CAMPAIGN DONATIONS BUSTING RECORDS WITH LINCOLN MAYORAL PRIMARY STILL A MONTH AWAY

LINCOLN- With around a month to go until the start of Lincoln's mayoral election, the city has already seen its most expensive race in history, with the Peed and Ricketts families dominating the campaign landscape as major Republican donors. Republican state Sen. Suzanne Geist, who is running against incumbent Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird, has already raised $1.1 million in cash contributions, and has spent nearly $742,000, according to the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission.

The incumbent Mayor is not far behind, as Gaylor Baird has raised a hefty $820,000, but has spent only $190,000. More recent mayoral races have topped out at around $600,000 in contributions, so candidates Gaylor Baird and Geist are on track to almost double the previous record. As mentioned, around $900,000 of the early contributions to Geist's campaign have come from Pete Ricketts, former governor and now U.S. Senator, and Tom Peed, owner of Sandhills Global.

Together Nebraska, a conservative PAC that spent around $300,000 to oppose Adam Morfeld in his race against Lancaster County Attorney Pat Condon, raised a hefty $660,000 for Geist's campaign. Most of the PAC's funds came from direct contributions from the Ricketts and Peed families.

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OMAHA STREETCAR AUTHORITY SHOWCASES PROGRESS ON PLAN, SEEKS PUBLIC INPUT

OMAHA- At an open house on Tuesday, leaders from the Omaha Streetcar Authority presented to the public progress on the $306 million project, and also hoped to allay concerns. Dozens of Omaha residents stopped in to ask questions, share feedback, and take a look at the most recent renderings and maps of the Streetcar.

"I'm confident that as people learn more, their concerns about the viability of the project and what impact it may have on them personally," said Jay Noddle, president of the Omaha Streetcar Authority, "Those kinds of concerns are going to dissipate a little bit." At the meeting, it was revealed to the public that Omaha-based engineering firm HDR, one of the parties involved in the project, had reached 15% completion of the Streetcar system's design, but developers wanted to be able to integrate public feedback into the next phase of design and planning.

Nick Stadem, a representative from HDR, confirmed that similar public meetings are planned for the 30% progress mark. Some who attended the meeting indicated that it helped address their concerns with the Streetcar plan, while others stated that they left with unanswered questions.

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NEBRASKA COALITION SEEKS TO GET MENTAL HEALTH APP INTO MORE YOUTH'S HANDS - AND PHONES

LINCOLN- The Nebraska State Suicide Prevention Coalition is looking to get the word out about their "My Companion" app designed to help young people cope with mental health issues and prevent youth suicide. The app is Nebraska based and has helped over 700 users since launching a year ago.

The coalition is placing an emphasis on the app's importance as youth mental health continues to be a growing concern in the state. The app has four main features: reflections, connections, resources and emergency. Dr. Dave Meirs, senior director of behavioral health services at Bryan Medical Center, said the whole idea behind the app is it provides connection amongst the community.

The app is based on a similar Utah app and its development began in Nebraska in 2018. Utah has reported a drop in the number of youths who were expressing suicidal thoughts. In Nebraska, suicide is the leading cause of death among people between ages 15 and 24. Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the state.

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U.S. AGRICULTURE SECRETARY UNVEILS INITIATIVES AIMED AT SMALL AND MIDSIZED OPERATIONS

WASHINTON D.C.- The Department of Agriculture and Secretary Tom Vilsack unveiled steps to recenter U.S. agriculture and benefit small and midsized operations, including a proposed new “Product of USA” labeling rule and an $89 million expansion of the USDA intermediary lending program. Vilsack also announced a new “seed liaison” in the department to increase fairness in the commodity biotech industry, and proposed changes to the Packers and Stockyards Act.

Vilsack highlighted that the developments mark progress in the Biden administration’s approach to transform the existing food system, and increase resilience and profitability. He said that despite record farm income in 2022, 50% of farms nationwide brought in negative farm income. Vilsack attributed this to the “get big or get out” structure of production-based agriculture, which took hold in the 1970s.

Vilsack announced new investments in diversifying local and regional meat processors, including $89 million in guaranteed loans through the USDA’s intermediary lending program. In regards to "Product of USA", currently you may raise the animal in another country and package the meat in the U.S. and add that sticker. The new rule will require goods that use a “Product of USA” label to have their whole production cycle based in the United States.

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NEBRASKA LAWMAKER SEEKS STATE FUNDING FOR OMAHA STREETCAR- IF IT EXTENDED NORTH TOWARD AIRPORT

OMAHA- If the proposed Omaha streetcar extended its route north towards Eppley Airfield, it may receive a notable increase in its funding. A measure presented by State Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha to the Legislature’s Appropriations Committee asks for state funds to establish and operate a streetcar that would connect to Eppley Airfield.

