SECRETARY OF STATE BOB EVNEN ANNOUNCES TRADE AND INVESTMENT MISSION TO ISRAEL AND JORDAN

LINCOLN- Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen is inviting Nebraska businesses and organizations to join a Trade and Investment Mission to Israel and Jordan this fall. As part of the trade mission, the Nebraska Secretary of State’s Office is organizing business-to-business meetings in the two countries, as well as meetings with government officials. The trip is set to take place October 13-27.

During the trade mission, the delegation will visit the Agritech Israel Conference and partake in cultural site visits in Israel and Jordan. “I take great pride in showing the world the growing economic opportunities we have in Nebraska,” Secretary Evnen said. “I’m looking forward to connecting our hometown businesses with leaders and emerging markets across the globe.”

The 2023 Trade and Investment Mission to Israel and Jordan will be Secretary Evnen’s sixth international trade mission since taking office in 2019. As part of the Secretary of State’s statutory responsibility to promote international exchanges of commerce and culture, Secretary Evnen has led prior trade missions with Nebraska businesses to Kenya, Bulgaria, Tanzania, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan.

For the full article click HERE

ACCUSATIONS FLY IN PETITION FIGHT OVER TAX CREDIT FOR PRIVATE SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIPS

OMAHA- Heated allegations were lodged this week by advocates for and against a petition drive seeking to overturn Nebraska’s new tax credit for donations funding private school scholarships. the groups accused one another of telling half-truths or lies or turning off potential voters in Omaha, Lincoln and other communities. Petition circulators and blockers shared specific allegations and said voters are paying the price.

Public school advocates are crisscrossing the state seeking signatures for a petition that would let voters decide the fate of the K-12 scholarship law. They are often confronted by signature blockers for Keep Kids First, a local school choice group with national backing. The blockers try to persuade people not to sign petitions for Support Our Schools, a group backed by local, state and national teachers unions.

LB753, signed into law May 30, provides dollar-for-dollar income tax credits of up to $100,000 for people and corporations funding scholarships. Circulators have until Aug. 30 to submit roughly 61,000 valid signatures of registered voters. Petition drive organizers often gather tens of thousands more than they need for a safety net.

For the full article click HERE

NURSING SCHOLARSHIPS GO UNCLAIMED, WHILE OBSERVERS SAY PROGRAM IS MISDIRECTED

LINCOLN- Nursing students have claimed up only $1.1 million of a $5 million scholarship program, and some are wondering if the program needs to be changed to help more students. A year ago, the Nebraska Legislature allocated $5 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds for the scholarships in hopes of addressing a chronic shortage of nurses that is expected to grow to 5,400 by 2025.

But the program was aimed at helping students in short-term training, and it has helped only about 400 nursing students. If the $5 million isn’t fully allocated by the end of next year, the remainder must be returned to the feds. The concerns have advocates for nurses wondering if the state should amend the program so the funds are used as intended.

State Sen. Myron Dorn of Adams, who introduced the scholarship measure as part of LB1014 in 2022, said he, too, was surprised that more of the scholarship funds hadn’t been awarded. Some employers pointed to the program not being available to traditional nursing program students. Sen. Dorn said it is probably something that will need to be addressed in the 2024 session.

For the full article click HERE

GOVERNOR PILLEN FILLS DHHS ROLES WITH INTERIM APPOINTMENTS

LINCOLN- Governor Jim Pillen has announced two interim leadership appointments at the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). The appointments were made in response to the resignation of current CEO Dannette Smith. She will leave DHHS on August 4th to assume a role with a national firm that supports health and human services agencies across the United States.

Bo Botelho will assume the role of interim DHHS chief executive officer (CEO). Botelho is currently general counsel for the agency. He has prior experience in the interim CEO position, having been appointed by then-Governor Pete Ricketts from October 2018 to February 2019. Botelho will officially assume the position on August. 5th following Dannette Smiths' August 4th departure.

Tony Green will serve as Interim Director for the Division of Children and Family Services. Green is already interim director for the Division of Behavioral Health and oversees the Division of Developmental Disabilities. He has overseen the Division of Developmental Disabilities since August 2020. Governor Pillen indicated the appointment is effective immediately.

