NEBRASKA DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE RELEASES GENERAL FUND RECEIPTS

LINCOLN- Tax Commissioner James R. Kamm reports that gross General Fund receipts for September were $861 million, which is 4.3% above the forecast of $826 million. The comparisons in the report are based on the estimates made by the Nebraska Economic Forecasting Advisory Board (Board) on February 29, 2024.

This forecast was adjusted for legislation passed in 2024, divided into monthly estimates, and certified to the Clerk of the Legislature by the Tax Commissioner and Legislative Fiscal Analyst on July 12, 2024. It was then re-certified on August 29, 2024, to include adjustments from legislation passed in the Special Session. Previous monthly press releases are found at https://revenue.nebraska.gov/about/news-releases/general-fund-receipts-news-releases.

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WILL NEBRASKA GOP HOLD ON TO ITS SUPER MAJORITY IN THE LEGISLATURE? THESE RACES MAY DECIDE

LINCOLN - A few key races this fall will decide whether Nebraska Republicans can maintain their 33-vote majority in the Legislature, crucial for passing legislation as it is the minimum number of votes needed to overcome a filibuster. The GOP reached this threshold in April when Sen. Mike McDonnell switched from Democrat to Republican. However, observers are unsure if Republicans can keep their majority or unite on controversial issues.

The Nebraska Unicameral Legislature is officially nonpartisan, but party lines often influence voting. Races are heating up in Sarpy County, Omaha, and Grand Island, with some seats potentially flipping between parties. The outcome could significantly affect future legislation, including high-profile issues like abortion and education.

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US SEN. PETE RICKETTS FACES 'LONG-SHOT' OPPONENT IN NEBRASKA'S 2-YEAR SENATE RACE

LINCOLN- In a special election widely considered uncompetitive, incumbent U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts is favored over civil rights activist and 2020 Senate write-in candidate Preston Love Jr. The winning candidate will finish the term of former U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse, who left his position in 2022 for a brief tenure as the president of the University of Florida.

Ricketts, who Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen appointed to fill Sasse’s seat last year, has said he will seek a full six-year Senate term in 2026. Though Ricketts has been in Nebraska politics for more than a decade, the November election will be his first general election appearance since 2018, when he was reelected to a second term as governor.

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NEBRASKA LEGISLATURE, DISTRICT 13: ATTORNEY, NONPROFIT EXEC COMPETE FOR NORTHEAST OMAHA SEAT

OMAHA- Two Omaha natives with similar political views and long histories of community involvement are vying for northeast Douglas County's District 13 seat in the Nebraska Legislature. Attorney Nick Batter emerged at the top of a competitive primary election, making him the only nonpartisan candidate to win a legislative primary since veteran Omaha lawmaker, Ernie Chambers. Nonprofit executive Ashlei Spivey took second place, despite having the smallest campaign fund of the four primary candidates in the district.

The winner will replace State Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha, who is barred by term limits from seeking reelection, in representing a district that stretches from the Missouri River west to North 132nd Street along the Washington County line and includes the Ponca Hills and Lake Cunningham areas. District 13 residents vary widely, both racially and economically, and the district includes rural and urban areas. When it comes to politics, Democrats are the majority. As of September, they accounted for about 48% of the district's registered voters, while nonpartisan voters accounted for nearly 27% and Republicans about 25%.

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NEBRASKA LEGISLATURE, DISTRICT 49: SARPY COUNTY DEMOCRAT FACES GOP CHALLENGER IN REELECTION BID

LINCOLN- In Sarpy County, a Democrat is seeking reelection to the Nebraska Legislature, but is facing a close race from a Republican challenger looking to unseat her. State Sen. Jen Day of Omaha was elected to serve District 49 in 2020. This year, she is running against defense contractor and retired U.S. Air Force veteran Bob Andersen. With a majority of the district's voters being registered Republicans, Andersen may have an edge this November, but Day has defeated a GOP candidate before.

In 2020, Day won when she ran against Republican incumbent Sen. Andrew LaGrone by less than 300 votes. The gap between registered Republicans to Democrats in the district has narrowed slightly since, but Republicans still outnumber Democratic voters 13,219 to 7,288, with an additional 7,959 nonpartisan voters, according to the latest voter registration records.