Wayne said, his LB477 is a way to put pressure on the City of Omaha to take the $300 million-plus streetcar project through less advantaged areas and to the airport, and also to “set some standards on who gets included and who doesn’t.” The current plan has there streetcar going from downtown to midtown along Farnam and Harney Streets.

Wayne described his proposal as “Part II” of the Economic Recovery Act the Legislature passed last year as Legislative Bill 1024. That package, called a historic investment into the poorest areas of the state, earmarked $335 million mostly for North and South Omaha. The streetcar would eventually service a business park that is to be near the airport. This business park is also a result of LB1024.

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BETSY DEVOS, TWO OTHERS SPENT BIG ON NEBRASKA LEGISLATIVE RACES

LINCOLN- The former Secretary of Education under Trump, Betsy Devos, gave $710,000 in Nebraska legislative races. Betsy and her husband donated $3.25 of $3.3 million dollars to the American Federation for Children, a national school choice group sent to Nebraska. The American Federation for Children advocates for charter schools, vouchers and tax credit scholarships for private schools.

Lauren Garcia, who directs the Nebraska Federation of Children, said her group and its national organization are pushing for more options for students in Nebraska. She said the federation fights teachers unions that want “to protect their education monopoly.” The Nebraska Federation for Children spent more than $800,000 on nine legislative races during the 2022 election cycle, including the $710,000 sent from the national group.

The group spent $119,000 to help State Sen. Brad von Gillern of Omaha win his race against Cindy Maxwell-Ostdiek. It spent $57,000 to help State Sen. Kathleen Kauth of Omaha win and $115,000 against Kauth’s opponent, Tim Royers. $124,000 was spent against State Sen. George Dungan of Lincoln and $64,000 to boost his opponent, Russ Barger. And it spent $54,000 against legislative candidate Angie Lauritsen in Sarpy County, who lost to State Sen. Rick Holdcroft.

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CONGRESS APPROVES DAMS AND FLOOD MEASURES FOR OMAHA, BUT PROJECTS FACE OPPOSITION

OMAHA- Congress has authorized about $144 million in flood control projects for the greater Omaha area, including two dams, a central Omaha floodwall and changes to more than 380 metro-area properties along creeks. This is only the first step in the process. Congress must vote again to approve the construction and actually move the money to Omaha. 

Adding to the hurdles, some rural landowners affected by one of the dams are working to stop the projects. They commissioned an outside study, have contacted Congress and retained legal counsel. They say the analysis supporting the projects is flawed. The funding comes from the National Defense Authorization Act which helps fund the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 

The general manager of the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District said the metro area is primed for flooding due to the number of homes, businesses and government facilities built in the flood plains of the area’s numerous creeks and streams. This latest plan would reduce but not eliminate that risk. 

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NEBRASKA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LEADERS OPEN AN OFFICE IN SOUTH OMAHA

OMAHA- The Nebraska Department of Economic Development has opened up a satellite office in South Omaha. The state’s economic development director, Anthony Goins, said he had been considering adding a “strategic South Omaha presence” even before lawmakers last year passed Legislative Bill 1024, which earmarks about $335 million, largely for North and South Omaha.

“The goals of the office are to promote economic inclusivity, create high-paying jobs, and support the overall growth of South Omaha,” Goins said. He described Metro Community College as a key partner since they are housing the office. Goins said the office will be further investigating the needs of South Omaha and its surrounding areas. 

A state consultant’s report has issued a plan on how to distribute $225 million of the overall LB 1024 funding, recommending grants go to 35 recipients in South and North Omaha who submitted applications laying out respective plans to grow the local economy through building projects, job development and housing. 

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CHARLIE KIRK'S VISIT TO LINCOLN BRINGS PROTESTERS, REPORTED VANDALISM

LINCOLN- The Lancaster County Republican Party hosted Conservative Speaker Charlie Kirk at an east Lincoln reception hall. Graffiti was found on a pillar outside the building after Kirk had spoken, a party official said. The business owner filed a police report alleging about $150 damage was done with black spray paint on a brick pillar. The message cursed at “Nazis.” 

Lancaster County GOP Chairman Samuel Lyon said his organization believes “in peaceful protest and that open dialogue is a critical component of a healthy Republic.” But he criticized the vandalism as a clear “violation of the law.” No arrests have been made, but video surveillance has been obtained and released. 

