UNPRECEDENTED MOVES SEEK TO RAMP UP AFFORDABLE HOUSING OPTONS IN OMAHA

OMAHA- A busload of budding developers snaked through some of the city's oldest neighborhoods this week, guided by an urban planner who pointed out to them abandoned lots freshly prepared for new housing thanks to a state "shovel-ready" grant. The tour came as part of Omaha's two-day Reignite 2 Unite symposium, organized by Omaha's Municipal Land Bank.

The event came on the heels of a separate unprecedented undertaking, when the City of Omaha sold 50 vacant lots it has been maintaining, some for as low as $1. However, developers, in turn, have a deadline to build on the sold land. Both Nebraska's economic development director, K.C. Belitz, and Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert spoke at the Reignite conference, sharing insight into what some have called a crisis-level shortage of workforce housing.

In Omaha alone, said Stothert, more than 55,000 households spend at least 30% of their income on housing, rendering them "cost-burdened." Stothert also highlighted Tuesday's approval of the sale of the 50 undeveloped lots, saying they offer a chance for 10 developer groups to build new single or multi-unit housing projects.

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NEBRASKA APPLESEED SUES STATE, ARGUES MEDICAID RECIPIENTS BOOTED WITHOUT PROPER NOTICE

LINCOLN- On Tuesday, Nebraska Appleseed, a local criminal and social justice advocacy group, filed a lawsuit against two state Department of Health and Human Services officials, accusing them of terminating a North Platte woman's Medicaid coverage without adequate notice in what the organization described as an "unconstitutional deprivation of (her) due process rights."

In its termination letter to Gillian Filyaw, a 23-year-old mother of two whose Medicaid coverage was terminated on May 1st, HHS provided "only a conclusory reason for her termination--that 'income exceeds standards,'" according to the lawsuit. The notice, Appleseed argued, did not identity Filyaw's household income, size, or the income limit used to determine her Medicaid eligibility.

In the 16-page lawsuit, lawyers for Appleseed contend that the notice sent to Filyaw, identical to the notices issued to more than 2022 Medicaid enrollees in the state since March 2023, "does not satisfy due process requirements and are therefore unconstitutional." The nonprofit will now seek to convince a federal judge that the complaint against HHS Director Steve Corsi and Matt Ahern, interim director of the Division of Medicaid and Long-Term Care, should be a class-action lawsuit.

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MORE OF NEBRASKA'S TOP TEST SCORERS CHOOSE NU FOR NEW PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLARS PROGRAM

LINCOLN- Four months after a new, full-ride scholarship and stipend was launched to attract top-performing Nebraska scholars, more of them are seemingly choosing to attend the University of Nebraska. Interim NU President Chris Kabourek, Gov. Jim Pillen, and NU Board of Regents launched the Presidential Scholars Program in February, offering a full ride and an annual $5,000 stipend to students who choose to attend NU after obtaining a perfect ACT score.

On Monday, Kabourek, Pillen, and Nebraska Education Commissioner Brian Maher celebrated the 28 top ACT performers from this year at the Nebraska Capitol. "I pray that all of your dreams come true," Pillen told the scholars, "and they bring you back here to Nebraska." According to Melissa Lee, an NU spokesperson, fewer than nine students with a perfect ACT chose to attend NY last year.

That number "roughly doubled" for an inaugural 16-student cohort in the fall. "Each has a dream, they're such incredibly bright kids," said Kabourek, "and I know they'll achieve them." Other students honored at the event chose instead to attend John Hopkins, Texas A&M, Purdue, MIT, and the University of California-Berkely.

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PILLEN, SOON TO CONTROL HISTORY NEBRASKA, WANTS TO PICK HIS OWN DIRECTOR

LINCOLN- On Wednesday, Gov. Pillen called for applicants for the job od director of History Nebraska, setting a July 3rd deadline for the position. In announcing this job search, Pillen essentially abandoned a search process being conducted by the History Nebraska Board of Trustees that had already identified four finalists.

Pillen's decision is in line with the recently passed LB1169, which allows the governor, with the approval of state lawmakers, to appoint the director of the agency. The director will serve at the pleasure of the governor under the new law, which will go into effect on July 18th. In the past, the director served at the pleasure of the History Nebraska Board of Trustees, a 14-member panel of elected leaders.

