GOV. JIM PILLEN CRITICIZES EFFORT TO REPEAL PRIVATE SCHOLARSHIP FUNDING

LINCOLN- Gov. Jim Pillen criticized the petition drive seeking to repeal a $10 million scholarship program for private K-12 schools, saying it’s “absurd” in the scope of the total state budget and what the state spends on public education. For the second time in a year, Support Our Schools Nebraska launched a petition drive seeking to block efforts by the Legislature and Pillen to fund private school scholarships.

The public teacher-led group succeeded last year in gathering enough petitions to put a law providing $25 million in annual tax credits for private school scholarships up for repeal on the November ballot. In response to that, lawmakers this year directly appropriated $10 million annually for scholarships at private and faith-based schools, prompting the second petition drive.

Speaking in Omaha to the Greater Omaha Pachyderm Group, a regular lunch meeting held by local Republicans, Pillen said the scholarship funding is out of total state revenues of some $6.5 billion. “Public education, private education have to be together for our kids, it’s as simple as that,” Pillen said.

For the full article click HERE

MULTISTATE, NEBRASKA-LED LAWSUITS TARGET CALIFORNIA AND EPA EMISSION REGULATIONS

LINCOLN- Nebraska is leading the charge in two multistate lawsuits filed against a California regulatory board and the Environmental Protection Agency related to new emissions rules. Attorney General Mike Hilgers, in announcing the lawsuits against the California Air Resources Board and the EPA, said new regulations on internal combustion engines and greenhouse gas emissions are unconstitutional and will “put us on a collision course” for a national mandate for electric vehicles.

Twenty-four states joined the lawsuit against the EPA and 17 states in the California lawsuit. Hilgers said the rule from the California board, which is continuing goals for zero-emission vehicle requirements, will prevent Nebraska and many other states from doing business in California and reaching its ports. The lawsuit focuses on the U.S. Constitution and its broader impacts on interstate commerce.

Gov. Jim Pillen, who joined Hilgers at a press conference along with representatives of trucking companies and the Nebraska Trucking Association, said Nebraska is in the center of the country and ships products to both coasts. This helps to “feed the world, save the planet” through state agriculture, he added.

For the full article click HERE

NEBRASKA MAY SEE ADDITIONAL ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS UNDER NEW BOSTAR LAW

LINCOLN- A provision from Sen. Eliot Bostar regulating electric vehicle charging stations, passed unanimously in a larger package of bills in April, may increase the number of such stations in the state, according to Charge Ahead Partnership, an electric vehicle lobbying group. Through the end of 2027, non-utility EV charging providers can prohibit public power companies from building their own charging stations within 15 miles of their location.

Under the new law, public power companies will also be prohibited from operating charging stations with different rates, terms, and conditions from their privately owned counterparts. Raina Shoemaker Fromm, owner of Shoemaker's Travel Center in Lincoln, said the new law opens the door for her to invest in EV charging stations at her business.

"Up until this point, we weren't allowed to charge for charging," she said, "And that kind of was a holdup for a lot of obvious reasons to put in chargers." With more charging stations, Fromm said EV buyers could have less anxiety surrounding the range of their vehicles. Beginning in 2028, an excise tax of three cents per kilowatt hour on energy used to charge EVs will be levied under the new law.

For the full article click HERE

RURAL COUNTY BOARD ACTS TO PREVENT DUPLICATED BROADBAND EFFORTS

LINCOLN- A recent decision made by the Gage County Board to prevent the duplication of taxpayer funds to deploy broadband internet, an action they argued the Nebraska Public Service Commission failed to do, came after two state senators urged board members to avoid what would be a waste of taxpayer dollars.

Sens. Bruce Bostelman and Myron Dorn told the county board that it didn't make sense to subsidize a broadband project that's already been subsidized by taxpayer funding. If allowed to stay in place, the decision from the Public Service Commission would allow two different government grants to be used to service the same area, despite the project only requiring funding from one of the grants.

The new decision by the Gage County Board, which passed on a 5-2 vote, means that a $535,000 state Broadband Bridge Act grant to Pinpoint Communications, one of two companies contracted to provide service to the area, will likely be rescinded. The Public Service Commission had previously denied rescinding the funding to Pinpoint, despite it being a duplicated amount.

