NEBRASKA AG EXPORTS SHATTERED RECORDS IN 2021

LINCOLN- According to several reports issued earlier this month by the Nebraska Farm Bureau, the state exported $9.2 billion worth of agricultural commodities in 2021, more than $2 billion more than in 2020. Austin Harthoorn, a Nebraska Farm Bureau economist, said that 2021 was the first time that Nebraska's ag exports have topped $9 billion, and only the fourth time in state history that they topped $7 billion. 

Corn was the top export according to the reports, and accounted for $2.34 billion of the total amount, a 98% increase over 2020 and by far the highest amount ever recorded. Kelly Brunkhorst, director of the Nebraska Corn Board, said there were two factors that worked in Nebraska's favor.

"First, the price of corn moved higher, and secondly, there was great demand from both China and Mexico," said Brunkhorst, "Together those factor into the higher value of Nebraska corn exports." Soybeans have been the top export from the state for the past two years, but came in at second in 202, with $1.91 billion, essentially the same amount as in 2020. 

For the full article click HERE

SEN. RICKETTS CALLS FOR ACTIVE US WORLD LEADERSHIP IN MAIDEN SENATE SPEECH

WASHINGTON, D.C.- Freshman U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts delivered his maiden speech on the Senate floor Wednesday, calling on his colleagues to take a more active role globally by maintaining peace through strength. Sen. Ricketts' comments come as concerns grow over China's military modernization and Russia's invasion of Ukraine. "Our allies are seriously questioning America's commitments to our friends," Ricketts told his colleagues, "Even worse, the bad guys...are questioning our resolve."

Sen. Ricketts went on to touch on the situation at the U.S. southern border, accusing the Biden administration of "turning a blind eye to the devastating humanitarian and security crisis on our southern border," a common talking point among Senate Republicans. Ricketts then criticized Biden's handling of the Afghanistan withdrawal, highlighting that 13 U.S. service members were killed in a suicide bombing. "American service members lost their lives, including Nebraskan Corporal Daegan Page," said Ricketts.

The Senator did not, as expected, touch on the Ukraine invasion in-depth, but has previously supported providing aid to the country with oversight. The maiden speech of U.S. Senators is a Senate tradition, allowing freshman Senators to set the tone for their term by giving their first major address on the floor. 

For the full article click HERE

NEBRASKA LAWMAKERS UNAMNIMOUSLY ADVANCE EXPANDING BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES

LINCOLN- On Tuesday, the Nebraska Legislature took a short break in its Democrat-led logjam to advance a bill that would create a new payment framework for behavioral health and substance abuse service providers. The bill, LB276 introduced by Sen. Anna Wishart, would also allow qualifying providers to seek daily or monthly reimbursements for certain treatments, a move expected to increase the hiring of staff and allow for more timely care.

Wishart and other senators said that the bill would help fill gaps in communities where access to these types of care is lacking, and will provide more holistic treatment opportunities for those who need them. While a majority of Nebraska senators supported the bill, however, it was held up during the weeks-long filibuster of Sen. Kauth's LB574, which would ban transgender youths in Nebraska from receiving gender-affirming care.

Following Tuesday's passage of Sen. Erdman's rule change, State Sens. Machaela Cavanaugh and Megan Hunt removed a handful of motions and amendments from Sen. WIshart's bill, clearing the path for its passage and eventually advancing it on a 46-0 vote. If passed through two more rounds of debate, the bill will expand outpatient mental health and substance abuse services, outpatient clinic primary care screening, and psychiatric rehabilitation services. 

For the full article click HERE

NEBRASKA LAWMAKERS ADVANCE SCHOOL SAFETY PACKAGE TO FULL LEGISLATURE

LINCOLN- On Wednesday, and in the wake of the recent school shooting in Nashville, Tennessee, the Nebraska Legislature's Education Committee voted 7-0 to advance LB516, a bill introduced by Sen. Lynne Walz that contains four recommendations from Nebraska's School Safety Task Force. The Task Force was created following the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas last year, and was led by then-Education Chair Walz and then-Education Commissioner Matt Blomstedt. 

The recommendations from the task force include hiring regional support specialists to increase safety training, an appropriation of $870,000 annually to continue the Safe2HelpNE reporting hotline, the creation of a $15 million grant program for safety infrastructure, and another $5 million program to hire mental health specialists and school psychologists. Walz recently introduced an amendment to the bill, which sought to clarify that the regional specialists and grants would be available to approved or accredited public and nonpublic schools.

