'NEBRASKA WILL NOT COMPLY' WITH NEW TITLE IX REVISIONS, PILLEN SAYS, JOINS LAWSUIT

LINCOLN- On Friday, Gov. Jim Pillen announced that Nebraska will be joining a handful of states in defying new Title IX rules enacted by the Biden Administration and set to take effect in August. Pillen, in a news release, said the "rewrite of Title IX is an affront to the common sense idea that men do not belong in women's spaces," and that it's a "direct attack" on the Women's Bill of Rights he established last year.

Title IX, a 1972 rule, prohibits sex discrimination in educational programs that receive federal funding. The Biden Administration recently enacted changes that explicitly protect gender identity and sexual orientation. Pillen argued that the state "must fight against radical gender ideology and vigorously protect the rights of Nebraska women and girls."

At least 16 states are suing the federal government over the Title IX changes, including Nebraska, who signed onto it on Tuesday. The U.S. Department of Education announced that states not in compliance with the new changes risk losing federal funding. Under the new rules, which go into effect on August 1st, LGBTQ students who face discrimination would be entitled to a response from their school under Title IX.

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PILLEN'S PROPERTY TAX ROAD SHOW TARGETS POSSIBLE YES VOTES

BELLEVUE- Gov. Pillen took his push for property tax relief on the road Friday, launching a series of town hall meetings aimed at finding the 30 to 33 legislate votes he needs for a promised special session this summer. Pillen told an audience of roughly 50 people at Bellevue University that he remains committed to offsetting $2 billion the $5 billion Nebraska is spending each year on property taxes.

He asked those in attendance to let lawmakers know that people can't sustain current property tax loads. His main goal is to have lawmakers pass a proposal to pull forward, or "front-load," about $750 million in already approved income tax credits for property taxes paid. Having the state pick up the tab on community colleges, said Pillen, would help the state grant another $248 million in property tax relief.

Despite criticism, Pillen also announced that he would still like lawmakers to consider up to a 1-cent increase in state sales tax, which would raise nearly half a billion dollars. One of Pillen's main targets is to increase the tax on cigarettes, which he argued was too low, and to add the sales tax to pop and candy purchases.

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NEBRASKA SUPREME COURT DISMISSES FOSTER CARE ABUSE CASE AGAINST DHHS, EXPANDS IMMUNITY

LINCOLN- On Friday, the Nebraska Supreme Court issued a 4-1 opinion in Joshua v. State that upheld certain immunity for employees of the state Department of Health and Human Services after three siblings alleged negligence after more than a decade of sexual and physical abuse in foster care. The opinion built upon the 2020 decision in Moser v. State, and overruled related cases as well.

Justices Jeffrey Funke and John Freudenberg did not participate in the decision. State lawmakers passed legislation this year that would have allowed individuals to bring lawsuits against political subdivisions, like DHHS, in cases of physical and sexual abuse, but the bill, introduced by Sen. Justin Wayne, was vetoed by Gov. Pillen. "We need a special session immediately to address this issue," said Wayne after the veto was announced.

At hand in Joshua v. State, as well as the now-vetoed legislation, is the Political Subdivisions Tort Claims Act, which forbids certain lawsuits against political subdivisions and upholds "sovereign immunity." A penned dissent from the court's longest-serving member, Justice Lindsey Miller-Lerman, argued that the court "overlooked an opportunity" to differentiate between immune child assault and nonimmune child assault.

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NEBRASKA GOP SENATE PRIMARY: DAVID VS. GOLIATH

OMAHA- John Glen Weaver, the Republican challenger against U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts in next week's primary election, wants voters to see his candidacy as a referendum for populist Republicans against the leading GOP establishment. U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts, on the other hand, wants voters to see him as a bulwark against President Joe Biden's policies.

Political observers consider Ricketts to be the primary's overwhelming favorite, given his advantages in fundraising and name recognition. One GOP consultant event described the race as "David vs. Goliath." The state's congressional delegation and most of the state's top GOP donors back Ricketts over Weaver. However, Weaver has the backing of the populist-led state GOP and over 20 county parties.

Some activist Republicans in Nebraska have demanded more loyalty to former President Donald Trump from the state's congressional members, including Ricketts. While Ricketts backed the former president in 2016, 2020, and 2024, he preferred other candidates during the primary stages of the 2016 and 2024 races. Weaver, for many in Nebraska, seems to be more appealing in this regard.