For the full article click HERE

FEDERAL ATTORNEYS PLAN TOWN HALLS AS PART OF NEBRASKA MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES PROBE

LINCOLN- Federal attorneys are set to visit Nebraska to look into complaints that people with severe mental illnesses struggle to get the services they need to live and work in their communities. The visit comes as part of an ongoing probe by the U.S. Department of Justice, said Dianne DeLair, the legal services director for Disability Rights Nebraska.

According to DeLair the DOJ has been investigating whether Nebraska is complying with federal laws, such as the Americans With Disabilities Act, which require that people with disabilities be served in the most integrative manner. During their trip, a team of federal attorneys will hold town halls in Lincoln, Omaha, Kearney and Scottsbluff to hear from people who have had experiences with the state's mental health system.

"This is a fact-finding event," said DeLair, "They are trying to get a sense of gaps in services." Previous visits to Nebraska have featured federal attorneys going into assisted living facilities and other facilities where people with severe mental illness often end up. DeLair described these facilities as "mini-institutions" where residents are isolated from the community and do not receive the help they need to recover.

For the full article click HERE

STATE MAKES CHANGES TO NURSING SCHOLARSHIP FUND TO REACH MORE NE STUDENTS BEFORE DEADLINE

LINCOLN- Nebraska's legislature repurposed $5 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds towards scholarships for students on short-term or accelerated nursing tracks in 2022 to populate a workforce need in public health. As of now, only $3 million has been awarded to nearly 800 students. A deadline approaches for the funds to be utilized before the rest is returned to the federal government. Unfortunately, the funds have not caused a change in the state's nursing shortage.

Recently, the Department of Health and Human Services changed the parameters of the scholarship program. The maximum amount an applicant can receive was raised and eligibility was expanded to include traditional students seeking bachelor's degrees. The cap on these scholarships was raised from $2,500 to $5,000. Requirements for a scholarship include some prerequisites and enrollment in a Nebraska nursing program.

Those impacted by the change have expressed satisfaction and gratitude. "These scholarships will help reduce barriers to entry in the nursing field and grow Nebraska’s public health workforce," said Charity Menefee, DHHS director of public health. There is a wide belief among administration affected by the adjustment that it will further assist Nebraska in addressing its nursing shortage.

For the full article click HERE

OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIP ACT REPEAL IS PULLED FROM BALLOT AFTER LB 1402 ADOPTED

LINCOLN- On Thursday, Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen officialized the sentiment that there would be no need to vote on the repeal of the original Opportunity Scholarships Act come November. The initial tax credit for donors to scholarships for K-12 private education was redesigned and repealed by the legislature.

Representatives from public schools petitioned for Nebraskans to have the chance to vote for repeal, and polling indicated they were likely to do so. This petition effort was circumvented with the repeal of the initial bill, LB 753, followed by its replacement with a more explicit bill, LB 1402, appropriating $10 million annually for private K-12 education scholarships or vouchers. State Senator Lou Ann Linehan expressed an understanding of the importance of choice but wants all families to have alternative options to public schooling.

Opponents of the bill are not caving yet, though, as another petition to vote on this bill has been launched. They have to obtain signatures from 5% of Nebraska's voters and 5% in at least 38 of the 93 Nebraska counties before July 17 to get the bill on the ballot. The adoption of LB 1402 will repeal LB 753 on July 19.

For the full article click HERE

NEBRASKA MEDICAL MARIJUANA ADVOCATES SURPASS ONE OF TWO KEY SIGNATURE HURDLES

LINCOLN- Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana announced on Thursday that it has likely crossed one of the two significant hurdles as they attempt to get the issue on the ballot for the third straight election year. The minimum requirement for signatures to have an issue placed on the ballot is 5% of Nebraskan voters and 5% of voters in at least 38 of the state's 93 counties. They've reached the county quota and are now shifting their focus toward getting at least 87,000 verified voter signatures before July 3.

Volunteers are seeking to surpass these requirements to provide a rebuttal against challenges. In 2020, the campaign met the requirements but was removed from the ballot because it was deemed to encompass multiple subjects. Another attempt was made in 2022, but their efforts fell short. For this reason, the campaign has been more timely and coordinated this time around. Advocates across the state made significant efforts during events held last month.

Thursday's announcement was paired with the formal advancement of a federal reclassification of marijuana as a less dangerous drug, shifting from a Schedule I drug to a Schedule III drug. Governor Jim Pillen expressed concerns over the legalization of marijuana last September noting the possible harm to children. There have been 38 states that have passed the legalization of medical marijuana and 24 that have legalized its recreational use.

