GUN RIGHTS ADVOCATES FLEX MUSCLES, ADVANCE CONSTITUTIONAL CARRY BILL

LINCOLN- The first round of approval for LB77, the permitless concealed carry bill, passed the first round of debate in the Nebraska Legislature. If enacted, it would allow people to carry a concealed weapon without a state permit or passage of a gun safety course. The bill was filibustered for multiple days before advancing on a 36-12 vote.

The bill had failed to advance in years past. This year, it has advanced to review even with the opposition of both Omaha and Lincoln. The bill's sponsor, Senator Tom Brewer, argued that law-abiding Nebraskans should not have to pay — $100 for a state concealed carry permit and $100-$200 for a training course — to exercise their constitutional right to bear arms.

Opponents pointed to the recent mass shootings in America claiming this is no time to expand gun rights. Brewer and other supporters held their ground that the bill had nothing to do with the proliferation of guns and gun violence in the U.S. There will be tow more rounds of debate on the bill before it would see the governor's desk.

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BILL WOULD REQUIRE PUBLIC VOTE BEFORE SCHOOL DISTRICTS COULD USE 'WORK AROUND' TO FINANCE NEW SCHOOLS

LINCOLN- Nebraska voters, under a new bill, would have to approve agreements to finance new schools via a little-used interlocal agreement system. LB299, introduced by State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan, would also close a "loophole" in state law that allows for the financing of new school construction without a public vote. "If you're going to put people in debt," said Linehan during a public hearing on the bill, "people should have the right to vote 'yes' or 'no'." 

Linehan cited a recent case in Beatrice, where voters rejected a bond to build a new elementary school twice, but saw the local school board appropriate $43 million and begin construction anyway. Linehan described such a move as a "work around," and seeks to limit the ability of school boards to utilize this process.

Sen. Myron Dorn, who represents Beatrice, said he supported this bill because many of his constituents were upset that the construction project moved forward. LB299, which has already left committee, advanced from a first-round debate on a 38-0 vote.

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TESTIMONY LEANED HEAVY IN SUPPORT OF A PROPOSED MALCOLM X HOLIDAY IN NEBRASKA

LINCOLN- At a Wednesday hearing, support for a bill that would establish Malcolm X Day as a state holiday drew loud support. However, Sen. Steve Halloran suggested that, instead, Nebraska could implement a shared civil rights leader holiday, honoring Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, Jr., and several other prolific figures. Preston Love, Jr., a proponent testifier, challenged Halloran's suggestion, saying that "maybe in another state that might be an approach" since Malcolm X was born in Nebraska. 

"We have somewhat of a cosmic and divine responsibility to recognize him as a state," continued Love, a North Omaha historian and professor, "give him a day." Kathy Wilmot, the only spoken opponent to the bill and a new member of the University of Nebraska Board of Regents, said that there are only a set number of days in a year and that many other prominent Nebraskans should be considered. "I don't think we can continually add new holidays," said Wilmot.

State Sen. Terrell McKinney, who introduced the bill, said he has previously attempted to establish the holiday, but failed. However, now that Malcolm X has been newly inducted into the Nebraska Hall of Fame, there may be a chance. Several proponent testifiers noted the hall of fame induction as a reason to establish the holiday. 

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NEBRASKA LAWMAKERS ADVANCE DRESS CODE BILL INTENDED TO PROTECT STUDENTS' RELIGIOUS, CULTURAL BELIEFS

LINCOLN- Under LB630, introduced by Sen. Terrell McKinney, the Nebraska Department of Education would be tasked with establishing a model dress code and grooming policy for all Nebraska schools. The bill intends to protect Nebraska students from discrimination for wearing attire or their hair in a way that aligns with their religious or cultural beliefs. The Legislature's Education Committee advanced the bill to general file on a 7-0 vote, pushing it into a first round of debate.

The dress code established by the Department of Education would not be allowed to prohibit any student from wearing attire associated with their race, religion, or national origin, and local school boards would be required to adopt the written dress code by July 1, 2025. During a hearing for the bill, there was no opponent testimony, and several proponents from various cultures and religions, both parents and students, argued that the bill would help them be more comfortable in school.

Two years ago, the ACLU of Nebraska sued a north-central Nebraska school district alleging that an employee cut the hair of a Native American child, a move that parents claimed violated their beliefs. "We believe our hair is our spirit; as it grows, our spirit grows," said one of the parents named in the suit. Under LB630, such violations will not be allowed to take place.