According to Sean Flowerday, the current president of the Board of Trustees, the four previously selected finalists were offered to Gov. Pillen for selection. "At this point, we're just trying to make it as smooth of a process as possible and make it as easy as we can on the staff while keeping the agency operating," said Flowerday, "We're waiting to see what changes the administration wants to make, and we'll do our best to work with those."

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SUMMER CAMP PUTS HIGH SCHOOLERS IN THE SHOES OF SENATORS

LINCOLN- On Wednesday morning, a legislative session took place at the State Capitol Building, but the faces filling the seats of George W. Norris Chamber looked a bit younger than usual. The mini, unofficial legislative session came as part of the annual Unicameral Youth Legislature, a week-long event that invites 25 high schools from Nebraska and Kansas to spend time in the Legislature and learn from senators, city council members, and the governor.

Wednesday's mini-session saw students take on the names of real senators and work to pass legislation sponsored by lawmakers this past session. "It's a wonderful experience for them to learn more about the Nebraska Legislature," said Kate Heltzel, Deputy Director of Information at the Capitol, "They're in the actual room, they're speaking on the microphone, they're pushing the buttons."

For nearly the entire two-hour session, students were given the opportunity to write amendments, vote on legislation, and debate topics ranging from healthcare to religion in the classroom. A filibuster even took place, with students reading from their favorite books to buy time for their fellow "senators."

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GOV. PILLEN ANNOUNCES $845,000 BOOST FOR MONA EXPANSION PROJECT

KEARNEY- With a new $845,000 boost from Nebraska American Rescue Plan Act funds, the Museum of Nebraska Art is set to sprint toward the finish line. It was just two years ago when MONA launched a $36 million modernization campaign, with an anticipated completion date of 2024. That milestone is now more of a possibility thanks to Wednesday's announcement.

With MONA's original building, as well as its modern addition, as a backdrop, Gov. Jim Pillen announced that the Nebraska Department of Economic Development would be steering the funding toward MONA to help them meet their completion date. "We're very close," said MONA Executive Director Andrew Dunehoo of the project.

Besides receiving generous donations to help MONA achieve its modernization goals, the Legislature had also previously earmarked $7.5 million for the project. "It's incredible, the amount of support this community gives MONA," continued Dunehoo, "It inspired me to decide to come here." Pillen, at the announcement, said art and history enrich Nebraskans' love of their state, and help to attract more visitors.

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STATE SUPREME COURT NAMES NEW LEADER OF OFFICE THAT SERVES AS PUBLIC GUARDIAN OF LAST RESORT

LINCOLN- Marla Fischer has been appointed by the Nebraska Supreme Court to serve as the new director of the Office of Public Guardian, an office established by the Legislature in 2014 to serve as a conservator for someone when no other alternative or family member is available.

Fischer previously served as deputy director of the office, and has more than nine years of experience with Nebraska's Judicial Branch. The office also provides education, training, and support for volunteer and family guardians and conservators.

Recruiting such people to serve in guardian roles for Nebraska's vulnerable residents is another function of the office. Fischer is set to replace Michelle Chaffee, who retired from the role in early June after serving for 14 years in the court system.

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NEBRASKA DEMOCRATS HOLD OFF DECISION ON WRITE-IN CANDIDATE TO CHALLENGE SEN. DEB FISCHER

HASTINGS- During the party's annual convention, Nebraska Democrats gave little indication as to whether they plan on proposing a write-in candidate to challenge Deb Fischer in the Senate race. Until he decided to decline all party endorsements, Democrats considered endorsing Dan Osborn. Despite an initial commitment to providing a write-in candidate, the party is rethinking its options. They fear that they would only help Fischer win a third term, as there would be a slim chance of winning as a write-in candidate. Some do find the merit in providing a write-in candidate because it gives liberal Nebraskans proper recognition and the chance to support a Democratic option.

The convention was mainly centered around supporting Democrats on the November ballot, including the announcement of an approved $40,000 to help Nebraska Democrats hire a rural coordinator to focus on helping the party win in more rural districts, such as District 33 and District 35. The Democrats are also receiving national support in their effort to register an additional 10,000 Democratic voters before November, with hopes of obtaining half that number from Omaha's District 2. State Senator Tony Vargas looks to unseat incumbent Republican Don Bacon and President Joe Biden seeks an electoral vote in District 2

Multiple people voiced that Osborn significantly hurt his chances by refusing party endorsements because many aren't comfortable voting for a candidate who hasn't said who he would caucus with if elected. The door was left open for the Democrats to endorse a nonpartisan Osborn, which he heavily criticized in response. It seems that the party plans to focus on candidates that they have on ballots.

