VILLAGE CLERK OF TINY NEBRASKA TOWN RESIGNS AMID PROBE BY STATE AUDITOR'S TEAM

LINCOLN- The village of Litchfield in central Nebraska only has a population of 280 according to its website, which claims that the small-town atmosphere contributes to a high quality of life. Despite this, a Nebraska State Auditor’s Office probe into village operations has disrupted the calm, revealing apparent misappropriation of public funds, inaccurate utility billings, and lack of documentation.

An upshot was the resignation of the village clerk, whose “improper pecuniary benefits” were a focus of the report. Auditor Mike Foley, when releasing results, zeroed in on fiduciary responsibilities despite the size of a municipality. He said that “for various reasons” proper financial controls can sometimes be “less vigorous” among smaller political subdivisions.

For the full article click HERE

19 NEBRASKA STUDENTS SELECTED FOR INAUGURAL FOOD ANIMAL VETERINARY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

LINCOLN- Nineteen students joined Gov. Jim Pillen in celebrating the inaugural class of the “Nebraska Elite 11 Veterinarian Program” that Pillen and UNL launched in February. The state-funded program fully covers six years of tuition for up to 11 Nebraska residents through eight years of veterinary education, with a competitive selection process.

The State of Nebraska plans to fully cover related tuition and fees for up to 11 students in the professional program. In return, those students will sign a contract with the Nebraska Department of Labor agreeing to return to Nebraska after graduation and practice veterinary medicine for eight years in the state.

Pillen, a former University of Nebraska regent, said one of the barriers to having production-animal veterinarians is cost, so multiple states have struggled to recruit large animal veterinarians. He thanked UNL for taking a “proactive approach” that will give back to Nebraska.

For the full article click HERE

UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA COMMUNITY RESPONDS TO DIVERSITY OFFICE CLOSURES IN LINCOLN, OMAHA

LINCOLN- The University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the University of Nebraska at Omaha have closed key diversity and inclusion offices in the past year, leaving some student leaders worried that the work will fall to them.

On Aug. 20, UNL Chancellor Rodney Bennett announced the dissolution of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, which came on top of $800,000 in related cuts in 2023. UNO similarly closed its Gender and Sexuality Resource Center this summer after shuttering its Office of Multicultural Affairs last fall, moving those services to other offices on campus.

Bennett said in an email to faculty and staff that he made the decision “after considerable reflection and a thorough review of both the national landscape and the specific needs of our institution,” which he did not specify. UNO Chancellor Joanne Li confirmed at the time of their office's closure that her campus has such funding, which includes support for first-generation students and veterans.

For the full article click HERE

TWO OMAHA HOUSING PROJECTS TO SHARE $4M IN FEDERAL DISASTER RECOVERY FUNDS

OMAHA- Two Omaha apartment projects are to share $4 million in federal disaster recovery funding awarded by the Nebraska Department of Economic Development. The funds come from the Community Development Block Grant for Disaster Recovery program, established by the DED to support unmet housing needs related to the 2019 flood.

The gap funding contributes to the creation of two housing projects that, blended with other financial sources, are to produce 162 housing units, 127 of them targeting low-to-moderate income households. The gap funding also leverages Low-Income Housing Tax Credits administered by the Nebraska Investment Finance Authority.

With the awards, DED said it has committed $49.4 million in CDBG disaster recovery funding to support the construction of affordable housing, aiding the state’s recovery following the 2019 flood disaster declaration.

For the full article click HERE

AWARENESS CAMPAIGN LAUNCHES FOR NEW NE CHILD CARE CREDITS DESCRIBED AS STATE AND NATIONAL MILESTONE

LINCOLN- Child care advocates on Tuesday launched a campaign to build awareness of a new Nebraska tax credit package described as a state and national milestone for both the industry and parents.

“This is the most expansive and most robust tax credit program that’s available for the child care industry and for parents in the United States,” said Elizabeth Everett, deputy director of First Five Nebraska.

Between 2022 and 2023, First Five statistics show a 30% turnover in the total early childhood workforce. Over the past five years, the state has seen a 12% decline in licensed child care programs. Home-based child care centers, which make up the bulk of providers, declined by a reported 16%.

