ERNIE CHAMBERS WITHDRAWS FROM NORTH OMAHA LEGISLATIVE RACE

OMAHA- According to Douglas County Election Commissioner Brian Kruse, State Senator Ernie Chambers of Omaha has filed to remove his name from the November ballot, where he was slated to run for re-election to his longtime seat in the Nebraska Legislature. Kruse stated that 87-year-old Chambers told him his political career was likely over, but he still plans on exercising his right to vote. He had no immediate comment on his withdrawal at this time.

Chambers advanced in the May primary elections as a nonpartisan candidate to face incumbent Democratic State Senator Terrell McKinney of Omaha. The third-place finisher in the primaries, nonpartisan Calandra Cooper, has yet to comment on the situation. McKinney said the decision surprised him, but thanked Chambers for his service and advocacy.

Chambers spent 46 years as a state lawmaker where he became proficient in using legislative rules. He often took pleasure in stalling legislation from the conservative majority which he disagreed with. He also was an integral component in the abolition of the death penalty in the state in 2015 before voters restored it the next year through a ballot measure.

For the full article click HERE

NEBRASKA SENATOR SAYS GOVERNOR MISUSED PUBLIC RESOURCES TO PROMOTE HIS CAMPAIGN AND TAX PLAN

LINCOLN- On Tuesday, State Senator Danielle Conrad of Lincoln filed a campaign finance complaint against Governor Jim Pillen claiming that he misused taxpayer funds to promote his political campaign and property tax reform plan across the state. Conrad's letter to the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission alleged an improper link between his campaign website and a taxpayer-funded report outlining budget cuts, use of state funds for campaigning, and inappropriate promotion of his tax plan via the state's email system. The Governor's Office has yet to comment, but spokeswoman Laura Strimple said last week that the governor used his own funds.

Nebraska law prohibits an official from using public resources to campaign for an election or legislation. Civil penalties including fines can be imposed if a violation is proven. Conrad's letter added that she and her constituents were concerned about the possible crossover between state funds and private campaign funds.

Officials from the Accountability and Disclosure Commission did not comment on the situation. Typically, the commission refrains from issuing a public statement until a violation is confirmed. Conrad's letter recognized the governor's right to exercise his First Amendment right to freely speak but asserted that no official has the right to abuse resources.

For the full article click HERE

SENATORS FLOOD CLERK'S OFFICE WITH BILLS ON FINAL DAY

LINCOLN- On the last day to introduce bills, state legislators are keeping the clerk's office busy with 46 bills being introduced within the first 90 minutes of the session on Monday. The second day of the special legislative session ended with 35 bills being introduced, summing up to 81 total. On Friday, there were six constitutional amendments to be considered, but that number quickly grew to 24 after the weekend.

The Revenue Committee began holding public hearings this Monday, with the first two bills coming from State Senator Carol Blood of Bellevue. Legislative Bill 7 proposed increasing the income tax bracket for high-income earners and LB 8 suggested the addition of a luxury tax to certain items, such as motor vehicles worth over $50,000, jewelry worth more than $5,000, and clothing that costs more than $1,000. The third bill presented to the committee was from State Senator Jana Hughes of Seward and would lower levy caps for school districts. State Senator Justin Wayne of Omaha submitted 23 bills on Monday, including LB 52, which would legalize, regulate, and tax recreational marijuana.

Each bill submitted will be subject to a public hearing, but if a bill isn't heard by 6 P.M., it will be moved to the top of the next day's agenda. During Monday morning's Revenue Committee hearings, State Senator and Chairwoman Lou Ann Linehan gave each speaker a three-minute time limit. Constituents in Lincoln can certainly plan on having busy schedules for the time being.

For the full article click HERE

DRAFTING ERRORS COULD LEAVE GOV. PILLEN'S PROPERTY TAX RELIEF PLAN UP TO $139 MILLION SHORT

LINCOLN- Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen’s property tax relief proposal, introduced through Legislative Bill 1, aims to generate $1.15 billion in the first fiscal year by imposing a sales tax on over 100 currently tax-exempt goods and services and increasing "sin" taxes on items such as candy, soft drinks, vapes, and cigarettes. However, an analysis by the Nebraska Examiner indicates the proposal may fall short by $139 million due to discrepancies in the proposed tax rates for certain items, such as agricultural and manufacturing machinery. These discrepancies are attributed to bill drafting errors, which have yet to be corrected through amendments.