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NATIONAL, NEBRASKA DEMS SPENDING $80K ON A NEBRASKA POLITICAL STAFFER

OMAHA- National Democrats are investing funds into helping the Nebraska Democratic Party reach voters in and beyond the most highly-contested congressional district in the Republican state. The Democratic National Committee announced Monday that it will spend $40,000 on a political staffer who will work with Democrats in Nebraska, with another $40,000 raised locally for the same staffer.

This has just been the most recent step in the long process of trying to rebuild the Democratic Party in rural states. There has been increased spending on support for state parties from the DNC in an attempt to combat single-party GOP rule. Much of the staffer's time will be spent assisting Democratic State Sen. Tony Vargas in the rural parts of his Omaha-based 2nd District House race against Republican U.S. Rep. Don Bacon.

In addition, the staffer will work to help turn out Democratic voters in local and state races, particularly rural races with Democrats on the ballot. They will also help President Joe Biden's presidential bid against former President Donald Trump as Nebraska's Republicans attempt to abolish the state's split electoral vote. On Sunday, the Nebraska Republican Party stated that the Republican National Committee had not yet funded a Nebraska campaign staffer, but that it could in the future.

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NO MUSS, NO FUSS: NEBRASKA STATE CANVASSING BOARD CERTIFIES PRIMARY ELECTION RESULTS

LINCOLN- On Monday, the Nebraska Board of State Canvassers unanimously voted to certify the primary election results from May 14th with no contentions or state-level recounts. The board members accepted the nominations from local election officials deciding who would be placed on November's ballot. It was reported that voting went well across the state despite the implementation of new voter identification requirements, which voters approved in 2022.

The board is made up of the state's top elected officials including the governor, attorney general, secretary of state, state treasurer, and state auditor. They must certify state election results by law, which are provided by local officials who ensure reliability. It was noted that a routine audit completed afterward confirmed the accuracy of the results.

While there was one mishap that resulted in a few early voting ballots being sent out without the required signature from the county clerk, the mistake was corrected and most voters cast correct ballots. There were no automatic recounts at the state-level races, but there is a recount at the local level required by law. For the Regional Metropolitan Transit Board of Omaha District 1 seat, 11 votes separate second and third place, signaling the need for a recount.

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MEDICAL MARIJUANA SUPPORTERS NEED 30,000 MORE SIGNATURES BY JULY 3, BACKERS SAY

LINCOLN- Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana signaled an "urgent need" to collect 30,000 before July 3. The initiative group is seeking signatures from at least 7% of Nebraska voters to allow the state to vote on the legalization of marijuana in November. These signatures also must come from at least 5% of the voters in 38 of Nebraska's 93 counties, which the campaign has said they've met.

The group has stated that it is certainly farther along in the process than it had gotten in its previous two attempts and that the 30,000 remaining signatures are to guarantee that the threshold is met amid any rejections. In 2020, the Nebraska Supreme Court blocked the statewide vote, and in 2022, they fell short of the required signatures. The number of signatures obtained sits at 65,000, and the threshold to be met is 87,000 signatures.

Other issues are seeking to appear on the November ballot, such as abortion rights, paid sick leave, tax elimination, and whether state funds are to be used to enable families to send their kids to private schools. Initiative petitions require signatures from at least 5% of voters in 38 of 93 counties, those calling for legislative action require bulk signatures from 7% of voters, and constitutional amendments require 10% of registered voters.

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NO PAYMENT MEANS NO RECOUNT OF BLOWOUT DOUGLAS COUNTY BOARD RACE

OMAHA- After publicly questioning the reliability of election results, Ken Anderson, the Republican candidate for the Douglas County Board of Commissioners, failed to follow through with his promise to pay $2,200 to the Douglas County Election Commission for a recount by hand. The funds had to come from Anderson personally, as the large margin separating the candidates did not warrant a tax-funded recount by state law. Anderson previously stated that his plan was never to win, but to get to this point of challenging the legitimacy of voting results counted by machines.

