NEBRASKA HOLDING UP BETTER THAN THE REGION, SAYS DIRECTOR OF NINE-STATE ECONOMIC SURVEY

LINCOLN- While Nebraska's manufacturing industry may be "losing steam," it's still chugging along better than most of its neighboring states and the nation, at least according to Creighton University's Ernie Goss, whose Economic Forecasting Group produces a monthly business conditions report based on a survey of manufacturing surplus in a nine-state area.

"There's little doubt, almost everything confirms, that the manufacturing sector is either in a recession or right on the edge of it," said Goss, "But Nebraska has held up better than the region and the nation." Regionally, the business conditions index overall for the nine states slumped in November to 42.2, nearly eight points below the growth neutral threshold.

Goss called that decrease the lowest reading recorded since June 2020. Nebraska's index sank, from 48.8 in October to 39.3 in November, but employment in the sector was boosted over the past year by 2,000. Hourly manufacturing rates also climbed by 6.3%, far above the national average of 3.4%. Asked to identify the greatest economic threat for their firm over the next six months, six of the 10 supply chain managers surveyed said a recession, two said labor shortages, one said inflation, and another said higher interest rates.

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GOVERNOR EXPRESSES DISAPPOINTMENT THAT MOST SCHOOL DISTRICTS OVERRODE SPENDING CAP

LINCOLN- On Monday, Gov. Pillen expressed disappointment that, despite an influx of $324 million in additional state aid to K-12 schools, property taxes for local education statewide still increased by $85 million. "It's unacceptable," said Pillen, "Year one is not where we want to be." A package of bills passed in the Nebraska Legislature earlier this year would've allowed 92 of the state's 244 school districts to lower their collection of property taxes or keep them flat.

However, 188 of the 244 districts voted to override the 3% revenue cap that was imposed as part of Legislative Bill 583, which led to the overall increase in property taxes. "The intent...was that overriding the 3% would be the exception to the rule," said Pillen, "We have to stop spending money." Some disagree with that sentiment. The OpenSky Policy Institute, a Lincoln-based think tank, argued that the "one-size-fits-all funding mechanism" promoted by Pillen is the wrong approach to meeting educational needs.

"Locally elected school board members are best positioned to determine what resources are needed to provide the learning environment and support from teachers to prepare students for a bright future," said Rebecca Firestone of the OpenSky Institute. Joining Pillen at a Monday press conference were the superintendents of the Elwood and Norris school districts, who were both able to reduce property taxes over the past 6 months.

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STATE ASKS OWNERS OF PRIVATE WELLS TO TEST THEIR WATER, TO HELP WITH STATEWIDE STUDY OF NITRATE AQUIFERS

LINCOLN- The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy sent postcards to more than 29,000 registered domestic well owners across Nebraska, inviting them to conduct a free test of their private well water and participate in a study of nitrate pollution in the state. According to the Department, widespread public participation is the key to ensuring that the study accurately encompasses private drinking wells across the state.

The free sample kits and lab analyses are offered to all Nebraskans with a private well, not just those who received a postcard. If a private well's results are above 10 parts per million of nitrate, owners are also eligible for up to $4,000 in rebates to obtain a reverse osmosis treatment system.

Nitrate pollution in groundwater has been a long-running concern in Nebraska, where decades of use of nitrogen fertilizers and manure runoff from livestock operations have increased levels in aquifers. According to several state medical researchers, the state has one of the highest rates of pediatric cancer in the nation, which nitrate-laden drinking water might've played a role in.

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NEBRASKA'S CASINOS APPEAR TO PUT A DENT IN IOWA CASINO REVENUE

LINCOLN- The launch of state-sanctioned casino gambling in Nebraska appears to be taking a bite out of revenue at two big Council Bluffs casinos, according to the state of Iowa. Revenue is down this year at Ameristar and Horseshoe casinos, two of Iowa’s top-grossing casinos, state records show. The American Gaming Association noted this dip in a report on third-quarter revenue report.

“In the Midwest,” the AGA said, “traditional revenue at two of Iowa’s three top-grossing casinos in the Council Bluffs market continued to trail last year following the launch of slot gaming in eastern Nebraska in late 2022.” The revenue dip should please gambling advocates in Nebraska, who for years argued the state should have its own casinos and stop the leakage of gambling dollars to Iowa.