Members of the Lancaster County GOP led the push to wrest the Nebraska Republican Party from the former leadership team tied to then-Gov. Pete Ricketts. This was one of the first dinners and speakers the group has had since the change of leadership. The speaker brought out multiple protestors, which has been the case at previous Kirk events. 

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HILGERS CONFIDENT IN ARGUMENTS MADE AGAINST STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS PROGRAM

WASHINGTON, D.C.- Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers, who recently testified to the U.S. Supreme Court against the Biden Administration's attempt to wipe out billions in student debt, stated that he was confident in his arguments. Six states, including Nebraska, sued the Biden Administration following his announcement of student debt relief, claiming that the President had exceeded the authority granted to him.

Nebraska Solicitor General Jim Campbell argued during oral arguments as well, claiming that Biden's program was unconstitutional because the executive branch had assumed a power not explicitly granted to it by Congress. Campbell also asserted that states had met the legal threshold to sue by demonstrating the potential damages they would suffer if the courts upheld Biden's loan forgiveness plan. 

Hilgers, during a virtual press conference, stated that the state coalition lawsuit had nothing to do with "whether or not discharge is a good idea," but focused on whether Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona had the authority to enact the plan. "Our argument before the Supreme Court was that there was no statutory authorization," said Hilgers, "and that Congress did not permit the secretary to do this really massive action without a vote of Congress."

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VOTER ID PUBLIC HEARING STRETCHES SEVEN HOURS AT THE UNICAMERAL

LINCOLN- A trio of bills related to voter ID in Nebraska were heard on Wednesday in the Government, Military, and Veterans Affairs Committee, and the hearing was long and contentious, with testifiers packing both the main hearing room as well as an overflow room. The first bill up for discussion was Sen. Day's LB675, which would require the Secretary of State to dispatch mobile units to each Nebraska County several weeks ahead of Election Day to supply qualifying ID documents to all voters with disabilities or those that lack transportation.

The next two bills, LB228 and 230, introduced by Sen. Erdman, would require ballots to be cast in person and cease the use of mail-in ballots in Nebraska except for military personnel and nursing home residents. Erdman, during the hearing, also called for the criminalization of rule-breaking poll workers and wants to turn Election Day into a state holiday. Neither of the three bills considered on Wednesday would put in place a charge to get a state ID for voting purposes, and Erdman's LB228 alone is expected to cost the state more than $25 million in its first year if implemented. Sen. Day's LB675, around $11 million.

At the beginning of the seven-hour hearing, Sen. Tom Brewer told testifiers that their remarks will be considered alongside those heard by the committee a month during the hearing for Sen. Slama's LB535, a bill that would establish voter ID laws in Nebraska. "We will probably mix and match," said Brewer, "take parts and pieces as necessary."

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TRACY HIGHTOWER-HENNE LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN TO REPRESENT DISTRICT 13 IN NEBRASKA LEGISLATURE

OMAHA- Tracy Hightower-Henne, an Omaha-based lawyer and managing partner at Hightower Reff Law, announced over the weekend that she will be running for Nebraska Legislative District 13, a seat currently held by Sen. Justin Wayne. According to Hightower-Henne's website, she will continue Sen. Wayne's work to strengthen the community through investing in public schools, creating better-paying jobs, and keeping the cost of affordable housing low. 

"We are at a critical junction in our state's history. It's time for new leaders to step up and fight for the future of our communities and our neighbors," said Hightower-Henne, "to ensure that every Nebraskan has the opportunity to thrive and experience equality before the law." With a successful career in law, Hightower-Henne brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the table.

In the past, Hightower-Henne acted as an advocate for reproductive freedom and equal access to justice, and is expected to continue supporting these ideals in the Legislature. She also previously worked at the Nebraska Innocence Project, which, according to her website, opened her eyes to the opportunities available to assist people in her community who needed legal representation.

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SOME NEBRASKA SENATORS FRUSTRATED WITH LEGISLATIVE PROCESS

LINCOLN- Despite the fact that the Nebraska Legislature is officially non-partisan, some senators feel frustrated with the way certain processes are handled. Currently, the Legislature is comprised of 32 Republicans and 17 Democrats. Last session, Republicans in the Legislature passed 31% of the bills they introduced, while Democrats only passed 18% of theirs, a trend expected to continue this year. 

"I have nothing to lose," said Senator Cavanaugh to her colleagues during bill debate, "Like nothing of mine is going to pass in this body. Nothing of mine is even going to come out of committee in this body. So, I'm a free agent beyond all free agents." Senator Hunt echoed a similar sentiment. "Sometimes I think the problem is the messenger," said Hunt, "Maybe I'm a progressive. I'm a leftist. And so, people don't want me to have a win or something."

