PETE RICKETTS MAKES IT OFFICIAL, FILES FOR U.S. SENATE BID

OMAHA- Republican U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts made it official Tuesday. He filed to run for the office Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen appointed him to last January. “With Nebraskans’ help, I will carry on the fight for our shared values and continue to be a voice in Washington for the common sense, conservative policies that have worked here in Nebraska,” Ricketts said Tuesday in a statement.

Political observers consider Ricketts a heavy favorite to win the GOP nomination and the general election. But he enters a different political environment in 2024 than in his past races. Many Nebraska Republicans, like some of their peers in other states, have swung toward the more populist brand of conservatism espoused by former President Donald Trump. Ricketts would be considered a fiscal conservative.

Ricketts faces criticism from some in his own party for being noncommittal about which GOP presidential candidate he supports in the 2024 primary. The party’s base backs Trump. This spring, Ricketts faces at least one Republican competitor, John Glen Weaver, who lost a primary run in 2022 to U.S. Rep. Mike Flood in the 1st District.

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NEBRASKA GOVERNOR GRATEFUL FOR SOUTH DAKOTA'S AID AFTER SEVERE WINTER STORM

LINCOLN- Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen expressed gratitude on Saturday for the collaborative efforts undertaken with South Dakota in response to the winter storm that swept through the state. According to the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency, Nebraska received two truck-mounted blowers and two loader blowers along with a support crew from South Dakota.

"The partnership with South Dakota through the EMAC will allow us to attack those sections of highway that remain closed at this time," said Pillen, "We appreciate the assistance from South Dakota as well as the coordinated efforts of our state and local agencies. They have been working around the clock to ensure public safety, while mitigating the impact to our farmers, ranchers, and businesses, as much as possible."

Over the weekend, and according to Nebraska Department of Transportation Director Vicki Kramer, snow removal shifts extended to 16 hours or more. "NDOT has been all hands on deck 24/7 for a week now, bringing in equipment and people from other areas of the state," said Kramer. U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer expressed readiness to support federal assistance requests from Nebraska, emphasizing the importance of ensuring safety during the ongoing dangerous conditions.

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OWNER OF PRAIRIE SEED FARM AND A STATE SENATOR SAY REGULATIONS NEEDED FOR CO2 PIPELINES

LINCOLN- Praire seed farm owner Kay Kottas got a shock when a land agent called seeking permission to survey her farm for a planned carbon-dioxide pipeline by another kind of tallgrass, Houston-based Tallgrass Energy. She got a further shock when she discovered there were no state regulations or local ordinances governing such a pipeline. This is different from neighboring states Iowa and South Dakota.

In Nebraska, Kottas said, “they could probably build it under my driveway if they wanted” because of the lack of regulations. In the Nebraska Legislature last week, State Sen. Steve Erdman of Bayard introduced a bill to ban carbon-dioxide pipelines and sequestration of carbon in the state. Counties can make ordinances, but there is currently nothing stopping these pipelines on the state level.

The Nebraska Public Service Commission, which dealt with the controversial route of the Keystone XL oil pipeline, has no similar power over pipelines that carry CO2. And a state legislative proposal in 2022 to govern reclamation of carbon pipelines, once they are shut down, went nowhere. “It’s time to have a discussion (here),” Erdman said.

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MEETINGS SET TO GATHER PUBLIC INPUT ON NEBRASKA'S GREENHOUSE GAS REDUCTION PLAN

LINCOLN- A series of meetings have been scheduled to gather public input and provide a progress report on the state's plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Last year, Nebraska was awarded a $3 million grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency through the Inflation Reduction Act to develop and implement a "priority climate action plan" as well as a "comprehensive climate action plan" to reduce emissions.

At the public meetings, a short presentation about the newly-created program will be presented to the public, as well as emission reduction measures brought up in stakeholder sessions held late last year. The public can weigh in on these proposed measures, ask questions, and provide comments on the proposed priority rankings of the measures created by the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy.

The sessions are scheduled as follows:

• Alliance: Knight Museum, 908 Yellowstone Ave., Jan. 30, from 5:30-7 p.m.

• North Platte: Mid-Plains Community College, North Campus, Rooms 105 and 107, 1101 Halligan Drive, Jan. 31, from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

• Norfolk: Northeast Community College, Lifelong Learning Center, Rooms E and H, 801 E. Benjamin Ave., Feb. 6, from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

• Lincoln: Location to be announced on NDEE’s website, Feb 8, from 6 to 8 p.m.