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EASTERN LANCASTER COUNTY RACE HIGHLIGHTS PUBLIC SAFETY, HOUSING

LINCOLN- Public safety, housing, and taxes are among the top issues being discussed among the three candidates running for the District 25 legislative seat, which covers the eastern half of Lancaster County. Incumbent Sen. Carolyn Bosn is running for the seat for the first time after being appointed by Gov. Pillen to succeed former Sen. Suzanne Geist.

Bosn, a former prosecutor, is set to face Nicki Behmer Popp, a real estate agent, and Aurang Zeb, a business owner, during next Tuesday's primary election. If elected, Bosn said she plans to continue her work to reduce Nebraska's recidivism rate. Behmer Popp, who previously worked in the Legislature's Unicameral Information Office, seeks to protect Nebraska's unicameral structure, which she describes as a "gem."

Zeb, an immigrant from Pakistan, owns several pieces of real estate as well as a construction and medical company. A Democrat, Zeb said his main goal if elected would be to provide for more affordable housing. All three candidates highlighted property taxes as a major issue as well.

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SIGNATURES BEING GATHERED TO STOP NEBRASKA'S REVAMPED SCHOOL CHOICE LAW

LINCOLN- The union representing Nebraska's K-12 public school teachers can now begin collecting signatures to stop a new state law that would provide for school choice after Secretary of State Bob Evnen released the language that petition gatherers can use to target LB1402. The petition seeks to "repeal section 1 of LB1402...which directs $10 million dollars annually for financial grants-in-aid eligible students to attend a qualifying privately operated elementary or secondary school in Nebraska."

Support Our Schools, the group operating the petition drive, will have until mid-July to gather roughly 61,000 signatures from about 5% of registered voters statewide, plus 5% from voters in at least 38 counties. The leaders of Support Our Schools have argued that lawmakers and proponents of school choice revamped last year's Opportunity Scholarships Act to deny voters the chance to vote on this issue. 

Last year's scholarship program started as a privately funded effort backed by a dollar-for-dollar tax credit of up to $25 million a year for donors. This year, however, the revamped proposal simply appropriates $10 million to the State Treasurer's Office for distribution. Some have questioned the constitutionality of that appropriation, while others have questioned whether a ballot initiative can even repeal a legislative appropriation.

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NE BANKERS ANNOUNCE NEW PRIVATE FUND TO FIGHT HUMAN TRAFFICKING

LINCOLN- On Wednesday, Gov. Jim Pillen and Attorney General Mike Hlgers embraced the new HALT Human Trafficking Fund launched this week by the Nebraska Bankers Association. Pillen pointing to a map of Nebraska featuring the location of all human trafficking incidents reported, said it was hard to see so many communities affected by "evil."

"We have to get the word out," said Pillen, "We have to bring people to justice and protect our kids. We can't have human trafficking in the State of Nebraska. It's unacceptable." Hilgers, whose office operates a human trafficking task force, said the newly-created fund will give smaller agencies more funding to combat trafficking.

Richard Baier, CEO of the Bankers Association, said the organization has already secured pledges for more than $100,000. Grant applications, which, according to Baier and Hilgers, could be made by schools or law enforcement entities, among other organizations, will be reviewed by the Nebraska Community Foundation.

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UNMC GETS FEDERAL GRANT TO LEAD EFFORT TO DESIGN BETTER RESPONSE TO NATIONAL HEALTH DISASTERS

OMAHA- With a boost of federal funds, the University of Nebraska Medical Center will help lead development of a new national planning approach to responding to large-scale health crises. Officials announced the effort to be launched with an initial $500,000 from the National Center for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, whose mission is to advance the nation’s public health readiness for disasters.

The medical center and its main clinical partner, Nebraska Medicine, are to convene federal agencies and others across academia and industry to develop a more proactive plan, based on worst case and large-scale scenarios, for meeting medical and public health requirements during national emergencies. The goal is to be prepared and not have to build on the fly when difficult times arise.

