HUNDREDS OF INCARCERATED NEBRASKANS GET JOB TRAINING, LOW PAY WHILE MAKING PRODUCTS FOR GOVERNMENT

LINCOLN- Across Nebraska, around 500 women and men confined within the state's prisons are manufacturing products and providing services across 15 shops for government offices and schools bound by state law requiring public entities to buy from them. "Many Nebraskans may not know that people in our prisons are making license plates or cleaning the governor's mansion for wages that are just a fraction of the minimum wage," said Sam Petto, communications director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Nebraska.

According to Nebraska statute, "all departments, institutions, and agencies of this state which are supported in whole or in part by taxation for state purposes...shall purchase from the Department of Correctional Services all articles required by them produced, printed, or manufactured by offenders confined in facilities of the Department of Correctional Services." These inmate-crafted products are governed by Cornhusker State Industries, or CSI. 

CSI provides products like tables, lounge furniture, bookcases, beds, and more, and operate in markets populated by Nebraska schools, government offices, courts, universities, and parks. Petto and the ACLU argue that CSI is "mostly a defense for cheap labor," and that "any benefits that come with programs that pay workers as little as $1.21 per data are far outweighed by the injustice of that system." Despite this, Ryan Spohn, director of the Nebraska Center for Justice Research at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, believes CSI to be "one of the better programs" offered to inmates. "It's a real job," said Spohn, "They learn real skills."

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OMNIBUS TAX CREDIT BILL ADVANCES AFTER $81 MILLION IN INCENTIVES WERE PARED BACK

LINCOLN- On Tuesday, the Nebraska Legislature voted to advance Sen. Linehan's LB727, despite several concerns. The bill, which offers everything from biodiesel credits, to airport improvements, to the expansion of Nebraska Crossing shopping mall, was cut down before being advanced. Combining around 30 bills in total, the body removed about $81 million worth of expected credits from the bill before advancing it to its third round of debate.

Sen. Linehan, who led the package of bills, said the trims were necessary to fit the bill within the projected state budget. "Everyone had to give a little bit," she said during the debate. Despite the cuts, and according to Lee Will, the governor's budget director, the trimmed bill will still provide around $50 million in tax breaks over the next four years. The bill also provides for a slew of tax incentives, which, according to Gretna Mayor Mike Evans, would "change Nebraska's image as a flyover state."

The four-hour-long debate of the bill was largely civil, but Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh condemned Sen. Linehan as "petty" and "disrespectful" for compelling the Legislature's Revenue Committee to "steal" the provisions of a home equity theft prohibition bill from her brother, Sen. John Cavanaugh, and then add it, under a different senator's bill, into LB727. Sen. Cavanaugh argued that such a move is indicative of the entire session, during which the accomplishments of the "minority party," the Democrats, are diminished and quashed by the "tyranny" of the majority.

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PILLEN VETOES MORE THAN $140 MILLION IN PROPOSED SPENDING, CALLS IT 'EXCESSIVE GOVERNMENT SPENDING,' APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE SWIFTLY ANNOUNCES OVERRIDES

LINCOLN- In a letter read aloud to the Nebraska Legislature on Wednesday, Gov. Jim Pillen announced that he would be enacting a line-item veto on LB818 and LB814, two substantial budget proposals. Between the two bills, around $140 million in proposed spending was cut by the veto, with Gov. Jim Pillen, a conservative Republican, saying that the state's government "must continue to fight against excessive government spending."

As announced, around $45 million in increases for provider rates for Medicaid providers, $40 million for the construction of workforce housing in rural and urban areas, and $10 for a study of gun violence in low-income areas of Omaha were cut from the budget proposals. According to the letter, the governor's budget reductions will save the state around $94.2 million in taxpayer funds, $10 million from a Health Care Cash Fund, and $87 million from the state's cash reserve over the next four years.

"Hard-working taxpayers are demanding that their money be returned," said Pillen in the letter, "Stand up to special interests who stand to gain from growing government spending and deliver the money back." Jeremy Nordquist, president of the Nebraska Hospital Association, said that the cuts in provider rates, from increases of 3% and 2% respectively over the next two years, to increases of 3% and 0%, will put the state's healthcare system at risk. "The Governor's veto will increase costs for everyday Nebraskans and will hurt our communities by closing essential rural health care services," said Nordquist in a response letter.

On Thursday, a divided Appropriations Committee voted 5-4 to dispute several of the vetoes. One of the most substantial overrides relates to the Pillen-led cut of over $45 million for increases in provider rates. An additional $40 million in cuts related to workforce housing projects in rural and urban areas, pay raises for legislative staff, and extra staffing for the State Auditor's Office from the Committee's original budget proposal will also be disputed.

Much of the discussion taken up in the Appropriations Committee centered around whether or not potential overrides would be a "slap in the face" to the new governor, who is still in the first half of his first year. Sens. Christy Armendariz and Rob Dover, both first-year lawmakers, brought up these concerns, but were allayed by Sens. Mike McDonnell and Myron Dorn, who told them overrides were part of the process.