For the full announcment click HERE

GOV. PILLEN ACCEPTS FEDERAL EMERGENCY RENT AID FOR NEBRASKA

LINCOLN- Breaking off from the stance of his predecessor, Gov. Jim Pillen has accepted around $48 million in federal rent aid that had been set aside for Nebraska's 91 smaller, more rural counties. Previously, Gov. Ricketts had turned down the pandemic-related funding, which eventually prompted the federal government to shift the original allocation of $120 million elsewhere around the country. State officials are now set to work on building a disbursement program for the reduced funding, which is expected to begin vetting applicants by September.

"Gov. Pillen recognized that housing stability and affordability issues still exist across rural Nebraska, outside of its cities," said Laura Strimple, a Pillen spokeswoman, in a press release, "Applying for these funds will address those issues." Proponents of the rent aid were relieved and grateful following the news of Pillen's acceptance. "I'm very, very happy that we've seen the light and accepted the money," said Erin Feichtinger, policy director of the Women's Fund of Omaha, "There is a real need for housing assistance in those 91 counties."

In 2022, the funds were denied by then-Gov. Pete Ricketts, who claimed that the pandemic was over and that Nebraska should guard against becoming a "welfare state." State senators who disagreed with Ricketts' sentiment sought intervention from the full Legislature, but fell one vote short of overriding the gubernatorial veto. The Nebraska Investment Finance Authority is set to handle the distribution process of the newly-accepted funding.

For the full article click HERE

NEBRASKA TO UNDERTAKE $689 MILLION IN ROADS PROJECTS THIS YEAR

LINCOLN- State officials have announced one of the largest and most historic infrastructure investments in Nebraska, with plans to begin projects to construct and repair the state's highway system with around $689 million. The biggest of these projects will expand a 7.6-mile stretch of Interstate 80 to six lanes, from Northwest 56th Street in Lincoln all the way to Pleasant Dale. This project, projected to cost around $122.2 million, is part of a long-term plan to make I-80 six lanes from Lincoln to Grand Island.

Another major road project being planned is the rebuilding of the interchange at U.S. Highway 6 at the intersection of West Dodge Road and 192nd Street in Omaha. The interchange is expected to cost the state around $14.2 million, and will have a diverging diamond configuration, eliminating left turns to improve safety and relieve congestion. These, as well as many other, smaller projects, were detailed in a recent report by the Nebraska Department of Transportation, the Surface Transportation Program Book.

Transportation Director Vicki Kramer said she believes these projects will help "address statewide asset preservation, modernization, capacity, equity, and safety improvements to provide the best possible transportation system for the movement of people and goods." Additionally, according to Kramer, projects should be accelerated under the recently-passed bonding authority system passed in LB727 this year, which departs from Nebraska's previous pay-as-you-go policy.

For the full article click HERE

NEBRASKA GOP DONATIONS YET TO BOUNCE BACK A YEAR AFTER TUMULTUOUS CONVENTION

LINCOLN- A little over a year after a turbulent convention resulted in a massive turnover of party leadership, local donations to the Nebraska Republican Party have yet to return to previous levels. Since the convention, local donations to the Nebraska GOP added up to just under $122,000, according to the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission. In the year leading up to the contentious convention, the party raised nearly $1 million.

Meanwhile, the Nebraska Democratic Party has outraised the Nebraska GOP, bringing in roughly $2.1 million on the state and local level. According to former Nebraska GOP Chairman Dan Welch, this is an exceedingly rare occurrence. Even Nebraska Democratic Party Chairwoman Jane Kleeb was surprised, acknowledging that, while some local congressional candidates have outraised Republican opponents in individual races, it's abnormal for the state Democratic Party to outraise its Republican counterpart by this much.

The GOP convention in Nebraska last year culminated in delegates voting to change the party's constitution to remove former Chairman Welch, eventually going on to replace him with current Chairman Eric Underwood. Welch's removal prompted the resignation of several party leaders, including the executive director, the national committeewoman, and the first and second district chair. Whether the events of this tumultuous convention were the reason for the decrease in funding is unclear, but observers tend to agree that it played, at the very least, a small role.