For the full article click HERE

AT AG SUMMIT, PILLEN TOUTS NEBRASKA’S BIOECONOMY INITIATIVE AS KEY TO STATE’S FUTURE

KEARNEY. — Nebraska’s leaders believe a new economy is taking shape and it’s putting agriculture in front. Gov. Jim Pillen says the BioEconomy is the economy. State officials say it means “exploring how the state can feed the world and fuel the future while contributing to a cleaner environment.”

Pillen made the Nebraska BioEconomy Initiative a focal point of his Ag and Economic Development Summit in Kearney this month. Julie Bushell leads the initiative.

Pillen and Bushell champion the fact the state already has 24 ethanol plants. Now, they say it’s time to move to the second generation of that type of economic growth. They point to projects under construction like a $750 million fertilizer plant in Gothenburg and a $600 million renewable diesel plant in Hastings.

For the full article click HERE

AT STATE CHAMBER’S ANNUAL ‘FEDERAL FLY-BACK’, CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION BRIEFS BUSINESS LEADERS

ASHLAND- The five members of Nebraska’s congressional delegation briefed more than 300 of the state’s business leaders Thursday and included a warning about some economic clouds brewing over agriculture.

While speaking at the State Chamber’s annual Federal Fly-Back event held at the Strategic Air Command & Space Museum, Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Flood of Norfolk warned the state and local chambers of commerce from Lincoln and Omaha about the budget risks to businesses and the State of Nebraska from continued lower prices for corn and soybeans.

U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer of Lincoln said most of the experienced farmers and ranchers she speaks with around the state understand and prepare for the boom and bust runs of agriculture. Rep. Adrian Smith of Gering, who represents the largely rural, sprawling 3rd Congressional District, said his constituents share the concerns about higher costs and lower prices.

For the full article click HERE

NEBRASKA SUPREME COURT REJECTS TWO LAWSUITS CHALLENGING ABORTION RIGHTS PETITION

LINCOLN- The Nebraska Supreme Court recently rejected fast-tracking a pair of lawsuits seeking to remove an abortion-rights constitutional amendment from the fall ballot. Time is short for either effort, one coming from a Douglas County woman funded by the socially conservative Thomas More Society and the other backed by local abortion opponents.

The second lawsuit was filed Wednesday, hours after the Nebraska Supreme Court declined to take up the first. Attorneys tried to correct a mistake on the first lawsuit and refiled it, but the court again rejected the case Thursday. In the second lawsuit, filed Wednesday, Dr. Catherine Brooks, a Lincoln neonatologist, asked the court to remove the Protect the Right to Abortion measure from the ballot.

Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen has until Sept. 13 to finalize the November general election ballot. He announced on Aug. 23 that the measure qualified for the ballot. There were no immediate comments from either side of the ballot initiative.

For the full article click HERE

AUDIT FINDS PRISON SYSTEM COULD SAVE ABOUT $3.9 MILLION WITH BETTER PROCESSES

LINCOLN- State Auditor Mike Foley’s office released a report finding Nebraska’s state prisons could say $3.9 million by addressing healthcare and health insurance for inmates. Rob Jeffreys, the department’s director, found the report to be very beneficial and will work to implement the suggested policies.

The most significant change is ensuring that all eligible inmates apply for and receive Medicaid, doing so would save the state $3.5 million. The state auditor’s office also recommended updates to the process inmates go through to receive their pay. The current system is backlogged and needs an overhaul.

For the full article click HERE

GOV. PILLEN TARGETS 'FAKE MEAT' IN NEW EXECUTIVE ORDER, SEEKS TOTAL BAN ON SALES IN 2025

WEST POINT- Gov. Jim Pillen and the Nebraska Department of Agriculture announced new regulations against “lab-grown meat," eyeing 2025 legislation to prohibit the sale of such products within the state. On top of new regulations, standards, and potential legislation, Pillen signed an executive order that prohibits state agencies from procuring lab-grown or other meat alternatives.

Nebraska Agriculture Director Sherry Vinton said her agency will be launching new labeling regulations, similar to recent regulations in Iowa. Standards will also be developed to determine when manufactured food, cell-grown or lab-grown meat is being falsely advertised or misbranded.

In May, Florida and Alabama became the first states to outlaw the sale of meat alternatives, and Pillen seeks to follow through on the promise he made that month stating Nebraska would join that list. Pillen and University of Nebraska-Lincoln officials have highlighted that the livestock industry contributes more than $6 billion to the state’s economy each year.

