NEBRASKA GOV. PILLEN CONDEMNS COURT RULING ON THE SALE OF PORK PRODUCED IN OTHER STATES

LINCOLN- A court ruling billed as a victory against what animal rights groups call animal cruelty is being slammed by Gov. Jim Pillen, a hog farmer, as well as several major farm organizations for its "radical" nature. "This decision is a huge blow for producers and will raise food costs for consumers and small businesses already struggling with mounting inflation," said Pillen in a press release.

Proposition 13, the ruling in question, was approved by California voters in 2018, and bans the sale of pork in the state from farms that hold pregnant pigs in "gestation crates." According to several Nebraska farmers, including Gov. Pillen, such crates are standard practice in modern pig farms, but are barely bigger than the pigs' bodies. Animal rights groups argue that the cages are inhumane and that pregnant sows should have room to lay down and turn around.

Pillen, as well as the Nebraska Farm Bureau and Department of Agriculture, argue that the ruling will have widespread, detrimental economic effects and could lead to further food restrictions. "It is imperative Nebraskans, and all Americans understand that California's Proposition 12 moves us in a dangerous direction, creating uncertainty around our food system," said Mark McHargue, president of the Nebraska Farm Bureau.

For the full article click HERE

NEARLY $23 MILLION DOLED OUT FROM NEBRASKA'S RURAL WORKFORCE HOUSING FUND

LINCOLN- A total of twenty-seven nonprofits located in largely rural regions of Nebraska will get a chunk of a $22.8 million award given by the state's Rural Workforce Housing Fund. The grants were announced last Thursday by the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, but the grant itself was created almost six years ago as part of the Rural Workforce Housing Investment Act.

The purpose of the grant is to help nonprofit developers build supply and reduce the cost of worker housing in the state's rural communities, where such housing is severely lacking. Recipients of the funding contributed at least a 50% match on their grant, amounting to around $12 million in matching funds among the twenty-seven nonprofits. 

"Growing Nebraska is a priority for our agency," said Department of Economic Development interim director Joe Fox. Fox went on to state that the funding supports job creation and produces housing that helps attract residents in smaller communities in the state. The funding used in this endeavor was allocated from the general fund by the Nebraska Legislature during the 2022 legislative session. 

For the full article click HERE

NEBRASKA GAMING COMMISSION UNVEILS CATALOG LAYING OUT WHAT SPORTS BETTORS CAN WAGE ON AHEAD OF JUNE LAUNCH

LINCOLN- On Friday, the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission approved a sports wagering catalog that lays out what sports bettors will be able to wager on. Retail sportsbooks, which are expected to start accepting bets within the next month, will be allowed to offer odds on all major league sports, as well as professional bull riding, rodeo, tennis, golf, and motorsports. The list also includes volleyball, across, water polo, swimming, and field hockey, but no international sports are included.

Tom Sage, executive director of the Racing and Gaming Commission, said the goal of this first catalog is to start with a reasonable amount of sports to ensure that operators and the Commission can handle the level of betting activity. "We felt it was better to start out slower," said Sage, "with less wagering types and less product to bet on." However, because the catalog is currently lacking international sports betting, Sage indicated that it will very likely grow.

"This catalog more than likely will grow," noted Sage, "I was not comfortable putting in some of the sports that I did not understand." WarHorse in Lincoln is expected to be the first location to allow sports betting. Lynne McNally, CEO of the Nebraska Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, said the casino had hoped to start offering sports betting this month, but some of its vendors had not yet completed all of the necessary application materials.

For the full article click HERE

OMAHA, LINCOLN SEEK EXPANSION OF TURNBACK TAX TO BOLSTER CONVENTION SPACES

LINCOLN- An omnibus tax bill set for debate on Tuesday in the Nebraska Legislature might be just what the Cities of Lincoln and Omaha were hoping for. If passed, the bill, LB727 introduced by Sen. Linehan, would expand the state's turnback tax law to help promote the expansion of convention spaces at Omaha's CHI Health Center and the construction of a new convention center in downtown Lincoln. 

According to the City of Omaha, the new Steelhouse concert venue and the Astro Theater concert complex would also benefit greatly from the bill. "The majority of the cities we compete with have well over 500,000 square feet of convention space," said Deb Ward, executive director of the Omaha Convention and Visitors Bureau, "so if we want to remain competitive, we need to expand."