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NEBRASKA LAWMAKERS ADVANCE BILL BANNING ABORTIONS AT ABOUT 6 WEEKS OF PREGNANCY

LINCOLN- LB626, or the Nebraska Heartbeat Act, passed out of the Health and Human Services Committee on a 4-2 vote, with Sen. Lynne Walz not present to vote. Following advancement, the bill will be put through three rounds of debate. LB626, introduced by Sen. Joni Albrecht, would prohibit abortions in the state once embryonic cardiac activity is detected via ultrasound. 

Last session, Albrecht introduced the same bill, but failed to pass it following an extended filibuster. The bill introduced last year did not make it out of the Judiciary Committee on a vote, but passed through a successful pull motion to make it to the general file. This year, Albrecht's new bill includes several exceptions that were present in the last iteration, including several for rape, incest, and life-saving exceptions.

However, Albrecht's bill is still significantly stricter than Nebraska's current abortion law, which bans the procedure at 20 weeks past fertilization. It's estimated that LB626 would eliminate 85% of abortions in the state. If passed, a physician's medical license could be revoked if they perform an abortion after embryonic cardiac activity is detected. 

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THOUSANDS OF NEBRASKANS COULD LOSE MEDICAID AS COVID-ERA PROTECTIONS END

OMAHA- Around 80,000 Nebraskans are expected to lose Medicaid coverage in the coming months now that the federal Covid-related public health emergency is expiring and pandemic-era protections are ending. Some of those who will lose coverage include those who make too much money at work to qualify, found a job with health benefits, and have had children move out during the Covid-19 pandemic. 

However, state officials and community health advocates worry that others may be kicked off the program even if they still qualify since state Medicaid workers won't be able to reach them for newly resumed eligibility reviews. "The biggest thing is we really, really, really want to make sure we're not dropping anybody from coverage who's still eligible," said Kevin Bagley, Nebraska's State Medicaid Director. 

During the federal public health emergency, Congress required that states keep everyone on Medicaid who enrolled on or after March 18th, 2020. According to Congress, this move was intended to ensure that as many people as possible had health coverage during the pandemic. Despite this, President Biden announced last month that he was ending the Covid emergency starting May 11th, which set off a national "unwind" process under which states were required to begin reviewing Medicaid recipients, a practice done pre-pandemic. 

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BANKS CAUGHT UP IN MASSIVE BANK FRAUD BEGIN TO SHOW TEMPORARY LOSSES

LINCOLN- Millions of dollars of fraudulent loans obtained by Lincoln businessman Aaron Marshbanks are starting to show up in the bottom line of Nebraska banks and savings and loans. A total of six financial institutions reported a loss during the 4th quarter of 2022. Western National Bank, based in Chester, and I3 Bank, based in Bennington, reported net losses for the entire year. 

Kelly Lammers, director of the Nebraska Department of Banking and Finance, said Friday that he could not comment on individual banks but said he stands by earlier comments that despite more than $50 million in estimated fraudulent loans obtained by Marshbanks, Nebraska financial institutions are well capitalized to withstand such losses. “Generally, as an industry, Nebraska banking is incredibly strong,” Lammers said. 

An attorney has been appointed to sort out Marshbanks’ estate and to determine whether assets are available to pay off the more than $50 million in claims made by 30 financial institutions against the estate. Officials have said there appears to be little equity built up in the more than 200 properties he had purchased, primarily in north Omaha and Lincoln, but also in Wyoming and New Orleans.

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OPS BOARD COMMITTEE SELECTS MATTHEW RAY AS INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT

OMAHA- On Wednesday, the Omaha Public School Board announced that Matthew Ray will serve as interim superintendent while the committee continues its search for a full-time superintendent during the 2023-2024 school year. Board Member Ricky Smith announced that Ray will move into position pending approval from the full board next month. 

"We will need an interim superintendent to move us forward," said Smith, "We thought last month about whether an external or internal interim would be best for our school district--work cannot be paused for a transition." Previously, Ray served as the district's chief of staff and secretary of the school board, and had his position changed to deputy superintendent last November, a change school officials said was simply a title swap. 

Ray began his career in the district teaching at Ashland Park-Robbins Elementary School. "Omaha Public Schools offers unmatched opportunities for students," said Ray, "I've seen it as a career-long staff member and parent of three district graduates. I'm honored and humbles to carry forward our daily service and strategic plan of action."

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NEBRASKA UTILITIES MONITOR SECURITY IN MIDST OF NATIONAL RISE IN SABOTAGE

OMAHA- In the face of both domestic and international threats to the nation's power grid, Nebraska's large utility companies say they have begun working to better secure their assets. Last year, significant attacks on crucial electrical infrastructure were reported in five states, with some communities losing power for days.

