LAWMAKERS ADVANCE BILL OFFERING $10 MILLION FOR TEACHER RETAINMENT GRANTS

LINCOLN- In an effort to retain teaching staff in Nebraska, the Nebraska Legislature's Education Committee voted to advance LB385 to the floor of the Legislature, a bill introduced by Sen. Lou Ann Linehan that would establish retainment grants for teachers who keep working in Nebraska. "There is no future for Nebraskans if we do not have teachers to teach the next generation of Nebraskans," Linehan said. 

According to reports released by the Nebraska Department of Education, unfilled teaching jobs across the state increased by nearly 60% over the last school year, going from 482 vacancies to around 768 beginning in 2022. An amendment introduced by the committee would make the grants $2,500 per teacher, instead of the original $5,000, however. The proposed amendment would also extend the grant program to be available for teachers' second, fourth, and sixth years of teaching. 

LB385 is similar to LB1218, which passed into law last year. However, whereas grants from LB1218 could only be utilized by teachers to reduce student debt, LB385 contains no such requirement. LB372, which would lower the number of credits that homeschool students must take at a public school, and LB632, which would prohibit the suspension of public school students before the second grade, were also advanced by the Education Committee on Friday.

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BILL CAPPING SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT PAY ADVANCED BY LEGISLATURE'S EDUCATION COMMITTEE

LINCOLN- On Monday, the Nebraska Legislature's Education Committee voted to advance LB800 to the floor of the Legislature, a bill introduced by state Sen. Dave Murman that would cap school superintended pay at five times that pay of a first-year teacher in the same district. Murman, chair of the Education Committee, said that several Nebraska school districts "seem to be paying their superintendents a rate that is out of touch with the rest of the state."

Murman stated that he believes such a bill will help schools better control and limit administrative costs, and might provide an incentive to increase teacher pay. "I just think we have a limited amount of public money that goes to education," he said, "I would rather give it to frontline teachers than administration." While a majority of the committee voiced support for the bill, Gov. Jim Pillen has indicated that he will veto the bill if it appears on his desk.

Gov. Pillen cited an infringement upon the control of local school boards as his reason for opposition to LB800. Pillen served previously on the University of Nebraska Board of Regents, which might've also influenced his decision. Sen. Tom Briese, however, stated that he believed most Nebraskans would find the salaries of certain Nebraska superintendents "outlandish," and called on the Education Committee to vote the bill out. 

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NEBRASKA GOV. JIM PILLEN SEES 'TREMENDOUS MOMENTUM' AFTER 100 DAYS IN OFFICE

LINCOLN- Last Friday, Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen reached his first 100 days in office. Despite the fact that the bulk of his legislative agenda was stalled in the Legislature, much of it is on the course toward eventual enactment. "This legislative session is intense," said Pillen of the slow pace at which the Legislature is moving towards enacting his proposals, which was further complicated by a session-long filibuster fueled by a sturdy minority of urban senators.

Pillen's package of major tax cuts and his proposal to increase and reshape stated aid to schools appear almost certain to pass in the nonpartisan Legislature made up largely of Republican senators. "We think we have tremendous momentum," said Pillen in a recent interview. Pillen came into office last January with no experience in state government and limited activity in Nebraska's political arena.

Despite this, Gov. Pillen is increasingly comfortable and pleased with his new role, saying, "I'm having a ball. This is a privilege beyond words." Within his first 100 days, Pillen indicated that he wanted to work to implement legislation that would help ensure that all Nebraska children have the opportunity to join the workforce and attend community college should they so choose. He also indicated that one of his priorities is LB626, or the Heartbeat Act, which would restrict abortions in Nebraska after roughly six weeks.

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UNL PROPOSES $10.8 MILLION IN CUTS, VACANT POSITIONS TO BE ELIMINATED

LINCOLN- In order to cut around $10.8 million from its budget before the next fiscal year, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln plans to eliminate vacant positions, move employees to alternative funding sources, and reduce administrative salary costs. The changes being implemented were previously recommended by Chancellor Ronnie Green, who sought to fix the University's $23.2 million budget deficit that was caused by enrollment losses over the past two years. The changes were given to UNL's Academic Planning Committee last week for review.

"I know that any budget reductions are difficult and often stretch existing resources," Green said in an email to UNL faculty, students, and staff, "But we cannot simply cover budget shortfalls with cash reserves on a temporary basis." Some of the proposed budget cuts include $7.3 million from the Executive Vice Chancellor's budget, $2.9 million from the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, and $225,776 from the Office of the Chancellor, among others.

