NEBRASKA'S 2023-2024 GENERAL TAX RECEIPTS COME IN $10.6 MILLION BELOW LATEST PROJECTIONS

LINCOLN- Nebraska's tax receipts for the fiscal year showed the state falling $10.6 million short of February projections. State Senator Danielle Conrad prompted that this is because of recent changes to how big corporations handle their taxes. The receipts include net sales and use, individual income, corporate income, and miscellaneous taxes.

Governor Jim Pillen reacted by promoting his fix for the state's tax problem, set to be presented during the special legislative session scheduled for the end of July. “That feeds into our most immediate goal of fixing the state’s property tax crisis in the upcoming special session,” Pillen said. Critics have stated that Pillen's plan will make our taxes more unstable.

State Senator George Dungan ensured that the public got all the details, reminding people that lawmakers allocated $200 million into the state's general fund, partially to pay for future obligations. “I think it would be a mistake to rely on those numbers in making major decisions without taking into account the entire story,” Dungan stated. Some lawmakers have agreed with Pillen that this will provide momentum for their tax relief efforts.

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11 NE LAWMAKERS TO HOST LINCOLN, OMAHA LISTENING SESSIONS ON PROPERTY TAXES

LINCOLN- After Nebraska's Governor Jim Pillen opted out of leading two listening sessions in Lincoln and Omaha, a group of 11 bipartisan lawmakers will take his place. Pillen toured most of the state already, holding town halls regarding his tax reform plan in 26 cities. He encouraged citizens to offer feedback and to encourage lawmakers to help him, but senators have said they've received very little feedback.

The hosts of the event are State Senators Machaela Cavanaugh, Jane Raybould, Carol Blood, George Dungan, John Cavanaugh, Christy Armendariz, Megan Hunt, Merv Riepe, Wendy DeBoer, Mike McDonnell, and Terrell McKinney. The lawmakers are from the Lincoln and Omaha areas and are representative of the entire political spectrum. The public discussion forums will try to accommodate everyone who would like to speak, but they will be limited to two hours.

Pillen needs 33 of the state's 49 senators to agree with his tax plan for it to pass. Three of the hosts are a part of the group of lawmakers that have worked closely with Pillen on his plan. Since he has spent much of his time garnering support in smaller towns, Pillen has been critiqued for his lack of involvement in the state's most populous cities. The dates and times for the public forums are listed below.

• Sunday, July 21, 1-3 p.m., University of Nebraska at Omaha Thompson Alumni Center, 6705 Dodge St, Omaha

• Monday, July 22, 5-7 p.m., Wick Alumni Center, 1520 R St, Lincoln

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NE AUDIT BLASTS STATE TRANSPORTATION AGENCY FOR MILLIONS SPENT ON OVERTIME, 'UNEXPLAINED' FUEL BUYS

LINCOLN- According to the State Auditor's Office, the Nebraska Department of Transportation's questionable spending has been revealed by an audit. This includes over $6 million in annual overtime pay amassed by 71% of its workers as well as unexplained fuel and fleet-related costs. The audit displayed a plethora of gaps in oversight by the agency and they are facing strong scrutiny from leaders.

State Auditor Mike Foley has been focusing his criticism on the department's use of credit cards. Foley stated that the agency has twice as many credit cards as they do workers. He went on to blame the lack of sufficient record-keeping for the errors.

Foley urged the dire need for big changes to ensure proper oversight and record-keeping in the department. “Without such drastic and immediate measures, NDOT remains ripe for potential and unrestrained financial fraud and abuse — with the taxpayers left footing the bill,” said Foley. The state agency responded by stating that they would be continuing an investigation into their mishaps and improving on the areas they're lacking in.

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NE BOARD OF PAROLE CHIDED AFTER EMPLOYEES USED STATE CARS FOR PERSONAL COMMUTES

LINCOLN- Auditors recently discovered that Nebraska parole officers were using state cars for inappropriate personal use. This exposed about 300 unapproved trips and more than 9,000 miles over a year. State Auditor Mike Foley was dismayed by the findings because the department's purpose is to work with former inmates to prepare them for reentry into society.

Chair of the Nebraska Parole Board, Rosalyn Cotton, said that they need to do more investigating to determine any disciplinary actions. While the Division of Parole and Supervision is shifting back under the Nebraska Department of Corrections, they are still committed to ensuring that misuse of their vehicles does not happen again. Auditors pointed out that a policy on vehicle use was not provided as a guideline for parole officers.

Foley added that the main issue was with management not reviewing GPS data to see whether vehicles were being used properly. “The agency never even asked for the data to check where those people were going, where those cars went. We could see them going back and forth to their homes,” said Foley. There were countless occasions discovered of state vehicle use for strictly personal activities, which is a misdemeanor in the state.