Nebraska utilities stated that they've been following these stories closely, and have already been taking steps to avoid similar attacks. "Physical or cyber security threats continue to grow and change daily," said Grant Otten, a spokesman for the Nebraska Public Power District, "NPPD works with peer utilities in Nebraska and across the nation to stay up to date on the latest security risks and safeguards."

Otten went on to confirm that NPPS and OPPS have the security clearance to work confidentially with federal, state, and local officials to better secure Nebraska's electrical infrastructure. "NPPD is also monitoring the development of any new technologies that can be used to secure substations and implements them where it makes sense," finished Otten. 

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CHIEF JUSTICE SAYS MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES A FESTERING PROBLEM FOR NEBRASKA COURTS

LINCOLN- Nebraska Supreme Court Chief Justice Mike Heavican held his State of the Judiciary Address on Tuesday, outlining a series of ongoing efforts to improve the state's judicial system by addressing issues like the needs of children and minority defendants. "Please be assured that Nebraska's judicial branch is always striving to find ways to do it better," Heavican told the senators in attendance. However, one of the most pressing issues according to Heavican is mental health.

"Our judges are frequently confronted with defendants who have mental health issues," continued Heavican, emphasizing how often judges turn to probation officers to find services for these individuals. Heavican also stated that "this problem has festered for years and needs a resource supplement," especially since the Lincoln Regional Center is experiencing six-month backlogs for evaluations.

Heavican also revealed the results of a study done in association with the Access to Justice Commission during his address, and stated that over 46 different languages were interpreted in court proceedings last year in Nebraska.

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NEBRASKA CORRECTIONS REQUESTS ADDITIONAL $95 MILLION FOR NEW PRISON

LINCOLN- According to new projections from the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services, the Legislature would have to allocate around $350 million to build a new Nebraska State Penitentiary. "This project can no longer be delayed," said interim director of NDCS Diane Sabatka-Rine. Last year, the Legislature earmarked $255 million for a new prison, but has only appropriated $14.9 million. NDCS is asking for an additional $95 million to complete it. 

The Department of Correctional Services blamed the substantial increase on inflation, as well as the recent water main break failure that forced 140 inmates to be relocated. "This is an example of the aging infrastructure at the penitentiary, and such incidents are likely to occur if a replacement is delayed even further," said Sabatka-Rine, "The cost to build a facility will also continue to increase the longer the project is delayed due to rising construction costs." 

Within five years, Sabatka-Rine said she plans to move inmates from the 154-year-old State Penitentiary to the new prison and decommission the old facility. "The facility will need to continue to house inmates for at least the next five years while a new facility is built," finished Sabatka-Rine. A new prison location has yet to be located, but several site studies have been completed around Omaha and Lincoln according to NDCS.

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PILLEN PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR BILL BANNING GENDER-ALTERING HEALTH CARE FOR TRANS YOUTH

LINCOLN- On Tuesday, Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen announced his support for two bills, LB574, or the "Let Them Grow Act," and LB575, called the "Sports and Spaces Act." Pillen argued that both bills, introduced by Senator Kauth, would allow him to fulfill his long-established promise of protecting Nebraska children. Both bills drew large amounts of public scrutiny.

LB574 would ban individuals under 19 from receiving gender-affirming medical treatment, such as puberty blockers, hormone treatment, and surgical procedures, while LB575 would restrict access to school bathrooms and locker rooms on the basis of biological sex. Pillen described LB575 as a "common sense" bill, and one that would keep less protective policies out of Nebraska.

Critics described both bills as civil rights violations, and argued that they would do more harm than good to trans youth. Some even argued that these pieces of legislation will increase the risk of suicide among trans youth, a demographic already at high risk. The ACLU called both bills "anti-LGBTQ."

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LINCOLN ATTORNEY DENNY VAGGALIS SEEKS GEIST'S LEGISLATIVE SEAT

LINCOLN- Denny Vaggalis, a Lincoln-based attorney, former legislative aide, and policy adviser to former Gov. Pete Ricketts, announced last Friday that he will be a 2024 candidate for the District 25 legislative seat that will be vacated by Sen. Suzanne Geist. Geist, who is term-limited, and therefore must leave her seat following the next Nebraska election, is challenging Lincoln May Leirion Gaylor Baird in this year's Lincoln mayoral race. 