Specifically, tax rates for four items were introduced lower than initially proposed: agricultural machinery and equipment at 2 cents per dollar instead of 4 cents, manufacturing machinery and equipment at 2 cents instead of 4 cents, and home improvement services like carpentry and electricians at 4 cents instead of 5.5 cents. This significant shortfall primarily complicates Pillen's goal of having the state cover 80% of local K-12 funding through property taxes. Despite these errors, no amendments have been introduced to address these discrepancies, and the spokesperson for Pillen acknowledged the drafting errors but did not provide further details.

LB 1 also proposes ending certain sales tax exemptions previously thought to be off the table, including leases or sales of dark fiber and materials used in ethanol production. The bill is set for a hearing in the Revenue Committee, which is generally more supportive of taxation bills compared to the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee. The Revenue Committee, chaired by State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan, has shown greater support for similar past proposals, with seven out of eight members backing a previous Pillen-supported bill, suggesting a potentially favorable outcome for LB 1 in this committee.

For the full article click HERE

SENATORS LIKELY TO DEBATE YET-DEVELOPED FRANKENSTEIN PROPERTY TAX PLAN NEXT WEEK

LINCOLN — The Nebraska Legislature could Frankenstein together a property tax reduction package and start debating it by next Thursday, according to key lawmakers.

Six days into a special legislative session Gov. Jim Pillen called to address the state’s “property tax crisis,” Speaker of the Legislature John Arch of La Vista told colleagues to plan on debating the yet-to-be-developed package into the night next Thursday and Friday, as well as during a rare Saturday session. Meanwhile, State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan, the Revenue Committee chairwoman, expressed confidence that her committee will have a proposal ready on the speaker’s timeline, although it may differ from the governor’s initial plan.

“We’ll be able to come up with something that will provide significant property tax relief for Nebraskans and more funding for schools,” she said, but added: “I don’t know what it will be.”

Sen. Brad von Gillern of Omaha, the Revenue Committee vice chairman, predicted the committee will end up “Frankenstein-ing” a package, taking the best parts from multiple bills and putting them together like the creature created by the fictional Dr. Frankenstein.

For the full article click HERE

RENTERS WOULD GET SOME RELIEF, TOO, UNDER A PAIR OF LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS

LINCOLN- Under a pair of proposals presented to the Legislature, Nebraskan renters would receive financial relief through an income tax credit. State Senators Terrell McKinney of Omaha and Eliot Bostar of Lincoln each introduced bills seeking to compensate renters who would not otherwise receive any direct benefit from Governor Pillen's tax reform plan. McKinney serves a portion of Omaha where the renters are the majority, and he believes that just because landlords will receive tax breaks does not mean relief will trickle down.

McKinney's Legislative Bill 20 would give refundable credits against income tax to renters of 4% of the total annual rent, or $200, whichever is greater, not to exceed $1,000. Bostar's LB 14 would grant renters a credit of 5% of their lease expenses during the taxable year. Bostar, whose district also represents a large population of renters, voiced that providing relief to renters has been a frequent topic of conversation during the special session, and he wants both renters and property owners to benefit.

McKinney and Bostar are not the only legislators who don't have faith in property owners to pass down the benefits to renters. The topic arose during listening sessions on property taxes in Lincoln and Omaha conducted by legislators. Data shows that Nebraska is comprised of about 66% homeowners and 34% renters.

For more on this article click HERE

EFFORT FAILS TO ABRUPTLY END SPECIAL PROPERTY TAX LEGISLATIVE SESSION

LINCOLN- An effort Friday to end Nebraska's special legislative session failed with only four lawmakers voting to adjourn. The four that voted to adjourn were State Senators Justin Wayne, Terrell McKinney, Machaela Cavanaugh, and John Cavanaugh, all from Omaha. Wayne sent an email to his colleagues before the session commenced in an attempt to get lawmakers to vote to adjourn because of the lack of communication from Governor Pillen's office.