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SEVEN OMAHA BUSINESS DISTRICTS TO GET PANDEMIC-RELATED GRANTS FOR SAFETY LIGHTNING, BOLLARDS

OMAHA- Seven business districts in Omaha are going to receive grants from the city's portion of federal American Rescue Plan Act funds. These proposed allocations are set to be approved by the Omaha City Council this week. The grants amount to a total of about $1.68 million.

These districts are being rewarded as Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert follows up on a commitment announced two years ago. In June 2022, Stothert held a conference announcing that the city was receiving federal funding for business development. In Nebraska, business districts can be established to plan and fund infrastructure projects that advance a particular area of a city.

Under the act signed into law by President Joe Biden, the grant dollars had to be allocated to areas located within a census tract that meets income and other requirements. “These ARPA-funded projects will provide safety improvements as these areas become more popular and new development occurs,” Stothert said. Other similarly funded projects in Omaha are already completed or underway, including grants for affordable housing, improvement of public parks, and the betterment of the hotel industry.

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OWNERS OF FOUR MORE NE VAPE SHOPS, STORES SELLING DELTA-8 SETTLE WITH AG

LINCOLN- Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers recently announced legal settlements against four more stores characterized as selling mislabeled and dangerous products containing THC. The four stores agreed to take these products off their shelves after being advised to stop selling prohibited products that contain synthetic THC. If the agreement is violated, the stores will face financial penalties.

These settlements join two others from last month, all of which were among the targets of 2023 lawsuits against vape retailers across the state. Hilgers alleged that the stores violated consumer protection laws and implemented deceptive trade practices. Some of the products were marketed to look like candy and snacks while containing a substance that alters the user's mental state, which some find unethical.

Hilgers has stayed committed to closing the legal loopholes surrounding the use of synthetic THC products, created by a 2018 farm bill that made the hemp farming industry national. State Senator Teresa Ibach attempted to put an outright ban on these products, but the bill stalled. “We encourage retailers to stop selling these products, whether they have been sued yet or not — our campaign will continue until the industry is cleaned up,” Hilgers said.

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GOV. PILLEN RELEASES 'NEBRASKA'S PLAN' FOR PROPERTY TAX RELIEF WITH FEW NEW CONCRETE DETAILS

LINCOLN- Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen stated during his recent press conference that he was sure the tax plan he released would receive bipartisan support during the special legislative session that he called for starting in late July. Pillen needs 33 of 49 state senators to agree with his plan for it to pass. The plan has continued to receive criticism during Pillen's campaign for it.

Opponents have called Pillen's plan unsustainable and that it would only increase taxes. Pillen repeatedly touted that the plan would result in an overall tax decrease, but did not have much to back up the claim. His plan includes placing hard caps on local property taxes, having the state absorb K-12 funding, removing a plethora of tax exemptions, and raising what he describes as "sin" taxes.

While the plan has faced criticism, every lawmaker has recognized that property taxes are a growing issue in Nebraska that needs to be addressed. Senators who have collaborated on the plan with Pillen are still uncertain over some details and have voiced that their concerns aren't being taken seriously. Pillen encouraged those who have issues with the plan to speak up and foster a discussion to solve the problem.

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AG HILGERS ISSUES OPINION THAT THREATENS NEW FELON VOTER REGISTRATIONS IN NEBRASKA

LINCOLN- Attorney General Mike Hilgers recently argued that Nebraska's Legislature was unconstitutional in creating a new law that restores voting rights to felons who have served their sentence. Hilgers stated that only the Nebraska Pardons Board has the authority to reinstate the right to vote, calling the law a violation of the separation of powers. The Pardons Board is made up of the governor, the secretary of state, and Hilgers.

The two bills in question are Legislative Bill 20 and LB 53. The former eliminates a two-year waiting period to restore felon voting rights, and the latter established the waiting period in 2005. Hilgers stated that it is solely the executive branch's responsibility to address an issue regarding the civil rights of an individual. While Hilgers doesn't have the authority to make his opinion the law, Secretary of State Bob Evnen recently exercised his power by stopping new registrations that would have been valid under the new law.

Opponents of Hilgers' opinion have called the move overly partisan and characterized it as voter suppression. Many find it unconstitutional to only halt registrations, allowing some felons suffrage and denying others. Omaha State Senator and sponsor of LB 20 Justin Wayne expressed immense disappointment at the news. “At the end of the day, if any elected official can decide not to follow the law, that’s a problem,” Wayne said.