The combined total adjusted gaming revenue for Ameristar, Harrah’s and Horseshoe for fiscal year 2023 — the period from July 2022 through June 2023 — was $460 million, according to the Iowa commission. That was down from $473.2 million for fiscal year 2022, a decline of $13.2 million or about 3%. This may come as a scare to Iowa as Nebraska casinos are still ramping up construction and soon approach opening dates for the actual facilities rather than the temporary ones. ‘

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HEARING ON GUNS IN SCHOOLS HINTS AT LIKELY 2024 LEGISLATIVE TARGETS

LINCOLN- On Friday, the Nebraska Legislature's Education Committee heard testimony related to the possibility of teachers carrying firearms on school grounds and the allowing of off-duty police officers to do the same. Although testifiers ranged from rural and private school officials, firearms experts, and security contractors, no urban teachers, union representatives, or school board members from Nebraska's largest cities were invited to testify.

Brewer, a gun rights advocate, said at the hearing that he had not yet settled on language for his next gun bill after eliminating training requirements for the concealed carry of handguns this year. "We have not written a bill," he stated. Much of Brewer's push to examine state laws governing guns in K-12 schools seemed to center around Sen. Steve Halloran's LB343 from 2019, which would have trained school staff to carry concealed handguns.

Brewer said he requested the interim study because he thinks Nebraska law prevents schools from adequately protecting children. "We don't have enough money to put school resource officers in every school," said Brewer, "For those schools...that don't have that advantage, I think we owe it to them to do what we can." Many of the testifiers argued that the decision of whether or not teachers can carry firearms should be left up to each individual school board.

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NEW REPORT SAYS STATE'S 'TAX-CUTTING SPREE' ENDANGERS HEALTH CARE, EDUCATION

LINCOLN- A new report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, cited by the Lincoln-based OpenSky Policy Center, says the recent tax cuts enacted by Nebraska lawmakers will reduce state revenues by $3.1 billion over the next five years, a 7.6% decline in general fund revenue.

That forecasted decline in state revenue is the sixth steepest in the nation, according to the report, titled "States' Recent Tax-Cut Spree Creates Big Risks for Families and Communities," and was possible, in large part, due to an influx in federal COVID-19 aid. Rebecca Firestone, OpenSky's executive director, said the cuts in Nebraska threaten the state's ability to tackle "real challenges" and endanger current investments in schools, health care, and public safety.

However, some disagree with the report's findings. "Prior to these income tax cuts, Nebraska was woefully uncompetitive in the region," said Jim Vokal of the Platte Institute, "The recent moves on taxes were desperately needed to stay in the game." Thus far, according to OpenSky, the tax cuts enacted over the past three years in Nebraska have reduced state revenue by $77 million, with the potential to grow to a projected $1 billion in 2028.

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ATTORNEYS GENERAL OPPOSE PROPOSED FEDERAL RULE SUPPORTING LGBTQ FOSTER KIDS

LINCOLN- Nineteen states, including Nebraska, joined in signing a letter drafted by Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services arguing that a proposed federal rule aiming to protect LGBTQ youth in foster care amounts to religious-based discrimination and violated freedom of speech.

The proposal, which would require states to provide safe and appropriate placements with providers who are trained about the child's sexual orientation or gender identity, also requires that each child receive the necessary services. Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers, in a statement, said that the proposed rule unlawfully conditions federal funding and "almost certainly will drive parents of faith out of the foster care system."

"At a time when our foster care system needs more, not fewer, caring parents, the Biden Administration's effort to push loving and caring parents out of the foster care system is as short-sighted as it is unconstitutional," wrote Hilgers. The proposed rule came as part of a package of federal proposals relating to foster care and is an extension of a broader push by the Biden Administration to protect LBGTQ children.

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NEW COALITION SAYS IT FORMED TO SPOTLIGHT ECONOMY, ISSUES AFFECTING NEBRASKA'S SECOND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

OMAHA- On Wednesday, a new Omaha-based coalition, titled Nebraska For Us, held its official launch, stating that its objective is to spotlight and promote awareness of economic issues and federal legislation affecting residents of Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District. "Nebraskans are struggling, and it's clear that vital programs many of our working class and middle-income neighbors count on are under constant threat," said Angie Lauritsen, a former elected official who has worked with various local issue campaigns.

Collin Adler Ruane, communications director of the coalition, said in an interview that the group is not affiliated with a political party, and does not plan to expressly support or oppose a candidate. But, said Adler Ruane, because U.S. Rep. Don Bacon currently represents the district, the coalition believes it is important to share citizens' messages and testimony with him.