"I think that it will show that Nebraska is putting its best foot forward when it comes to protecting kids and trying to secure our schools," said Walz in defense of her bill. Sen. Dave Murman, who currently chairs the Education Committee, said that, although Nebraska's schools have been doing the best they can to improve safety, Walz's bill will provide additional state support to go even further. 

For the full article click HERE

ADVOCATES FOR INCOME TAX CUTS DISPUTE CRITICS WHO SAY REDUCTIONS ARE ONLY FOR THE WEALTHY; TAX CUT BILL PASSES DESPITE CONCERNS

LINCOLN- On Wednesday, the Nebraska Legislature debated Sen. Linehan's LB754, a bill that would allow for around $3 billion in state income tax cuts. However, some critics of the bill argued that it would only help the wealthiest of Nebraskans. Sen. Lou Ann Linehan defended her bill, citing that 32% of the state's top income earners pay 80% of the state's income taxes, so it only makes sense to return the bulk of the state's budget surplus to them.

"I think we should give the money back to the people who actually paid the taxes," Linehan told her colleagues during the debate, "We have a lot of money because we didn't spend it. As long as we keep our spending below our revenue, we will be fine." If passed, LB754 would allow for a gradual reduction in the state's top individual income tax brackets and corporate taxes, with an end goal of 3.99% by 2027. 

Sen. John Cavanaugh, in an attempt to make a compromise with Sen. Linehan, proposed that Nebraska should take the safer route, and instead aim for lowering the tax rate to 4.99%. "There is a downturn coming," Cavanaugh told his colleagues, "and we need to be careful about huge expenditures like this."

On Thursday, the Legislature continued to debate LB754, but passed the bill through its first round of debate on a 41-0 vote shortly before adjourning over the lunch hour. If passed and signed by the Governor, OpenSky Policy Institute, a Lincoln-based fiscal research organization, estimate that the tax cuts will benefit Nebraskans with household incomes above $138,000.

For the full article click HERE

RULES CHANGE WON'T STOP FILIBUSTER FIGHT IN NEBRASKA LEGISLATURE; ERNIE CHAMBERS SHARES OPPOSITION TO CHANGE

LINCOLN- After a small minority of Nebraska senators reaffirmed their support for derailing the legislative session on Tuesday, a frustrated majority group motioned to change the Legislature's rules to set new limits on motions that might slow the passage of bills. Sen. Erdman, who introduced the motion, secured a 31-13 vote to pass the new rules, restricting how often senators can seek to pause debate, send a bill back to committee, or indefinitely postpone a bill. 

"I think this rule change is a fair rule change so we can have full and fair debate on the bills as presented," Erdman told his colleagues, "Listen to who is in opposition, and you can quickly conclude why we've wasted 50 days." Despite the rule change, State Sens. Megan Hunt, Machaela Cavanaugh, and Danielle Conrad, promised to still attempt to bring the Legislature to a halt. By the end of the day on Wednesday, they had filed 742 motions on bills that had come out of committee. 

"We are blowing up this session," said Hunt during the debate, "The session is over, and it's on your terms. The terms were made clear to you for the last four to six weeks. Hating trans kids is more important to you than the rest of the session...Human rights are hanging by a thread." Several senators in the Republican majority expressed frustration over the continued filibuster, including Sen. Lou Ann Linehan, who said that she was unhappy to see Democrats keep 30 of her colleagues from speaking on the microphone.

Former state Sen. Ernie Chambers criticized the rule change on Tuesday night, saying, "What this does is to undermine the integrity of the legislature as the body that represents the people." Senators in support of the change believe it will speed up debate, but Chambers insisted that it would have the opposite effect. "It will create a logjam and the subject matter of a particular bill will not be important, it now becomes a battle of power," he said. Former Sen. Chambers also stated that the change, if he were still a member of the Legislature, would not have stopped him from filibustering. 

For the full article click HERE

'PERMITLESS' CONCEALED CARRY OF HANDGUNS IN NEBRASKA ADVANCES TO FINAL-ROUND DEBATE

LINCOLN- LB77, Sen. Brewer's "constitutional carry" bill, advanced to its final round of debate on Tuesday on a 31-10 vote during the first evening debate of the 2023 session. If passed, the bill will Nebraskans to carry concealed handguns without training or a state permit. Only one round of debate on the bill remains, as well as a signature from Gov. Jim Pillen, who is a supporter. 