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NE LABOR COURT SIDES WITH GOV. PILLEN'S ORDER CALLING STATE EMPLOYEES BACK TO THE OFFICE

LINCOLN- The Nebraska Commission of Industrial Relations recently sided with Governor Jim Pillen's order to send state government employees who work remotely back to their offices. The commission was displeased with the union representing the employees, the Nebraska Association of Public Employees, calling their efforts pervasive and disingenuous. Pillen executed this order late last year, stating the pandemic was over and that employees should return to their workplaces.

After the employees' union immediately objected to Pillen's order, the commission put its implementation on hold until a decision was met. Leaders of the union are dismayed by the decision and have expressed their disappointment, emphasizing that it will exacerbate the problem of employment vacancies. Pillen believes that workers need to be present to be productive and professional.

On top of a disappointing ruling, NAPE is also having penalties imposed on them, requiring them to pay attorney fees that the state incurred during the legal battle. Union leaders are confused by the hostility of the court's decision, stating that the case was brought with good intentions. “Our union is a group of employees who’ve united together to protect the interests of all Nebraskans in this case,” executive director of NAPE Justin Hubly said.

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GRAND ISLAND GEARS UP FOR AUG. 13 SPECIAL ELECTION, PUBLIC INCENTIVES RELATED TO GOOD LIFE DISTRICT

LINCOLN- While Grand Island is the most recent town to join Nebraska's Good Life Districts, it looks to be the first to start implementing the intended changes. The City Council has called a special election on August 13th to determine whether the city will create an economic development program to guide growing tourism and incorporate new public incentives outlined by the Good Life Law. Leaders in the city are working with developer Woodsonia Real Estate to build up the underdeveloped portion of the area.

Development plans from Woodsonia estimate 2,000 new apartments, 220 single-family homes, a business sector, and a large sports complex to attract tourists. Grand Island is now waiting for voter approval to repurpose eliminated state revenue towards district development. Their special election is happening ahead of similar communities that have yet to schedule or comment on their process.

There is a public campaign and a newly formed political committee that have been pushing further efforts to develop a district. The campaign has emphasized the importance of educating the public on what the new district would look like and the importance of a special election. If the vote is affirmative, the city will move on to creating the economic development program and mechanisms to allocate the necessary funds.

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STATE FILES COMPLAINT AGAINST WINDSTREAM AFTER INVESTIGATING NEBRASKA 911 OUTAGES

LINCOLN- The Nebraska Public Service Commission has been led to file a complaint against the telecommunications company that was responsible for the 911 outages that affected eastern Nebraska in late 2023 and early this year. The company, Windstream, has been the subject of an extensive investigation that found they may have violated state regulations. “The complaint provides the commission the ability to hold the carrier accountable through punitive actions,” Chairman Dan Watermeier said.

Since these outages, the commission and lawmakers have been proposing changes, such as legislation aimed at speeding up the process of hearings for 911 outages. The trouble with Windstream began last August when a third-party contractor struck one of the city's sprinkler lines causing a leak and fire explosion in the company's Lincoln facility. What the commission's complaint mainly pertains to is what happened only 13 hours later, when the company's backup generator failed, stranding 911 callers in most of the 20 emergency call centers in southeast Nebraska.

Problems with network stability arose last winter resulting in two separate Lincoln outages, the first of which went unreported within the regulatory requirement. The Nebraska Public Service Commission found that there were not enough precautions taken, including proper testing of backup power systems, network switching, and redundancy. Windstream representatives have voiced that they are committed to making amends, fixing all issues, and continuing to provide 911 services for Nebraskans.

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MAJOR CLEANUP EFFORTS UNDERWAY AT BELLEVUE PROPERTIES IMPACTED BY FLOOD

BELLEVUE- American Heroes Park was among the few areas that had been closed since Bellevue was hit by flooding in late June. Now, the Bellevue park is slowly being reopened to the public, as efforts to clear the water and debris have progressed. "We went through the sidewalks and made sure there was no debris, but came pretty well unscathed and we’re happy to have that open to the public," said Phil Davidson, City of Bellevue Communications Director.

Amenities such as the fishing pond have been reopened, and the city is continually working on reopening the fountains. Similar places like Haworth Park and Winsor Cove are still closed due to the flooding. Those involved have noted that there is still a lot of work to do in some areas because of the excess of mud and some potential safety hazards.

The damage has unfortunately forced the parks to cancel thousands of reservations. Haworth Park's parking lot is still covered in dirt and debris near the boat docks, and the ramps won't be replaced until cleaning is finished. While park services are working hard to reopen their services, Bellevue has learned from previous flooding incidents with worse damage.

