NEBRASKANS BELIEVE LACK OF AFFORDABLE CHILD CARE A SERIOUS PROBLEM IN THE STATE

OMAHA- According to a recent survey created by Nebraska Extension and We Care for Kids, a partnership of community-based organizations that aim to build support for early childhood education, many registered voters in Nebraska believe the state lacks quality, affordable child care. Nearly three-quarters of respondents indicated that this is a serious problem facing the state, on par with concerns about crime and the cost of housing. 

"The extent of the crisis was worse than we anticipated and the findings show that Nebraskans really want solutions," said Kara Ficke, the campaign manager of We Care for Kids. Ficke expressed hope that the survey results will help highlight this issue and show that child care struggles are not isolated to just one part of the state. 

According to findings from both organizations, around 91% of counties in Nebraska with child care facilities do not have enough available facilities to meet parents' demands. 84% of respondents in the survey also indicated that Nebraska should support child care and early learning like it does K-12 schools and high education institutions.

For the full article click HERE

NEBRASKA GOP NAMES EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AFTER 9-MONTH VACANCY

LINCOLN- After operating for almost nine months without an executive director, the Nebraska Republican Party named one of its own to fill the role. Dawn Liphardt was chosen as the new executive director during a state central committee and executive committee meeting last weekend, according to party chair Eric Underwood, who was also reelected as chair during the two-day event after facing no challenges. 

Underwood had worked previously with Liphardt in his role as chair of the Lancaster County GOP, and brought her on as the state party's office administrator and statewide county coordinator. Liphardt had also served under Underwood during last year's tumultuous state party convention, which ousted the former chair and led to a mass exodus of party leadership. 

During that event, the party's previous executive director, Taylor Gage, resigned, leaving the position vacant for the past nine months. Following this, Underwood stated that he wanted to focus on the upcoming November elections, and not on electing a new executive director. However, during that contentious time, Liphardt assumed many of the responsibilities held by the executive director, which, according to Underwood, made her election to the position very easy. "It just made sense to put her in that position," said Underwood. 

For the full article click HERE

NEBRASKA HOSPITALS STRUGGLING FINANCIALY, WITH MOST OPERATING IN THE RED LAST YEAR, OFFICIALS SAY

LINCOLN- The increased costs of labor and supplies, and a failure of Medicaid and Medicare to fully reimburse services were the two main stressors on the state's hospital systems. Over half of the states hospitals operated in the red in 2022 and 2023 is expected to be no different. This has prompted cutbacks, service eliminations, and threats of closure for smaller rural hospitals. 

“This trend is very concerning. The current economic model for hospitals is simply not sustainable,” said Summer Owen, CEO of Great Plains Health in North Platte. Bryce Brackle, vice president of finance for Nebraska Medicine in Omaha, said his hospital sustained an $18.6-million loss in 2022 and is projecting another year of red ink in 2023. 

The Nebraska Hospital Association listed four factors for financial stress:

1. Labor challenges, including an exodus of employees during the high stress of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

2. Workforce costs have risen 26.8% since 2020.

3. Inflation. Medical supply costs are up 25.4%, and drug costs have risen 42.5%.

4. Reimbursement rates for patients on Medicaid and Medicare, which haven’t kept up, with the average loss for Medicaid care of 60%.

For the full article click HERE

NEBRASKA GOV. PILLEN NOT RELEASING EVENT SCHEDULE, CRITICIZED FOR LACK OF ACCESS, ACCOUNTABILITY

LINCOLN- Nebraska's newly-elected Gov. Jim Pillen is breaking more than 30 years of gubernatorial practice by not releasing information about his public schedule. During the ten weeks since Gov. Pillen and Lt. Gov. Kelly took their oaths of office, the administration has not yet provided schedules for either official. Inquiries about the lack of schedules have, allegedly, yielded silence or incomplete information from both offices. 