For the full article click HERE

GOV. JIM PILLEN EMBARKS ON FIRST TRADE MISSION TO VIETNAM

LINCOLN- In a trip aimed at growing Nebraska's trade opportunities abroad, Gov. Jim Pillen will lead a delegation to Vietnam, beginning Sunday and stretching throughout the week, that includes the Nebraska Department of Agriculture Director Sherry Vinton and University of Nebraska at Omaha Chancellor Joanne Li.

The delegation is set to make stops in several cities throughout the country, meeting with Vietnamese trade officials, watching product demonstrations, and visiting the Vietnam University of Agriculture. "Vietnam is an important and growing export market for Nebraska processed feed like corn gluten, soybean meal, and distillers grains," Pillen said in a press release announcing the trade mission.

Nebraska's exports to Vietnam in 2021 totaled around $946 million, according to the press release. Vietnam, it went on to say, consumes substantial amounts of dairy products, eggs, beans, and beef from Nebraska. Pillen's delegation will also include other ag-related business, academic, and government representatives, some of whom previously visited the nation in January to discuss business and educational opportunities.

For the full article click HERE

CENTRAL NEBRASKA UTILITIES SAY MERGER WOULD BE HELPFUL TO MASSIVE NEW FERTILIZER PLANT, BUT WATER USERS DIFFER

GOTHENBURG- On Friday, officials from Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District and Dawson Public Power announced plans to merge the two organizations, claiming that it will be more economically beneficial and help greatly in the construction and logistical planning of a new $750 million liquid fertilizer plant. The fertilizer plant, titled "Project Meadowlark," is expected to consume massive amounts of electricity, more than is required for the entire City of Kearney.

A merged public power district, according to officials from both organizations, would be able to generate and distribute clean, renewable energy more efficiently, as well as provide the electricity needed to operate the fertilizer plant. Central Public Power General Manager Devin Brundage, in a press release, claimed that the merger will help the plant find the best "carbon-free energy" alternative required to operate the Meadowlark Project.

The proposed merger was originally introduced in 2020, and is still pending after state approval was rejected by the Nebraska Power Review Board. Local boards in Dawson and Central have both approved the merger, but state approval is required for its completion. Another opponent of the merger, a small group of local irrigators, also filed a lawsuit against the two power districts, claiming that it will dilute the power of water users to continue to irrigate their crops. To get around these roadblocks, Central's Board of Directors is set to authorize the filing of a petition to amend its charter, and therefore allow the merger to be completed without state approval.

For the full article click HERE

ARMING SCHOOL STAFF AND A 'STAND YOUR GROUND' LAW BEING CONSIDERED IN NEBRASKA

LINCOLN- State Sen. Tom Brewer, who previously introduced LB77, a controversial bill that allows for the permitless concealed carry of handguns, stated in a weekly update that he plans on introducing a new 'stand your ground' bill in the Nebraska Legislature, as well as one aiming to arm teachers.

Before the next legislative session starts, Brewer says he seeks to hold interim studies on the issues, where educators, law enforcement, and security personnel will be able to testify. Sen. Brewer said Nebraska needs to consider "letting public and private schools decide at the local level whether to use off-duty police officers, private security guards, or even key specially trained staff and faculty as armed responders in case of a deadly threat."

Currently, Nebraska law prohibits anyone other than law enforcement from carrying a firearm at a local school. In the update, Brewer indicated that he had asked Sen. Dave Murman, the chair of the Legislature's Education Committee, to consider prioritizing the interim study. Brewer also brought up a potential 'stand your ground' bill, insisting that such legislation, despite what critics say, does not encourage more violence.

For the full article click HERE

NEBRASKA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION ESTABLISHES PRIORITIES FOR NEW COMMISSIONER

LINCOLN- With just over a week on the job, Brian Maher has a list of priorities to tackle as Nebraska's new education commissioner. On Friday, the State Board of Education took several hours to create a general outline of performance objectives and expectations for Maher, who assumed on the role on July 1st. Maher was selected for the role after former Commissioner Matt Blomstedt announced his resignation earlier this year.