The Appropriations Committee was particularly interested in maintaining legislative staff pay, as well as additional funding for the Auditor's Office, which Sen. Erdman said would pay for itself. Members of the committee argued that legislative staff pay hasn't kept up with the private sector, but Gov. Pillen argued that funds already existed to finance the increases. Senators will take up veto override motions on Wednesday of next week.

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PILLEN SAYS IN NORTH PLATTE HE'S FULLY COMMITTED TO BUILDING PERKINS CANAL

NORTH PLATTE- While on a visit to North Platte, Gov. Jim Pillen and Nebraska Department of Natural Resources Director Tom Riley reaffirmed their support for the Perkins County Canal, which would, if built, divert South Platte River water from Ovid, Colorado, send it through Keith County, and pump it into Nebraska. "It's not just a western Nebraska benefit," said Pillen, "Everybody all the way to the Missouri River benefits."

Pillen, who succeeded canal proponent and former Gov. Pete Ricketts, said he was given an extended look at the territory where the canal would run. Pillen and Riley met with stakeholders from the Twin Platte and South Platte natural resources districts, as well as the Nebraska Association of Resources District and the Nebraska Public Power District, to discuss the project, which will be funded by the passage of the governor's budget this week.

Former Gov. Pete Ricketts originally sought to invoke the century-old South Platte River Compact with Colorado in an attempt to divert the water, and the Legislature quickly allocated its first round of funding for the project during the 2022 session. If completed, and according to Gov. Pillen, the canal would allow Nebraska to capture excess flows in high-water periods and enable the state to divert periodic South Platte floodwaters.

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HISTORY NEBRASKA AWARDS $328,000 THROUGH HISTORIC PRESERVATION GRANT

LINCOLN- On Wednesday, History Nebraska announced the recipients of the Rural Nebraska Historic Preservation Grant, which assists owners of National Register of Historic Places properties in communities with populations under 30,000. A total of $328,000 was awarded to six communities, including Niobrara, Fort Calhoun, Mason City, Red Cloud, Schuyler, and Wauneta, with six projects chosen from 51 qualifying applications. 

"Selecting our recipients was an extremely challenging process," said Betty Gillespie, the program coordinator, "This program has shown that historic preservation is a valued endeavor and opportunities for it are needed in both large and small communities across Nebraska." In Niobrara, the funding will be utilized to support the enhancement and replacement of degrading windows of the Ponca Tribe Self-Help Community Building and Caretaker's Cottage. 

In Schuyler, the grant will be used to bolster several restoration projects at the Oak Ballroom, including roof restoration and interior repairs. With the application process complete, grant agreements are set to be drafted. Once completed, projects may begin seeking bids and start their projects. "We are excited to work with the selected applicants," finished Gillespie, "and bring needed historic preservation support to their communities."

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NEBRASKA RESIDENTS GET A CHANCE TO VOICE FARM BILL PRIORITIES

LINCOLN- As Congress continues to discuss the 2022 Farm Bill, some Nebraska residents got a chance to voice their priorities and visit with Congressional members from the state. Nebraska Sen. Deb Fischer, a member of the Senate Agricultural Committee, hosted Arkansas Sen. John Boozman in several roundtable discussions across the state for a chance to hear what Nebraska farmers want to see in the new bill.

Fischer stated that one of the main things they heard about during these discussions is precision agriculture, which the Senators were given a chance to see firsthand. "He can determine how deep a seed needs to go on that planter," said Fischer, "He can watch in real time if that seed is being placed six inches apart and can make adjustments in real time so his input costs will be lower."

Sen. Pete Ricketts also joined some of the discussions, and said what he and his colleagues saw at the University of Nebraska Extension Office with precision ag is helping farmers continue to be the conservationists in the world. "We can grow more and get better yields with less inputs," said Ricketts, "Whether that's reducing the amount of water or fertilizer we're using, it all goes towards making sure we continue to have the great food security we have in this country."

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REPORT PUTS NEBRASKA NEAR BOTTOM OF THE PACK FOR FEMALE BUSINESS OWNERSHIP

OMAHA- According to a newly-released report from OnDeck, an online small business lender, Nebraska is among the lowest-ranked states in female business ownership. Carmen Tapio, who started North End Teleservices, a company that has reported over 1,000% growth over the past three years, stated that this is because women are seen as far riskier to lend to, and often face a gender-based and "sexist" reception when seeking capital to start business ventures.

Utilizing data sourced from the Census Bureau's Annual Business Survey, OnDeck found that only 15.79% percent of businesses within Nebraska are owned by females, with only South Dakota and West Virginia having lower scores. However, Tapio, who also chairs the board of the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, said conditions for female ownership are improving in the state. "The climate in Nebraska is changing--or I think, more accurately, wants to change," she said.

According to Josie Schafer, who heads the University of Nebraska at Omaha's Center for Public Affairs Research, these disparities have a wide-ranging effect on the state's economy. "It may send a negative signal to business owners in other states about how included and successful they can be here in Nebraska," said Schafer.

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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.

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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. 

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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.

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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. 

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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. 

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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.

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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."

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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