Previously, and for the past 30 years, the governor of Nebraska has released a schedule and provided advance notice of press conferences, speaking engagements, participation on public boards, and appearances at ribbon cuttings and Husker football games. The schedules also indicated when the governor expected to be out of town, leaving the lieutenant governor in charge. 

Pillen's spokeswoman Laura Strimple said that the change in practice is just a way the governor's administration is doing business differently, saying that, when Pillen does appear at events, his questions and comments are covered broadly. "Every governor determines the way they wish to communicate information and availability to the public and the media," said Strimple, "There is no requirement or formula for how it is done."

For the full article click HERE

$250 MILLION REDO OF TIRED REGIONAL MALL SIGNALS FURTHER CHANGE IN GRAND ISLAND

GRAND ISLAND- In an attempt to attract retail and regional tourism, the Conestoga Mall in Grand Island is set to get a $250 million revamp. The 50-acre Conestoga Mall site is to feature apartments and a hotel around a modern, downsized shopping complex that will offer a Target and a national tenant lineup yet to be identified. City officials have agreed to a package of public subsidies and incentives covering about a third of the project cost.

Included in the assist is $26 million in city-approved tax-increment financing and an occupation tax on on-site transactions that over time is expected to generate nearly $37 million to pay off financing bonds. The city will also pull a total of $10 million from the general fund. “This will re-energize shopping in Grand Island,” said Hall County regional planning director Chad Nabity. 

Cindy Johnson, president of the local Chamber of Commerce, said the Conestoga property was key to keeping intact Grand Island’s heritage as a shopping “destination.” In its better days, she said, the mall lured 250,000 people a year from the surrounding 90 miles who sought dining and other services in the city. Grand Island is just off Interstate 80 and accessible to traffic from U.S. Highways 281, 30 and 34. 

For the full article click HERE

THREE YEARS INTO THE COVID PANDEMIC, WHERE IS NEBRASKA HEADED?

LINCOLN- After three years of Covid-19, Nebraska and the nation alike have significantly eased restrictions and responses. During the first year, roughly 200,000 cases were confirmed in Nebraska. Thanks to a huge omicron spike, the second year brought even more cases — nearly 270,000. The third year, although effected by testing declines, has produced under 100,000 cases. 

For deaths, Nebraska counted more than 2,500 deaths during the first year, just over 1,700 during the second and slightly more than 600 in the third. The current national average is 350 Covid related deaths a day, while Nebraska reports about three of those deaths a day.The state’s COVID-related deaths over the past three years add up to nearly 5,000 Nebraskans 

In the same time period, there were 114 deaths from influenza and 24 from RSV. Covid was the state's third leading cause of death in 2022 with Cancer in second and Heart disease maintaining the first. Both the state and the national government have recognized we are at a turning point, although the WHO has announced that they ill maintain the international public health emergency.

For the full article click HERE

THURSTON COUNTY DENIES DISCRIMINATION AGAINST NATIVE VOTERS

OMAHA- Despite recent claims that Thurston County had redrawn the county board of supervisors districts to purposely discriminate against Native American voters who make up a majority of the county's population in order to ensure white politicians maintain control of the board, the County has denied the actions. The county claimed the lawsuit filed by both the Winnebago and Omaha tribes "have no basis in law or fact and are false." 

In a counterclaim, the county is asking a judge to dismiss the lawsuit and declare the county's redistricting plan does not violate the law and protects all county residents' constitutional rights. The tribes are seeking a judge's order declaring the map violates the Voting Rights Act, preventing the county from conducting future elections using that map and requiring the implementation of a new districting plan that complies with the law. 

Natives make up 50.3% of the voting age population, compared with 43% of whites, in Thurston County, which is home to both the Winnebago and Omaha Indian reservations. Natives believe they should have a serious chance to elect officials in four districts, but were only given the advantage in three. The current board currently only has two members who are Natives and five who are white.

