MAJOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM BILL LIMPS PAST INITIAL DEBATE AMID DISAGREEMENTS, FURTHER COMPLICATED BY COUNTY ATTORNEYS

LINCOLN- Legislative Bill 50, a substantial criminal justice reform package introduced by Sen. Justin Wayne, was the subject of immense debate and discussion on Monday, but prevailed despite this. Advancing on a 28-8 vote, supporters and critics of the bill agreed to compromise on it prior to its next round of debate. Generally, the measure is billed as a way to provide incentives for inmates to engage in rehabilitation programming, which may allow for early parole or release, with a larger goal of reducing the need for the construction of a second new prison.

"This bill is probably one of the most fiscally responsible things we can do this year," said Wayne during the debate. Wayne went on to estimate that Nebraska was spending roughly $263 million a year to house inmates, and will be forced to build a second new prison if reform isn't implemented. However, critics say that LB50 goes too far in allowing certain inmates to leave prison earlier than otherwise would have, and argue that it must be amended before they support it. Sen. Carolyn Bosn, a former county prosecutor, said she will only support the bill if changes are made to early parole eligibility and criminal penalties related to repeat criminals.

"As a prosecutor, I'm not willing to look a victim in the face and tell them that the sentence may be 20 years but they're parole eligible in six," said Bosn, "It's a hard conversation." Sen. Terrell McKinney saw the criticisms of LB50 as a repeat of those offered up last year, when a similar criminal justice reform package was shot down last minute. Sens. Ibach, DeKay, and Holdcroft, who recently met with local prosecutors, as well as Gov. Pillen and Attorney General Mike Hilgers, also opposed the reach of LB50. "I believe if you've done the crime," said Holdcroft, "you do the time."

On Wednesday, the body continued the debate of LB50, and new disagreements arose over whether or not the bill was too "extreme." A slew of county prosecutors, including former county prosecutor and now-Sen. Carolyn Bosn, argued that the bill goes too far in permitting the possible early release of some inmates. "I don't know how many of you have asked victims (of crime) what they think of this," said Bosn during the heated debate, "What we have lost in all of this is justice for the crime victims." Proponents of the bill, including Sens. Justin Wayne and Terrell McKinney, argued that the bill is necessary if Nebraska is to avoid building a second new prison. Before being advanced, the bill was heavily amended.

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NEBRASKA VOTER ID IMPLEMENTATION PLAN ADVANCES DESPITE OBJECTIONS, LATER STALLED BY AG CONCERNS

LINCOLN- Despite immense opposition from one key senator, Nebraska's new voter identification requirements cleared a major hurdle on Monday after several hours of debate and filibuster. After adopting an amendment backed by the Government, Military, and Veterans Affairs Committee, the bill was advanced to its second round of debate on a 43-1 vote, with Sen. Slama, the bill's major critic, being the sole 'no' vote.

Sen. Tom Brewer, one of the main architects of the voter ID proposal, said the Government Committee amendment was the product of weeks of work, and that it aims to carry out the will of Nebraska voters, who overwhelmingly passed a voter ID measure last year, without being too restrictive. Sen. Julie Slama, who sponsored the ballot initiative that paved the way for voter ID in Nebraska, called the amendment "unconstitutional," and claimed that it wouldn't stop people from voting without ID or require verification of citizenship.

"Nebraskans have spoken, and now it's our responsibility to ensure that only the votes of eligible voters are counted," said Slama, arguing that the Government Committee's amendment will "betray the will of the voters." Slama urged her colleagues to adopt her own amendment, which contained more expansive requirements concerning citizenship checks, mail-in ballots, and photo ID exceptions. Despite this, several Slama-backed amendments failed, with the final one garnering only eight votes of support. Slama criticized the Committee's amendment, saying it was drafted by Secretary of State Bob Evnen "to make his job easier" and that it was being pushed for by people historically opposed to voter ID.

On Wednesday, the body was set to continue the debate of the voter ID proposal, but was stopped just minutes before after Nebraska's Attorney General Mike Hilgers raised concerns. According to several sources, Hilgers saw the bill as too expansive in its exceptions for people who say they couldn't obtain a state-approved ID card in time to vote, and asked Sen. Brewer, the sponsor of the bill, to draft an amendment. Thus far, it isn't clear when the bill will come back up for debate.