For more on this article click HERE

VOTING RIGHTS FOR NEBRASKA FELONS IN FLUX AS ELECTION DAY APPROACHES

LINCOLN- When the Nebraska Legislature voted 38 to 6 this year to allow people convicted of felonies to cast a ballot immediately after completing their sentences, it was a brief moment of bipartisan unity. Just before the measure was set to take effect last month, Attorney General Mike Hilgers issued a written opinion that the law was unconstitutional.

Hilgers added that a law allowing felons to vote two years after finishing their sentences was also based on a flawed interpretation of the Nebraska Constitution. Arguments before the Nebraska Supreme Court are the best hope of settling constituents' concerns before Election Day.

“I am hopeful that the Nebraska Supreme Court will quickly issue a decision prior to the November general election,” Secretary of State Bob Evnen said. Nebraska was among at least 26 states in recent decades that made it easier for people convicted of felonies to vote.

For more on this article click HERE

NEBRASKA VOTERS WILL SEE DUELING ABORTION AMENDMENTS THIS FALL

LINCOLN- Nebraska voters will decide the future of abortion rights in November, but unlike voters in other states, two competing constitutional amendments on the issue qualified for the general election ballot.

One proposal, by abortion-rights advocates, would codify a right to abortion in the Nebraska Constitution until fetal viability, as determined by a health care provider. The other proposed constitutional amendment, promoted by supporters of abortion restrictions, would constitutionally limit abortion to the first trimester of pregnancy and allow further restrictions to be passed by the legislature.

The oddity of this arrangement means that if voters adopt or pass both measures, the one that receives the most votes will become law. Nebraska’s abortion fight is the first time nationally that competing abortion measures will appear on the ballot at the same time.

For the full article click HERE

GROUP OF MEDICAL PROS CHALLENGE ABORTION RIGHTS BALLOT MEASURE BASED ON 'SINGLE SUBJECT' RULE

LINCOLN- More than 30 Nebraska medical providers filed a complaint this week with Secretary of State Bob Evnen alleging that the abortion-rights ballot initiative violates the state’s requirement that voter-fueled changes cover only a single subject.

The proposal, backed by abortion-rights advocates, would codify a right to abortion in the Nebraska Constitution until fetal viability, as determined by a health care provider. The timely decision ultimately falls on Evnen as ballots must be finalized by September 13.

Some of the medical professionals who signed the letter have supported stricter abortion bans. The group behind the abortion rights initiative, Protect Our Rights, has said it expected administrative and legal challenges from abortion opponents to the effort to let voters decide whether to protect access to reproductive care in the state.

For the full article click HERE

NE IMMIGRANT ADVOCATES PREPARE FOR POSSIBLE WORKPLACE RAIDS, ACTIVE SHOOTERS, MASS DEPORTATION

LINCOLN- Immigrant advocates in Nebraska are gearing up for the possibility of a mass deportation operation, flash workplace raids or other events that would cause upheaval in the state’s immigrant communities. The statewide Las Voces Nebraska organization plans a virtual summit with speaker panels of legal, educational, religious, mental health, and other community representatives for September 7.

Las Voces leaders say the Nebraska action plan is a response to events that have occurred locally and could happen again in the Cornhusker state. They added that immigration-related crackdowns have occurred under Democratic and Republican administrations alike.

Rebecca Gonzales, co-founder of Las Voces, said that while advocates and others in those earlier years developed community response plans, those plans need updating.

For the full article click HERE

1ST DISTRICT CANDIDATES FLOOD AND BLOOD AGREE TO DEBATE ON NEBRASKA PUBLIC MEDIA

LINCOLN- Voters in Nebraska’s 1st Congressional District will see their U.S. House candidates debate live on Nebraska Public Media TV. Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Flood of Norfolk and Democratic State Sen. Carol Blood of Bellevue have agreed to join an hourlong debate at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 15.

Flood is a former speaker of the Nebraska Legislature who served a second stint in the statehouse before running in a 2022 special election and regular election to replace former Republican Rep. Jeff Fortenberry, who resigned from office. Flood was known in the Legislature for leading the effort that set the state’s abortion ban at 20 weeks and in Congress as a critic of illegal immigration.