As of right now, Omaha's CHI Health Center is lagging behind the nationwide average, with only around 346,000 square feet of convention space and 16 breakout rooms for smaller meetings. In Lincoln, a broader turnback tax law, which LB727 would provide for, would allow the city to finance a $60 million downtown convention center, possibly near the Cornhusker Hotel or at the current site of the downtown post office. 

For the full article click HERE

HERBSTER PAC MAKES SURE NEBRASKA LAWMAKERS SEE MARCH POLL ON GENDER-REASSIGNMENT SURGERIES

LINCOLN- The political action committee founded by former Republican gubernatorial candidate Charles Herbster, formally titled the Nebraska First PAC, recently emphasized new polling data from March in the hopes of persuading lawmakers to pass LB574, a bill that would ban gender-affirming care for Nebraskans under 19 and that was up for debate on Tuesday.

A spokesman with the Nebraska First PAC said the organization wanted Nebraskans to know that over three-fourths of respondents supported outlawing gender-reassignment surgeries for minors. A narrower 61% of those that responded supported the broader bill, which would ban hormone therapy and puberty blockers as well. Advocates have described the bill, which was introduced by Sen. Kathleen Kauth, as unnecessary and particularly cruel for trans Nebraskans. 

Despite this, supporters of the bill stated that LB574 will protect children from making life-changing decisions that they may later regret, and similar bills are being introduced nationwide. The results from the Nebraska First poll also indicated that a majority of Nebraskans support restricting which locker rooms and bathrooms trans youth can use. A portion of respondents also stated that they want to see restrictions on the sports teams trans youth can play on, which is the subject of another Kauth-introduced bill, LB575. 

For the full article click HERE

GOV. PILLEN TACKLES 'OBSTACLE' TO GETTING NEW TEACHERS INTO NEBRASKA CLASSROOMS

LINCOLN- On Tuesday, Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen announced the revocation of Rule 23, an education requirement for teachers that he believed was a costly and unnecessary obstacle to getting new teachers into classrooms as the state suffers from a substantial workforce shortage. Rule 23 requires that each educator in the state have basic math, reading, and writing skills, and must take a test in these three areas to earn their teaching licenses.

"It's proven that the test isn't having an impact on the quality of teachers," said Pillen during an endorsement event for the repeal, "Teaching skills are assessed in so many ways with hands-on applications." The change was met with joy from the Nebraska Department of Education and State Board of Education, as well as a handful of state senators. According to Deputy Education Commissioner Deborah Frison, Nebraska is now one of thirty-three states that don't require the tests.

However, according to Patti Gubbels, president of the State Board of Education, there's still a lot of work to be done to retain teachers. "Are there requirements that could be modified?" asked Gubbels, "We just really are taking a thorough look." Gubbels stated at the event that the state is still looking for ways to ease access for teachers from other states and reviewing rules that may make it easier for Nebraskans to attain teaching certification.

For the full article click HERE

NEBRASKA ATTORNEY GENERAL JOINS GOVERNOR IN BLASTING PROPOSED FEDERAL REGULATION ON TITLE IX

LINCOLN- Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers recently joined with Gov. Pillen in condemning a recent Biden-led proposal that would make it more difficult for schools to block transgender youth from participating in sports that best align with their gender identity. On Tuesday, Hilgers announced that he had signed onto a letter with nearly two dozen other Attorneys General opposing the proposed regulation, saying it opens the way for "many more" biological males to compete in girl's and women's sports. 

The letter went on to state that the proposed policy "ignores basic considerations of privacy and dignity." The letter sent by the coalition of AGs mirrors one sent last week by a group of 25 Republican governors, including Gov. Pillen. According to the Department of Education, the proposed rule would establish that schools violate Title IX when they "categorically ban" transgender students from participating on sports teams "consistent with their gender identity just because of who they are."

However, the proposal also recognizes that in some instances, schools may adopt policies to limit transgender students' participation, especially in competitive high school and college athletic environments. In a press release, Hilgers acknowledged that Title IX has allowed the country to make "enormous progress in expanding opportunities for women, both in the classroom and on courts and ballfields across America," but argued that the new proposal "takes us backwards."