Last year, every Republican senator introduced an average of 20 bills, while Democrats had an average of 37, but didn't pass anywhere near the same amount of bills as Republicans. Senator Steve Lathrop, who left the Legislature last year, cited this problem, as well as a lack of common ground in the body, as a few of the reasons he left the Unicameral. "The contrast between my first eight years and the last four years is pretty dramatic," said Lathrop before he left, "It had more to do with the merit, the work you've done. Didn't have anything to do the party." Now, according to several senators, this has changed significantly.

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BILL TO EXTEND PANDEMIC-ERA FOOD STAMP BENEFITS UP FOR HEARING THURSDAY

LINCOLN- Starting on Wednesday, March 1st, a large swath of low-income families in the U.S. faced difficult choices following the end of Covid-era federal food stamp protections. However, a new bill introduced by Senator Day, LB84, would extend the deadline of these protections past the end of September, allowing families to maintain food security for an extended amount of time.

"This was legislation that was introduced during the pandemic to give extra access to families that were struggling during the pandemic," said Mike Hornacek, president and CEO of Together Omaha, "Unfortunately, as we know now, food insecurity rates are the highest they've ever been even post-pandemic, whether that has to do with inflation and many other things, so this legislation is critical."

Hornacek stated that, if LB84 fails to pass, around 10,000 Nebraska families stand to lose SNAP benefits come late September. 32 other states have extended supplementary Covid-era benefits, but many will still lose benefits after March 11th, when most of the benefits are set to end. Currently, around 42 million Americans receive SNAP assistance in the U.S., with most being working families.

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FAMILIES WARN AGAINST BILL ALLOWING 'REASONABLE PHYSICAL INTERVENTION' IN NEBRASKA SCHOOLS

LINCOLN- A new bill, LB811, introduced by State Sen. Dave Murman, would allow for teachers and staff at all Nebraska schools to use "reasonable physical intervention" to manage student behavior. The bill received a large amount of pushback, particularly from parents of students with developmental disabilities, civil rights leaders, school administrators, and former teachers, many of whom argued that the measure would risk the safety of students already facing increased discipline.

Brad Meurrens, public policy director of Disability Rights of Nebraska, stated that the bill's ambiguity puts students with disabilities at risk. Meurrens cited that around 80% of students who get restrained at schools, whether by other students or staff, have disabilities, despite the fact that they only make up 13% of the student population. Murman, in defense of his bill, stated that he simply wants to clarify that Nebraska's teachers and staff can physically intervene to protect students and school staffers, a step several opponents argued already exists in Nebraska law. 

"Friends, we have got to do something here," Murman told the Education Committee, "These acts of physical aggression have disrupted the learning environment. We have to let teachers defend themselves." Similar bills have been introduced for the past eight years in Nebraska, but all have failed. Murman stated that he introduced the bill this year at the behest of the Nebraska State Education Association.

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NEBRASKA LAWMAKERS WEIGH PROPOSAL TO USE STATE FUNDS FOR PRIVATE SCHOOL ENROLLMENT

LINCOLN- LB528, introduced by State Sen. Ben Hansen, would create the Nebraska Option Enrollment Tuition Account Program, allowing Nebraska youth to tap into state funds to attend private school. "I want you to create options within option enrollment," said Hansen during an Education Committee hearing, "guaranteeing that there's a path forward for students who have been denied."

Under the bill, students whose option enrollment application is denied could apply to the State Board of Education for an Option Enrollment Tuition Account, which could be used to pay for tuition and fees at private, denominational, or parochial schools in Nebraska. Hansen claimed that the funds would not be taken away from public schools, as many opponents argued, but that they would come directly from Nebraska's general fund. 

Dawnell Glunz, an instructor at Grand Island Central Catholic, said the bill is not about the fight between public and private schools. "Students deserve an education that is tailored to their specific needs. This rings true for all students but in a unique way for students who are on an IEP or 504," said Glunz. 

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NEBRASKA LAWMAKER SEEKS A VOTE OF THE PEOPLE FOR WEIGHTY TIF REQUESTS

LINCOLN- Under Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh's LB746, voters in any Nebraska city would have to approve a tax-increment financing request that exceeds $20 million. Sen. Cavanaugh introduced the bill to limit Omaha's use of TIF in particular, which, according to Cavanaugh, has been a bit too trigger-happy with TIF when starting large projects. "It's not about the merits of the project, it's the process," said Cavanaugh in defense of her bill, "Are we honoring the intention of TIF, and are we honoring the people? These are the people's tax dollars."

