BILL AIMS TO BAR NEBRASKA SCHOOLS FROM RECEVING PUBLIC MONEY IF THEY DISCRIMINATE

LINCOLN- LB487, introduced by Sen. Megan Hunt, would block any school from receiving public funds if they discriminate students on the basis of "race, color religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or special education status." At a committee hearing on Tuesday, Sen. Hunt said she hoped to eventually add her bill to LB753, a bill introduced by Sen. Lou Ann Linehan that seeks to create income tax credits for donations to organizations that provide scholarships to attend private and parochial schools. 

Sen. Linehan's bill has already advanced out of the Revenue Committee for further consideration, but Hunt's bill is still currently in limbo. Sen. Linehan has tried to pass similar pieces of legislation in the past, and time and time again Sen. Hunt has attempted to add language similar to her LB487. In an attempt to ensure that the language is added, Sen. Hunt has already filed an amendment to Sen. Linehan's LB753 that would establish the same rules as LB487. 

Linehan argued that LB753 will help give Nebraska students the freedom to seek different education options, but many critics have argued that private and parochial schools don't reside under the same oversight as public schools, and are free to discriminate against any beliefs they don't agree with. "Supporters of these bills say that they're motivated by helping underprivileged students and students with special needs," said Sen. Hunt of Linehan's bill, "This is a lot of feel-good, do-good spin on what these proposals really do."

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STRICTER 'RIGHT TO FARM' PROPOSAL CALLED A 'SOLUTION SEARCHING FOR A PROBLEM'

LINCOLN- A new bill, LB662 introduced by Sen. Beau Ballard, seeks to limit the number of nuisance lawsuits that can be ordered against large agricultural operations. However, many critics of the bill argued that there simply isn't a nuisance lawsuit problem in Nebraska, and that Ballard's bill would "immunize" large agricultural operations from virtually all nuisance lawsuits.

Other opponents argued that the bill only favors large farming entities. "LB662 does not protect family farmers," said Susanne Haas, a lawyer and Washington County farmer, "it protects industrial entities like Costco." The bill was introduced by Ballard in conjunction with Lincoln Premium Poultry, a Fremont-based plant that processes chicken for local Costco's. Ballard, during the hearing, described the bill as a "preventative measure" that would protect large farming operations from out-of-state entities that have, in the past, plagued livestock confinement operations with lawsuits.  

The Nebraska Right to Farm Act was initially passed to protect existing farming operations from lawsuits filed by "city slickers" who moved to rural areas and discovered that certain operations produce immense amounts of dust and odor. However, many critics argued that the bill goes too far in adding more protections for agricultural producers. 

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NEBRASKA BILL WOULD BAN ACCESS TO USF FUNDS FOR CELL PROVIDERS WITH HUAWEI EQUIPMENT

LINCOLN- Legislative bill 63, proposed by Sen. Eliot Bostar, seeks to encourage cell phone service providers to cease the use of Huawei equipment, which many believe is used by China to surveil not only Nebraska, but the whole of the United States. If passed, LB63 would prohibit the Nebraska Universal Service Fund from distributing funds to wireless providers using Chinese-made Huawei equipment. The federal government already banned the distribution of Universal Service Funds for companies utilizing Huawei and ZTE equipment, so, according to Bostar, this bill will put Nebraska in line with federal law.

"Of particular concern was that Huawei was routinely selling cheap equipment to rural providers in cases that appear to be unprofitable for Huawei," said Bostar, "but which placed its equipment near military assets." Bostar cited an instance that occurred last year, when Viaero Wireless came under fire for purchasing Huawei equipment and placing it on poles around the state.

Huawei previously denied the claims that its equipment was capable of saving and sending data, and affirmed that its products are not a surveillance threat. However, according to Bostar, the military has studied the equipment and found it "capable of capturing and potentially disrupting highly restricted airwaves used by the military, specifically U.S. Strategic Command, which oversees the U.S. nuclear arsenal."

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AMENDMENT TO BAR NEBRASKA KIDS FROM CHURCH CAMPS GRABS NATIONAL ATTENTION

LINCOLN- Senator Megan Hunt's amendment to LB371,  which seeks to ban minors from drag shows, generated national attention. The amendment would ban minors from church camps, vacation Bible study classes and other “religious indoctrination camps.” This is one of several statement amendments Senator Hunt is using to convey her thoughts and points on the bill she strongly opposes.

Her amendment generally mirrors the bill, which she opposes, but starts by laying out legislative findings that there is a “well-documented history of indoctrination and sexual abuse perpetrated by religious leaders and clergy people upon children.” The amendment made national news, with Fox News calling it "anti-religious bigotry". 

Many critics flooded to tell Senator Hunt how she is wrong. Sen. Dave Murman of Glenvil, who introduced LB 371, was among the critics. He called Hunt’s amendment unfair to Christians because true Christians abhor the sexual abuse that has occurred in religious contexts. “She’s making a point, I guess, a point that a vast majority of Christians would disagree with,” said Murman.

