, Wiltgen worked for the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, and before that represented District 5 on the Lancaster County Board. Wiltgen also worked previously with State Sen. Mark Kolterman, U.S. Rep. Jeff Fortenberry, and U.S. Sen. Chuck Hagel.

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NEBRASKA DHHS, LOCAL AGENCIES RELEASE 3-YEAR PLAN TO PREVENT SUICIDE

LINCOLN- The Kim Foundation, Nebraska State Suicide Prevention Coalition, and the Department of Health and Human Services have updated Nebraska's plan to combat suicide over the next three years. A 47-page document was released that provides guidelines for individuals, businesses, schools, medical professionals, communities, and other agencies to prevent suicide. It replaces another statewide strategic plan that was created in 2016.

"We really wanted to make it more of an action plan and framework for all communities in Nebraska, no matter where they were, to dive into and select what would work in their community," said Julia Hebenstreit, executive director of the Kim Foundation. "We knew that not everything in the plan would resonate with all communities, but every community or every person can find something in the plan."

Data for the report was gathered from a group of 501 people ranging in job, location, and age. The plan includes four major strategic directions: healthy and empowered individuals, families and communities; clinical and community prevention services; treatment and support services; and surveillance, research and evaluation. There are localized goals and recommendations depending on each strategic direction.

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NEBRASKA CHAMBER: RAISING STATE'S TECH PROFILE IS ONE KEY TO FILLING WORKER VOID

LINCOLN- With Nebraska currently unable to fill an estimated 80,000 jobs, the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry believes a push to boost the Nebraska tech image may increase our overall workforce numbers. "This next generation goes where the technology jobs are," said Bryan Slone, president of the Nebraska Chamber, "we need to be known as a technology state."

The Chamber outlined that, alongside Gov. Pillen's budget and tax plan, they are also in support of any bill that would help solve Nebraska's urgent workforce problem, especially bills that focus on tax breaks for businesses. Another approach the Chamber believes Nebraska should take is to renew the state's research and development tax credit, and allow deductions for business equipment, research, and experimental costs.

ANother problem cited by Slone to be a cause of the recent shortage is Nebraska's declining birth rate, which has dropped significantly over the past 6 decades. "We're not replacing boomers with new people in Nebraska," said Slone, "Each year we need to be recruiting thousands of people to Nebraska just to fill those exiting the job market."

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TED CARTER ANNOUNCES COMMITTEE TO HELP FIND NEW UNL CHANCELLOR

LINCOLN- A sixteen-member committee has been named to find the next chancellor of the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. The UNL Chancellor Search Advisory Committee will solicit and gather input from university stakeholders and work alongside AGB Search, the firm hired to find a replacement for Chancellor Ronnie Green.

"I'm excited to bring together this broad group of Nebraskans who care deeply about the next chapter for our flagship university," Carter said in a statement. "They will play a crucial role in our search for the right person to lead UNL forward." The committee will be led by Tiffany Heng-Moss, dean of UNL's College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Other committee members include Jason Ball, president of the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce; Mike Cassling, chairman and CEO of CQuence Health Group; Lawrence Chatters, executive associate athletic director for strategic initiatives in Husker Athletics; Jacob Drake, UNL student body president; Megan Elliott, Johnny Carson Endowed Director in Emerging Media Arts; Alex Fernando, assistant director of recruitment at the College of Journalism and Mass Communications; Venn Jemkur, executive vice president of UNL's Graduate Student Assembly; Kelli Kopocis, UNL Faculty Senate president-elect; Lisa Lunz, president of Ag Builders of Nebraska; Mark McHargue, president of Nebraska Farm Bureau; Debbie Minter, UNL Faculty Senate president; Marilyn Moore, board president of Nebraska Alumni Association; Moises Padilla, director of UNL's Nebraska College Preparatory Academy; Dan Voelte, board chair NU Foundation; Catherine Wilson, associate professor in the Nebraska College of Law.

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NEBRASKA CHAMBER PRESIDENT LAUDS PROPOSED TAX REFORM, BUT SAYS IMMIGRATION REFORM ALSO NEEDED

LINCOLN- According to Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Bryan Slone, Gov. Jim Pillen's plan to create a "much more competitive tax climate" in Nebraska is a solid start that will help Nebraska's future and address the state's workforce shortage. However, despite the plan's positives, Slone outlined that "there is no long-term solution without immigration reform."