TIF, a popular and at times controversial tool, is intended to spur the revival of "blighted" areas and is often awarded to developers to cover redevelopment expenses before begin paid back over 15 or 20 years. Normally, the property tax payments go to support schools and other local tax-reliant bodies. Cavanaugh, during an Urban Affairs Committee hearing, stated that she introduced the bill in response to the recent flurry of TIF-supported projects in Omaha, including the Streetcar project and Mutual of Omaha's planned downtown office tower. 

Officials from the City of Omaha and the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce testified in opposition to the bill, saying that the city already offers the opportunity for public opinion at various points throughout the TIF process. Jacquelyn Morrison, an economic development aide to Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert, said that few projects in the past couple of years fell within the parameters of this bill.

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LGBTQ PROTECTIONS AT CROSSROADS IN NEBRASKA LEGISLATURE

LINCOLN- This session, a myriad of proposals have been introduced in the Nebraska Legislature that some see as restrictive for LGBTQ individuals, including bills that place restrictions on what bathrooms transgender youth could use, and which sports teams they can participate in. However, several bills have been introduced to counter these proposals, like one that expands nondiscrimination policies to include gender identity and sexual orientation and another to broaden the definition of marriage.

In response to the more restrictive proposals, state Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh vowed to bring the Legislature to a "screeching halt" unless the bills were revoked. Sen. John Fredrickson, the first openly gay male senator to serve in the Nebraska Legislature, said that several of these more restrictive bills would "chip away" at LGBTQ rights. 

"In Nebraska, we haven't seen anything quite as aggressive and bold as what we're seeing this year," said Fredrickson, "so it's an interesting year to start, for sure, given this kind of unprecedented dynamic. But at the same time, we're also seeing some really great, proactive legislation to ensure that the community is protected." Sen. Fredrickson introduced several pieces of proactive legislation, including LB179, which would prohibit conversion therapy in Nebraska, a practice he defined as "deceptive," and LB316, which would remove a provision in state law that restricts people with sexually transmitted diseases from getting married. 

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HIGH SCHOOLERS CHALLENGE NEBRASKA SENATOR'S PLAN TO STUDY RENEWABLE ENERGY

LINCOLN- Last Friday, Senator Bruce Bostelman told the Nebraska Legislature's Executive Board that the economic impact of a nationwide shift to renewable energy must be studied prior to implementation to assess the long-term costs of replacing coal, natural gas, and other energy plants with wind and solar. To pursue this study, Sen. Bostelman introduced LB566, which would appropriate around $30,000 towards an independent consultant to examine the trends and project potential unforeseen that may come as a result of switching to cleaner energies in Nebraska. 

The study would also look at the economic benefits of maintaining coal, natural gas, and nuclear energy while making the switch to cleaner energy sources that "threaten the ability of power suppliers in the state to maintain existing baseload generation." "As energy policy around the nation is shifting to a more diverse set of generation sources," said Bostelman, "it is prudent for the Natural Resources Committee to examine the potential effects of those policies."

In response to this bill, which some see as a way to justify continuing the use of non-renewable energy sources, like coal and natural gas, a trio of Omaha high school students, who are members of Students for Sustainability, told senators that the scope of the study was far too narrow and that the result was "pre-determined" based on the language of the bill. Mia Perales, an attendee at Omaha South High School, said the study appeared poised to ignore previous reports that indicated that the cost of generating electricity from renewable energy has dropped by 80% in the last decade.

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'HOW SICK DO WE LET PEOPLE GET?' DOCTORS, SUPPORTERS AT ODDS OVER NEBRASKA ABORTION BILL'S REACH

LINCOLN- The day Senator Albrecht introduced LB626, or the Nebraska Heartbeat Act, she estimated that it would ban around 85% of all abortions in Nebraska. However, many opponents argued during a public hearing two weeks ago that the bill would essentially ban all abortion procedures, while others questioned how the exceptions listed in the bill, like for pregnancies resulting from sexual assault, would work in practice.

According to various experts who conducted research following the bill's introduction, the 85% prediction may be pretty close to the final percentage if the bill is passed. They also cited evidence that suggested that less than 14% of women who received abortions did so at five weeks or earlier. The Department of Health and Human Services also released data confirming that around 15% to 25% of all abortions in Nebraska happen at the six-week mark.

Opponents of the bill also argued that most women don't even realize they're pregnant at six weeks, and that women who do realize it would have a very limited amount of time to receive the procedure if they chose to. During the hearing, several doctors testifying in support of the bill claimed that there are certain procedures that terminate a pregnancy to save the life of a mother, but that they don't consider it an abortion. Lincoln maternal-fetal medicine physician Sean Kenney, a supporter of Albrecht's bill, said he's performed such procedures. "I didn't do an abortion," he said, "I saved [a mother's] life."

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