For the full article click HERE

MALCOLM X CELEBRATIONS TO MARK 99TH BIRTHDAY AND HALL OF FAME INDUCTION

OMAHA- Malcolm X, the Omaha native and civil rights leader, is being commemorated at two future events for what would be his 99th birthday on May 19. On Sunday, the University of Nebraska at Omaha Milo Bail Student Center is celebrating the activist's actual birthday with a soul food dinner, live performances, speakers, a Black heritage program, and awards. Dinner is $25 but is free for those 18 and under, and tickets are on sale through Sunday at noon.

On Wednesday, May 22, the Nebraska Hall of Fame has planned to formally induct Malcolm X as its 27th member. The ceremony is to be held at 1 p.m. in the State Capitol Rotunda followed by a reception in the Nebraska History Museum. Notable attendees include family members of Malcolm X as well as his foundation's executive director, the individual who nominated him. Associates feel as if this is a way to recognize his contributions and importance to modern society in Nebraska and beyond.

Governor Jim Pillen and other members of the Hall of Fame Commission are a few of those set to participate in the induction. The Nebraska Hall of Fame was established by the legislature in 1961 to recognize outstanding Nebraskans. The Nebraska Hall of Fame is prepared to welcome its first African-American inductee.

For the full article click HERE

UNION OMAHA FALLS JUST SHORT OF DEFEATING SPORTING KANSAS CITY

OMAHA- In front of a sold out crowd, Union Omaha battled with Sporting Kansas City into extra time before losing by a score. Union Omaha was able to net the first goal, and battled even after losing that advantage. Almost all of extra time proceeded without too much danger for either side, but that changed late in to the game for the visitors. Union Omaha fell 2-1 in extra time.

Once again, the club has made an impressive run in the U.S. Open Cup, but couldn’t break through for a significant upset. The hosts held that lead into the half, but not much longer. Sporting KC led possession in the early stages of a half, and this time it turned into a Marinos Tzionis goal, rolling between the right post and a diving Nuhu. The crowd was lively and stuck around for the entire 120 minute battle.

This result marks Union Omaha’s first loss of 2024 and first-ever home loss in the Open Cup. Although the end result was not ideal, the game showed the immense support for soccer in Omaha. Union Omaha will continue their league campaign tomorrow evening against the Spokane Velocity in Washington.

For the full article click HERE

SOUTHEAST OMAHA DISTRICT 7 WILL SEND FIRST-TIME PUBLIC OFFICEHOLDER TO LEGISLATURE

OMAHA- With Sen. Mike McDonnell term-limited, Omaha's legislative district 7 seat has attracted a field of four candidates: a lawmaker's aide, a longtime Latino activist, a public schools advocate, and an owner of a martial arts studio. All four have been politically active in various ways, but none have ever held an elected public office.

Christopher Geary, the martial arts entrepreneur, ran for various offices across the state but was defeated five times. Two of the candidates in the largely Hispanic district, Dunixi Guereca, the director of Stand for Schools Nebraska, and Tim Pendrell, an aide to the departing McDonnell, have raised enough money to trigger a campaign finance report.

Guereca, according to the report, has generated $48,716 since announcing his candidacy, while Pendrell has brought in $26,435. Guereca, Pendrell, and Geary are all registered Democrats, while Ben Salazar, the fourth candidate, is nonpartisan. Salazar said his decision to run for the seat was spurred by remarks Nebraska officials made about immigrants and Hispanics.

For the full article click HERE

NORTHWEST LINCOLN LEGISLATIVE RACE FEATURES FRESH POLITICAL FACES

LINCOLN- Two small business owners and one union leader are set to vie for a northwest Lancaster County legislative seat next week in the 2024 May primary election. Incumbent Sen. Beau Ballard is running for the seat for the first time after his January 4th, 2023 appointment to the Legislature.

Ballard will be faced by Seth Derner, a Democrat, and Bryan Paseka, a Democrat. Two of the three candidates will advance to the 2024 general election in November. Derner, a co-founder of the Nebraska Future Farmers of American Foundation, said he decided to run after witnessing the tumult of the 2023 legislative session. If elected, he said he would work to change the culture of the Legislature.