The group has not yet reached out to Bacon, according to Adler Ruane, stating that the group is still in its early stages. However, Rep. Bacon responded to its formation: "Nebraskans know I work hard for them and our country. Unfortunately, Americans are paying more for food, energy, and services because of the disastrous effects of Pres. Biden's policies."

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NEBRASKA STATE EMPLOYEES UNION RENEWS DEMANDS TO BARGAIN FOR REMOTE WORK

LINCOLN- On Thursday, the Nebraska Association of Public Employees, which represents more than 8,000 state workers, shared the results of a survey of union members conducted last week at a rally in the Capitol Rotunda. The union initially called for negotiations on November 27th after Gov. Pillen ordered all state employees back to their respective offices.

At the Thursday rally, those demands were reintroduced. "If we lose state employees, all Nebraskans will pay the price," said Melissa Haynes, president of the union and a social service worker in the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. In response, Jacy Schafer, director of communications for Gov. Jim Pillen, said many of the state's employees, like state troopers, corrections officers, and more are expected to work in-person every day.

"Nebraskans expect their taxpayer-funded workforce to deliver maximum value and productivity, and is only possible by ensuring our state public servants are, as a general rule, working full-time schedules in the office," said Schafer, "The Governor's authority to direct the state's workforce fully back into the office is clear." Following this, the employees union requested an updated response based on the renewed call for bargaining.

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NEBRASKA BROADBAND OFFICE AIMS TO FILL SERVICE GAPS AFFECTING ROUGHLY 50,000 HOUSEHOLDS

LINCOLN- By 2024, Nebraska's newest state agency is looking to reduce broadband service inequity throughout the state by targeting roughly 50,000 households. Patrick Haggerty, director of the Nebraska Broadband Office, told the Nebraska Legislature's Transportation and Telecommunications Committee on Wednesday that his office was finalizing data in an effort to disburse the grant funding necessary for such an endeavor.

Nebraska has received over $500 million from the federal government for broadband expansion, with the possibility for even more funding in the future, and has, through the Nebraska Public Service Commission, Nebraska Broadband Office, Nebraska Broadband Bridge Program, and the Nebraska Universal Service Fund, awarded roughly $124 million for broadband expansion efforts over the past year.

Despite concerns from state lawmakers that the newly-created Broadband Office would usurp authority from the Nebraska Public Service Commission, both Haggerty and Public Service Commissioner Dan Watermeier testified that the two groups have collaborated well since the office's creation. Sen. Tom Brandt praised the work of the Broadband Office, saying that broadband services are critical across the state, and that improving access in underserved and unserved areas will keep Nebraska competitive.

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SPEAKER ARCH RELEASES NEW CALENDAR FOR THE 2024 LEGISLATIVE SESSION

LINCOLN- During a meeting of the Legislative Council, Speaker John Arch released a detailed calendar for the upcoming 2024 session along with an announcement of the first bills to be debated. The first bills will be procurement reform (LB360), defining massage therapy as a health service (LB78), genetic information privacy (LB308), and Medicaid fraud controls (LB664). Please see the list below for a list of notable calendar dates.

• January 10th-19th: All-day rules debate followed by bill debate

• January 17th: Final day of bill introduction

• January 22nd-February 29th: Morning bill debate and afternoon committee hearings

• February 14th: Speaker priority bill request deadline

• February 15th: Committee and Senator priority bill deadline

• March: 4th-7th: Full day debate

• March 7th: Budget bills placed on General File

• March 27th-April 5th: Full day debate

• April 9th: Final day of Select File debate

• April 10th: Layover day

• April 11th: Last day of Final Reading debate

• April 18th: Veto Overrides and Adjournment Sine Die

To download the 2024 Legislative calendar click HERE.

WARNING ISSUED AFTER HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS AVIAN FLU DETECTED IN FLOCK IN NEBRASKA; FLU CAUSED SPIKE IN EGG PRICES IN 2022

LINCOLN- State officials are urging vigilance after a strain of deadly avian flu was discovered in a small backyard flock in Colfax County. The warning from the Nebraska Department of Agriculture comes amid several confirmed cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in the nearby states of Iowa, Minnesota and South Dakota.

The deadly flu forced the slaughter of nearly 58 million birds last year, according to the Associated Press, though the death toll has been much smaller this year. The loss of laying hens caused a spike in egg prices, which more than doubled in 2022. “Poultry producers need to continue to be vigilant in protecting their flocks,” said State Veterinarian Dr. Roger Dudley in a press release.