Speaker John Arch of La Vista pleaded with lawmakers before they voted on whether to adjourn, stating that the legislature is the only body that can solve the state's property tax crisis. Wayne wanted at least a week's notice before the session began, but his request was disregarded. Wayne was not present for the first day of the special session.

If the vote were successful, lawmakers would have been sent home until the governor issued another call for a special session at a later date. Arch emphasized the legislators' duty to serve the people, citing that the public is watching.

For more on this article click HERE

LAWMAKERS PROPOSE DECADE-LONG PLAN TO REDUCE NEBRASKA K-12 PROPERTY TAX RATES

LINCOLN- A new proposal during the special legislative session provides an alternative to tax relief and school funding. State Senator Jana Hughes of Seward introduced Legislative Bill 9, which would progressively lower the maximum general fund property tax rates for local school districts over the next decade. Hughes emphasized that her plan is not in opposition to Governor Pillen's but provides another option.

Pillen's plan has similar sentiments to Hughes', but hers is less drastic because it incorporates less money and gives the state a longer timeline. The group of bipartisan legislators that Hughes worked with included State Senators Tom Brewer, Myron Dorn, Danielle Conrad, and Lynne Walz. The group has been doing outreach to the rest of the legislature to explain the impact of their plan and promote the alternative option.

Pillen has stated that the state needs to act urgently to solve the property tax crisis and that a 10-year plan wouldn't be effective. The two plans agree in many areas, but Hughes takes a more conservative route. Those who believe Pillen's plan is too radical are looking forward to a difficult challenge during this special session.

For the full article click HERE

LAWMAKERS INTRODUCE GOV. PILLEN'S PROPERTY TAX PLAN, WHICH WOULD REQUIRE LEGISLATION IN 2025

LINCOLN- On Thursday, Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen officially revealed his long-awaited property tax proposals, which included a major tax credit program instead of reducing school district tax rates. State Senator Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn introduced Legislative Bill 1 on Governor Pillen's behalf as the head of the Revenue Committee. Instead of the previously pitched three-part levy reduction, the bill presented an extensive property tax credit program.

Pillen and his team of lawmakers are staying committed to his goal of cutting property taxes in half. The plan is to reduce school tax rates progressively until the state can absorb the entirety of the local district property taxes, but schools could still collect property taxes through voter-approved bonds or for two building-related funds. Under this bill, the state would adjust current tax relief programs and offer a new credit exclusive to schools instead of placing caps on general fund rates.

Nebraskans will also see tax credits that are proportionate to their property ownership. Opponents of the bill have proposed that the credits will only recycle money back to taxpayers with no substantial cuts or return on investment. Many new ideas were presented during the first day of the special legislative session, and the following bills outline how the state plans to make up for lost property tax revenue with increased sales taxes.

For the full article click HERE

NEBRASKA SUPREME COURT UPHOLDS LEGISLATION COMBINING ABORTION AND TRANS HEALTH CARE FOR MINORS

LINCOLN- Nebraska's Supreme Court protected the Legislature's right to decide which bills are related, which allowed the last-minute combination of a stricter abortion ban and restrictions on treatment options for transgender minors. Planned Parenthood argued that Legislative Bill 574 unconstitutionally combined two unrelated topics into one law. Their challenge did not succeed as the court disagreed with their assertion that lawmakers overstepped the boundaries of their duties.

This decision protects the legislature's practice of combining bills as long as they address a related topic, a common timesaving practice from lawmakers. Since the bill's title was aimed at "public safety and welfare," the court decided that the blanket term encompassed all aspects of the bill. Governor Jim Pillen and Attorney General Mike Hilgers celebrated the decision. “The Legislature passed Nebraska’s 12-week abortion ban and its ban on gender-altering procedures for minors, and we are pleased that the Court upheld the constitutionality of the Legislature’s work,” Hilgers said.

A representative of Planned Parenthood, the American Civil Liberties Union of Nebraska, issued a statement expressing their disappointment in the decision and holding that the bill should have separated the topics. “Nebraskans have been harmed every week since the governor signed LB 574 into law. That will continue under today’s ruling. However, this case will not be the final word on abortion access and the rights of trans youth and their families," said ACLU Nebraska's executive director Mindy Rush Chipman. Advocates are dedicated to continuing the fight for reproductive and trans rights in the state despite this setback.