For the full article click HERE

MEDICAL MARIJUANA ADVOCATES FILE PETITION TO PLACE ISSUE ON 2024 BALLOT

LINCOLN- On Thursday, Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana filed paperwork with the Nebraska Secretary of State's Office to begin collecting signatures and potentially place the subject on the 2024 ballot. Christa Eggers, a spokeswoman for the advocates, said the effort is starting earlier than usual in an attempt to gather more than the 100,000 signatures required to place the initiative on the ballot.

"We have no choice but to keep petitioning our government," said Eggers, "The Legislature refuses to act despite the will of over 80% of Nebraskans, from all parties, regions, ages, etc. supporting this." Last year the petition drive to put medical marijuana on the 2022 ballot failed to gather enough signatures, and the organization pushing for it was facing financial issues that impeded the hiring of professional petition circulators.

In 2020, a medical marijuana ballot initiative was tossed off the ballot after the Nebraska Supreme Court ruled that it violated the state's "single subject" rule. In 2021, a bill in the Legislature that would have legalized medical marijuana came just two votes short of overcoming a filibuster. Advocates of medical marijuana maintain that cannabis is an effective and safe medical alternative that has helped relieve pain, seizures, and PTSD.

For the full article click HERE

A YEAR AFTER SCANDAL, NEBRASKA LEGISLATURE REVISES ITS WORKPLACE HARASSMENT POLICY

LINCOLN- Just over a year after a workplace harassment scandal rocked the Nebraska Legislature, lawmakers finally adopted a handful of new changes to its harassment policy in the hopes of avoiding similar incidents, although some argue there is still much work to be done. On Wednesday, the Legislature's Executive Board voted unanimously to adopt six changes to its harassment policy and one change to its leave of absence policy.

One of these changes makes it clear that lawmakers don't have a "reasonable expectation of privacy" regarding improper use of the Legislature's technology and network. This change is directly related to last year's revelation that former Sen. Mike Groene took photos of a female staff member without her knowledge, and went on to save these pictures to his computer. The scandal prompted the creation of an interim ethics committee, which was tasked with establishing new changes to prevent further misconduct.

Another one of the approved changes calls for notifying employees who file complaints of harassment about the several options available to them outside of the Legislature, including reporting to law enforcement, and also allows them to "go public" with their complaints at any time. Other policy changes relate to inappropriate uses of state-owned technology, and allow forensic searches of personal or legislative technology when relevant to an investigation. Although Board members were happy with the progress made, Sen. Tom Briese, who chairs the board, agreed that there was far more work to be done in this area to ensure that every staffer and lawmaker is safe in the Capitol.

For the full article click HERE

COMMITTEE VOTES FOR BREWER'S VOTER ID PROPOSAL, SLAMA VOWS FLOOR FIGHT AGAINST 'ABOMINATION'

LINCOLN- On Wednesday, last-minute tweaks were made to the Government, Military, and Veterans Affairs Committee's voter ID proposal, with Sen. Tom Brewer, the chair of the committee, expressing interest in "keeping things simple." With a deadline fast approaching, and two voter ID proposals on the table, the six members of the committee decided to advance Sen. Brewer's to the floor of the Legislature, rather than Sen. Slama's.

Shortly following this, Slama slammed Brewer's proposal, as well as the Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen, calling the measure "unconstitutional" and an "abomination." "AM1748 makes our elections less secure and clearly violates the language of the successful Constitutional Amendment," said Slama, "Evnen's office obstructed this process every step of the way. I'm going to fight on behalf of the voters to stop this abomination."

More specifically, Slama argued that Brewer's successful proposal doesn't follow closely enough the language approved by voters during the last election. She also went on to claim that the amendment sticks too narrowly to voter ID, and doesn't add enough layers of citizenship verification, which was included in her own proposal. Evnen retorted by arguing that he had always supported voter ID initiatives, and stated that Brewer's amendment does allow for the verification of identification as well as citizenship.

For the full article click HERE

NO REIMBURSEMENTS YET, 2 YEARS AFTER BILL PASSED TO HELP CRIME VICTIMS

LINCOLN- In 2021, the Nebraska Legislature passed a bill that would have spared victims of violent crime from the burdensome process of being reimbursed for medical treatment, and instead allow providers to send medical bills directly to the state. However, two years later, not a single provider has been reimbursed by the state through the newly-created process. The bill originally sought to change one piece of Nebraska's Crime Victim's Reparations Program, but a report released by Flatwater Free Press indicated that Nebraska helps far fewer people than nearly every other state.