Slone is still optimistic about the future of Nebraska's economy, though, and also lauded it for remaining "remarkably strong post-pandemic." Slone went on to emphasize the importance of bringing more people into Nebraska to work, saying that there are "enormous opportunities" for those looking for work.

On the point of immigration reform, Slone stated that "no state has more to gain than Nebraska" from increased immigration into the state. "We have 50,000 to 80,000 jobs that we can't fill and that will grow, unless the federal government reaches agreement on immigration reform," finished Slone.

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MARIJUANA BILL PALOOZA IN THE UNICAMERAL LEADS WITH MEDICAL PUSH

LINCOLN- Senator Wishart has been pushing for medical marijuana in Nebraska nearly her entire time in office. LB588 was before the Judiciary Committee on Thursday where Senator Wishart said, "We will go back to the ballot if this fails." If all signatures were collected, the initiative would place medical marijuana on the ballot in a presidential election year.

Wishart’s LB 588 would legalize medical marijuana to treat a specific list of illnesses and medical conditions, including chronic pain, brain injuries, seizures, autism, cancer, Parkinson’s disease, Crohn’s disease and PTSD. It would allow for six medical cannabis stores, three per congressional district, and all would have to contract with a registered Nebraska pharmacist, she said.

The bill received the majority of testimony in the proponent category. The handful of opponents who testified against LB 588 included new Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers and Lancaster County Attorney Pat Condon. The Committee also heard LB22 and LB634, which aim to decriminalize marijuana and allow for the growth and distribution of the drug.

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BILL PROVIDING STATE TAX CREDITS FOR PRIVATE SCHOOL 'OPPORTUNITY' SCHOLARSHIPS ADVANCES

LINCOLN- The fight over private schools receiving public funds will see another day in the Nebraska Legislature as it successfully passes out of committee. The bill would set aside at least $25 million a year in taxpayer funds for tax credits for donations toward private school scholarships, and was advanced on a 6-2 vote.

Senator Linehan feels confident she will be able to get the bill passed this year despite multiple failures in the past. Currently, Linehan has 31 cosponsors on the bill, she is 2 short of the 33 needed. One of the two votes against was from Senator Bostar. He went on to suggest that the bill be amended to allow the same tax credit for donations to public school foundations. Linehan said she was not opposed to that, but it was not included in the bill that was advanced.

Committee amendments to the bill changed the maximum amount of the tax cut would be $25 million a year for the first two years, rising to a maximum of $100 million if all the tax credit funds were being used. Second, an individual or business could get up to a $100,000 tax credit per year, which would be up to half of their total state income tax liability. Estates or trusts could donate up to $1 million a year.

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STATE INVESTMENT COUNCIL LOOKS AT SHIFTING BUSINESS FROM BLACKROCK AS INVESTMENT ADVISER

LINCOLN- The Nebraska Investment Council heard presentations from multiple investment managing groups this week as the council considers shifting Nebraska's adviser. This all comes as some investment firms, and primarily BlackRock, have come under fire for allegedly prioritizing divestment in fossil fuels in favor of investments in green energy and firms with emission goals.

Nebraska State Treasurer John Murante, a non-voting member of the Investment Council, has suggested that BlackRock is advancing a “left-wing agenda.” Attorney General Mike Hilhers picked up where Doug Peterson left off in criticizing the practice of environmental, social and governance investing.

The Council heard presentations from BlackRock and their competitor Vanguard. Gail Werner-Robertson, an Omaha businesswoman who chairs the Investment Council, said that the board plans more study before making any changes in the management of the state’s investments.

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PROPOSED STATE BROADBAND OFFICE TOUTED AS MORE EFFECTIVE, CREATIVE IN CLOSING 'DIGITAL DIVIDE'

LINCOLN- A Transportation and Telecommunication Committee hearing held on Tuesday revealed what many in the state call the 'digital divide,' where at least 80,000-90,000 mostly rural locations still lack broadband internet service. To help alleviate this issue, Gov. Jim Pillen proposed the creation of a new state broadband office, headed by the Public Service Commission, that would help state funds reach previously uncovered areas.