For the full article click HERE

NEBRASKA'S NEWEST 'GOOD LIFE' DISTRICT, IN BELLEVUE, WILL CENTER ON INDOOR WATERPARK

BELLEVUE- Nebraska is forming its fourth "Good Life" district as officials have permitted developers to build a 575-acre district in Bellevue. The district will join similar designated developments in Gretna, Omaha, and Grand Island. The district's focal point will be a city-owned indoor waterpark described as regionally unique.

Under current plans, the Bellevue waterpark will be 100,000 square feet with a retractable roof with connections to hotels, dining, retail, and other recreational activities through a climate-controlled walkway. Bellevue's director of economic and community development, Harrison Johnson, noted that construction could commence this year with completion slated in summer 2026. The district had its sales tax on transactions cut in half to develop avenues to recoup that foregone revenue for use in the project.

Certain requirements need to be met for an area to become a Good Life district including demonstrating minimum levels of new investment, tourism, jobs, as well as retail entertainment and dining attractions that are new to Nebraska. The Bellevue district distinguishes itself from the Gretna and Omaha districts in that the city was the applicant rather than a private developer. The city is looking forward to continuing its economic prosperity through this extensive business development plan.

For the full article click HERE

NEBRASKA PUSH FOR WINNER-TAKE-ALL WILL WAIT IN LINE AFTER PROPERTY TAX RELIEF

LINCOLN- Nebraska Republicans who want to change how the state distributes its Electoral College votes before the presidential election this fall will have to take a backseat to property tax reform. Governor Jim Pillen's office recently confirmed that the special legislative session he called will focus solely on property taxes and won't include the winner-take-all voting sentiment. Omaha State Senator Lou Ann Linehan has said the special session could last until Labor Day, pushing the change back close to the election.

Spokeswoman Laura Strimple left the door open on the possibility of rewarding all of the state's electoral votes to the presidential candidate that wins the popular vote rather than the current allocation. Currently, Nebraska awards two electoral votes to the candidate who won the overall popular vote, and one to each of the state's three congressional districts. A shift to a winner-take-all format would favor the Republican candidate Donald Trump, but the liberal state of Maine has threatened to make the same change to offset any potential advantage.

Pillen was present at the recent Republican National Convention in Milwaukee when Donald Trump spoke. Pillen believes that Nebraska shouldn't stand alone with Maine as the only states to divide where their electoral votes are distributed, but many believe this is a tactic to favor the GOP while the Omaha-based 2nd Congressional District remains highly contested. Trump himself called at least one Nebraska lawmaker to push for the winner-take-all format when the measure was being discussed, although his campaign denies that claim.

For the full article click HERE

NO TURNS ON STEADY RED ARROWS BEGINS FRIDAY; NEW NEBRASKA LAW MIRRORS FEDERAL STANDARD

LINCOLN- Nebraskans will now have to get acclimated to a new driving law prohibiting right turns on steady red arrows. The state is implementing the standard which has already been in place federally. A change introduced this spring by the state's Department of Transportation brought the state traffic signal laws to the same standard as the federal Manual for Uniform Traffic Control Devices, specifying no right turns on red arrows and no left turns onto one-way streets.

Nebraska DOT's public relations manager, Jeni Campana, came forward to clarify any misunderstandings. “It only deals with arrows. It does not deal with ‘a red ball,’ as we refer to it,” said Campana. Drivers turning right now must stop and wait for a red arrow to change, but may still proceed after coming to a full stop if approaching a red ball as long as there is no sign indicating otherwise.

The City of Lincoln had an ordinance that implemented these distinctions before the Nebraska Supreme Court invalidated it in 2022. While old traffic lights may still have additional signs indicating that turning on a red light is prohibited, new signs will exclude the distinguishment and expect drivers to be cognizant of the new rule. The change was amended into Legislative Bill 1200, which passed unanimously.