The program's sole staff member stated that Nebraska has received only four reimbursement claims directly from providers, with all coming from Methodist Health System. Thus far, all four claims are still pending, and no reimbursements have been successfully processed under the new, two-year-old law. Gretchen Mills, the sole staff member, said that the state is working to fix this system. "There is a focus underway to ensure those are processed as quickly as possible and that all future submitted claims are managed in a timely manner," she said.

Both CHI Health and Methodist confirmed that they hadn't successfully billed the program directly. "Even though Methodist is now able to route unpaid balances to Nebraska's Crime Victim's Reparations Program, it remains a work in progress," said Jeff Francis, vice president and chief financial officer of Methodist, "We have not yet received a payment." Often, victim's of violent crime find themselves saddled with medical bills they are unable to pay, and are even sometimes hounded by debt collectors.

For the full article click HERE

MULTIFACETED TAX CREDIT PACKAGE, A COMBINATION OF NEARLY 30 BILLS, ADVANCES WITH LITTLE OBJECTION

LINCOLN- LB727, an omnibus tax credit bill originally sponsored by Sen. Lou Ann Linehan, advanced on Tuesday in the Nebraska Legislature with only a few questions about whether it provided unwarranted "corporate welfare." Included in the proposal are generous tax breaks for the expansion of the Nebraska Crossing shopping mall, as well as convention centers in Lincoln and Omaha and bonding for freeway projects.

Containing 27 bills in total, LB727 was proposed as a way to help keep young people in the state by enhancing shopping, tourism, and concert venues via state tax breaks. "This is a huge investment in our future," said Linehan. However, Sen. Carol Blood questioned whether the proposal is simply "corporate welfare." Under the bill, at least 20% of shoppers at Nebraska Crossing must be reported to have been from out of state for the tax breaks to be awarded.

Blood proposed that that requirement be raised to 30%, and that the Legislature should require retailers in the district to pay a "living wage" to workers for the extension of tax breaks. "We are giving a special offer to basically the community and one project," said Blood during debate, "This is not an even playing field." Sen. Steve Erdman also decried LB727, arguing that the additional sales tax exemptions the bill provides are exactly the opposite of what a fair tax system should provide. Despite these concerns, the bill advanced through its first round of debate on a 44-0 vote.

For the full article click HERE

WITH NEBRASKA'S LEGISLATIVE SESSION IN FINAL WEEKS, ADVOCATES SAY FUNDS FOR POOR AT RISK

LINCOLN- With just under two weeks left in the Nebraska Legislature's 108th session, there's a sense of disappointment among a group of state senators who have watched their bills to help the poor go nowhere. Past studies have shown that state-sponsored assistance programs, like the federally-funded Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or TANF, are one of the strongest tools in fighting to end poverty.

Each year, Nebraska receives roughly $56.6 million through TANF, and allocates the funding through the Department of Health and Human Services. However, Nebraska's TANF "rainy day" fund is currently hovering around $131 million, meaning assistance is not being given to Nebraska's poorest families. According to the Department, it's because there are far fewer families in need of the funding. Among Nebraska's more impoverished families, though, it's a different story.

According to Kjersten Hyberger, a Lincoln resident who has applied for TANF in the past, the application process is exceedingly cumbersome, and is often not worth the trouble to only be awarded around $300 a month. Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh called on DHHS to begin actively disbursing funds, but has been told that plans are "currently under review." Other senators were angered by their colleagues' intentions to take money out of the TANF surplus and allocate the money elsewhere.

For the full article click HERE

PROPONENTS OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM AWAIT DEBATE ON ISSUE IN WANING DAYS OF 2023 SESSION

LINCOLN- On Friday, state Sen. Justin Wayne announced that a meeting with representatives from Gov. Pillen's office, the Attorney General's Office, and several county prosecutors led to agreements and concessions on a myriad of proposals that would enhance rehabilitation and supervision programs. However, some proposals still need some work and research, according to Wayne, and likely won't be considered as the 2023 legislative session inches closer to the end. 