According to a memo sent to the Academic Planning Committee, a majority of the proposed cuts would simply eliminate unfilled jobs within UNL's various academic units, but also indicates that some current staff positions may not be renewed in the upcoming year. Some employees who are currently funded by UNL's state-aided budget, which is funded through state appropriations and tuition revenue, will be moved to alternative funding sources like private donations or grant dollars.

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LAWMAKERS ADVANCE PROPOSAL FOR VIDEO ARCHIVE OF LEGISLATIVE PROCEEDINGS

LINCOLN- LB254 received the first round of approval this week as a bill that would create a video archive of Nebraska legislative proceedings, an effort that has spanned multiple years. The archive would bring Nebraska to the same level of access to legislative proceedings as nearly every other state, as well as Congress and many local levels of government. The proposal advanced 33-0.

A similar measure was proposed in 2022, but there simply was not enough time. Nebraska is one of only four states — in addition to Illinois, Pennsylvania and South Dakota — that do not have archived webcasts. Sen. Brewer, the bill's sponsor, said LB 254 would help Nebraska “live up” to the ideals of George Norris, whose idea of the Unicameral was to promote transparency and uplift the citizenry as the “second house.”

Clerk of the Legislature, Brandon Metzler, said the clerk's office is ready to help. “We are in a place with video now that we have not been previously, and we feel comfortable with what you choose to do going forward,” Metzler told the Legislature’s Executive Board on Feb. 10. “We’re arms open, willing to work to get a product out there … that’s both transparent but also what you want for a professional representation of the Legislature.”

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FIRST BILL PASSED BY NEBRASKA'S LEGISLATURE CHANGES STATE'S LIQUOR LAWS

LINCOLN- After sixty-three days of constant debate and filibustering, the Nebraska Legislature finally placed its first bill onto Governor Pillen's desk. On Monday evening, the Legislature voted 41-0 to advance Sen. Lowe's LB376, a bill that would, among other things, allow the Liquor Control Commission to better track alcohol being brought into the state, give Nebraska wineries the ability to obtain liquor and beer licenses, and allow microdistilleries to distribute up to 500 gallons of their product to retailers.

According to proponents of the several different measures contained within LB376, small wineries and microdistillers will have much more leeway in regard to the sale of more individual drinks and the distribution of bulk product. Winery owners in particular were pleased to be included in the bill, saying that it would make their locations more friendly to those who don't prefer wine.

For microdistilleries, the new bill, if passed, would allow for a significant increase in the availability of Nebraska-made bourbon, gin, brandy, and other liquors. By this point during the last 90-day legislative session, which was in 2021, the Legislature had passed 57 bills onto former Gov. Ricketts for a signature. More bills are expected to pass before this session is up, but the filibuster has certainly slowed the process to a crawl.

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WILL LOWER-THAN-EXPECTED NEBRASKA TAX REVENUES AFFECT BUDGET AND TAX PLANS?

LINCOLN- According to a new report released by the Nebraska Department of Revenue, the state's tax collections came in short of projections over a five-month period, falling by around $92 million. In response to this, Sen. Lou Ann Linehan, who chairs the Legislature's Revenue Committee, said she will be watching tax receipts very closely, especially those that are submitted in April, when many people file their taxes.

The Revenue Committee's Forecasting Board is set to meet at the end of April to review their projections for the next three years. Lawmakers and the governor utilize those projections when formulating the state's budget, so this may throw a wrench into the process. Despite this shortfall, Sen. Rob Clements, chairman of the Appropriations Committee, said revenues still remain strong and the state has a healthy cushion to fall back upon.

"It does appear the revenues are decreasing from record highs," said Clements, "The committee is maintaining a strong cash reserve for absorbing future decreases, if they happen." The recent report indicated that March tax receipts fell around 13.4% below the projections. Since June, however, when the fiscal year began, net tax receipts fell just 2% below projections.

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SENATORS ADVANCE 17 BILLS FOLDED INTO INSURANCE PACKAGE

LINCOLN- Following eight hours of debate on Tuesday, the Nebraska Legislature voted 46-0 to advance LB92, a comprehensive insurance bill that includes 16 other pieces of legislation, to its second round debate. Introduced originally by Sen. Julie Slama, LB92 would eliminate a requirement for insurance agents regarding their annual reviews.

The remaining 16 bills cover a wide range of issues, including lowering the costs of insulin and mammograms, encouraging grants for affordable housing, and providing financial incentives for semiconductor manufacturing. If passed, the package would cost the state around $32.3 million, according to all of the bill's fiscal notes.

A package like LB92 is quite rare for a normal session, but this is an unprecedented legislative session in many ways. Speaker of the Legislature John Arch said he had recommended that all of the bills be combined into LB92, since many of them are simply "good government bills." "It's not unprecedented," Arch said of the large package of bills, "but it is unusual."