The list drafted for Maher will act as a starting point for his work in the state, and will be reevaluated in eight months. Steve Joel, who managed the search for the new commissioner with the Omaha firm McPherson and Jacobson, presented several challenges that Maher will face during his tenure as commissioner at the meeting and helped to draft the list of objectives. One of the main issues, according to Joel, will be academic recovery in Nebraska schools following the Covid-19 pandemic, which saw test scores drop considerably.

"That topic really going to be looming large on minds of school boards, communities, and parents," said Joel. Other challenges drafted on the list include budget challenges, enrollment declines, retirement for educators, and staffing shortages. The list has still not been formally adopted by the Board. Maher's knowledge of internal operations within the school system will also be challenged, and Maher will be expected to gather data about teacher certification, among other things. In response to the proposed list, Maher said he was looking forward to tackling the issues contained therein. "I think there are some really important points here," he said.

For the full article click HERE

AFTER MOST RECENT VISIT SEN. BREWER SAYS UKRAINE CAN WIN THE WAR, BUT IT WILL TAKE TIME

LINCOLN- State Sen. Tom Brewer, upon returning from his third trip to the war-torn country of Ukraine, said he believes the embattled nation can win, but "it's going to take them a whole." The decorated army veteran, who was wounded twice while serving in Afghanistan, spoke of his time visiting with Ukrainian military leaders, calling the battlefield on which the war is being waged "medieval."

Brewer said that his first two trips to the country were mostly for religious and humanitarian reasons, while his latest trip was more focused on seeing the front lines firsthand and offering counsel to soldiers and military leaders. He also wanted to see if the billions of dollars of American aid and equipment were being used correctly. "A lot of the time forward," he said, "it's just understanding what's going on. How is the American taxpayer dollar being used?"

Brewer traveled to Ukraine alongside a friend of his, Noah Philson, as well as a Lincoln-based television reporter. According to the senator, there were several times on the frontline when the situation became quite perilous. "I think we walked that tightrope probably as close as you want," he said, "There were days that were pretty hairy." Brewer also said that he believes the Ukrainian counter-offensive has not played out as efficiently or expeditiously as was previously planned, despite billions in American aid.

For the full article click HERE

$12 MILLION LAND PURCHASE SOUGHT BY CITY OF OMAHA TIED TO PLANNED NORTH OMAHA BUSINESS PARK

OMAHA- Nebraska's largest and most populous city is in the final steps of purchasing a $12 million tract of land that would fulfill the long-awaited effort to create an industrial business park in northeast Omaha. The proposed purchase, which would encompass 67 acres near 14th and Locust Streets, is on this week's Omaha City Council agenda. Sen. Justin Wayne, a North Omaha resident and long proponent of the business park, said he believes the move, while costly, will bring hundreds of jobs to one of the most historically disadvantaged areas of the city.

"This is a first step toward developing the business park in North Omaha," said Wayne. Over the past two years, the Nebraska Legislature has allocated nearly $90 million to develop one, and perhaps even two, business parks in the North Omaha area. Broader legislation over the years has also set aside around $400 million, which is set to be invested into distressed areas of North and South Omaha.

When asked about the potential $12 million purchase, an aide from Mayor Jean Stothert's office said that the city intends to partner with a still-to-be-announced developer who will be awarded the funds to develop the business park. Additionally, according to Spokeswoman Carrie Murphy, the city intends to build a new truck route that will run from North Omaha toward downtown, with an access road connected to the planned business park.

For the full article click HERE

EXCAVATION OF FORMER SCHOOL MAY REVEAL REMAINS OF UP TO 80 NATIVE AMERICAN CHILDREN

GENOA- Nebraska's State Archeologist is set to begin excavation of the long-closed, but historically significant, Genoa Indian Industrial School, which was part of a national system of more than 400 Native American boarding schools that attempted to violently integrate Indigenous children into white culture by separating them from their parents and heritage, as well as subjecting them to harsh punishments. The yet-undiscovered bodies of around 80 Indigenous children are expected to be found.