For the full article click HERE

NEBRASKA GOV. PILLEN URGES AWARENESS, ADVOCACY FOR THOSE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

LINCOLN- On Tuesday, Gov. Jim Pillen, alongside the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services and several Nebraskans with developmental disabilities, proclaimed March as Developmental Disabilities Month. Pillen said he wanted to keep this March distinction, which was first established by President Reagan in 1987, alive to help with advocacy and support for people with disabilities. 

"Every person matters, and we need to put in a special month where we recognize and support the families that have developmental disabilities," said Pillen, "We're encouraging, and we are supporting and we are helping all others have normal, meaningful, purposeful lives every single day." Tony Green, director of the division of developmental disabilities at the Department oh Health and Human Services, also spoke at the event, stating that the state already supports around 5,100 Nebraskans with developmental disabilities. 

In addition, Green also said that Gov. Pillen's distinction will bring even more awareness to the issues people with disabilities face, such as barriers to employment. Pillen went on to encourage those in attendance to reach out to their state senators regarding his education funding proposals in the Legislature, which he says will include increases in special education funding. 

For the full article click HERE

GROWING COALITION POINTS ABROAD IN RELIEVING NEBRASKA'S WORKFORCE WOES

OMAHA- From downtown Omaha to the Scottsbluff National Monument, Nebraskans are confronting a chronic lack of in-state workers to fill jobs. However, a growing alliance of leaders statewide hopes to turn Nebraska's eyes abroad to solve this problem. This coalition of leaders and their organizations include the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Omaha Together One Community.

It also features representatives from the agricultural, business, health care, education, and labor industries. Together, this coalition of leaders and workers is calling on the state to welcome more immigrants, an action they see as a possible solution to Nebraska's pressing workforce shortage. Citing statistics that indicated that Nebraska had 49,233 open jobs, despite an all-time low unemployment rate, they say it's time for the state to become more open.

"Within the business community, there's no question that recruiting workforce is the number one priority," said Bryan Slone, president of the State Chamber. Nationwide, the coalition plans to encourage Congress to remove obstacles to legal immigration and promote statewide job recruitment. The coalition also says it has an advantage to achieve these goals, which is its connection with local nonprofits like Lutheran Family Services and Catholic Social Services, which have international contacts in many countries. 

For the full article click HERE

'YOU LITERALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT': OMAHA SENATOR SAYS HER TRANS SON WILL BE AFFECTED BY GENDER-AFFIRMING CARE BAN

LINCOLN- During debate on the contentious gender-affirming care ban, LB574 introduced by Sen. Kathleen Kauth, Sen. Megan Hunt, the first openly bisexual senator in the Nebraska Legislature, stated that Kauth's bill would negatively impact her son, who is transgender. The bill, which restricts gender-affirming care procedures for individuals under the age of 19, would also allow for civil action to be taken against medical professionals who violate it. 

During the debate, Sen. Hunt told her colleagues about her son. "My son is trans, and many of you have met him. Many of you have known him for years," she said, "And this bill, colleagues, is such an affront to me personally and would violate my rights to parent my child in Nebraska. And I just want to tell you that."

Sen. Hunt went on to express that she didn't "raise" her son to be transgender, and that she loves and supports him no matter his sexual orientation. "There aren't counselors making kids trans. There aren't counselors telling parents you have to get your kids on these drugs or else they're going to kill themselves," Hunt told the body.

For the full article click HERE

BILLS INTRODUCED IN NEBRASKA LEGISLATURE TO INCREASE ELECTION SECURITY

LINCOLN- Following the 2020 presidential election, concerns over fraudulent voting came to a head after more people than usual utilized mail-in ballots to cast their vote. Because of this, two Nebraska senators have introduced three measures to increase election security in the state, despite little to no account of voter fraud. The bills include LB457, introduced by Sen. Rick Holdcoft, and LB's 193 and 808, introduced by Sen. Steve Halloran. 