• Grand Island: Public Library, Meeting Room B, 1124 W. Second St., Feb. 12, from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

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FATE OF BIG LAKE PROPOSAL IN GRETNA/ASHLAND AREA TO BE KNOWN BY SUMMER, OFFICIALS SAY

LINCOLN- A panel of state lawmakers heard from Tom Riley, director of the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources, about the fate of a proposed $1 billion, 4,000-acre recreation lake between Omaha and Lincoln. According to Riley, the state will know by the summer whether or not the project is feasible.

That's when two studies concerning the lake should be completed. Riley spoke to members of the Legislature's special Statewide Tourism and Recreational Water Access and Resource Sustainability Committee on January 9th, focusing specifically on the progress of LB1023, which authorized $200 million worth of projects to enhance recreation, economic development, and flood control along the lower Platte River.

One report, according to Riley, will determine whether there's even enough fiscal interest in the lake from the state's philanthropic community, with proposals for the lake aiming to be 90% funded by this source. Riley told lawmakers that the project would likely be dropped if another study shows that it would harm or hinder drinking water supplies as well.

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OPS MAKES PAY CHANGES FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION, PARAPROFESSIONAL STAFF

OMAHA- The Omaha Public Schools district is making several policy changes in an effort to increase staff during a critical workforce shortage. The first change is an extra bump in pay for special education teachers because of the required work outside a standard school day. The second is a new agreement that allows paraprofessionals to step in as a substitute teacher if one isn’t available, in exchange for an hourly pay raise.

Special education teachers will get a 10% pay boost to help compensate them for paperwork and meetings outside the school day. That is an increase from the current 7% boost. Kathy Poehling, president of the Omaha Education Association, said the district brought the proposal to the union and it was agreed that special education teachers would receive back pay for the extra 3% raise, going back to Aug. 1, 2023.

Paraprofessionals with a local substitute permit will now receive a $9.65 per hour increase when they are asked to substitute for a half or whole day when a substitute isn’t available. Starting paraprofessionals receive from $14.86 to $16.26 per hour, depending on the position. During the 2025-26 school year, the extra pay for substitute work will rise to $10.40 an hour.

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'GO GET STUFF DONE'- INTERIM NU PRESIDENT KEEPING BOLD AGENDA MOVING FORWARD

LINCOLN- Chris Kabourek's time as the top administrator of the University of Nebraska system will be temporary. The David City native and longtime NU employee who was tapped in November to lead the university system with 50,000 students said he doesn't see the job of interim president as simply keeping the seat warm. Kabourek is choosing to set a bold agenda and to get stuff done during his time.

The five-point plan was announced last summer as a way to "go on offense" amid a $58 million budget shortfall, and Kabourek reiterated that it's a way for NU to position itself favorably in a competitive higher education environment. Kabourek said NU has made progress on its plan to raise its stature in order to be invited to rejoin the Association of American Universities, where membership signals a level of prestige and provides additional opportunities for federal research dollars.

The interim president said he also will continue an effort to reexamine which programs and initiatives NU is invested to see if it makes sense to reevaluate where state appropriations and tuition dollars are flowing to better meet the broader goals of the public university system. Kabourek also noted that he will have a strong focus on growth on the athletic side of the university.

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NEW INTERIM DIRECTOR OF NEBRASKA AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMISSION SEES PACE PICKING UP AFTER TURNOVERS

LINCOLN- A state agency charged with advocating for Nebraska’s African Americans has cycled through two executive directors in the three years since it launched. Each stayed less than a year before resigning. A trio of spots on the governing board also are vacant as the Nebraska Commission on African American Affairs continues to find its bearings.

A founding commissioner who is now filling in as interim director expects the commission to step up activity this year and amplify the voice of Nebraska’s roughly 92,000 African Americans in towns small, big, rural and urban. John Carter said he’d like the 14-member commission to go as far as to assume oversight of certain state economic development funds to help ensure that dollars intended for Black populations reach and impact them.

State Sen. Terrell McKinney, one of two African Americans in the Legislature, said the turnover of executive directors at the commission has not been “a good sign.” He said he is hopeful the commission will elevate its profile and connection to his North Omaha district, and believes the commission could become an effective ally.