The new approach will consider a range of things, UNMC officials said, including ways to rapidly develop and deploy therapeutics and options to quickly hire, train and retain more clinical staff, especially when the types of licensed professionals are unavailable. The project fits well with the previous work that has been done in the Global Center for Health Security department.

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NORTH OMAHA RACE WEIGHS BEST APPROACH: COMBATIVE OR COLLABORATIVE LEADERSHIP

OMAHA- Next week, Nebraska primary election voters wade into a generational divide over leadership styles and which approach best represents North Omaha in the Legislature. District 11 features a showdown between Democrat Terrell McKinney, nonpartisan Ernie Chambers, and nonpartisan Calandra Cooper. The three are fighting to represent one of the most diverse districts in the state.

For the past four years, McKinney, 33, has prodded the state Parole Board and prison system, sought sentencing reform and helped steer federal pandemic relief funds to North and South Omaha. Chambers, 86, spent his 46 years in the Legislature building more of a reputation for the bills he killed with filibusters, amendments and stalling tactics than for what he passed.

Unlike McKinney and Chambers, who said they will not criticize one another, Cooper, 57, said North Omaha doesn’t have to pick between old-school resistance and new-school relationships. The self-financed candidate, a pharmacy technician, business owner and nonprofit leader says she would focus more on improving incomes, public safety, youth activities and neighborhoods.

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DODGE COUNTY DISTRICT 15 LEGISLATIVE CANDIDATES WEIGH IN ON TAXES, EDUCATION, ECONOMY

LINCOLN- A crowded legislative race in Dodge County and Valley includes a business owner, engineer, firefighter paramedic, financial services company president and human rights advocate. The candidates are looking to fill the seat of Sen. Lynne Walz who is term limited. In the race are: Anthony Hanson, Roxie Kracl, Peter Mayberry, Scott Thomas, and Dave “Woody” Wordekemper.

The candidates range in age from their 30s to their 50s. Four are registered Republicans from Fremont, the county seat of Dodge County, while the fifth is a registered Democrat from Valley, the sliver of Douglas County that is in Legislative District 15. Hanson, an engineer, lists his top issue as property taxes. Kracl, a president of a credit bureau, is confirming that legislation is "pro-consumer".

Mayberry, a laundromat owner, did not list his top position. Thomas, a human rights director, lists his main focus as protecting children from the “calculated attack on the American family". Wordekemper, a firefighter, lists his top issue as addressing violent crimes committed by young Nebraskans. Each candidate casts property taxes as an issue while they differ on topics such as higher education and economic development. 

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VOTERS SURVEY SHOWS HEAVY SUPPORT FOR MORE STATE INVESTMENT IN EARLY LEARNING, CHILD CARE

LINCOLN- According to a survey conducted by We Care for Kids and the Nebraska Extension early childhood development arm, more than 80% of Nebraskans agree that state lawmakers should support child care and early learning programs just as much as they do for K-12 schooling and higher education. Roughly the same proportion believe lawmakers should make child care and early learning a higher priority than it is today.

Results from the survey, which interviewed roughly 501 registered voters representing different areas of the state, are to be distributed to legislators and policymakers in an effort to call for increase attention to affordable and quality child care services, said Claire Wiebe of We Care for Kids. Wiebe said that many communities across Nebraska are working to improve access to affordable child care and early learning programming, but that they "can't do it alone."

"Clearly, there is a strong desire to fix Nebraska's child care crisis and for state government to do its part," she said of the survey. Wiebe also pointed out that some positive movement was made during the most recent legislative session, including the passage of an amended LB856, which changed a Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services rule that prohibited some child care providers from receiving free child care assistance for their own children.

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UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA JOINS WAVE OF CAMPUS PROTESTS IN SUPPORT OF PALESTINE

LINCOLN- More than 100 University of Nebraska-Lincoln students and community members gathered on Wednesday in what they called a "Liberated Zone for Palestine" in an attempt to force the NU System to disclose any investments it has made into Israel and to divest from those should any be revealed. Protestors also called on UNL to end a sponsored study abroad program in Jerusalem.

"We're here because there are students, professors, administrators, and staff in Gaza who are experiencing a genocide," said Anna Synya, a UNL senior present at the protest. Although many protests arguing for divestment from Israel have turned violent, the Lincoln event focused on teach-ins, dances, chants, and prayers, all of which remained peaceful.