The three bills, if passed, would require all voting machine parts to be manufactured in the United States, implement video recording devices in all voting locations, and give counties the option to hand re-count future races instead of utilizing machine counting, should they so choose. Supporters of the proposals based their arguments on the claim that several individuals in Nebraska received mail-in ballots for people who no longer live in the state, as well as fears that new technology could allow unauthorized individuals to tamper with voting machines. 

"As long as we have machines in use, in any form, we cannot be guaranteed 100% that we have accurate, total, truthful, elections," said Lina Vermooten, a supporter of the three bills. Despite these concerns, Nebraska Secretary of Stata Bob Evnen has gone on record saying that the state's elections, thus far, have been perfectly fair and trustworthy. 

For the full article click HERE

SEVERAL NEBRASKA LAWMAKERS OFFER MEASURES TO COUNTER PROPOSED ABORTION RESTRICTIONS

LINCOLN- Despite a majority of Nebraska lawmakers pushing to further restrict abortion access in the state, a string of measures have been introduced by opponents to ensure the protection of reproductive rights. On Wednesday, the Legislature's Judiciary Committee heard two such measures, one that would provide immunity for lost pregnancies, and another that would guarantee the right to privacy during a pregnancy.

LB391, the first of these measures, was introduced by Sen. Jen Day, and would provide both civil and criminal immunity for pregnancy outcomes that don't result in a live birth. LR20CA, the other measure, was introduced by Sen. Danielle Conrad, and would add the "right to individual privacy" into the Nebraska Constitution. However, if passed by the Legislature, LR20CA would go onto the 2024 ballot for voters to decide on. 

Both of these measures were introduced following the introduction of Sen. Joni Albrecht's LB626, a bill dubbed the "Nebraska Heartbeat Act" that would restrict abortions after 6 weeks, or once embryonic cardiac activity was detected. "If we truly believe it when we say we're not going to punish women," Sen. Day told the Judiciary Committee, "LB391 should be an easy, straightforward yes vote."

For the full article click HERE

'WE DON'T WANT TO LOSE IT': CREIGHTON, CWS ASK LEGISLATURE TO HELP FUND BASEBALL INFRASTRUCTURE MODERNIZATION

LINCOLN- LB444, introduced by Sen. Lou Ann Linehan at the behest of Creighton University and the College World Series, would allocate over $25 million to the school's baseball program, allowing them to expand their campus and update the downtown stadium. On top of that, The College World Series told senators that the allocation of funds will improve the CWS experience for attendees and hopefully allow the organization to hold the yearly tournament in Omaha in the future. 

"We can't rest our laurels because we know everybody would like to have the college world series and we don't want to lose it," said Jack Diesing, College World Series President and Board Chairman. Diesing went on to highlight how other baseball conferences, like the Southeastern Conference, offer many more modernized facilities to athletes. 

If passed, Sen. Linehan's bill would allow Creighton University to build practice fields for CWS teams, as well as home fields for Creighton student-athletes and softball players. Diesing indicated that it's important to be proactive with their planning, and that the improvements will also improve North Omaha's access to baseball fields, since the allocation would allow for increased pedestrian access around Burt Street. 

For the full article click HERE

FOR THE FIRST TIME, COMMITTEE MEMBERS ISSUE MINORITY COMMITTEE STATEMENT

LINCOLN- Last week, a new tactic was introduced to the Nebraska Legislature. This week the body debated Senator Kauth's LB574,  the bill that limits gender-affirming care. Ahead of this week's debate, a select amount of Nebraska Senators issued a minority committee statement that spoke out against the bill. The four-page rebuttal, written by Sens. Cavanaugh and Day, two members of the Health and Human Service Committee, acts similarly to a dissenting opinion in judicial proceedings. 