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NINE APPLY TO BECOME NEXT DIRECTOR OF HISTORY NEBRASKA

LINCOLN- Several qualified individuals have submitted applications to be the next director of History Nebraska. Among the applicants are a supervisor of historical Nebraska parks, the head of an Indiana agency that manages historic documents, the manager of an agricultural exhibit at the Nebraska State Fair, a former Lincoln City Council member, a state legislative fiscal analyst, and the former History Nebraska librarian who complained about the former director's policies. Former director Trevor Jones left his position in 2022 after six years on the job due to the release of an audit that accused him of misappropriating funds.

Jones was charged with theft by deception and is waiting for a Lancaster County District Court trial. The head of History Nebraska's historic preservation office, Jill Dolberg, has been serving as interim director. Dolberg did not apply for the permanent position, and there was a lack of applicants which surprised some.

Previously, History Nebraska's 14-member board of trustees would pick the new director, but under a new law, Governor Jim Pillen will be the one to make the choice. Before the law change, some candidates had emerged as potential replacements, although the board stopped searching when they learned the decision would be Pillen's. When Jones was hired, most candidates were from other states, but now, all but one are Nebraska natives.

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DR. JAMES LINDER TO REPLACE DR. GOLD ON NEBRASKA MEDICINE BOARD

OMAHA- Nebraska Medicine's board of directors recently chose their chief executive officer, Dr. James Linder, to replace Dr. Jeffery Gold as chair. Gold is unable to fulfill his duties due to his new position as the University of Nebraska's President. Linder has been the CEO since 2018 and helped teach at the University of Nebraska Medical Center for four decades.

Linder is one of the university's lead fundraising chairs and is known for his research on cervical cancer screening and work with blood disorders. Gold left his position to serve as the university's president after about a decade. “Dr. Gold provided outstanding leadership since Nebraska Medicine was organized,” Linder said.

Nebraska Medicine is the University of Nebraska Medical Center's nonprofit partner, operating hospitals and medical offices. Nebraska Medicine is governed by a group of people from different sectors of the community who seek involvement with the system. Linder's peers have praised his promotion and see him as very qualified.

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GOV. JIM PILLEN ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL STATE FUNDING FOR 3 MAJOR OMAHA PROJECT

LINCOLN- Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen recently announced that the state is increasing its contribution to three major Omaha projects by over $2 million. The three projects, Omaha Performing Arts Center, Joslyn Art Museum, and the Elkhorn Athletic Association, first received $3.85 million through the state's Shovel-Ready Capital project program. The Nebraska Department of Economic Development administers the Shovel-Ready program.

The increased funds came from reallocated money from other projects that went unfinished. In 2022, $115 million in grants were set aside for nonprofits that were delayed by COVID-19. Lawmakers approved using $100 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act dollars and $15 million from the state's general fund, and nonprofits were also required to at least match their grants with privately raised dollars.

Due to a high volume of applications, the three projects did not initially receive the funds they requested. Because of their underfunded status, they were chosen to be given the repurposed money. After the increase, the total for each of the three projects is $6.31 million.

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K-12 FUNDING SHIFT FROM PROPERTY TAXES WOULD BE MULTIYEAR EFFORT, NEBRASKA LAWMAKERS SAY

LINCOLN- Nebraska lawmakers working with Governor Jim Pillen on his property tax reform plan for the special legislative session this summer have said that if the state does take on the majority of K-12 school funding, the process would occur over multiple years. While a group of 17 lawmakers have been continually meeting with Pillen, it's been said some details still need to be fleshed out. Pillen has made the possibility of having the state absorb K-12 school funding a large part of his property tax reform plan, which has been the main focus of his gubernatorial term so far.

While some lawmakers have expressed concerns over Pillen's lack of a substantial plan, others are satisfied with going off of his public statements and their discussions with him. “We’ll have the plan in black and white before the special session comes,” Pillen said. Lawmakers are also worried about the tax burden simply shifting elsewhere rather than being relieved. Regardless, the group working with Pillen is prepared to present bold ideas during the special session.

Opponents of Pillen's ideas are distressed by the possibility of local control over schools being taken away but have been assured that power would remain with school boards. Spending and growth are two key issues that have been pointed out within this context due to possible tax exemptions being revoked. Pillen has remained confident that he will get the votes needed to get his reform plan passed despite criticism.