The former Genoa Indian Industrial School, which rests just under 90 miles west of Omaha, was opened in 1884 and was home to around 600 students from more than 40 Native American tribes around the country. For decades, researchers and archeologists have attempted to find the remains of the 80 children, who were placed in an unmarked cemetery surrounding the boarding school following their deaths.

Judi Gaiashkibos, the executive director of the Nebraska Commission on Indian Affairs and daughter of a Genoa Indian Industrial School student, is also involved in the search. Gaiashkibos believes finding the bodies will offer healing to the Indigenous community, and will help bring their voices to the surface. "It's an honor to go on behalf of my ancestors and those who lost their lives there" she said, "and I feel entrusted with a huge responsibility."

For the full article click HERE

NEBRASKA LAWMAKERS REFLECT ON, LOOK AHEAD FROM CONTENTIOUS 2023 LEGISLATIVE SESSION

LINCOLN- Following a contentious legislative session, Nebraska lawmakers have been enjoying a little time off before beginning to prepare for the 2024 session. While the Legislature will hold interim studies and hearings in the fall, the official action is on pause — at least for a while — after state lawmakers adjourned June 1. Some laws took effect immediately and others will be enacted later this fall; some legislation is being challenged in the courts or via petition.

Senators offered various points of view when reflecting on the 2023 session. Sen. Aguilar highlighted that he secured funding for multiple projects such as Fonner Park. Sen. Albrecht said she was proud of her work in the abortion arena. Sen. Archs' proudest moment was all the hurdles the body overcame. Sen. Blood was proud of the accomplishments within the judiciary committee. Sen. Brandt is proud of the care and attention shown to farmers.

Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh was most proud of everyone that participated in the legislative process and looks forward to a productive 2024. Sen. Fredrickson was proud of the Legislature's choice to prioritize mental health. Sen. Lowe said he is expecting rule changes in 2024 and looks forward to adapting to that challenge. One thing mentioned by almost all senators is their excitement to work together as a body to continue to produce what is best for the people of Nebraska.

For the full article click HERE

SEN. PETE RICKETTS, AT NATO SUMMIT, URGES MEMBER COUNTRIES TO PAY THEIR SHARE

LINCOLN- Speaking from the site of this year’s NATO Summit, Sen. Pete Ricketts called for the member countries to fulfill their defense spending commitments. Ricketts, the ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation, was part of a bipartisan congressional delegation attending the summit in Vilnius, Lithuania.

The delegation is being led by U.S. Sens. Jeanne Shaheen and Thom Tillis, co-chairs of the Senate NATO Observer Group. The delegation visited the U.S. Army Base in Pabrade, Lithuania, and spoke at an afternoon press conference. They were also slated to meet with NATO leaders during the trip. During the press conference, Ricketts congratulated the European members of the alliance for their quick response to Ukraine following the Russian invasion.

But he also called for all NATO members to fulfill their pledges to commit 2% of their gross domestic product to defense spending. He noted that members had agreed to that level of spending in 2014 but, as of last year, only seven members had done so. On Friday, Ricketts and 34 Senate colleagues sent a letter urging President Joe Biden to push for a “more concrete level of commitment” by NATO members.

For the full article click HERE

DOUGLAS COUNTY BOARD ADOPTS BUDGET EXPECTED TO KEEP CURRENT PROPERTY TAX RATE

DOUGLAS COUNTY- Douglas County’s property tax rate likely will remain the same next year under the budget the county board approved, but many taxpayers will owe more because of increases in their property’s valuation. The board voted to approve a $554.2 million budget for fiscal year 2023-24. That includes $51.6 million in federal pandemic relief and stimulus funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), most of which the board has set aside for mental health needs.

Excluding the county’s ARPA money, the budget increases spending by 4.9% over 2022-23. The general fund portion of the budget, without the ARPA money, is $263 million, up 5.4% from last year. The board voted 5-1, without discussion Tuesday, to approve the budget. Board members Chris Rodgers, Mike Friend, P.J. Morgan, Maureen Boyle and Roger Garcia voted yes. Board Chair Mary Ann Borgeson voted no.