Synya, a member of UNL's chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine, emphasized that the reason UNL students came out to protest was not to support student protestors on other campuses, like Columbia, but because they wanted to support Gaza, where every university has been bombed. While counter-protestors showed up to the event, the UNL Police Department maintained a minimal presence all day.

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STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS RUNNING OUT TO TRY FORTENBERRY IN NEBRASKA

LINCOLN- Five months after a federal appellate court reversed his convictions for making false statements to FBI agents investigating foreign campaign contributions, former Nebraska Rep. Jeff Fortenberry has yet to face any new charges, with the window to try him soon closing. On March 25th, 2022, Fortenberry was found guilty of concealing conduit campaign contributions and lying to federal agents.

However, because the original trial occurred in Las Angeles, where the contribution was given to Fortenberry, a Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals panel overturned Fortenberry's convictions and argued that he should have instead been tried in Nebraska. "Fortenberry's conditions are reversed so that he may be retired, if at all, in a proper venue," wrote Judge James Donato.

While the statute of limitations to charge Fortenberry in Nebraska has yet to run out, just two and a half months remain before prosecutors would be barred from going forward. According to Lecia Wright of the U.S. Attorney's Office in Nebraska, any prosecution in their office must begin with a referral from a law enforcement agency.

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GOV. PILLEN ANNOUNCES PLAN TO SLASH NEARLY 1,000 VACANT STATE POSITIONS

LINCOLN- On Tuesday, Gov. Jim Pillen announced that he was setting his sights on the elimination of any state government positions that have remained vacant for more than 90 days, estimating that this move will rake in millions of dollars in savings. Pillen outlined the plan in an executive order, slating the elimination of nearly 1,000 jobs that have remained vacant for months, if not years.

Certain "critical" positions, according to the order, will be maintained, even if they have remained vacant for some time. Pillen's Office estimated that the change could save the state around $39.4 million. "I promised to run state government like a business and this order delivers on that promise," wrote Pillen in a statement.

The Nebraska Association of Public Employees, which represents around 8,000 state employees, argued Tuesday that the change would hurt those working in government. "It is clear that the governor expects public employees to work short staffed permanently," they wrote. However, Laura Strimple, spokeswoman for Gov. Pillen, said the "vast majority" of vacant positions are no longer necessary for operating state government.

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NEWEST SCHOOL CHOICE LAW MIGHT FACE BALLOT INITIATIVE, AS ITS PREDECESSOR DID

LINCOLN- The Nebraska State Education Association and Support Our Schools Nebraska, two organizations that successfully placed an initiative on the 2024 ballot to repeal last year's Opportunity Scholarships Act, announced Tuesday that a new petition drive was initiated to repeal LB1402, which would allow public funding to go towards private or parochial educational institutions.

"LB1402 was passed to silence voters, and their voices need to be heard and respected," said Jenni Benson, president of the NSEA, "We were successful last summer, and with everyone's help we can again gather enough signatures to put this latest voucher scheme on the ballot so Nebraskans are not denied their right to vote."

Sen. Lou Ann Linehan, who introduced both school choice proposals, said she wasn't surprised. "The teachers union always puts the union first, not the kids," she said, "The teachers union should be doing more to keep young teachers in the progression, fighting to make sure teachers get paid more." She and other proponents of LB1402 have argued that public school advocates are ignoring low-income families, who want more educational options.

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NEBRASKA GROUNDWATER LEVELS CONTINUE DECLINE AFTER PROLONGED DROUGHT

LINCOLN- Groundwater levels in much of Nebraska continue to decline after several years of prolonged drought, according to the most recent statewide groundwater level report from the Conservation and Survey Division in the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s School of Natural Resources. Of the 4,822 wells measured statewide, 85% exhibited declines from spring 2022 to spring 2023.

Groundwater level changes in Nebraska are impacted by withdrawals, primarily for irrigation, and the amount of recharge from precipitation. The hotter and drier a growing season is, the less water is available for aquifer recharge and the more water is required for supplemental irrigation, thus, groundwater levels decline. In addition, the 2022-23 precipitation year was well below the 30-year normal.

Below-average precipitation and an increased need for irrigation led to groundwater level declines of more than 20 feet at some locations. Moreover, because drought conditions have persisted across much of the state since mid-2020, groundwater levels have declined significantly in the last three years. On average, water depth in wells has declined by 3.15 feet since spring 2020.