Anderson alluded to corruption within the Omaha-based company that manufactures Nebraska's voting machines, Election Systems and Software, requesting that they not be informed of the kind of recount he wanted. His request for a recount by hand was denied, as by state law, recounts must be done in the same way votes were initially collected. He was expecting to receive funds from supporters for his recount effort, but many doubted his ability to do so without national support. "It would've taken a pledge that ended up not coming," he said on Monday.

Audits after elections completed by political groups from each side of the spectrum have found that machines typically are faster and more accurate than counting by hand. The Nebraska Board of State Canvassers randomly checked a variety of election results and found that there weren't any discrepancies between the machines and hand tallies. Variances between hand and machine counting are typically very small and inconsequential.

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STATE TREASURER BRIESE ADVOCATES FOR NEBRASKA EDUCATIONAL SAVINGS TRUST

LINCOLN- When he began his stint as State Treasurer last year, former state Sen. Tom Briese said the organization would do everything in its power to enhance service and save taxpayers money. Briese touted the Nebraska Educational Savings Trust, or the nEST 529 Program, as a means to do just that.

"Whether we're talking a 4-year degree, a 2-year degree, vocational school, tech school, apprenticeships," he said, "higher education can be a game-changer in the lives of our young folks." Briese also highlighted that the NEST Program provides significant tax benefits to those who enroll.

"And that's what the NEST 529 Program does for us," Briese continued, "It helps us to invest in the higher education of our young people. And really, what better gift is there to give than that of higher education?" Briese emphasized that enrolling in the program takes just minutes.

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NEW STUDY SHOWS BELLEVUE IS GOOD LOCATION FOR HORSE TRACK, CITY SAYS

BELLEVUE- The City of Bellevue has received an update on a study concerning the potential construction of a horse racing track, with officials calling the findings encouraging.

The new study, conducted by the Innovation Group and commissioned by the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission, said a quarter horse racetrack in Bellevue could be a plus for the Nebraska racing industry when paired with two other Nebraska tracks.

An application for a race track license has been filed with the Racing and Gaming Commission for almost three years. "It is not just going to be a casino that has horses," said John Hassett, "We want a nice racetrack." BelleVue Downs, the proposed casino and racetrack, is predicted to bring a $4 million increase to the statewide racing industry.

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AG HILGERS WINS CASE AGAINST TICKET SCAM PROMISING ACCESS TO FORMER HUSKERS

LINCOLN- Last year's lawsuit filed by Attorney General Mike Hilgers against the group Nfluence and Kenneth Jason McCants, which alleged that more than 50 people paid $1,000 or more and did not receive what they were sold, has come to a close after Lancaster County District Judge Jodi Nelson ordered McCants, who owns Nfluence, to pay $339,338.18 in fines, restitution, and court costs for violating consumer protection laws.

"For all 63 purchases, defendants failed to provide consumers with the 'Nebraska Game Day Experience' as represented," Judge Nelson wrote, "Defendants thus committed 63 separate violations of the Consumer Protection Act." The group's pitch, dating back to 2022, promised luxury suite tickets, access to a former Husker football player, and online validation from the player in the form of a social media post.

"Nebraska football plays an integral part in the lives of many Nebraskans," wrote Hilgers in a statement, "This fraud preyed on Nebraskan's love of the Cornhuskers and their passion to help others in need. We are grateful for the Court's order, which will send a message to other would-be fraudsters. If any money is recovered, our office will prioritize returning funds to consumers harmed by the fraud."

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DUNILEH ENERGY CEO RESPONDS TO COUNTY BOARD'S REJECTION OF CUP APPLICATION

SCOTTSBLUFF- Dunileh Energy reiterated its commitment to pursuing the Situla Energy Project, a large solar energy endeavor, and to maintaining a healthy partnership with Scotts Bluff County following the county board's decision to reject the project's CUP application earlier this month. During a three-hour public hearing on May 6th, the CUP application was discussed by the board.

The application failed to pass through the board on a 3-2 vote. Dunileh Energy CEO Thaer Flieh said he hopes to see a reversal from the board, and plans to open the communication lines necessary to make that happen. The issue at hand, which Flieh argued was not pertinent to the broader application, was whether or not the use of land for the project was allowable under the county's zoning regulations via CUP.