Avian flu spreads easily among birds, according to the Ag Department, through nasal and eye secretions, as well as manure. Wild birds, through contact with infected poultry, can spread the virus to domestic flocks, but it can also spread via equipment, and clothing and shoes of caretakers. Signs of HPAI or unusual deaths should be reported to the Nebraska Department of Agriculture at 402-471-2351.

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UNK UNION ASKS NU BOARD OF REGENTS, LEGISLATURE TO STEP IN AND SAVE CAMPUS JOBS AND PROGRAMS

KEARNEY- The union representing faculty at the University of Nebraska at Kearney called on the NU Board of Regents and the Legislature to restore part of the $4.3 million in proposed budget cuts. The union shared a petition circulated to UNK faculty, staff, students and community boosters urging fewer cuts to the central Nebraska campus.

They urged the board to reconsider its approach and accept smaller cuts to faculty posts — specifically, 15 positions instead of 24.5. A group of faculty had recommended that smaller number. More than 240 people signed a statement saying they oppose “any actions that would undermine the viability and integrity of the University of Nebraska at Kearney.” It called the cuts “a very real threat to the experience UNK can provide its students.”

The group asked UNK supporters to pressure Kearney-area Regent Paul Kenney and State Sen. John Lowe of Kearney to do more to convince their peers of UNK’s important role in the region’s economic development and business and cultural vibrancy. Of particular concern was the proposed elimination of the entire theater and recreation management programs and proposed elimination of eight degree programs.

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PLATTE INSTITUTE CALLS FOR 'ANOTHER LEAP' IN TAX RELIEF IN NEBRASKA

LINCOLN- The Platte Insitute is calling for “another leap” in tax cuts in Nebraska, aimed at tougher caps on government spending and more power for voters to reject property tax increases. A report released said that it would move Nebraska to among the Top 10 most business-friendly tax climates nationally. It was termed “another leap” forward after the State Legislature adopted major income tax cuts.

“Nebraska has made commendable strides, but there’s more work to be done,” said Jim Vokal, Platte’s chief executive officer. State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn, a key senator on tax policy as the chair of the Legislature’s Revenue Committee, said that she hadn’t reviewed all of Platte’s suggestions but that property tax relief will be a big issue during the 2024 session, which begins in five weeks.

The Platte Institute, in its report, estimated that once the tax breaks enacted by the Legislature in the past two years are fully implemented, the average tax break per household will amount to $3,000. Vokal, the Platte CEO, said Nebraska now needs to embark on a four-year plan of additional “pro-growth tax policies.”

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UNL CHANCELLOR EXPANDS OFFICE STAFF AS THE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM FACES MILLIONS IN CUTS

LINCOLN- While departments at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln look to do more with less due to millions of dollars in cuts, the chancellor is expanding his staff through private funds. UNL Chancellor Rodney Bennett has revived two positions: directors of university relations and external relations. UNL spokesperson Leslie Reed said the positions had existed at UNL under previous administrations.

Those positions, as well as two others in top campus offices, have been filled by former colleagues of Bennett from the University of Southern Mississippi. Those joining the university include Dee Dee Anderson, Ernest Franks, Jimm Coll, and Brian Morrison. Franks and Morrison will each be paid $180,000, Reed said. Neither will be paid through state funds or tuition dollars, Reed said. Anderson’s salary is $267,000; Coll’s salary is $250,000.

This month, Bennett proposed $12 million in budget reductions to shore up years of declining enrollment. Those cuts are separate from the University of Nebraska system’s $58 million shortfall and $2.3 million in academic cuts at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. Bennett also proposes cutting the budget of UNL’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion by 46% and reducing the funding for student teaching assistants and temporary lecturers by $1.4 million.

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NEBRASKA ECONOMY EXPECTED TO CONTINUE GROWING

LINCOLN- Nebraska’s Leading Economic Indicator, which is designed to predict economic activity over the next six months, rose 0.3 % in October, according to the most recent report from the UNL's Bureau of Business Research. "The modest increase in the leading indicator suggests that economic growth will continue through the first half of 2024, but that growth will be slow," said economist Eric Thompson.

The six components of the Leading Economic Indicator are business expectations, building permits for single-family homes, airline passenger counts, initial claims for unemployment insurance, the value of the U.S. dollar and manufacturing hours worked. Two of six indicator components improved significantly during October. Business expectations also were positive in Nebraska during October.