The advancement of the bill came just one day after the latest school shooting in Nashville, Tennessee, and opponents were quick to cite this incident as a reason to not advance it. "When is enough, enough? To dismiss and dismantle local safeguards that keep our communities safer is what we're doing. It is completely illogical," Sen. Jane Raybould told her colleagues, citing the recent Nashville shooting. 

Despite this, Sen. Brewer stated that he believes his bill will actually help Nebraska avoid a situation like the one in Nashville, and expressed the idea of introducing a bill next year that would provide resource officers in every school in the state and allow trained teachers or school staff to carry guns. "Evil will do evil," said Brewer during the debate.

For the full article click HERE

MORE THAN $3 BILLION IN PROPERTY TAX RELIEF MEASURES ADVANCE IN NEBRASKA LEGISLATURE

LINCOLN- Property owners could get an estimated $3 billion worth of property tax relief over the next six years after the Nebraska Legislature's Revenue Committee passed a substantial package of bills. Members of the Committee voted 7-0 to send an amended version of LB243 to the floor of the Legislature, a bill introduced by Sen. Tom Briese that combines several measures to increase Nebraska's two property tax credit programs. 

If fully passed, the bill would also cap school property taxes and eliminate all community college property taxes. The package represents the second major piece of Gov. Pillen's tax cut and school aid plan. The Revenue Committee advanced the first package of income tax cuts last week. The last of Pillen's plan, a bill to make changes in state aid to K-12 schools, is currently pending before the Legislature's Education Committee. 

Briese, who has long targeted property taxes with legislation, said this year's property tax package would offer "tax relief for everyday Nebraskans." During a committee hearing, Briese cited estimates showing that LB243 would cut the amount Nebraskans pay in property taxes by the same amount the income tax package is expected to.

For the full article click HERE

TWO-PERSON TRAIN CREW BILL ON HOLD FOR THIS YEAR IN NEBRASKA LEGISLATURE

LINCOLN- Last Friday, State Sen. Suzanne Geist, who chairs the Legislature's Transportation and Telecommunications Committee, stated that she does not plan to seek action on LB31 this year, a bill that would require two-person train crews in Nebraska. Geist went on to promise that she would take up the issue again next year, but only if the Federal Railroad Administration does no rule on the issue in the meantime.

Sen. Mike Jacobson, who introduced the bill, was backed by numerous railroad workers, local officials, and varied supporters. All proponents of the bill called it a public safety and worker safety issue. Jacobson cited the recent derailment of a Norfolk Southern train near East Palestine, Ohio as a reason for the bill. 

Representatives from Union Pacific and Burlington Northern Santa Fe, the two major railroads in Nebraska, opposed LB31, saying the issue should be handled through collective bargaining between the companies and their employee unions. They also said that railroads require the flexibility to go with a one-person crew as technology improves. 

For the full article click HERE

NEBRASKA DRAG QUEENS, ADVOCATES FIGHT PROPOSAL TO PROHIBIT CHILDREN FROM ATTENDING DRAG SHOWS

LINCOLN- A myriad of drag queens and local LGBTQ advocates crowded into the Nebraska Capitol last Friday before a legislative hearing on Sen. Murman's LB371 was set to occur. The bill, which would prohibit minors under the age of 19 from attending drag shows, drew intense scrutiny from drag supporters who argue that the performances are joyful forms of entertainment. 

Under the bill, drag is defined as when a performer entertains while displaying a gender identity different from their sex assigned at birth. An amendment that was recently added to the bill would also classify drag shows as adult entertainment. If passed, anyone who is found to have brought a child to a drag show, including parents, would be charged with a Class 1 misdemeanor. 

"I have nothing against anyone dressing in drag or participating in drag shows, and I love everyone," Murman told his colleagues during a Judiciary Committee hearing, "But this is about making sure kids are not at drag shows and are not introduced to overly sexual and inappropriate behavior far too early." Sen. Carol Blood, a Judiciary Committee member, expressed concern over the bill, saying that it would also apply to performances of Shakespeare. 

For the full article click HERE

LEGISLATURE DEBATES WHO SHOULD OVERSEE UP TO $400 MILLION IN NEBRASKA BROADBAND FUNDS

LINCOLN- On Thursday, the Nebraska Legislature began debate on LB683, introduced by the Transportation and Telecommunications Committee, which would remove the Public Service Commission's authority to award $400 million for broadband expansion in underserved areas and instead give that power to a new gubernatorial appointee leading the state broadband office. 