"A lot of the points that were raised were not relevant to the CUP topic or process," he said, "We understand there were comments about other topics that aren't related to CUP." Flieh added that Dunileh Energy is still unsure why three of the county board members opposed the solar energy projects after it was recommended to the board by the county Planning Commission.

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PILLEN SAYS HE'LL ABANDON PERKINS COUNTY CANAL PROJECT IF LEGAL COSTS GET TOO HIGH

YORK- Gov. Pillen, speaking at a Friday town hall relating to property taxes in York, said that he would abandon the Perkins Couty Canal Project if the legal fees associated with it rise to a certain point. The proposed project would transport water from the South Platte River in Colorado to Nebraska rivers.

An old idea, former Gov. and current U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts had attempted to kickstart the project while serving in Nebraska. Thus far, the Legislature has appropriated $650 million for the project, which is still currently sitting in the planning stage. Gov. Pillen says he still supports the project, but that it could get canceled based on legal fees.

"I'm a Perkins Canal advocate, but not if hundreds of millions are going to attorneys," said Pillen, "So we're seeing where that's at." According to Suzanne Gage, spokeswoman for Attorney General Mike Hilgers, no lawsuits have been put forth by Colorado to stop the construction of the canal, which is based on a century-old water pact. However, said Gage, Nebraska and Colorado officials have been meeting to discuss the project.

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GOV. PILLEN EXPLAINS WILLINGNESS TO ACCEPT MORE THAN NEBRASKA'S 'FAIR SHARE' IN FEDERAL FUNDS

PLATTSMOUTH- Nearly half a year after saying he "didn't believe in welfare," Gov. Jim Pillen says the state will begin to accept as many federal dollars as possible. Indeed, Pillen's latest directive to his cabinet members has been to find federal funds that have "no strings attached" so Nebraska can get "more than our fair share."

"Green light, pedal to the metal," Pillen recalled telling his cabinet. Pillen said his recent endeavor to draw down federal funding was "not a shift at all" from his December stance because his initial opposition to a now-enacted Summer EBT Program came over the program's execution, not its goals.

Nebraska's previous governor, now-U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts, often rejected federal funds, including emergency rental aid during the COVID-19 pandemic. State lawmakers tried to force the state to accept the funds, but the move was vetoed by Ricketts. Sen. John Cavanaugh, who supported the Summer EBT Program, said he was happy with Pillen's position. "Welcome to the party," he said.

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NEBRASKA, 22 OTHER STATES OPPOSE PROPOSED FEDERAL RULE ON STOVES, COOKTOPS, OVENS

LINCOLN- Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers and 22 of his Republican counterparts filed a comment on Monday with the U.S. Department of Energy, hinting at possible legal action should the department follow through with new energy-efficiency standards on stoves, cooktops, and ovens.

Hilgers is the latest Republican to question the Biden Administration's efforts to reduce indoor-air emissions and power consumption from indoor cooking. U.S. Rep. Mike Flood had previously made a video targeting the proposed regulations. Hilgers and the other attorneys general argue the proposed change would make new stoves and cooktops more expensive over time.

"The Biden Administration continues its stringent regulations on household appliances," Hilgers said following the filing of the comment, "Raising the cost of kitchen appliances could impact hardworking Nebraskans already facing economic challenges. It is as out of touch as it is legally dubious."

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CHAMBER ANNOUNCES 2024 INDUCTEES INTO OMAHA BUSINESS HALL OF FAME

OMAHA- The Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce has announced its newest members of the Omaha Business Hall of Fame. Two women and five men are to be formally inducted during an August gala at the Holland Performing Arts Center. They will join other Omaha-area business standouts that, since 1993, have been recognized for their legacies, contributions, and commitment to local business.

Heath Mello, president and CEO of the Chamber, said this year's group reflect the area's "diverse economy," with honorees from the home services, transportation, arts, and entertainment, medical research, and banking industries. The Inductees include Lance Fritz, who served as chairman of Union Pacific, and Clarence Landen Jr., who co-founded Central National Insurance Company before establishing Security National Bank in 1964.

Other inductees are Clarence Landen III, who has been CEO of Security National Bank since 1980; James Landen Sr., executive chairman of Security National Bank; Sid Meredith, founder of Security Equipment Inc.; Constance Ryan, president and CEO of Streck Inc.; and Joan Squires, president of Omaha Performing Arts.

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