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ACLU FILES SUIT TO COMPEL FEDS TO ANSWER 2021 REQUEST FOR RECORDS ON FREMONT, SCRIBNER RENTAL LAWS

LINCOLN- The American Civil Liberties Union of Nebraska recently filed a lawsuit to get federal authorities to comply with a public records request from 2021 seeking information about immigrant-related housing ordinances. They claim that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services have broken federal law by not responding to the old request. The ACLU requested records on housing ordinances targeting immigrants in Fremont and Scribner, banning unauthorized immigrants from renting, requiring prospective renters to answer a question regarding citizenship status, and forcing law enforcement to investigate.

Fremont Mayor Joey Spellerberg acknowledged recently that these ordinances are unenforceable, noting that the community should embrace its immigrant population. Despite this sentiment, the ordinances are still in place in both towns. While the ACLU doesn't have evidence of negative impact because of these ordinances, concern is rising due to Republican Presidential Candidate Donald Trump's remarks stating that there would be mass deportations of undocumented immigrants upon his election.

The ACLU's legal fellow, Dylan Severino, stated the group hasn't received any communication regarding their records request since December 2021. “Federal law includes clear guidelines on processing public records requests and there is no excuse for years of inaction on any request — let alone one that involves something as important as fair access to housing,” said Severino. The ACLU of Nebraska has had multiple legal battles with local governments in the past decade and a half, and this lawsuit is their most recent feud.

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DIRECTOR OF THE NEBRASKA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES LEAVING AUG. 2

LINCOLN- Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen recently announced that the state's Department of Natural Resources director, Tom Riley, will soon leave the position. Senator Pete Ricketts appointed Riley during his gubernatorial term in 2020. “I appreciate Director Riley’s public service to the state, and I wish him the best in all future endeavors,” Pillen stated in an announcement.

The Department of Natural Resources is responsible for surface water, groundwater, floodplain management, dam safety, and the storage of natural resources, among other things. In the past few years, leaders have focused on securing water rights from Colorado and creating a manmade lake for recreation between Omaha and Lincoln. A news release noted that interim leadership and a pending appointment are soon to come.

The special legislative committee, the Statewide Tourism and Recreational Water Access and Resource Sustainability, was created to study opportunities in the state and identify potential projects that would be economically beneficial to the state. Riley previously helped these lawmakers understand the necessity of the water rights they want to obtain from Colorado, but Colorado officials are concerned it is unnecessary. Both lake and water rights projects are in the early stages, but external threats may derail the committee's plans.

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AGRICULTURAL, EDUCATION SENATORS PUSH BACK ON SOME OF GOV. JIM PILLEN'S PROPERTY TAX REFORMS

LINCOLN- Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen is facing disapproval from some of his closest allies in the Legislature due to his suggestion to remove the current sales tax exemptions for agricultural and manufacturing inputs. Pillen says that doing so will save producers money if the state follows through on his plan to take on a majority of K-12 funding, which would reduce some property tax bills by up to 60%. Some lawmakers that Pillen could need to get his tax reform passed have also questioned the substantiality of his plan.

The Nebraska Farm Bureau and State Senator Theresa Ibach both have similar concerns about taxing inputs, stating that it could harm families and raise prices for consumers and producers. “I think the one thing we all agree on is that property taxes are a burden, and the challenge is going to be finding 33 of us who can agree on a path forward,” Ibach said. The concern pertains to young farmers and ranchers who begin working on rented property and the possible detriment they may face because of tax reform.

Another concern stems from the possibility that farmers may look to out-of-state options to purchase cheaper supplies. Agricultural and manufacturing inputs make up a majority of the taxes that go uncollected due to exemptions in Nebraska. While most are opposed to the removal of a tax exemption on inputs like seeds, chemicals, and fertilizers, some find it appropriate to consider physical property such as machinery and equipment differently.

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NE AUDIT OF DHHS CHILD CARE SUBSIDY PROGRAM EXPOSES AS MUCH AS $12.8M IN IMPROPER PAYMENTS

LINCOLN- A detailed audit recently released looking at a sample of $93 million in federal and state funds spent by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services exposing what State Auditor Mike Foley characterized as rampant abuses. This led to as much as $12.8 million in improper payments to childcare providers. Foley said his office found that some providers took advantage of the state's loosely enforced oversight.

The DHHS subsidizes childcare providers on a sliding scale basis to care for children from low-income families. “Some of the spurious billings were so wildly excessive that one wonders whether anyone at DHHS took even the most cursory glance at them before authorizing their payment,” Foley said. At times, the DHHS was being billed by a childcare center for the same period multiple times or more days than possible in a particular month.

Investigations are being launched into care centers that previously abused the lack of oversight and employees are to be properly retrained on billing procedures. There were various other discrepancies pointed out by the audit, including improper cost rates and a lack of attendance logs. Foley expressed that the DHHS needs to be more diligent in its review of billing reports to prevent a future issue.

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