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RECENT SHOOTING AT OMAHA TARGET STORE CALLS FOR CHANGES IN WORKERS COMPENSATION, SENATOR SAYS

LINCOLN- According to Senator Blood, there needs to be a change in what workers' compensation insurance will cover in wake of recent shootings at an Omaha Target and a Bellevue Sonic. Under LB5, workers suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder or other mental injuries could get workers comp coverage for treatment. 

“Our current Workman’s Comp Insurance guidelines need to be updated to embrace known issues that pertain to Nebraska’s workplaces,” the senator said. PTSD, Blood said in a press release, is now recognized as a major disability impacting thousands of workers across the nation. PTSD is a common occurrence in cases of public shootings.

She pointed to the 2023 Target shooting and the 2020 Sonic shooting as examples within the state. “Imagine being a survivor in that scenario?” Blood asked, adding that some witnesses to the shooting have been diagnosed as now having PTSD. LB5 had a hearing this week in the Business and Labor Committee.

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NEBRASKA'S SHIFTING WORKFORCE DEMANDS AMID 'BRAIN DRAIN' SHOULD SOUND ALARM, RESEARCHER SAYS

LINCOLN- Dr. Josie Schafer, who heads the Center for Public Affairs Research at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, presented an analysis of the state’s workforce shifts and challenges to the NU Board of Regents. Schafer pointed out that the state is heavily losing individuals with at least bachelor's degrees. 

The worsening trend over the past decade is particularly alarming as 65% of jobs in the state and nation by 2030 likely will require at least some higher education. She said that currently about 33% of Jobs in Nebraska are staffed with someone with a bachelor's degree, and those numbers will increase over the coming years. 

Schafer notes that the state is growing in population, even if that is mostly in the most populated counties. The problem is the number of people leaving the state after their education or the lack of people coming to Nebraska to complete their education. State Sen. John Arch, speaker of the Legislature, in earlier remarks told the Regents that the state’s workforce and the university system’s role is a topic that has risen in appreciation in the Unicameral. 

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COALITION FORMS TO OPPOSE 'RIGHT TO FARM' REVISIONS, SAYS THEY FAVOR INDUSTRIAL FARMS OVER FAMILY OPERATIONS

LINCOLN- The proposed effort to amend the "right to farm" act faces a new coalition of farmers and environmental groups working to shut down the efforts. Groups say LB662 is an attempt to relax regulation of large, industrial livestock operations at the expense of rural residents and family farmers. 

“This proposed legislation exempts large corporate farms from being a good neighbor,” said Ron Todd-Meyer, a retired farmer and a Nebraskans for Peace board member.  “This legislation should be pitched into the manure pile for composting.” The bill would narrow who, and when, nuisance lawsuits could be filed against farm operations for issues such as excessive odors and dust. 

Officials from the Farmers Union, GC Resolve, Nebraska Interfaith Power and Light and Nebraska Communities United, in a press release last week, all indicated they will oppose the bill. Senator Ballard, the bill's sponsor, claims that agricultural producers deserve extra protection from nuisance lawsuits. 

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COMMITTEE ADVANCES PERMITLESS CONCEALED CARRY BILL, BUT SOME WANT AMENDMENTS

LINCOLN- On Friday, lawmakers voted 5-0, with one senator "present but not voting," to advance LB77, introduced by Sen. Tom Brewer, to General File. LB77, a contentious bill opposed by several Nebraska law enforcement agencies, would allow Nebraskans to carry a concealed handgun without purchasing the usual $100 state permit. Around 25 other states have passed similar pieces of legislation. 

Last month, Sen. Brewer identified LB77 as a priority bill, allowing it to be debated sooner by the full Legislature. Brewer claims that LB77 is "cleaner" than past permitless carry bills, and stated that he has added several amendments to gain the support of a few law enforcement agencies, but still lacks support from the Omaha and Lincoln Police Departments. 

The opponents from the Omaha and Lincoln Police Departments, as well as several gun control groups, called the bill dangerous and contrary to efforts to reduce violent crime. Sen. Justin Wayne, who voted to advance the bill, claimed he did so to give him leverage to introduce amendments. 

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MOST NEBRASKA LEGISLATIVE RACES IN 2022 EXCEED $100,000 IN SPENDING

LINCOLN- A six-figure bill at the end of a legislative race may be the new normal in the Nebraska Unicameral. Out of the 25 legislative races in November, at least one candidate in 19/25 of the races spent over $100,000. Together, these candidates raised about $6.7 million and spent $6.5 million to run for the Legislature. In four races, combined candidate spending exceeded $550,000.

The costliest races came between State Sen. Wendy DeBoer of Bennington and challenger Lou Ann Goding, where the candidates spent a combined $577,434, and between State Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh of Omaha and challenger Christian Mirch, where the candidates spent $554,933 in all. The next costliest race involved State Sen. Mike Jacobson and challenger Chris Bruns, both of North Platte. Together they spent $552,529. Jacobson spent the most of any legislative candidate statewide, more than $414,000.