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ADVOCATES SUPPLY VOTER INFO TO COUNTY JAILS TO HELP ENSURE ELIGIBLE VOTERS CAN CAST BALLOTS

LINCOLN- Nebraskans incarcerated in county jails will have access to voting rights information under a partnership between the American Civil Liberties Union of Nebraska, Civic Nebraska and RISE. Educational pamphlets produced by the advocates are arriving by mail at county jails. Those in custody still may be eligible to vote, depending on their circumstances.

The information is designed to address common questions and misconceptions and to clarify whether a person is eligible to vote in the May primary election. It offers steps to follow, including how to comply with the state’s new voter identification mandates. “Without a doubt, there are eligible voters in jail right now who do not know that they can vote,” said Jason Witmer, ACLU of Nebraska policy fellow.

He said the goal is to make it easier for those incarcerated as well as for jail administrators. The information to be distributed in the jails also previews a quickly approaching legal change that impacts those with felony convictions. Come July, Nebraskans who have been convicted of a felony no longer will have to wait two years to vote after completing the terms of their sentence, including any parole or probation.

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LEADERS CELEBRATE NEBRASKA'S ONGOING INTERSTATE 80 EXPANSION AS ECONOMIC BOON

LINCOLN- Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen and other state leaders celebrated the ongoing Interstate 80 expansion between Lincoln and Pleasant Dale as an economic boon. Vicki Kramer, director of the Nebraska Department of Transportation, said the three-year I-80 project, which began earlier this month, includes expanding from two lanes in each direction to three.

The project has been in the works for decades and is designed to increase mobility. It is the largest planned transportation project for the 2024 construction season. “If anybody’s coming in from Grand Island, they know how difficult it gets the closer you get to Lincoln — the congestion, the truck traffic — it gets dangerous,” Kramer said.

In addition to lane expansion, the project will include other Interstate and rest area improvements at the US-6 and 192nd Street interchange and the West Dodge Road interchange in Omaha as well as a new roundabout at Highway 77 near Wahoo. Kramer was joined by Gov. Pillen, State Sen. Beau Ballard, and the CEO of Hawkins Construction, Chris Hawkins.

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'THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT': REGENTS CONFIRM DR. JEFFREY GOLD TO LEAD UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA

LINCOLN- Last Friday, the University of Nebraska Board of Regents formally selected Dr. Jeffrey Gold to lead as the university's ninth system president. Regents voted 7-1 to appoint Gold, who currently serves as the Chancellor of the University of Nebraska Medical Center, to take over the presidency effective July 1st.

Gold will continue to be a surgery professor at UNMC. "The future is bright for this university and, as a result, I believe the future is extremely bright for the state of Nebraska," said Gold after the vote was taken. Gold told reporters present at the meeting that he will likely never finish his to-do list at UNMC, but will continue to work on many of those priorities and strategies across all campuses.

With Gold's elevation, interim NU President Chris Kabourek will return to his role as chief financial officer. Gold also announced that a search for his permanent successor at UNMc will likely be done through a national search. Regent Bob Schafer, board chair, said Regents set out to find a leader who could build on NU's current momentum and "take us to even greater heights."

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MAINE DRAWS LINE: WILL MATCH NEBRASKA ON WINNER-TAKE-ALL

OMAHA- According to Maine House Majority Leader Maureen Terry, if Nebraska holds a special session this summer and decides to award its five Electoral College votes to the statewide winner of the presidential race, then blue-led Maine will match it, canceling any advantage that former President Donald Trump might gain from Nebraska.

"If Nebraska's Republican governor and Republican-controlled Legislature were to change their electoral system this late in the cycle in order to unfairly award Donald Trump an additional electoral vote, I think the Maine Legislature would be compelled to act," Terry said in a statement last Friday. Nebraska and Maine, as of right now, are the only states that split their electoral votes.

Gov. Jim Pillen has already confirmed that he will call a special session if state lawmakers are able to find the 33 votes necessary to overcome the filibuster and pass the changes. Sen. Loren Lippincott, who introduced this year's winner-take-all proposal, said he does not have "anywhere close to 33 votes."

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