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NEBRASKA LAWMAKERS PASS BILL THAT INCLUDES CLEAN HYDROGEN HUB SUPPORT

LINCOLN- Among several bills on final reading in the Legislature on Tuesday was Sen. Bostelman's LB565, which was advanced after a short debate. LB565 among several other things, would allocate around $500,000 over the next two years to the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, which will use the funds to provide grants through public power districts and the Nebraska Hydrogen Hib working group.

The money earmarked for this bill is meant to be utilized for engineering and modeling as Nebraska seeks one of the U.S. Department of Energy's regional clean hydrogen hubs. The bill, according to Sen. Bruce Bostelman, will also help identify workforce needs for the nuclear and hydrogen industries, and will provide educational programming and training as well. "NPPD has been a strong leader in the hydrogen hub process and in this grant application," said Bostelman during debate, "We are now one of 33 [applicants being considered]." 

Monolith Materials, located at NPPD's Sheldon Station near Hallam, will lead the working group and study the needs of a potential hydrogen or nuclear workforce in the state, a workforce that could potentially aid other industries in the state. Sen. Bostelman believes the bill will also inspire young persons to stay in the state. "How do we reach out now into our high schools? How does we start connecting students at that level, to start building their interest and their skills in all these trades, but also professionally as well?" asked Sen. Bostelman.

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'OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIPS ACT' PASSES FINAL ROUND OF DEBATE IN NEBRASKA LEGISLATURE

LINCOLN- On Wednesday, the Nebraska Legislature voted, despite a myriad of concerns from Democratic lawmakers, to advance Sen. Linehan's LB753, or the 'Opportunity Scholarship Act,' which would provide tax credits to Nebraskans who donate to organizations that grant scholarships to children attending private school. According to the bill's fiscal note, around $25 million worth of tax credits would be provided each year, with a potential increase cap of $100 million if the yearly credit amount is used.

Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen reacted immediately to the bill's passage, saying it is a "huge step forward" in giving parents and students more choice in where to attend school. The Nebraska Family Alliance, a Conservative organization that advocates for traditional family values, also lauded the passage of the bill. "Today is an important, hard-fought victory for school choice in Nebraska," said a statement released by the organization, "LB753 puts power back into the hands of parents and will help more families have the choice to send their child to the school that best meets their needs and aligns with their values."

Opponents of the bill, including several Democratic senators and organizations, argue that 'Opportunity Scholarships' hurt public schools by taking away funding. According to Stand for Schools, a nonprofit advocating for public schools, the passage of LB753 will give "tax breaks to the wealthy by supporting unaccountable private schools." During debate of the bill, certain senators also argued that the bill allows public funding to private or parochial schools that can freely discriminate against applicants based on race, religion, or gender.

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NEBRASKA GOV. JIM PILLEN DEPLOYS STATE TROOPERS TO TEXAS DAYS AFTER MEETING WITH ABBOTT

LINCOLN- On Wednesday, Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen announced that he has ordered the deployment of ten state troopers to the Texas border as part of his "promise to back Texas" and its Governor Greg Abbott. Just days before, Pillen traveled to the Lone Star State to meet with Abbott, as well as several Republican governors from other states.

Pillen cited the end of the Trump-era Title 42 as his reason for deploying the state troopers, which was a measure that blocked migrants from claiming asylum during a public health emergency. "Our nation has a serious unchecked threat on its hands following President Biden's decision to end Title 42," said Pillen in a press release, "Nebraska is committed to using every tool in its toolbox to help stop the influx of illegal immigration at our southern border."

Pillen went on to state that the ten troopers being deployed are all skilled drone operators, and will assist in reconnaissance and intelligence gathering on the border. Texas officials had previously requested assistance via the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, allowing member states, including Nebraska, to provide resources and assistance in times of emergency.

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NEBRASKA LAWMAKERS ADVANCE PROPOSAL TO REPEAL MOTORCYCLE HELMET MANDATE

LINCOLN- Nebraska lawmakers are just one step away from repealing the state's mandated motorcycle helmets after advancing a long-sought proposal in the form of an amendment on Wednesday. During the debate of Sen. Bosn's LB138, a bill related to the DMV, Sen. Ben Hansen, who originally introduced the same motorcycle mandate proposal in LB91, was able to amend it into the bill on a 30-5 vote, despite concerns. 

According to Hansen, such a proposal has been put forth and failed several times throughout the years. "There's actually a coveted helmet that gets passed around to each senator who introduces it," said Hansen after the adoption of the amendment, "So now, I'm such with it, I guess." Hansen's amendment, however, differs from other states who repealed the same mandate, and requires the completion of a DMV-approved basic motorcycle safety course. Similarly, the amendment would require motorcyclists seeking to ride without a helmet to be over the age of twenty-one.