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SENATORS GIVES FINAL PASSAGE TO CONCEALED CARRY OF HANDGUNS WITHOUT PERMIT OR TRAINING; PROTESTER BANNED FROM CAPITOL

LINCOLN- On Wednesday, the Nebraska Legislature voted to advance Sen. Brewer's LB77 through its final round of debate, pushing it onto Gov. Pillen's desk for a signature. The bill, which allows for the permitless concealed carry of handguns, was introduced by Brewer to give a "constitutional right back for people who should have that right."

Opponents of the bill, especially senators representing urban districts, argued that the bill should have had different public safety approaches for cities. "I am hearing from people in my community that they do not want this bill passed," Sen. Tony Vargas told his colleagues. Other opponents include the police chiefs and mayors in Omaha and Lincoln.

Following the vote to pass the bill, Melody Vaccaro, executive director of Nebraskans Against Gun Violence, shouted "Shame!" from the chamber's balcony. This prompted the Nebraska State Patrol to clear the balcony, and serve Vaccaro with a "banned and barred notice," restricting her access from the Capitol except for "scheduled appointments." "I would understand when you make an outburst...of course, they're going to escort you out and you're going to have to leave," said Vaccaro. However, the barring and banning notice, according to Vaccaro, was not reasonable.

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EYEBROWS RAISED OVER NEBRASKA BOARD OF HEALTH'S ADVOCACY FOR BILL BANNING GENDER-AFFIRMING CARE

LINCOLN- Prior to debate on the controversial LB574, a bill that would restrict minors from receiving gender-affirming care, a trio of Nebraska Board of Health members drafted a board statement in support of the bill. Before this, Dr. Jamie Dodge, a board member, had testified in support of the bill during its public hearing in February. According to Sen. Kathleen Kauth, who introduced LB574, she had suggested to Dodge that he should help draft the board's statement since a similar ban in Florida was supported by their respective Board of Health.

"If you could get it for Monday's meeting so I can present it Tuesday that would be pretty amazing," Kauth wrote in a March 16th text message to Dodge, to which Dodge responded, "I will do my best." Kauth stated that the statement provided to her by the board was particularly helpful in making the case for LB574. Critics, however, saw the statement as something motivated by far-right politics, a far departure from the Health Board's main responsibilities and objectives.

"It was definitely a politically driven, well-orchestrated effort, in collusion with the bill's sponsor, to push a political position," said Sen. Danielle Conrad during a debate for LB574. Conrad, alongside the ACLU of Nebraska and a former state health director, raised concerns that the board's statement runs counter to advice from leading physician groups, including the American Medical Association and American Academy of Pediatrics.

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NEBRASKA'S NEW CORRECTIONS DIRECTOR BACKS PRISON-BUILDING PLAN

LINCOLN- Just days into his new job as Nebraska Director of Corrections, Rob Jeffreys made it clear to the Judiciary Committee that he would support the plan to build a new $350 million prison to replace the aging Nebraska State Penitentiary. "We already know what the conditions are at NSP," said Jeffrey's, "We have to move forward with building a new prison. Those problems are not going to go away."

Just months ago, a major water leak in one of the State Penitentiary's housing units forced the relocation of 140 men, with prison officials saying that the break could take two years to fix. The Legislature's Appropriations Committee voted earlier this month to appropriate money for the project, which would add around 1,500 beds to Nebraska's Corrections system.

Jefferys previously served as the Illinois corrections director, and was named to the Nebraska positions earlier this month by Gov. Jim Pillen. Jeffreys comes at a time when Nebraska's corrections system is the most overcrowded and fastest growing in the United States. On top of that, the Nebraska Department of Corrections is also plagued by staffing shortages.

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NEBRASKA GOVERNOR JIM PILLEN JOINS STATE SENATORS AND TAX GROUPS IN TOUTING INCOME TAX CUTS

LINCOLN- On Tuesday, widely recognized as "Tax Day" in the United States, Governor Jim Pillen, joined by several key state senators and two tax groups, celebrated a few legislative proposals that aim to reduce Nebraska's top income tax rate to 3.99% by 2027. Tuesday was the deadline to file state and federal income tax returns, and the governor maintained that the state needs to be more competitive when it comes to taxes.

"It's really important that we have a tax policy that gets us in the game," said Gov. Pillen. Currently, Nebraska ranks 29th in the overall business tax climate, but several legislative proposals might shift that number. LB754, introduced by Sen. Lou Ann Linehan on behalf of Gov. Pillen, would reduce the state's top personal income and corporate tax rates significantly, moving Nebraska down to 12th place if passes, according to advocates.