The new state office was created following an executive order in January, and Gov. Jim Pillen said that "affordable, accessible, dependable and high-speed broadband is essential" for the education of Nebraska youth. Several senators from both sides of the aisle, including Sens. Steve Erdman, Steve Halloran, Megan Hunt, and Machaela Cavanaugh, questioned the intent of the bill, and asked why the state would create a new state office rather than add staff to the public service commission.

"This might be a better alternative," Halloran told his colleagues, "The goal would be the same. The results would be the same. But it would be under the Public Service Commission." If passed, the bill would leave the public service commission in control of several smaller grant programs aimed at broadband expansion. Other lawmakers, including Sens. George Dungan and John Cavanaugh, who are both attorneys, worried that a provision in the State Constitution giving authority over "common carriers" to the commission might make LB683 unconstitutional. 

For the full article click HERE

NEBRASKA LAWMAKERS CRITICIZE 'ZERO-SUM GAMES' IN LEGISLATURE, LACK OF SUPPORT FOR NORTH OMAHA

LINCOLN- State Sens. Terrell McKinney and Justin Wayne, who represent North Omaha, criticized their colleagues for playing what they call "zero-sum games," disallowing important legislation from passing that might help North Omaha. "These zero-sum games from either side have never benefited my community," McKinney told his colleagues, "Because if it did, my community wouldn't be the poorest economically, wouldn't have the poorest educational outcomes, wouldn't have the lowest life expectancy."

Weeks upon weeks of filibusters, largely in opposition to Sen. Kauth's LB574, have slowed the Legislature down to a crawl, causing Wayne and McKinney to express frustration. While both North Omaha senators have gone on record saying they know LB574 will cause harm, they know there are critical issues to address in the state and in North Omaha. 

"You keep telling Black people to wait, we're going to help you," McKinney said, "And when it's time to help, the political will isn't there." LB630, introduced by Sen. McKinney, was prioritized by Speaker of the Legislature John Arch, but was pulled from the agenda after the passage of LB574. Sen. McKinney expressed frustration at this, and stated that he doesn't expect the bill to come up again so long as the filibuster continues. 

For the full article click HERE

AUDITOR SAY STATE AGENCIES HAD MILLIONS IN 'QUESTIONED' SPENDING OF FEDERAL FUNDS

LINCOLN- A new state audit examined how state agencies used the millions of dollars in pandemic-related funds and if the money was properly used. At least two state agencies disagreed with the audit’s findings and maintained that their spending was justified. “They’re big dollar items, and they should not happen,” said State Auditor Mike Foley on Friday.

$12 million of personnel costs shifted from the state to the feds to cover COVID-19 personnel costs incurred by the Nebraska Department of Corrections. Auditors said the long-standing staffing problem was not caused by Covid. Additionally, About $3.6 million in excessive administration costs were charged to a federal rent- and utility-assistance grant administered by the Nebraska Military Department.

The audit said the state received $158 million in pandemic aid to assist low-income families, of which most was funneled to local governments to spend. The firm, Deloitte & Touche, was hired to administrate the program, and was given up to $14.6 million to do that. The report noted that the state was allowed 10% for administrative costs, or about $6.2 million for the remaining state funds, but that about $9.7 million was spent.

For the full article click HERE

NEBRASKA EDUCATION DEPARTMENT PICKS A NEW COMMISSIONER WITH A FAMILIAR NAME: MAHER

OMAHA- The Nebraska Board of Education chose Brian Maher, former executive director of the South Dakota Board of Regents and a former superintendent in Kearney, Neb.; Utica, Neb.; and Sioux Falls, S.D as the next education commissioner of Nebraska. Maher was confirmed on 5-3 vote which is different from the last two commissioners who were unanimously approved.

Maher’s supporters — Patsy Koch Johns, Lisa Fricke, Patti Gubbels, Jacquelyn Morrison and Deb Neary — applauded his experience leading schools and education bureaucracies. “You could see that he was very, very experienced,” Koch Johns said. “Very careful and very calm … that’s something in Nebraska we need right now.”

Board members voting no — Elizabeth Tegtmeier, Kirk Penner and Sherry Jones — said they preferred a different candidate and questioned the fairness of the hiring process. “I find it interesting that this candidate is a longtime colleague of one of our consultants,” Tegtmeier said. Maher knows Joel from his time as a Nebraska superintendent.

For the full article click HERE

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