Vaggalis, age 33, described himself as "a conservative Republican attorney." He previously served as policy adviser for Gov. Ricketts, and focused primarily on criminal justice, public safety, economic development, and agriculture. Vaggalis also served previously as legal counsel for former Speakers of the Legislature Jim Scheer and Mike Hilgers. 

Currently, Vaggalis serves as a legislative aide for Sen. Beau Ballard. Vaggalis said in a statement that, as state senator, he would "use [his] experience to fight for conservative solutions that empower parents, taxpayers, and entrepreneurs." He went on to state, "I support a parent's right to determine the best education environment for their child, whether public, private or home school. Finally, and importantly, I'm pro-life and believe every child deserves a loving home."

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NEBRASKA COMMITTEE CONSIDERS HARMONIZING HEMP REGULATION

LINCOLN- On Tuesday, the Legislature's Agriculture Committee heard testimony on LB263, a bill that would amend the Nebraska Hemp Farming Act to align with the 2018 federal Farm Bill. The bill would also increase the harvest window for hemp from 15 to 30 days, require the Nebraska Hemp Commission to meet annually instead of quarterly, increase the negligence threshold of THC from 0.5% to 1%, and allow the use of performance-based sampling and remediation options for hemp testing.

The bill, which was introduced by Sen. Steve Halloran, received no opposition testimony during the hearing on Tuesday, but saw many proponent testifiers argue for the importance of Nebraska to "tap into" the potential of hemp production. "A thriving hemp industry in Nebraska could create new job opportunities and stimulate economic growth," said Jacob Bish, "particularly in rural areas of the state."

Sherry Vinton, director of the Department of Agriculture, also gave her own proponent testimony, arguing that this bill is essentially a copy of a similar bill that reached the first round of debate last session but didn't pass. Annette Wiles, chair of the Nebraska Hemp Commission, said that the institution "will never be successful" without future funding, which this bill will provide. 

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KENNY ZOELLER IS THE MAN MAKING THE LEGISLATIVE CASE FOR GOV. PILLEN

LINCOLN- Gov. Jim Pillen, following the release of his budget proposal, introduced several bills to the Nebraska Legislature that seek to cut taxes, corral state spending, reform school aid, protect water rights, and implement a conservative policy agenda. Most of the bills are positioned in committees with friendly majorities for advancement to the floor of the Legislature, but some defense is still needed. That's where Kenny Zoeller comes in.

Zoeller, who has been with the Pillen campaign since the beginning, now serves as the governor's policy research director. Zoeller has testified at almost every bill hearing pertaining to Gov. Pillen's budget and agenda, and is a staunch defender of bills he claims will "grow our economy and keep our kids here."

Zoeller is situated in a position that is particularly communicative with state senators, and he already pushed for several bills that would help move Nebraska toward implementing Pillen's budget proposal. Many of these bills, besides a few that are being amended, are ready for floor debate, but heavy debate is expected from democratic senators. 

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HARD FEELINGS AIRED BY CITIZENS DENIED THE OPPORTUNITY TO TESTIFY IN NEBRASKA LEGISLATURE

LINCOLN- Packed hearing rooms, hallways, and overflow rooms is a common theme this legislative session as the state works through many hot-button issues such as guns, public funding for private schools, abortion, and LGBTQ rights. Because of the number of people wishing to testify, not all get to see the microphone or even the hearing room. Many have grown enraged and have pointed to legislative committee chairs imposing a six-hour time limit on testimony. 

“There are a lot of young people now that have their first interaction with the Legislature as being one where their voices weren’t heard, and in fact, they’re turned away,” said Cindy Maxwell-Ostdiek, a nonpartisan who ran for the Legislature in 2022. The Nebraska Legislature is unique in requiring a public hearing on every bill that is introduced. But there are no rules on how to conduct those hearings.

A couple of former legislators who headed committees cited various strategies to handle hearings with a deluge of people seeking to testify. Former Sen. Steve Lathrop of Omaha said he had an “Alliance Rule.” “If someone came all the way from Alliance, they were going to have a chance to speak." Former Sen. Galen Hadley of Kearney said he would limit how long each testifier could speak, to three to five minutes each. 

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ABORTION RIGHTS GROUP SAYS FIGHT 'FAR FROM OVER' INVOLVING NEW RESTRICTIONS IN NEBRASKA

LINCOLN- Andi Curry Grubb, executive director of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Nebraska, has declared the abortion battle in the Nebraska legislature far from over despite reports of opponents nearing the vote threshold. “We know it will be close, but we have successfully blocked four abortion bans in the past year and we can do it again." 