Paseka, who is currently employed as a railroad worker and union officer, said he believes there's an "appetite" for more progressive politics in the district, including women's rights, LGBTQ rights, and public school funding. An issue shared among all three candidates is property taxes, which Ballard argued is because the state has had a problem of spending "beyond our means."

For the full article click HERE

BACON FIGHTING OFF MAGA CHALLENGER IN 2ND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

OMAHA- As congressional candidate Dan Frei battles Rep. Don Bacon in this month's Republican primary, his bid largely echoes his 2014 unsuccessful campaign against then-Rep. Lee Terry Jr. Once again, Frei is the underfunded insurgent mounting a populist challenge to an incumbent congressman backed by the national Republican establishment.

And once again, the fierce intra-party fight has implications for whether Republicans will maintain their hold on the 2nd Congressional District seat, which resides in an important swing district. In 2014, Terry beat Frei in the primary by fewer than 3,000 votes. The winner of this year's May 14th Republican Primary will face State Sen. Tony Vargas, a Democrat running unopposed in the Democratic Primary.

Nebraska's 2nd District has been one of the most closely contested in the country for some time, and Democrats at the national level are targeting it heavily this year. In 2022, Bacon beat Vargas by a 51%-49% margin. Frei's challenge from the right is expected to create problems for Bacon, according to Randall Adkins, a political science professor at UNO.

For the full article click HERE

NEBRASKA RANKED THIRD BEST STATE BY U.S. NEWS

LINCOLN- According to U.S. News' 2024 Best States Rankings, Nebraska is the third-best state overall across the country, falling behind only Utah and New Hampshire. In 2023, the cornhusker state ranked fourth. The rankings are decided by 71 metrics across categories like health care, education, economy, infrastructure, opportunity, fiscal stability, and crime.

U.S. News launched the rankings in 2017 with the goal of providing a comprehensive way to gauge how states perform across a wide array of issues, and decides rankings based on surveys conducted in each state. Nebraska ranked third in fiscal responsibility, fourth in infrastructure, and ninth in natural environment in this year's ratings.

The eight categories considered by U.S. News were assigned weights based on the surveys. Roughly 70,000 Nebraskans were asked to prioritize each subject in their state, and health care and education were weighted most heavily.

For the full article click HERE

LEGISLATURE GUTTED FUNDING FROM KEY CHILDCARE BILLS BEFORE PASSAGE

LINCOLN- Prior to adjourning Sine Die last month, the Nebraska Legislature passed two of their biggest proposals to date to address the severe lack of affordable childcare in Nebraska. However, lawmakers steered no funding toward these new efforts, casting doubt on whether either of the new laws will have a meaningful impact on the childcare crisis.

Between 2019 and 2023, the state lost roughly 12% of its childcare providers for kids ages 5 and under. In the last week weeks of the past legislative session, two more Lincoln-based childcare centers announced they were shutting down, bringing the total to five closures in the past six months. According to some senators, it was the property tax reduction endeavor that largely stifled any bills with a projected fiscal impact, like the two relating to childcare.

"Long story short, anything that had a fiscal note attached to it either didn't make it out of committee or was reduced on the floor," said Sen. Teresa Ibach. One of the bills, LB1416, which would have established two new childcare programs before being gutted, was touted by childcare advocates as a "game-changer."

For the full article click HERE

ADRIAN SMITH FACING OFF AGAINST TWO REPUBLICAN CHALLENGERS IN PRIMARY ELECTION

GERING- For the last 18 years, Republican Adrian Smith has represented Nebraska’s sprawling third congressional district. This year, Smith has two Republican primary opponents, one of them endorsed by the Nebraska Republican Party. Two Democrats are running as well. Smith has been in the seat since 2006 and has consistently received high approval ratings.

“We need to strengthen the border, we need to work on our debt like never before, and tax policy that's about to expire, that is important to renew, expand or make permanent,” he said. “And there's a lot of work to be done. And that's why I'm running again.” Smith has two opponents in the Republican primary. Robert McCuiston of Holdrege is a welder. He said he’s running on fiscal issues, including cutting foreign aid.

The third Republican candidate, John Walz, of Hastings, runs a discount grocery store. Walz said he wants to eliminate federal agencies, including the Department of Justice, that are not explicitly authorized by the Constitution. On the Democrat side, David Else, a farmer from Overton, said he wants to maintain and strengthen the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare. The other candidate is Daniel Ebers, a hotel manager. He says his main concern is working with others to solve economic problems.