However, Wayne and other proponents of such legislation are excited and optimistic about these proposals. "We're going to set a good framework going forward," said Wayne, who chairs the state's Judiciary Committee, "I was actually pleasantly surprised." Wayne and the Committee faced intense scrutiny recently after advancing a large package of criminal justice reform proposals, which were contained in LB50, prompting the aforementioned meetings and negotiations. 

Prior to the beginning of the 2023 legislative session, there were fears that proposals to address Nebraska's prison overcrowding and recidivism rate would fall upon deaf ears. Sen. Terrell McKinney also stated several times that, if such legislation isn't passed, Nebraska would be forced to build not one, but two new 1,500-bed prisons. "We have been waiting to do something for three years," said McKinney after the negotiations concluded, "We probably won't get everything we want but have to get something over the finish line."

For the full article click HERE

DROUGHT EASES IN MUCH OF NEBRASKA, BUT NOT IN LINCOLN

LINCOLN- As a result of the intermittent rain in Nebraska over the past week, much of the state's drought conditions have improved. In fact, last week around 48% of the state resided under an extreme drought classification, but that number is now down to 16.5% as of this week. However, not all areas of the state were lucky.

Lancaster County missed most of last week's storms, and the extreme drought classification in Lincoln grew from 52% to 58% this week. The city received only 0.33 of an inch of rain last week, and has only received around 0.49 thus far this month, 2 inches below the annual average for May. 

Since March, Lincoln's total precipitation is 1.53 inches, with the average for this timeframe being around 7 inches. North Platte and O'Neill, however, have received substantial rainfall since March, helping alleviate drought concerns. North Platte got more than 3 inches last week, and O'Neill experienced very similar rainfall.

For the full article click HERE

LAWMAKERS PASS STATE BUDGET, MAKE FEW ADJUSTMENTS FROM GOVERNOR'S PLAN

LINCOLN- On Thursday, state lawmakers, in anticipation of day eighty, when the budget is due, passed a slew of budget packages after several days of debate. The two-year budget calls for around $5.3 billion in spending over the next two years, with an average increase of 2.2% per year. Among many other things, the budget sets aside a generous amount of funding for cuts in state income taxes, and an increase in tax credits for property taxes, around $366 million for the new 1,500-bed state prison, and $574 million for the Perkins County Canal, despite concerns.

The final budget passed by the Legislature changes very little of Gov. Pillen's original plan, with the only major changes being an increase in the budget for the University of Nebraska and an extra $80 million for increased pay for providers of social services. Certain lawmakers, including Sens. Terrell McKinney, Justin Wayne, and George Dungan, called on their colleagues to include funding that would help reduce Nebraska's prison overcrowding and recidivism rate, but were only able to introduce small concessions to the budget, including a state prison system study on rehabilitation. 

Having passed, LB818, the major budget package, leaves around $780 million in the state's cash reserve, as well as $891 million to be spent by senators for their priority bills. Additionally, around $10 million was earmarked for a sewer project in Sarpy County, $20 million for Metropolitan Community College to prepare for a potential chip manufacturer coming to Nebraska, and $30 million in shovel-ready infrastructure funds for Creighton University to build a new health sciences building and expand the baseball fields utilized during the College World Series. 

For the full article click HERE

NEBRASKA LEGISLATURE ADVANCES PACKAGE FOCUSED ON NORTH AND SOUTH OMAHA TO FINAL DEBATE

LINCOLN- On Thursday, an updated Economic Recovery Act contained in LB531 cleared its penultimate hurdle and was pushed into its final round of debate. The bill, introduced by Sen. Terrell McKinney, is a multimillion-dollar package designed to uplift North and South Omaha and enhance those region's economies. Among other things, LB531, if passed, will help to fund new projects like the Malcolm X Museum, health clinics, and the Standing Bear Museum.

Also folded into the expansive funding package are updates to the state's Community Development Law, which governs the economic tool called tax-increment financing. "These bills lift our communities up," said Sen. Jane Raybould of the package, which she believes "contains momentum on many different levels." However, not all proposals contained within LB531 were met favorably. Sen. Rob Clements, who chairs the Legislature's Appropriations Committee, was wary of the proposed use of some interest earnings from certain project funds to cover some of the cost. 