Blood is a former Bellevue City Council member and candidate for governor who is term-limited after eight years in the Legislature. She has spent much of her career trying to get state senators to weigh the ramifications of state mandates on cities and counties and their local taxpayers.

For the full article click HERE

COMMENTARY: LEADERSHIP IN NEBRASKA NEEDS TO RISE TO THE OCCASION

OPINION (By Chris Chappelear- Nebraska Examiner)-  "People should not be afraid to call out elected officials from their own political parties, especially when they are out of their depth. So, no matter what you think of any of the property tax plans considered by the Nebraska Legislature, it is clear that Gov. Jim Pillen mismanaged this entire special session from the start.

His original plan shifted the tax burden and increased taxes on ordinary Nebraskans so wealthy landowners like Bill Gates, Ted Turner, and even himself could get out of paying as much tax as possible. Instead of the 40% reduction in property taxes promised by Gov. Pillen back in February, “guaranteed,” the estimate of the current plan is only a 3% cut in property taxes. Even then, it is a sleight-of-hand trick designed to make it look like property tax relief is happening when it’s really just making property tax credits that people are already entitled to apply automatically.

It’s not as if the Legislature lacked any alternative plans – the Revenue Committee (led by an ally of the governor) refused to consider anything other than the governor’s ideas...."

FULL ARTICLE HERE

FEDS APPROVE PILLEN DISASTER DECLARATION FOR 17 COUNTIES

LINCOLN — Nebraska governments and public utilities will get federal disaster aid to offset the cost of damage from severe storms that struck between May 20 and June 3.

President Joe Biden granted most of Gov. Jim Pillen’s major disaster request from storms that spurred tornadoes, flooding and strong winds. Pillen’s push had support from Nebraska’s congressional delegates, who argued in letters that the state needed help to rebuild its public infrastructure. The storms damaged $11.6 million in utility lines, power poles, roadways, parks and public buildings, the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency said Thursday.

FULL ARTICLE HERE

GRAND ISLAND CASINO EARNINGS WILL REDUCE COUNTY TAX LEVY

GRAND ISLAND - The proposed Hall County budget for 2024-25 uses casino earnings to help reduce the tax burden for county property owners.

Under actions taken Wednesday, homeowners will pay $407.34 per $100,000 worth of valuation. To reach that amount, commissioners approved using $819,000 in proceeds the county has received from the temporary Grand Island Casino Resort. Earlier in the meeting, taxpayers were looking at paying $418.28 per $100,000 valuation. So if the preliminary budget is approved, casino earnings will save county taxpayers $10.94 per $100,000 valuation.

FULL ARTICLE HERE

REPORT PROVIDES INSIGHT TO HELP ADDRESS WORKFORCE WOES, BRAIN DRAIN PUZZLE IN NEBRASKA

LINCOLN — Nebraska college graduates who grew up in the state are about twice as likely to stay and work here compared to their out-of-state peers, according to new research on what keeps talent in Cornhusker territory.

Key findings also show that having social and economic ties to the state, as well as previous work experience in Nebraska, go hand in hand with higher retention rates.

Such highlights are included in the new report from the Nebraska Statewide Workforce & Educational Reporting System, which focuses on factors influencing talent retention, or staying and working in Nebraska after graduation from college. The analysis tapped data from local sources including public high schools, public postsecondary institutions and the Nebraska Labor Department generally from 2013 to 2023.

FULL ARTICLE HERE

MAYORS EXPRESS FRUSTRATION OVER NEBRASKA'S NEW TAX PLAN

BELLEVUE - Another Omaha metro mayor has serious concerns about the recently-passed property tax reduction plan.

Bellevue has plans to build a 100,000-square-foot water park that will attract hundreds of thousands of people. The city also wants a race track and casino, and Bellevue Mayor Rusty Hike says these projects will help create jobs, grow the population and broaden the tax base.

According to Hike, there is infrastructure that needs to be repaired and replaced in neighborhoods across the city and he says the zero-percent, one-size-fits-all system does not work. Bellevue in particular has to deal with some unique issues. Hike claims state’s unfunded mandates have burdened cities for years. 

Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert also has concerns about the zero-percent cap on cities and she worries about future property tax reduction debates in the state legislature.

FULL ARTICLE HERE