Despite garnering 30 votes, not all senators were on board with the proposal. Sens. Bostelman, Moser, Riepe, Blood, and Hunt all voiced their opposition. Riepe, a former hospital administrator, told his colleagues during the debate that he's seen the harm of motorcycle-involved crashes, as well as what they can cost taxpayers in Medicaid payments. Others, including Hansen, argued that it's an issue of personal freedom. "Your decision to wear a helmet or not wear a helmet does not affect anybody else's civil liberties," said Hansen.

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REP. FLOOD PRAISES LEGISLATIVE ACTION IN NEBRASKA TO BAR HUAWEI TECHNOLOGY

WASHINGTON, D.C.- On Wednesday, Nebraska Rep. Mike Flood praised state Sen. Eliot Bostar, as well as the entirety of the Legislature, for enacting legislation that will "functionally bar Huawei hardware from cell towers in Nebraska," which addresses what is viewed as a national security threat. "Huawei has deep ties to the Chinese Communist Party," said Flood, "and there is widespread agreement their technology can be leveraged for surveillance and sabotage of our communities and military installations."

Flood, who used to serve in the Nebraska Legislature, has previously worked with Sen. Bostar to create legislation that would remove and bar Huawei technology, which is currently attached to several cell towers located near military installations, including Offutt Air Force Base and some missile launch sites in western Nebraska. Bostar's proposal, which was folded into LB683, a package of telecommunications proposals, was passed by the Legislature on Tuesday on a 39-0 vote.

"I applaud Sen. Bostar's leadership to pass this bipartisan bill that will now ensure the dollars of everyday Nebraskans do not subsidize telecommunications companies using technology that can pose a national security threat," finished Flood. The 1st District Congressman believes Bostar's proposal can be a model for other states to pursue in order to protect the nation from surveillance. On the national scale, Nebraska Sen. Deb Fischer has introduced legislation that would implement a "rip and replace" program all over the country to fund the removal of such technology.

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NEBRASKA'S LATEST UNEMPLOYMENT RATE DROPS SLIGHTLY, AS STATE YEARNS FOR MORE WORKERS

LINCOLN- Nebraska's unemployment rate recently dropped from a pandemic-era high of more than 8% three years ago to 2% according to data released last Friday by the Department of Labor. The new number puts Nebraska in the top national ranking for unemployment, with labor officials saying this number ties with Nebraska's historic low. Nationally, Nebraska's unemployment rate is the second lowest among states, with only South Dakota lower at 1.9%.

State Labor Commissioner John Albin noted that the number of Nebraskans in the labor force hit another record as well. "The state's labor force reached a new all-time high for the second straight month," said Albin, citing data that suggests that around 1,061,392 Nebraskans are currently employed or actively searching for a job.

Despite this growth, state Chamber of Commerce leaders still believe, because of Nebraska's 80,000 unfilled jobs, that more work needs to be done to retain and attract workers. Ernie Gross, an economist at Creighton University, also foresees potential challenges. According to Gross, Nebraska's high labor participation rate, juxtaposed with a relatively low supply of workers available to fill new openings, might mean big problems in growing the state's economy in the future.

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RODNEY BENNETT NAMED PRIORITY CANDIDATE IN UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA CHANCELLOR SEARCH

LINCOLN- Following a national search for a new chancellor to replace Ronnie Green, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln announced that it has selected Rodney Bennett as the priority candidate. Bennett most recently served for nearly a decade as president of the University of Southern Mississippi, a public research institution that enrolls 14,000 students across multiple campuses.

Bennett, while serving there, brought Souther Miss into the top tier of research institutions, delivered improved student outcomes, and invested in faculty and high-growth academic programs. These qualities, according to NU President Ted Carter, made Bennett the top pick for the Lincoln-based University's next chancellor. "We launched this search with a goal of finding the right leader who could articulate an ambitious vision for Nebraska's flagship university," said Carter, "Dr. Rodney Bennett is that leader."

Carter thanked the search committee, which was chaired by Tiffany Heng-Moss, dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, for its diligent work in finding candidates for the role. Bennett, while serving as president of Southern Miss from 2013 to 2022, led the university from a Carnegie R2 to an R1 university, signaling its growth in research prestige and funding. As per state law, Bennett's candidacy will now undergo a 30-day vetting period, which will include a series of public sessions during which members of the university community can meet Bennett and ask questions.

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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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