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NEBRASKA TRADITIONALISTS PRESERVE SECRET BALLOTING FOR LEGISLATIVE LEADERS

LINCOLN- On Thursday, following a contentious debate, a rules proposal aimed at making committee leadership votes public in the Nebraska Legislature failed to secure the thirty votes it needed to be adopted, preserving an institutional mainstay. Five Republicans joined eleven Democrats in denying the change to the rules, many of whom argued that it's important to keep outside influence away from committee leadership votes.

Sen. Jana Hughes, a Republican, took to the microphone during the debate to read a statement from then-Sen. Mike Flood during his own 2021 fight against an identical rules change. Flood, back then, argued that ending secret balloting for the election of committee leadership risked making the Nebraska Legislature more partisan.

Most of the Republicans in the body backed the proposal, which was introduced by Sen. Erdman, including Sen. Lou Ann Linehan. Linehan said during the debate that this change was about enforcing party discipline by Republicans on Republicans, and was not about keeping Democrats out of these influential positions. Others, including Erdman, argued that the change would simply bring more transparency to the Nebraska Legislature.

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QUESTIONS RAISED OVER GUN PURCHASE FOR STATE GAMING COMMISSION, WHETHER RACETRACK STUDY FELL SHORT

LINCOLN- Over the past few weeks, questions have been raised about the recent purchase of semi-automatic rifles by the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission and whether or not a recent 111-page market analysis issued last month sufficiently answered whether the state could handle more racetracks and casinos.

The Commission is scheduled to meet this Friday, where they will discuss the gun purchase and whether or not a new market analysis is necessary. The study issued last month concluded that Nebraska did not need any additional racetracks, a finding that dealt a blow to a handful of communities across the state seeking to apply for a permit to open a so-called "racino."

Two members of the commission, Tony Fulton and Shane Greckel, as well as state Sen. John Lowe, said they believe the report was incomplete. Lowe, who heads the legislative committee that most closely deals with gambling, said the report barely even mentions the impact that the horse racing industry has in the state. "I think the whole study needs to be redone," he said.

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STORER ANNOUNCES BID FOR DISTRICT 43 LEGISLATIVE SEAT

LINCOLN- Republican Tanya Storer announced her candidacy for the Nebraska Legislature's Fourty-Third District seat, which is currently held by State Sen. Tom Brewer. District 43 encompasses Blaine, Boyd, Brown, Cherry, Custer, Dawes, Garfield, Keya Paha, Loup, Rock, and Sheridan Counties.

Storer enters the race with strong support from Nebraska's conservative leaders, including U.S. Sens. Deb Fischer and Pete Ricketts, U.S. Rep. Mike Flood, and State Sen. Mike Jacobson. "I'm running for the Legislature because I believe District 43 needs a principled, conservative voice in Lincoln," said Storer, "I am committed to reducing the tax burden on our farmers, ranchers, businesses, and families and continuing to develop economic opportunities that can bring our kids and our grandkids back to our communities."

In addition to receiving support from some of Nebraska's leading conservative figures, Shorer has also received local support. "I'm excited that Tanya is running, and I know she will be the strong, conservative voice that we need in the Legislature," said Steve Cleveland, former President of First National Bank of Chadron.

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UNL FINALIZES $12M IN BUDGET CUTS, INCLUDING REDUCING FUNDS FOR DIVERSITY PROGRAMS

LINCOLN- On Thursday, UNL Chancellor Rodney Bennett announced that the university had finalized a slew of budget cuts equating to $12 million to help close the $23 million structural deficit created by dwindling enrollment and increased costs. The university had previously enacted nearly $11 million in budget cuts in June. 

The newly-authorized budget cuts trim areas related to instruction and operations, and also reduces the budget of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. "This is an essential step to remain good stewards of the resources entrusted to us by the people of Nebraska," Bennett said in an email to UNL faculty and staff. 

However, the Academic Planning Committee, which reviews budget-related proposals put forward by UNL officials, argued against two of the recommended cuts. Firstly, the APC advised against cutting nearly $800,000 from the university's budget for diversity and inclusion programs, citing comments received from nearly 100 people. The APC also took issue with a proposal that would have cut $2 million from programs relating to instructional efficiency, which help graduate teaching assistants.