LB626 currently has 29 sponsors with support from Speaker Arch and Senator Hansen being announced and now placing the bill two votes short of the needed 33. Senators Tom Brandt and Christ Armendariz have indicated that they will be listening to the floor debate before they decided which way to cast their vote. Senator Albrecht, the bill's sponsor, is confident in Senator Armendariz's support. 

Besides Brandt and Armendariz, Fremont Sen. Lynne Walz and Omaha Sen. Justin Wayne, two Democrats in the officially nonpartisan Legislature, are viewed as possible supporters. Only one Democrat signed on as a cosponsor of LB 626, Omaha Sen. Mike McDonnell. The bill is expected to be advanced out of committee this week making way for the battle on the floor. 

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AND NOW NEBRASKA SENATORS ARE FIGHTING OVER THE OPENING PRAYER

LINCOLN- The politically divided unicameral Nebraska Legislature held extended debate on Tuesday over its increasingly sharp disagreements on whether or not to begin the day with a prayer. Sen. Megan Hunt, an Omaha representative, stated that she was against what she called a "denominational prayer," or a prayer that she believes expresses the views specifically held by a Christian Nationalist Party."

Following Sen. Hunt's statement, Sen. Dave Murman immediately jumped into the debate in an attempt to strike Hunt's words from the legislative record, as well as a few supportive comments made by Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh. However, there is no current Legislative procedure that allows senators to strike remarks. Hunt responded to Murman's attempt by saying that it "says a lot more about him than about me."

Sen. Danielle Conrad jumped into the fray as well, saying that Murman was attempting to "bully and silence other senators." Attempting to censor and erase a senator's remarks "has no place in the Nebraska Legislature," finished Conrad. Following this small skirmish, Sen. Erdman jumped in to invite all senators to his Bible study, which he holds every Wednesday morning with several other senators.

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BILL WOULD CREATE TWO STATE TEAMS TO HELP FIGHT NEBRASKA WILDFIRES, BUT AT WHOSE COST?

LINCOLN- LB655, introduced by State Sen. Mike McDonnell, would allow Nebraska to spend around $1.2 million per year in state funds to unlock $3 million in federal funds to build two teams of local volunteer and paid firefighter teams to curb the rise in wildfires. However, during a public hearing for the bill last Thursday, debate ensued over whether the state should hire its own paid wildfire response teams or recruit local volunteers. 

The state money, which would be allocated through this bill, would go to the Nebraska State Fire Marshal's Office and the Nebraska Forest Service, and the federal funds would be applied for through a Community Wildfire Defense grant. The fiscal note, which states McDonnell's intent to hire 23 full-time state employees to build these teams, was called inaccurate by the senator. Rather, according to McDonnell, the goal is to model response teams after the volunteer Urban Search and Rescue Teams hosted by Lincoln Fire & Rescue, which specialize in natural disaster response.  

McDonnell went on to state that the new teams will be made up of both volunteer and paid firefighters from all over the state, and the bill drew support from the Nebraska State Volunteer Firefighters Association. However, one opponent of the bill, State Fire Marshal Doug Hohbein, stated that his agency's duties do not include actively fighting fires. Hohbein went on to argue that, if the fiscal note is accurate, he would have to hire 23 new firefighters, changing the role and scope of the Fire Marshal's office in Nebraska. 

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MCDONNELL IN CROSSHAIRS OF FELLOW DEMS ON ABORTION, TRANS DEBATES

LINCOLN- This week, the Douglas County Democratic Party vehemently rejected a leadership bid by Senator Mike McDonnell following his interest in casting the one vote needed to restrict abortion in Nebraska. McDonnell sought to join the Party's central committee, which is home to the largest pocket of Democrats in Nebraska, but failed on a 17-3 vote. Some who cast votes stated that McDonnell's anti-abortion sentiment is what led them to deny his bid. 

"This vote was about sending a strong message that we don't support elected officials who support the legislation of law that directly hurts vulnerable humans," said Karin Waggoner, a party official who voted against McDonnell's bid. As it stands right now, McDonnell is the only Democratic senator who is co-sponsoring Sen. Albrecht's LB626, a bill that would ban abortions after embryonic cardiac activity is detected.

McDonnell is also the sole Democrat co-sponsor of Sen. Kauth's LB574 and 575, which seek to prohibit gender-affirming care for trans people under the age of 19 and disallow trans students from participating in school sports. McDonnell, who cites his Catholic religion as the reason he supports these bills, said, "I've been consistent and made that statement from Day One. If people weren't aware of that, if they didn't realize what that meant, the I understand that they have questions and try to answer them."

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