Sen. Tony Vargas, who represents part of South Omaha, lauded the bill, calling it "a monumental dedication to east Omaha." Originally, many of the proposed projects contained within the bill were studies by Olsson, and were largely accepted by the Legislature. However, Sen. Mike McDonnell, who also represents part of South Omaha, believed only around 90% of the work done by Olsson was good. Specifically, according to McDonnell, Olsson was too quick to overlook the proposed Ernie Chambers Museum, which would be built in North Omaha.

For the full article click HERE

NEBRASKA LEGISLATURE PASSES BAN ON GENDER-AFFIRMING CARE FOR MINORS, ABORTIONS AFTER 12 WEEKS

LINCOLN- After months of constant filibuster and debate, the Nebraska Legislature on Friday passed LB574, a bill that would ban gender-affirming care for minors and abortions in the state after 12 weeks. At the end of an emotional and, at times, raucous day, 33 senators voted to shut down the filibuster and advance the bill. The bill has an emergency clause attached to it, and will take effect just a day after it is signed into law by Gov. Jim Pillen. 

When signed, gender-affirming surgeries for individuals under the age of 19 will be outlawed in Nebraska, and the Chief Medical Officer will be required to develop regulations regarding puberty blockers and hormone therapy, a move some argue is politically driven, since the Chief Medical Officer is appointed by the governor. However, transgender youth who have already begun gender-affirming care treatments before October 1 will be allowed to continue them. 

As amended earlier this week, the bill also bans abortions after 12 weeks gestational age, which is marked from a woman's last menstrual period, meaning about 10 weeks after fertilization. Opponents, however, raised concerns over the amendment, arguing that it doesn't include language regarding fetal anomalies, and did not remove criminal penalties from state statute. An amendment introduced by Sen. Lynne Walz would have changed the 12-week gestational age to 12 weeks post-fertilization, as well as added language about "fetal anomalies incompatible with life," but was not considered on Friday. 

For the full article click HERE

NEBRASKA AGENCY SEEKS PROPOSALS FOR SPENDING $25 MILLION ON OFFUTT IMPROVEMENTS

OMAHA- The Nebraska Department of Veterans Affairs announced this week that it would be accepting project proposals for the new Military Base Development and Support Fund, a disbursement of federal funding meant to help revamp and modernize existing military bases. Offutt Air Force Base was given $25 million in funds to utilize, and some early proposals include a rooftop garden at the U.S. Strategic Command headquarters, a revamped parade ground, and a new pavilion for airmen. 

The funding "is meant to support projects that will improve mission retention and recruitment; support the moral, health, and mental wellness of military members and families, and grow the economic impact of military bases in Nebraska," according to the VA Department. Funding for projects was set aside in late 2020. As part of the bidding process, the Greater Omaha Chamber assembled $107 million in public and private incentives to help persuade the Air Force to choose Offutt. 

Tim Burke, interim head of the Greater Omaha Chamber, is head of the Offutt Community Development Corp., and is set to review projects and raise funds to match those given to Offutt through a Nebraska Legislature appropriation. The Legislature has already listed specific eligible projects for Offutt, including a new outdoor sports pavilion, walking trails, golf courses, and dormitories, but finalized plans have yet to be made. 

For the full article click HERE

USDA AWARDS $25 MILLION TO UNL TEAM, REGIONAL PARTNERS FOCUSED ON BETTER ACCESS TO FRESH FOOD

WASHINGTON, D.C.- Rural and urban residents struggling to obtain healthy and nourishing food could soon get help from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, which was recently granted a $25 million cooperative agreement to improve local supply chains by connecting regional buyers and sellers of fresh food. UNL is set to lead this effort, but will work with partner organizations and producers in a five-state region. 

UNL will focus on expanding digital tools and traditional outreach to local farmers growing vegetables, fruits, and other products, who will then be better connected to nearby distributors, wholesalers, and retailers. UNL will also be utilizing a new Heartland Regional Foods Business Center, located on UNL's East Campus, and will serve Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, Missouri, and Oklahoma from this location. 

Mary Emery, who directs Rural Prosperity Nebraska, the UNL group leading the five-state coalition, said the Covid-19 pandemic significantly complicated American supply chains for all kinds of products, including fresh produce. "One of the challenges for local consumers in the more rural areas is getting access to local produce, or any produce at all," said Emery, "If I have really great crops, and I want to get them three towns over, that's really hard to do."

For the full article click HERE