"For far too long we have found ourselves uncompetitive with other states when it comes to taxes," said Linehan, "We're finally going to be able to go where we've been trying to go for the past seven years." Alongside Governor Pillen were representatives from the Platte Institute, as well as from Americans for Prosperity. Both groups joined Gov. Pillen in promoting LB754, as well as its companion bill, LB243, which would provide property tax relief.

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REP. DON BACON RAISES RECORD Q1 FUNDS FOR DISTRICT 2 RACE IN PRESIDENTIAL YEAR

OMAHA- U.S. Rep. Don Bacon, with the help of House Republican leadership and national GOP donors, set a financial record this spring that signals to opponents that the cost of running against the four-term incumbent is going up. In the first quarter of 2023, Bacon's campaign raised $483,000, receiving an additional $140,000 from his federal political committee, raising the total to $623,000.

Despite this new record, Democrats say Bacon's stepped-up fundraising illustrates his fear that voters in his purple district, who picked Joe Biden as president in 2020, might not be as open to Bacon in 2024. The old fundraising record for first-quarter funding during a non-election year by any House candidate in Nebraska was in 2019, when Bacon raised $370,693 for a run during the last presidential election year.

Nebraska Democratic Party chair Jane Kleeb said Bacon knows "he's going to be in trouble" for portraying himself as a moderate. Kleeb went on to say that she believes Bacon's previous support for a proposed federal abortion ban won't sit well with women upset by the recent overturning of Roe v. Wade. "We are going to make the contrast very clear," she said." Thus far, no major Democratic candidate has announced a bid, and the office of Sen. Tony Vargas, who ran against Bacon last year, declined to confirm if the senator intended to run again.

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'NEBRASKA POOR PEOPLE'S CAMPAIGN,' ROOTED IN NATIONAL CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT, RALLIES AT STATE CAPITOL

LINCOLN- About 50 Nebraskans rallied on the steps of the State Capitol for a “Moral Monday” demonstration, saying they won’t be silent about state lawmakers’ actions that affect voting rights, transgender kids, gun control, a proposed sub-minimum wage for youths and more. The event was put together by the Nebraska Poor People's Campaign, a movement initially started by Rev. Martin Luther King Jr..

“We are a new unsettling force that has arisen to disrupt the status flow,” said Angela Montalvo of Ogallala, a member of the coordinating committee. Prior to the rally, the group — carrying signs with messages such as “Living Wage” and “Stop the Wars, Feed the Poor” — was inside the State Capitol handing out a list of “demands” and positions on certain bills to state lawmakers who would meet with them.

Sen. Tony Vargas was the lone senator to meet with the group. The group is said to have been revived in 2020, but is now taking a more active role in state government as more pressing issues move through the body. During the rally, a dozen or so Nebraskans stood up to speak about personal experiences and how certain legislation or state policies impact their families.

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SLEUTHING DISCOVERS THOUSANDS OF LOCATIONS MISSED AS 'UNSERVED' BY BROADBAND ON FEDERAL MAP

LINCOLN- Emily Haxby, who also serves on the Gage County Board, had doubts about the accuracy of federal maps showing areas that were “unserved” by broadband. Using a laptop at her farm near Clatonia, and some help from the state’s public power districts, a rural broadband advocate has uncovered oversights that may brings millions of extra federal dollars to Nebraska to expand high-speed internet service.

Haxby uncovered a dozen homes and businesses in her own rural area that were listed as "served by broadband" but are not. That’s important because a new pile of federal money — $42.45 billion via the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program — is being distributed on the basis of how many “unserved” locations there are in each state compared to other states.

With the help of the Nebraska Public Power District and the Nebraska Rural Electric Association, she found 11,367 farms, homes and other locations across the state that should have been labeled as “unserved” on federal broadband maps. The discovery could mean tens of millions of extra federal dollars for Nebraska to get broadband to unserved areas, according to Pat Pope, the former president/CEO of the Nebraska Public Power District.

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PILLEN SEEKS APPLICANTS TO FILL VACANCY LEFT BY RESIGNATION OF STATE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR, INTERIM DIRECTOR NAMED

LINCOLN- Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen set a deadline of May 2nd for applications to fill the vacancy left by the recent and abrupt resignation of former Director of Economic Development Tony Goins. Goins resigned in early April after an investigation uncovered instances in which he had used his state email to funnel business to a Lincolncigar lounge that he was a majority owner of. Goins also used the email to promote a campaign event at the bar, an action prohibited by Nebraska law. 