Douglas County Budget and Finance Director Lori Pirsch said the rise in spending is “driven by increased labor costs and criminal justice and health care operations and a 15% increase in road and bridge project spending.” The county’s property tax rate would remain at just over 29.5 cents per $100 in valuation, although the rate won’t be set in stone until September, after final valuations are certified.

For the full article click HERE

MAJOR GOP DONOR TOM PEED HOSTS HOUSE SPEAKER KEVIN McCARTHY IN LINCOLN AT DINNER

LINCOLN- U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy made a trip this week to Nebraska to dine with major GOP donor Tom Peed. Dinner was held at the Casa Bovina steakhouse in northeast Lincoln which is owned by Peed's son. Though McCarthy’s political and committee staff wouldn’t share his reason for coming, several political observers with GOP connections said the California Republican was in town raising money for the Congressional Leadership Fund, which he leads.

Federal fundraising records show the Peed family has given more than $10 million to the fund over the past two election cycles, in 2020 and 2022. Sandhills gave the fund another $6.5 million over the same span. The 2022 data showed both Tom Peed and his wife, Rhonda, among the group’s top 20 national donors. The fund raises money outside of GOP House candidates’ campaigns and spends it independently on House races.

The Peeds have emerged in recent years as a financial force in Nebraska politics. The Peeds helped make the 2023 Lincoln mayor’s race the city’s most expensive, plowing about $2 million into State Sen. Suzanne Geist’s second-place finish to Nebraska’s most prominent Democratic officeholder, Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird. Tom Peed did not immediately return calls seeking comment about McCarthy’s visit.

For the full article click HERE

SCC PROPOSES 20% PROPERTY TAX LEVY INCREASE, FRUSTRATING SOME STATE SENATORS

LINCOLN- Southeast Community College is moving forward with a proposal to raise its tax levy, but several senators are saying it’s not fair to Nebraskans. Sen. Robert Dover and 23 other senators sent a letter to the SCC board of governors, asking it to reconsider. The proposal would raise rates to the maximum allowed under state law.

Right now, the levy rate is 9.37 cents per $100 valuation. SCC would raise it to 11.25 cents if the budget is approved. “This will establish a baseline for our future needs,” SCC President Paul Illich said in a statement. “Budgeting a lesser amount would require an increase in tuition, possibly significant, and a decrease in a variety of educational programs. We have one chance to get this right.”

But the senators said this is going to be especially difficult for taxpayers because property valuations have spiked this year. If approved, the owner of a $250,000 home in Lincoln would pay around $45 more per year. For now, the increase would only affect the residents in 15-county SCC’s area. But in 2025, all Nebraskans will be paying for it.

For the full article click HERE

MULTIPLE CANDIDATES ANNOUNCE RUN FOR NEBRASKA LEGISLATURE

LINCOLN- Four candidates have announced plans recently to run for the Nebraska Legislature, including one taking on a newly appointed senator in east Lincoln. Nicki Behmer Popp is running for the District 25 seat now held by State Sen. Carolyn Bosn of Lincoln, who was appointed in April to finish out former Sen. Suzanne Geist’s term. Bosn, a Republican, has said she would run to keep the seat when it came open in 2024. Popp is registered as nonpartisan and currently serves on the Lincoln Airport Authority.

In District 23, Dennis Fujan, a farmer from Prague, and Jared Storm, a small-business owner and pilot from David City, are seeking the seat held by Sen. Bruce Bostelman of Brainard, who is term-limited. The district encompasses Saunders, Colfax and part of Butler Counties. Both Fujan and Storm are registered Republicans. Fujan is a farmer and veteran. Storm manufactures aircraft and provides aerial application services to farmers.

Also running in District 23 is Jacob Wolff. Wolff currently does not live in the district and is working to move to be eligible. The State Constitution requires a candidate to reside in a legislative district at least one year before they are elected. Wolff, a graduate of Omaha Roncalli High School, just completed a five-year stint as an officer in the Navy Civil Engineer Corps. He is currently registered as nonpartisan but intends to change his party affiliation to Republican.

For the full article click HERE