Multiple sections of the jointly-written statement note that organizations like the Nebraska Medical Association and the American Medical Association have determined that gender-affirming care for minors, which LB574 would outlaw, is best practice. "These professionals and associations testified in opposition at the Committee Hearing on the bill to these findings," one section of the statement reads, "The Minority Committee Members object to the current form of this section as it does reflect mainstream medical or scientific consensus."

Minority statements have been discussed and considered in the past, but the action has never actually been used. Brandon Metzler, Clerk of the Legislature, said "We never see it done, but it's basically the ability to add your individual thoughts to a piece of legislation coming out of committee that you may either agree or disagree with the majority." The statement did not affect the final vote on the bill as it passed Thursday morning on a slim vote. 

For the full article click HERE

UNUSED GALLERY ON FIFTH FLOOR OF NEBRASKA CAPITOL EYED AS A VISITORS CENTER AND MUSEUM

LINCOLN- High inside the Nebraska Capitol's Rotunda is an unused gallery where one can get a bird's eye view of the beautiful and immense artwork in the dome and mural-lined hallway of the building. Last Thursday, current and former senators joined in to tout a $3.9 million project to turn the currently vacant, fifth-floor space into a visitor's center complete with displays about the make-up of Nebraska's government and the history of the building itself. 

"This could become one of the most popular viewing locations in the building, and a place of learning," said former State Sen. Dave Pankonin, who previously represented Louisville. Pankonin joined with current State Sen. Robert Clements to call for the passage of LB812, which would allocate the funds necessary to transform the gallery. 

Previously, the fifth-floor space was intended to be a visitor's center by the Capitol's Architect, Bertram Goodhue, but has sat unused for nearly four decades. Sen. Clements, who introduced the bill to allocate funding for the renovation, said he was approached by a myriad of former state senators calling for the change. "It's something that we all talk to our fourth graders about," said Clements, "There's ample space."

For the full article click HERE

DUELING GOP BILLS TO IMPLEMENT VOTER ID COULD HIT RURAL AREAS HARDEST

LINCOLN- Three legislative proposals, Sen. Slama's LB 535 and Sen. Erdman's LB's 228 and 230, seek to require voters to show a valid ID prior to voting and, for those voting by mail, to have a notary sign the ballot before dropping it off. However, according to maps released by the Secretary of State's Office, authorized notaries are few and far between in rural Nebraska, creating potential difficulties for those living in that region of the state. 

Some expect these proposals, if they pass, to severely limit who gets to vote by mail in rural and suburban areas of the state, including the largely rural counties of Harlan, Wayne, Thayer, Hamilton, Gage, Adams, Fillmore, and Cass, who's citizens have historically voted by mail in large numbers. For those in these areas that do vote in person, voting often requires traveling large distances.

Sen. Slama stated that she had gotten inspiration for her notary-requirement bill from neighboring states like Missouri and South Dakota, which have implemented similar proposals. If Sen. Slama's bill passes, and no new notaries are authorized prior to the next election, certain rural notaries will be expected to sign off on over 100 mail-in ballots, should the citizens in those areas choose to vote by mail. 

For the full article click HERE

TRANS CARE BAN ADVANCES, FUTURE ACTION MAY HINGE ON AMENDMENT

LINCOLN- Following a three-week filibuster, as well as three days of contentious debate, the Nebraska Legislature has passed Sen. Kauth's LB574, a bill that would restrict individuals under the age of nineteen from receiving gender-affirming care, on a 30-17-2 vote. However, before this, the body voted to end debate, or invoke cloture, which passed 33-16, the minimum amount of votes required to push this motion through. 

State Sen. Christy Armendariz, alongside Sens. Tom Brandt and Jana Hughes, either did not vote for LB574 or voted against it. Armendariz stated that she did not "want to encroach on [parent's] rights" by voting to pass the bill, and Hughes stated that she would've voted for the bill if an amendment had been introduced that narrowed the bill. "I came here to do property tax relief and broadband," said Hughes. 