For the full article click HERE

OPS TO SPEND $34.8 MILLION ON NEW PAY STRUCTURE WITH BONUSES FOR SPECIALIZED EDUCATORS

OMAHA- The Omaha Public Schools district is making substantial changes to its employee contract to address its staffing shortage. During Monday’s meeting, the school board approved amendments to the collective bargaining agreement with the teachers’ union and paraprofessionals’ union for the rest of this year and the 2024-25 and 2025-26 school years.

The changes will impact special education teachers, instructional facilitators, paraprofessionals and teachers with advanced degrees. It will cost the district $34.8 million for the length of the contracts. “I have had several teachers reach out to me this past weekend regarding change,” said Kathy Poehling, president of the Omaha Education Association (OEA). “Many have called to thank the OEA and others have called in joyful tears to say after working for OPS for over 20 years, they can now quit their second job.

The new agreement will adjust the district’s salary schedule to give those with the most advanced degrees, on average, the highest total compensation among local and national peer districts. For example, a teacher with a master’s degree and five years of experience has been paid $59,590, but will receive $63,050 with the new contract. With 10 years of experience, the salary for such a teacher would rise from $64,640 to $70,550.

For the full article click HERE

ONCE-CONTROVERSIAL SUMMER EBT FOOD PROGRAM FOR LOW-INCOME NE KIDS SET FOR ROLLOUT

LINCOLN- Nebraska’s plan to carry out the once-controversial Summer EBT food program for low-income youths has been given the green light from the federal government. The U.S. Department. of Agriculture approved the state’s planned rollout of the Summer EBT program, which include details such as “touchpoints” that local officials designed to improve outreach, according to the Nebraska DHHS.

So-called touchpoints include providing Nebraska parents with information on types of nutritious foods to buy and follow-up surveys to identify additional needs or concerns. State officials expect the Summer EBT program to serve about 175,000 students, or 80,000 households that meet certain criteria, including an income that makes them eligible for free or reduced-price lunch during the school year.

That count is up from an earlier estimate of about 150,000 children anticipated to benefit at a state cost of about $400,000 per year to administer the federally-funded program. Each qualified child is to receive a card loaded with a total of $120 in grocery-buying benefits. The program is designed to allow access to nutritious food during summer months when school is out.

For the full article click HERE

BIDEN DECLARES MAJOR DISASTER, OPENS FEDERAL FUNDING TO NEBRASKA AFTER TORNADO OUTBREAK

OMAHA- On Friday, President Joe Biden officially declared a major disaster in Nebraska, opening the door to federal funding for those affected in Douglas and Washington Counties. The funds can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other recovery programs.

Andrew Meyer of the Federal Emergency Management Agency is set to oversee the allocation of this federal funding. Gov. Jim Pillen, in a statement, expressed his appreciation for the expedited declaration, which came just one day after he asked the president to give the order. "This approval will allow Nebraskans affected by the Arbor Day tornadoes to get back on their feet as quickly as possible," Pillen wrote.

Funding will also be available to state, tribal, and eligible local governments on a cost-sharing basis for debris removal and emergency protective measures. Pillen has deployed dozens of Nebraska National Guard members to Douglas County to assist with recovery and security.

For the full article click HERE

PILLEN REQUESTS DISASTER DECLARATION: $10.5 MILLION FOR PANHANDLE'S WINTRY STORMS IN EARLY APRIL

LINCOLN- Gov. Jim Pillen submitted a federal disaster declaration request for early April wintry storms for eight counties in the Nebraska Panhandle. Pillen requested the declaration and a preliminary $10.5 million in federal funding after thunderstorms and heavy rains April 6 and April 7 developed into freezing rain, snow, strong winds and blizzard conditions.

Funding would help cover costs to repair or replace public infrastructure. The eight western counties are: Banner, Cheyenne, Dawes, Garden, Kimball, Morrill, Scotts Bluff and Sioux. A news release states the most significant storm damage was to power systems, including downed power lines, and five utility systems.

“Some residents in the impacted areas were without electricity for up to a week,” the release continues. “Other storm impacts included closed highways, downed trees, and some damage to local buildings and equipment.” President Biden recently granted the major disaster declaration for the Arbor Day tornadoes in the eastern portion of the state. It is expected that he also approves this request.

For the full article click HERE