Under Gov. Pillen's plan, a state broadband director and nine other staff would be housed within the Nebraska Department of Transportation with a proposed cost of $1.7 million a year. The State Broadband office would be tasked with determining exactly how many unserved farms and homes lie in Nebraska, and dole out funds accordingly.

Emily Haxby, a Gage County supervisor, said, "This is a good policy. It's good to see the governor recognize how important broadband is to the state." Representatives of the AARP, the League of Nebraska Municipalities, and the Nebraska Farm Bureau testified in favor of Pillen's plan, which was contained in LB683 and heard in Tuesday's Transportation and Telecommunications Committee hearing.

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PILLEN PROPOSES $5 MILLION FOR MENTORING CHILDHOOD LITERACY PUSH

LINCOLN- Governor Pillen has proposed a new grant program to help long-established, youth-focused organizations recruit mentors for thousands of kids. The grant program would be funded by tax dollars with a recurring $5 million dollar fund. “The goal is simple,” Pillen said. “It takes resources to be able to keep recruiting people. We have to do more. … We’re trying to make sure every Nebraskan recognizes they, as a mentor, get a 10-to-1 return by becoming a mentor and get businesses to encourage it.”

Pillen said only one extra hour of reading a week is needed to boost proficiency by 25-30%. “Every kid doesn’t need a mentor, but every kid in Nebraska deserves a mentor,” Pillen said. “Who’s out there from the Greatest Generation that’s retired and (can) go and start reading to first-, second- and third-graders and … help them make sure that they can be proficient?”

The grants would be available to organizations that have offered mentoring services for at least 15 years. Nine organizations participating in Pillen’s news conference Monday would qualify, including 100 Black Men of Omaha and Big Brothers and Big Sisters. Melissa Mayo of Mentor Nebraska said that Nebraskans who know the challenges facing young people can help confront social issues and divides that feel “monumental and insurmountable.”

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SENATORS SEEKING $200 MILLION DESIGNATION OF FEDERAL FUNDS TO START DEVELOPING NEW WATER SOURCE FOR LINCOLN

LINCOLN- On Tuesday, State Sen. Eliot Bostar introduced LB506, a bill that would allow the state to request federal funding to begin building a second water source for the city of Lincoln. The introduction of LB506 came just a day after Lincoln's Water Source Advisory Council issued a recommendation that Lincoln build a new municipal wellfield along the Missouri River and between Omaha and Nebraska City. 

Currently, Lincoln pipes most of its water from wellfields along the Platte River near Ashland, but a new source is expected to allow Lincoln to support further population growth of up to 400,000 people and sustain the city's needs through 2075. The estimated cost of such an endeavor is expected to be around $1.4 billion, and could take between 15 and 20 years to complete. Sen. Bostar's bill specifically requests that $200 million in federal Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery funds be appropriated to begin the project. 

The bill, if passed, would also require the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources to award a grant to the city of Lincoln by September 30th to pay for a water treatment plant. Bostar outlined that, if the bill were not to pass, the city of Lincoln would have to exercise its right to water from the Platte River, which would likely affect upstream irrigators.

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NEBRASKA STATE EMPLOYEES UNION RATIFIES NEW LABOR CONTRACT CONTAINING HIGHEST SALARY INCREASES IN 35 YEARS

LINCOLN- The Nebraska Association of Public Employees represents over 8,000 employees in the state. On Tuesday, the Association announced that they signed a new two-year contract with the state, allowing union members to receive raises ranging from 10% to 27% starting in July. NAPE Director Justin Hubly stated that these were the highest salary increases state employees have received since the State Employees Collective Bargaining Act was passed in 1987. 

Starting in July, minimum salaries will increase by either 5%, 10%, 15%, or 20% based on job classification. Additionally, employees who had adequate performance evaluations in 2022 will automatically advance two steps on the salary schedule, which equates to an increase of 7% to 22%.

On July 1st, 2024, minimum salaries will increase by an additional 2%, and again, members who performed adequately during upcoming 2023 evaluations will advance three steps on the salary schedule. Previously, NAPE members said raising wages was their top priority for 2023, since many state employees are struggling to make ends meet.

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