The mentioned amendment would just ban gender-altering services. The amendment was introduced by the bill's sponsor, Sen. Kauth, and is framed as a compromise. Opponents have spoken out against the amendment, Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh said, "So now you want to compromise to assuage your guilt? No thank you." Kauth has expressed concerns that the bill may fail to pass without the addition of the amendment.

Following this vote, a myriad of Democratic senators pledged to continue the filibuster until the end of the Legislative session. Many of them also expressed anguish at the passage of LB574 through its first round of debate, with Sen. Day saying, "How hard it is to be a kid, let alone having your very existence being debated by adults on TV."

For the full article click HERE

PROPOSAL THAT TARGETS GOVERNMENT-ASSISTED 'HOME EQUITY THEFT' AIRED DURING PUBLIC HEARING

LINCOLN- A myriad of individuals from several different industries, including a retired judge, an Omaha City Council members, and a civil liberties lawyer, were among those who stood to support a bill on Thursday that would end what some have called government-assisted "home equity theft."

LB577, the bill in question, was introduced by Sen. John Cavanaugh and would, according to the lawmaker and several proponents, protect homeowners from losing property and equity valued far above the amount they failed to pay in property taxes. During a public hearing for the bill, Cavanaugh insisted that he would work with both sides of the debate to perfect the bill, since it came under heavy fire by proponents, mostly county treasurers who were concerned about additional costs. 

Aimee Melton, of the Omaha City Council, spoke in support of the bill, saying, "I have to say it's somewhat rare when you get all seven Omaha City Council members to agree on something. I agree we all need to pay our taxes...But the current process we have is not equitable." However, John Ewing, the Douglas County Treasurer, stated that, if passed, the bill would cost his region $600,000 in the first year, as well as $443,000 in subsequent years. 

For the full article click HERE

SENATORS WHO PROMISED TO STALL LEGISLATION IN NEBRASKA HOLD TRUE TO WORD

LINCOLN- During the debate on LB574, opponents made it clear that if the bill were to advance, the familiar filibuster will make its return in the reaming forty days of session and in a much stronger form. A day after that bills advancement, opponents of the bill held true to their word, providing a picture of the upcoming weeks.

Senator Macheala Cavanaugh, who has led the filibuster in previous weeks, said it does not matter what the bill or subject matter is, it will be filibustered. The body debated LB276 Friday morning, a behavioral health bill, but it could not move from its first round of consideration despite support from both sides of the aisle. Instead, the conversation rehashed the debate earlier this week that would prohibit anyone under 19 from seeking puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, or gender-affirming surgery in Nebraska.

Some opponents of LB574 sided with Sen. Cavanaugh on that subject but had criticism for the filibuster tactics. Sen. Terrell McKinney had a bill scheduled that was not reached due to the filibuster. He told his fellow lawmakers that they needed to move on so the Legislature could address other issues this year. Sen. Justin Wayne said that the body needs to be more selective of where they filibuster since they could be shutting out legislation that benefits Nebraskans.

For the full article click HERE

PARTIAL REPEAL OF MOTORCYCLE HELMET LAW ADVANCES IN NEBRASKA LEGISLATURE

LINCOLN- A bill relating to motorcycles and the helmet laws surrounding them was advanced out of the Transportation and Telecommunications Committee. LB91 was introduced by State Sen. Ben Hansen of Blair, who also named it as his priority for the session. It advanced out of committee on a 5-2 vote.

If passed, the measure would Nebraska in a long list of states who have eliminated or started to relax helmet laws for motorcycle riders. In Nebraska, helmets have been required since 1989 despite multiple attempts to change the legislation. Hansen, a chiropractor and motorcycle rider, has argued that people should be free to decide if they want to take the risk of riding without a helmet.

To be eligible to drop the helmet under the bill, one must be 21 and complete a basic certification course by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. Those passing through the state, may also drop the helmet if they have taken a similar class. Protective eyewear would become the new requirement if the bill is passed.

For the full article click HERE