The Capital Cigar Lounge also received two pandemic recovery grants from the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, the same agency Goins headed since being appointed by former Governor Pete Ricketts in 2019. Governor Pillen, in a Tuesday press release, set the deadline for applications for the position, which pays around $215,000 a year.

In the meantime, Gov. Pillen has appointed Joe Fox to the post. Fox previously served as the Department of Economic Development's director of business development. Fox will begin directing the agency until an applicant is approved.

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LEGISLATIVE PROPOSAL TO PRIORITIZE RESOURCES IN TIMES OF EMERGENCY ADVANCES IN BUSINESS, LABOR PACKAGE

LINCOLN- On Thursday, the Legislature's Business and Labor Committee advanced a substantial package of legislation that includes LB267, a bill introduced by Sen. Tom Brewer that would give priority access to resources for "critical infrastructure utility workers" during civil defense emergencies, as determined by the President of the United States.

These workers would be given prioritized access to resources during emergencies that pose a "severe threat" to human health, including personal protective equipment, vaccines, and certain medical treatments. Brewer introduced the bill after hearing concerns from public power workers during the Covid-19 pandemic, who claimed that they were left in "no man's land" with vaccines and other resources despite having a "critical task."

During the hearing for LB267, Nebraska Adjutant General Daryl Bohac was the sole opponent testifer. Gen. Bohac, who heads the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency, argued that LB267 would allow the state to supplant local capabilities and responsibilities with a too-broadly defined state mandate. 

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LEGISLATURE ADVANCES PLAN TO APPROPRIATE $180 MILLION FOR LINCOLN'S SECOND WATER SOURCE

LINCOLN- The Legislature gave first-round approval to an LB531 from Sen. Terrell McKinney that will provide grants to hundreds of proposals seeking to revitalize parts of North and South Omaha. Included in the bill is funding for Lincoln to begin work to secure a second source of drinking water. $180 million would be appropriated to the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources from last year's ARPA money.

The Department plans to build a Southeast Nebraska regional water supply network that pumps water from the Missouri River to Lincoln and other communities. Originally LB506 intended to appropriate $200 million for the same purpose, but amidst negotiations, it was included as an amendment to LB531. The project lead, Sen. Eliot Bostar, said the Governor's support for the project helped the idea gain momentum.

"Frankly, (Pillen) gets it and agrees this is a valuable project that is important for the state because it ensures we don't get into a position where we have to exercise our water rights and impair irrigator access," the senator said. Winning first-round approval is "extremely significant" toward moving the estimated $1.39 billion project forward, Bostar said. 

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'NO EASY BUTTON': TED CARTER SAYS NU WILL NEED TO MAKE DIFFICULT CHOICES TO CLOSE BUDGET GAP

OMAHA- University of Nebraska President Ted Carter told the Board of Regents that the university system would have to begin looking for cost-saving methods in order to hold any substantial tuition increases in check. Carter went on to say that, although NU Systems will receive a small bump in state aid from the Legislature's Appropriations Committee, the University might have to make some difficult decisions in the coming months. 

"There is absolutely no easy button for navigating these headwinds," Carter told the NU Regents. In a request given to the Legislature's appropriations committee last fall, NU sought a 3% increase in each of the next two years, which Carter noted would still leave the university with a $25 million budget shortfall. 

Despite this, Gov. Pillen and the Appropriations Committee later recommended a 2% increase in their budget proposals released earlier this year. An agreement was eventually struck between Pillen and Carter, and committee members approved a 2.5% budget increase. Carter finished by telling the Regents that he would begin discussions with them to decide whether or not to continue the current tuition freeze, but reaffirmed his support for keeping tuition at the university affordable. 

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CONTRACTOR-LED FINANCE MODEL PROPELS NEBRASKA HIGHWAY

LINCOLN- A new and unique contractor-led build-financing model is fueling the accelerated delivery of the $352 million Lincoln South Beltway, which includes 43 miles of alignment, 21 bridges, five interchanges, and 11 roundabouts. The Beltway is expected to be completed by 2024 after just three years of construction, as opposed to the expected eight to ten. 

To expedite the process, the Nebraska Department of Transportation utilized deferred contract payment certificates. The funds to pay for these certificates come from tax-exempt bonds via a conduit issuer, the Arizona Development Authority. NDOT then makes $7.5 million payments every quarter until the project is completed. 

Typically, a large project like the South Beltway would have been broken up into several phases and built as funding became available. "For a state Department of Transportation with about $700 million or so a year to spend, a $350 million project was just too big a piece" without the unique finance model, said Chris Hawkins, CEO of Hawkins Construction Co., who is building the Beltway. 

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