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DEBATE OVER LEGISLATIVE RULES MOVES SLOWLY ON MOSTLY NONCONTROVERSIAL CHANGES

LINCOLN- Debate moved slowly on Thursday as state lawmakers opened discussion on a large number of rules changes designed to help the Legislature avoid the vitriol of the 2023 session. Over the course of a six-hour debate that often strayed into the minutiae of the Nebraska Legislature's rule book, two less controversial changes, which many lawmakers argued would help avoid the stifling of meaningful debate, were adopted.

The snail's pace speed of debate worked to the benefit of those who oppose any major rules changes, but Speaker of the Legislature John Arch set a January 19th deadline to complete the deliberations. "We don't have the time," said Arch, noting that dozens of pieces of legislation still need to be considered before the end of the short, 60-day session. Seventeen proposed rules changes were advanced by the Legislature's Rules Committee, but debate on these is not expected to be picked back up until next Tuesday, leaving only four days of debate for the remaining fifteen proposals. 

Some lawmakers argued that the rules debate should be skipped entirely, including Sen. Megan Hunt, who said the body should instead focus on addressing the state's workforce shortage, teacher and housing shortages, and property tax relief--"things people really care about." Despite these concerns, Speaker Arch argued that the rules changes are necessary to preserve the majority while protecting the minority, and to avoid a repeat of the tumultuous 2023 session.

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NEBRASKA'S HUMAN TRAFFICKING HOTLINE GETS NEARLY 100 CALLS DURING FIRST YEAR OF OPERATION

LINCOLN- A hotline established to collect anonymous tips concerning human trafficking got nearly 100 calls in its first full year of operation, state officials said. Those calls to the Nebraska Human Trafficking hotline resulted in law enforcement being dispatched 21 times to various locations in Nebraska. 

“The public can absolutely make a difference in this fight … and if you suspect a human trafficking situation is going on, report it,” said Col. John Bolduc, superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol, which manages the hotline. The hotline number is 1-833-PLS-LOOK or 1-833-757-5665. 

Bolduc was among state officials who held a press conference Thursday to recognize January as Human Trafficking Awareness Month in Nebraska and to release an annual report from a task force devoted to addressing the problem. That report indicated that last year, nine persons were convicted of sex trafficking felonies. Since 2016, there have been 102 prosecutions related to sex trafficking in Nebraska.

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DEMOCRAT PRESTON LOVE, A NORTH OMAHA ADVOCATE, TO RUN FOR U.S. SEN. PETE RICKETTS' SEAT

OMAHA- Preston Love Jr., a longtime advocate for North Omaha, is running again for the U.S. Senate, four years after stepping in as a write-in candidate for Nebraska Democrats in 2020. Love’s campaign said he is announcing his bid Jan. 17. He is the highest-profile Democrat running for a seat held by Republican U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts, a former governor who was appointed to the seat in Jan. 2023. 

Love said he wants to unite people, to “represent all Nebraskans — not just the ones who agree with me or look like me.” He said he is “excited to celebrate this announcement with my supporters on Wednesday and build the movement we need to win this race.” In 2020, Democrats supported Love’s write-in bid instead of the Democratic nominee, Chris Janicek. 

Love earned more than 58,000 votes, or 6% of the vote. His bid was Nebraska’s first by a Black Senate candidate who was backed by a major party in a general election. Ricketts faces former 1st District House candidate John Glen Weaver in the Republican primary. Weaver lost the 2022 primary to Rep. Mike Flood, R-Neb.

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NEBRASKA COMMISSION: STATE VIOLATED ORDER TO PAUSE RETURN-TO-OFFICE MANDATE

LINCOLN- Nebraska's commission responsible for settling labor disputes ruled that some state departments violated the commission's order to pause return-to-office directives for remote workers represented by the state's largest public employee union. Employees had been granted a temporary relief order from Gov. Pillen's broad executive order that ended remote work.

But days after the relief was granted, some state departments began contacting remote and hybrid employees to notify them that their previously agreed-upon hybrid or work remote arrangements had been terminated and that they would be required to return to their physical worksite in mid-January.

The union accused the state of "willfully and contumaciously" violating the relief order. The relief order was clarified and deemed that the remote work status of union members "was not to be altered during the pendency of this case." The union's executive director, Justin Hubly, said, "Our union will hold management accountable for their actions, and should they ignore this order, they should expect to be held in contempt by the District Court.”