The UNL report was much less pessimistic than one released earlier this month by Creighton University. That Rural Mainstreet Report, which covers a 10-state region, showed economic activity in November was at its lowest level in three years. The report also found that Nebraska's level of economic activity was lower than the region as a whole.

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DESPITE DROUGHT, NEBRASKA FARMERS SEE INCREASE IN INCOME AND STRONG HARVEST YIELDS

LINCOLN- Worsening drought takes a toll on some but farm income in Nebraska is ticking up and as harvest wraps up many farmers will see strong yields. “Plant in dust and the bins will bust” is a saying you’ll hear in corn country but the truth is more nuanced. Harvest has officially reached the end throughout the corn belt according to the USDA which reports yields in Nebraska are up.

After a year when wildfires and drought devastated many it's quite a turnaround and Sherry Vinton, Director of the Nebraska Department of Agriculture says modern genetics and precision technology deserve credit. “Our crops are actually a pretty good average yield for corn and soybeans. When you think this drought is severe as it was in the 1930s and we're still bringing in above average crop in yield, that's amazing,” she said.

Overall, total corn production in the Cornhusker State isn't a record but isn't far off. Economists at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln say farm income is ticking up, however they're quick to point out the cost of raising a crop is also up. Fertilizer and fuel came down from the previous year but remain significant expenses. and several other categories rose including taxes, labor, and rent.

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NEBRASKA EMERGENCY AGENCIES LOOKING INTO ANOTHER 911 OUTAGE

LINCOLN- Several law enforcement agencies across the state are looking into another issue with their emergency phone lines. Multiple departments said they were unable to take 911 calls for about an hour this week. The Lincoln Police Department was one of the agencies impacted and it said it’s looking into the issue.

This isn’t the first time law enforcement has had to deal with this problem this year either. There were two statewide outages back in August and September, both caused by issues at local communication companies. The Nebraska Public Service Commission launched it’s own investigation in September, while the City of Lincoln announced new emergency tech to help out.

Senator John Fredrickson, who’s on the legislature’s transportation and telecommunications committee, said in September that something had to be done to protect people in an emergency. “How do we not have a backup in place?” he asked. “What is that backup plan? And not just plan A or plan B, but really plan C, D, E, and even F.”

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NEBRASKA HEARING ON MANDATES FACING K-12 SCHOOLS TARGETS TEACHER TRAINING, STUDENT BEHAVIOR

LINCOLN- Nebraska’s K-12 schools face mandates at the state and federal levels that cost local property taxpayers money and cost teachers time in class, a legislative committee was told. The discussion during an interim study hearing focused mostly on state mandates, including two hours of transportation training and a rule that school libraries subscribe to at least 25 periodicals.

But state lawmakers also heard about another costly problem plaguing teachers and schools: student behavior. Riverside Public Schools Superintendent Stephanie Kaczor told Education Committee members she and teachers in her north-central Nebraska district have seen a sea change in how kids behave. Kaczor said the amount of students acting out is greater than the past two decades.

Multiple testifiers said schools need more flexibility on training requirements to respond more capably and cost-effectively to changes in the student population and local needs. State Sen. Lynne Walz of Fremont sought the hearing on unfunded mandates in LR166. She said she wants school employees to recommend requirements the state can cut.

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NEBRASKANS TESTIFY LARGELY AGAINST GENDER CARE REGULATIONS, ASK FOR LOOSER RESTRICTIONS

LINCOLN- Nebraskans weighed in on the state’s proposed gender care regulations, with testifiers seeking fewer regulations outnumbered those supporting a full ban on such care, 25 to one. 7 hours into the 12-hour hearing, the first supporter of stricter regulations spoke, following testimony from 49 others who included health care providers, clergy, transgender youths, and parents.

The regulations, required under Legislative Bill 574 approved by the Legislature last spring, address puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones. LB 574, when it took effect Oct. 1, also prohibited transition surgeries. These guidelines set a new baseline for youths seeking care, including 40 hours of gender-identity-focused therapy and a seven-day waiting period between informed patient consent and the dispersal of medications.

With the state’s current shortage of mental health providers, a requirement that youths cannot bank more than two hours of therapy in a week, combined with other financial or travel barriers, multiple testifiers said the regulations — as written — could act as a de facto ban for youths or prevent care for at least five to 10 months (with therapy once or twice a week) and possibly for several years.

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