For the full article click HERE

NEW NEBRASKA LAW CONNECTS 911 OPERATORS WITH 988 SUICIDE PREVENTION LINE

LINCOLN- A new law is going to offer a clear interface between the three-digit mental health assistance providers and other emergency services in Nebraska. The 988 number was established two years ago as a nationwide suicide prevention helpline, available at any time to anyone experiencing a mental health crisis. Their goal was to give free access to trained care and support for Nebraskans, who previously had to call the Boys Town National Hotline in Omaha.

The change in practice took effect recently, allowing 988 centers to route and receive calls from 911 operators. Before this, 988 operators could direct calls to 911, but not vice versa. The legislation, Legislative Bill 1200, was brought by Omaha State Senator John Fredrickson this spring.

Nebraska's Department of Health and Human Services stated the department had already piloted the connection between the two services earlier this year. The DHHS will establish pilot sites in each of the state's six behavioral health regions to expand the connectivity of the services. “This helps ensure Nebraskans in crisis are getting the right services for their circumstances,” Fredrickson said.

For the full article click HERE

NEBRASKA GOV. PILLEN WOULD REDUCE OWN PROPERTY TAX BILL NEARLY $1M IF CUTS PASS

LINCOLN- Along with his gubernatorial duties, Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen is one of the state's wealthier businessmen as an owner of the hog producer Pillen Family Farms and over 30 other limited liability companies in Nebraska. Pillen paid almost $2 million in property taxes in 2023, but analyses point to that bill being reduced by around $1 million if the governor's tax plan is passed. Pillen remains one of the state's most aggressive land buyers with his Columbus-based companies, and critics are pointing out what he has to gain from his reform ideas.

The governor's investment in this issue has been heavily criticized by opponents who state that he is only looking out for his interests. After failing to get his plan passed during the 2024 Legislative Session, Pillen toured the state promoting his tax reform ideas before calling a special legislative session to implement those ideas. Opponents claim that his town halls were filled with false promises to people genuinely in need of relief.

Pillen looks to lift $2.61 billion off of the property tax burden by cutting spending and frontloading existing property tax relief programs. The rest of the lost revenue will be made up by new taxes on previously exempt items and increases on what the governor describes as "sin taxes," or sales taxes on nicotine, alcohol, or hemp products. Pillen believes that to be an economically prosperous state, sales, property, and income taxes must be balanced.

For the full article click HERE

'WE ARE NOT HIS SLAVES': LAWMAKERS DEMAND RESPECT BEFORE A PROPERTY TAX SPECIAL SESSION

LINCOLN- Nebraska legislators have been increasingly disgruntled with Governor Jim Pillen's lack of an announcement proclaiming the special legislative session he's repeatedly alluded to this month. Two days before the session was slated to commence, there was still no confirmation. Pillen's plan revolves around cutting property taxes and budgets while rescinding sales tax exemptions.

Omaha State Senator Justin Wayne voiced his disdain in an email to his colleagues Tuesday evening, stating that lawmakers did not have the necessary information to do their jobs. “We have families and lives, and this lack of consideration is unacceptable," Wayne said. Wayne continued to note that the only way to solve this crisis is through collaboration, and he doesn't want his and his peers' tax ideas to be disregarded.

Pillen first issued a statement advising senators to clear their schedules for the end of July into early August last month. A suggested schedule was provided by Speaker John Arch, but Pillen has yet to confirm whether it will be followed. Wayne is encouraging his peers to call for the session to be delayed a full week due to the lack of communication and planning from the governor's office.

For the full article HERE

PILLEN ISSUES LIST OF NEBRASKA SALES TAX EXEMPTIONS 'PRINCIPLES' AHEAD OF LEGISLATURE'S SPECIAL SESSION

LINCOLN- While Nebraskan citizens and lawmakers await an announcement from Governor Jim Pillen regarding the special legislative session soon approaching, Pillen has released a "statement of principles." He released this list of principles for legislators to prepare for the session. “This legislative process depends on everyone bringing their good faith ideas for the purpose of producing property tax reform for all Nebraskans,” Pillen said.

Pillen's statement mainly reiterated the tax exemptions that he won't be touching during this session. The governor's list was highlighted by a pledge to keep the tax exemptions on food and medicines used for human treatment. Pillen hopes that this announcement could provide clarity before the session convenes.