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NEARLY $125 MILLION IS ANNOUNCED FOR NORTH OMAHA GROWTH, THOUGH SOME ELECTED OFFICIALS HAVE QUALMS

OMAHA- Gov. Pillen joined Mayor Stothert and top business leaders of the state’s largest city to announce plans for nearly $125 million in public funds headed to historically disadvantaged northeast Omaha. The group said the public funding makes possible job-producing and family activities that otherwise likely would not materialize. 

The money will go towards two transformational projects. About $90 million in state funds will go to a development team poised to turn 160 acres near Eppley Airfield and north of Carter Lake into “shovel-ready” land for an industrial business park. The other $35 million, in pandemic recovery funding, is to help build a city-owned and -operated multipurpose sports complex nearby in Levi Carter Park.

Pillen acknowledged the work of State Sens. Justin Wayne and Terrell McKinney of North Omaha, who led the legislative effort to fund the business park and other major projects intended to boost their community. Despite the praise, both Senators were unaware of the event. “It’s a slap in the face of the Legislature and my community,” said Wayne. “No other senator would not be invited to something that they worked on for over five years.”

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NEBRASKA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION SELECTS LEADERSHIP POSITIONS FOR 2024

LINCOLN- The Nebraska Public Service Commission (PSC) re-elected District 1 Commissioner Dan Watermeier of Syracuse as Chair for 2024. Commissioner Watermeier was selected during the Commission’s January 9, meeting in Lincoln. The Commission leadership positions are elected on an annual basis. 

Watermeier was elected to the Commission in 2018, for a six-year term. He represents eight counties in Southeast Nebraska. Fourth District Commissioner Eric Kamler of Geneva was elected Vice-Chair. Kamler was elected in 2022 for a six-year term. The fourth district encompasses 31 counties and includes all of northeast Nebraska stretching the length of the entire state vertically north & south.

The Commission consists of five Commissioners. Those who did not get elected to a leadership position include Kevin Stocker, Tim Schram, and Christian Mirch. The next Commission meeting is Wednesday, January 17th.

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NEBRASKA'S TAX SYSTEM IS 'UPSIDE DOWN,' REPORT SAYS, WITH HIGHER EFFECTIVE TAX RATES FOR LOW INCOME FAMILIES

LINCOLN- The state’s tax system is “upside down,” with low- and middle-income Nebraskans paying a higher share of their income on taxes than more affluent residents, a watchdog group claims. The OpenSky Policy Institute, citing a new national report, said that Nebraskans who are among the lowest 20% of wage earners pay an effective state and local tax rate that is 56% higher than those with the top 1% of incomes. 

OpenSky, which assesses state tax and budget policies, warned that the disparity will grow as recently passed cuts in state income taxes are phased in or if the state shifts the tax load more heavily onto sales taxes. OpenSky Executive Director Rebecca Firestone said state lawmakers have crafted policies that have led to low- and middle-income families paying higher effective tax rates than the wealthy. 

OpenSky cited the newest edition of the “Who Pays?” report from the Washington, D.C.-based Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy. That report, which analyzes the economic progressivity and regressivity of state tax systems, stated that in Nebraska, households with the lowest 20% in incomes (less than $30,000) paid 11.2% of their earnings on taxes and the middle 20% (incomes of $52,500 to $89,400) paid 11%. Meanwhile, the top 1% income households (over $557,100 in income) paid 7.2%, and the top 5% (over $252,600) paid 9.1%.

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'WIN-WIN' HOSPITAL PROPOSAL COULD GENERATE NEARLY $1 BILLION TO IMPROVE BOTTOM LINE, SERVICES

LINCOLN- Nebraska hospitals could reap an additional $950 million in federal funds — money that could be used to improve services and help hold down medical bills — under a new proposal. The idea, contained in LB1087, was described as a “game changer” and “win-win” proposition by state hospital officials to help deal with high inflation and low reimbursement rates.

Under the Hospital Quality Assurance and Access Assessment Act, Nebraska would seek to join 44 other states in obtaining higher reimbursement for Medicaid and Medicare patients in exchange for seeking to improve the quality of care. Under Sen. Mike Jacobson's LB1087 the reimbursement rate for Medicaid and Medicare would be over 90% of the actual cost, Jacobson said, while not requiring any more state general funds. It would also help hold private insurance costs down, he said.

Representatives of the Nebraska Hospital Association, which sought the bill, said it comes at a time when health care facilities are struggling with inflation and below-cost reimbursement rates that have forced some hospitals, especially those in rural areas, to eliminate or reduce needed services — services such as maternal care, behavioral health and home health.

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