The only other race where the top spender did not win was in District 40, an open seat after State Sen. Tim Gragert opted not to run for re-election. Keith Kube of Crofton spent $162,623 and lost to now-State Sen. Barry DeKay of Niobrara, who spent $64,269. State Sen. Christy Armendariz and Michael Young in northwest Omaha had the narrowest gap in spending between candidates, at $6,707.

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NEBRASKA'S COSTLIEST GOVERNOR'S RACE LEFT WILD NUMBERS IN ITS WAKE

LINCOLN- Last year, the costliest election ever recorded in Nebraska occurred, with around $29 million put toward the gubernatorial race alone. Although candidate Charles Herbster, a Trump-backed Republican, self-financed around 99% of his primary campaign, he still raised and spent around $13 million. The next highest tally was Gov. Pillen's campaign, which raised around $11.5 million in the gubernatorial primary.

Gov. Pillen benefitted greatly from donations from figures like former Gov. Ricketts, who gave around $100,000 as well as spending more than $3 million to create attacks ads against Herbster and Lindstrom, Pillen's Republican opponents in the primary. On the other side, Democratic candidate Carol Blood raised and spent around $636,000.

Lesser-known candidates in the gubernatorial race raised significant sums as well, with third-party candidate Dave Wright raising around $149,000 and Robert Borer raising $52,000. The only other candidate in Nebraska history to outraise Pillen was former Gov. Ricketts back in 2006, when he raised $13.4 million in his race against then-Sen. Ben Nelson.

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NORTH OMAHA LAWMAKERS CHALLENGED ABOUT PROCESS THAT RECOMMENDED $225 MILLION IN GRANTS

OMAHA- A North Omaha community forum became fiery on Sunday as many participants challenged a process that led to certain North and South Omaha groups being granted a share of $225 million. Sens. Terrell McKinney and Justin Wayne fielded questions at the forum following their work on the legislative committee overseeing the Economic Recovery Act, or LB1024, which was used to distribute ARPA funds to the lowest-income areas of Nebraska.

The groups that were chosen to receive these funds were criticized, since some are newer than others. For example, community activist Vickey Parks questioned why Sankofa, a very new business entity, garnered the largest chunk of the Economic Recovery funds, totaling around $40 million.

Sen. Wayne reiterated several times that proposed grants are "not a done deal," and that several verification steps still must be completed. According to Wayne, one of the South Omaha groups in line to receive funds dropped out, allowing the committee to redistribute those funds. Similarly, Wayne and McKinney told the forum that they hope to allocate another $200 million, allowing a more diverse set of businesses to receive funds.

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NEBRASKA LAWMAKERS PROPOSE CAPPING INSULIN COSTS

LINCOLN- Two bills, LB142 introduced by Sen. Tom Briese and LB779 introduced by Sen. Eliot Bostar, would cap the price of insulin to varying amounts in Nebraska. Sen. Breise's bill would cap the price of the life-saving drug to $100 per patient for a 30-day supply, while Sen. Bostar's bill would cap the price at $35 for the same amount.

Bostar outlined the fact that 9.6% of Nebraska adults are diagnosed with diabetes, and emphasized that the rising cost of medications is making it difficult for patients to purchase the medications they require. Similarly, Briese stated that some Nebraskans are being asked to pay more than $1,000 a month for a 30-day supply.

Last year, the federal government capped the price of insulin at $35 per month for Medicare beneficiaries, and roughly 20 states have established their own caps on the drug. Sen. Briese estimated that the average state-ordained cap was likely between $50-75, and said he "would submit that we...do the same thing."

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WITH HIV UP, NEBRASKA BILL WOULD ALLOW FOR SYRINGE EXCHANGE PROGRAMS

LINCOLN- In response to a sharp increase in HIV cases in Nebraska, health officials and lawmakers have begun looking for new tools to tackle the problem. One of these is LB307, introduced by Sen. Megan Hunt, which would allow local jurisdictions to authorize pharmacies and public health programs to set up syringe services programs to prevent the spread of HIV and hepatitis C.

Lacie Bolte, lead support manager for the Nebraska AIDS project, said she doesn't want to see Nebraska become another HIV outbreak hotspot like others seen throughout the country. In 2021, claimed Bolte, a rural community in Nebraska saw an outbreak of HIV, which led to 235 people catching the disease. "That's what I'm worried about," said Bolte, "is suddenly we have all these infections and we don't have tools to combat them as quickly as we need them."

Nebraska has averaged about 80 new cases of HIV a year over the last decade, but saw a 21% increase in 2021. 24% of the total cases that year were linked to injection drug use. The intent of Sen. Hunt's LB307 is to exempt care staff and participants in public health programs from a law that makes it illegal to provide others with drug paraphernalia.

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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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