This announcement comes only a few days after Pillen's press conference formally presenting his tax reform plan to the public. Pillen spent much of the summer touring the state campaigning his reform ideas but conspicuously skipped the state's two most populous cities, Lincoln and Omaha. The governor promotes that his plan is not bold or innovative, but simply provides a solution to the issue of rampant property tax growth. Here is the governor's list:

• No sales tax on food

• No sales tax on medicines used for human treatment

• No taxing services or goods provided through nonprofits

• No sales tax on ag inputs or manufacturing materials (defined as physical economic resources used to create goods to be sold to an end user)

• No sales tax on services or items that are exempt in all other states

• No sales tax on services or items that are exempt in all surrounding states

• No double taxation

For the full article click HERE

OVERFLOW CROWD TURNS OUT FOR LAWMAKER-LED OMAHA EVENT ON PILLEN PLAN

OMAHA- Around 300 Nebraskans recently attended an event led by state senators in Omaha. Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen's tax plan and special legislative session were the topics of discussion with many posing questions to legislators regarding the logistical legitimacy of the governor's ideas and his reasons for neglecting to hold meetings in the state's most populous cities. The meeting was led by State Senators Machaela Cavanaugh, Terrell McKinney, Merv Riepe, Christy Armendariz, Jane Raybould, Carol Blood, and John Cavanaugh.

Those in opposition to Pillen's tax plan disagree with his plan to have the state absorb K-12 school funding, emphasizing the importance of maintaining local control and meeting the complex needs of each school. Criticisms were voiced over Pillen's avoidance of eastern Nebraska, where he is less popular. Though most of the lawmakers present weren't supporters of Pillen's tax reform ideas, they all recognized that increasing property taxes is a crisis in the state and that if it isn't addressed, it will continue to drive people from their homes.

Attendees voiced the same concerns that lawmakers have expressed in the past weeks. Constituents pointed to recent audits to support their point that the state government is wasteful. Citizens are also concerned that replacing lost revenue from lowering property taxes with new sales taxes will result in a disproportionately negative effect on lower-income Nebraskans. Pillen officially released his plan recently and is confident he will garner enough bipartisan support to get it passed.

For the full article click HERE

PILLEN DIRECTED AGENCIES TO MAKE 'UNPRECEDENTED' CUTS AHEAD OF SPECIAL SESSION

LINCOLN- Only days after Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen signed an updated budget he characterized as "fiscally sound," his office directed state agencies to make $280 million in cuts. This sentiment is a part of Pillen's property tax reform plan, and the savings would help make up for his intention to take on K-12 school funding. The governor is following up on his plan to make major budget cuts at the state level by directing 14 agencies to contribute to making these budget cuts.

Many were fairly surprised at the decision, noting its unprecedented nature. Lawmakers from across the political spectrum have voiced that they were not informed of the governor's intentions ahead of time. Some senators have celebrated the decision to save money, while others are outraged and believe that the move was made to circumvent any opposition.

Director of Nebraska's State Budget, Lee Will, sent an email to state agencies outlining Pillen's plans for budget cuts in the current and next fiscal years. He noted that they were looking for state agencies that were bloated or already not spending the entirety of their budget. The governor's office aims to save $525 million in the two fiscal years and reduce ongoing spending by $350 million according to Will.

For the full article click HERE

SENATE APPROPRIATIONS SETS ASIDE MORE MONEY FOR USDA-UNL RESEARCH CENTER

LINCOLN- A bill under the Senate Appropriations Committee that just advanced approved another $16 million in federal funds being allocated to a U.S. Department of Agriculture research center being built on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Innovation Campus. The new facility started being built in May. The purpose of the research center is to produce more food for a growing population while saving natural resources.

If the funding is approved, it is believed that it will assist Nebraska as a leader in agricultural innovation. The proposed funds are coming from a bill that focused on agriculture, food security, and rural development. The $16 million boost comes after $25 million was dedicated to the project by the state, totaling $160 million for the facility.

The project will combine USDA and UNL research, and part of the process will happen at the university's Ag-Tech Innovation Accelerator which was designed to take their research to the marketplace. “This facility is going to be a game-changer for our state,” new University of Nebraska President Dr. Jeffery Gold added. Gold thanked lawmakers for keeping the state and university at the forefront of the agricultural industry.

For the full article click HERE