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NEBRASKA LEGISLATURE, DISTRICT 39: LAWYERS VIE TO SUCCEED LOU ANN LINEHAN ELKHORN RACE

ELKHORN- Two lawyers are competing to replace the term-limited Sen. Lou Ann Linehan in representing District 39, which includes Elkhorn, Waterloo, and part of west Omaha. Tony Sorrentino, 70, has a background in health insurance and finance, while Allison Heimes, 33, works on immigration.

Linehan has focused much of her legislative energy on untying the property tax overhaul and public school funding in Nebraska. Sorrentino sees himself as well positioned to pick up that mission. He has worked as a certified public accountant and attorney, advising businesses about employee benefits. He spent 32 years in leadership positions at SilverStone Group, a large insurance brokerage, and still runs a small consulting firm.

Heimes wants to create incentives for new college graduates in the mental health field to stay in Nebraska and ease licensing restrictions for those moving from out-of-state. She would also push for investment in crisis response programs and boost partnerships with nonprofits.

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NEBRASKA LEGISLATURE, DISTRICT 5: VOTERS HAVE STARK CHOICE IN SOUTH OMAHA LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT

OMAHA- Two candidates with starkly different political views but similarly low-budget campaigns are competing for South Omaha's District 5 legislative seat. Margo Juarez, a Democrat on the Omaha Public Schools board, won the three-way May primary. Gilbert Ayala, a frequent Republican candidate, came in second.

The winner in the general election will replace State Sen. Mike McDonnell, a Democrat turned Republican who is barred by term limits from seeking reelection. The district leans heavily Democratic, with more than 45% of voters registered to the party. Another 29% are registered as nonpartisan and 25% are Republicans.

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NEBRASKA LEGISLATURE, DISTRICT 45: VIEWS ON ABORTION, GENDER, 'SCHOOL CHOICE' OFFER CONTRAST

BELLEVUE- Voters of eastern Sarpy County's District 45 will pick between a Democrat and a Republican with sharply contrasting views on abortion, gender, and 'school choice.' Rita Sanders, a Republican businessperson and former mayor of Bellevue who is backed by a broad array of business interests, is seeking her second term in the Legislature. Democrat Sarah Centineo, an attorney who said she taps her nursing experience to advocate for people hurt by medical malpractice, is backed by trial attorneys and a couple of big labor unions.

Sanders said a top priority for her would be addressing the state's future energy needs, in particular exploring the possibilities of energy from spent nuclear fuel, what used to be called waste. Centineo said her healthcare background would set her apart from most state senators. The district covers the eastern quarter of Sarpy County, including parts of Bellevue.

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FORWARD PARTY LEADERS STUMP IN NEBRASKA FOR NONPARTISAN CANDIDATES

OMAHA- Forward Party leaders came to Omaha on Tuesday to discuss the need for independent voices in politics and to show support for local nonpartisan candidates running for office. Harold’s Koffee House in the Florence area was among the stops for Andrew Yang, a 2020 Democratic presidential candidate who later started the Forward Party, and the party’s executive chair, former Massachusetts Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey.

The two had a bite to eat with and spoke on behalf of Nick Batter, a nonpartisan candidate for Legislative District 13 in the officially nonpartisan Nebraska Legislature. Yang and Healey said they were in town also to support Dan Osborn, a nonpartisan candidate for U.S. Senate running against incumbent Republican Deb Fischer.

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HEARINGS ON COMPETING NEBRASKA ABORTION INITIATIVES MIRROR CAMPAIGN

LINCOLN- Nebraska’s dueling ballot initiatives on abortion had separate hearings Tuesday at the Capitol, with the testimony largely echoing the campaign fight between the sponsors. Advocates for additional abortion restrictions spoke in support of Initiative 434, which would allow no abortions after the first trimester of pregnancy, with some exceptions. Critics of the restrictions amendment said it was designed to leave the Nebraska Legislature the option of limiting abortion more than the amendment calls for, up to and including a total ban.

Abortion-rights advocates supported Initiative 439, which would put a right to abortion in the Nebraska Constitution until fetal viability, as defined by a treating health care practitioner. Critics of the abortion-rights measure argued it would leave too much room for midwives and doulas to decide viability, decisions they said were best left to doctors.

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NEBRASKA SUPREME COURT UPHOLDS VOTING RIGHTS FOR FELONS

LINCOLN- The Nebraska Supreme Court ordered the secretary of state on Wednesday to allow people with felony convictions to vote after finishing their sentences, resolving confusion about who can participate in this year’s election and rejecting an argument by the state attorney general that lawmakers overstepped in extending voting rights to those with convictions.

The ruling will help shape the state’s electorate, which can carry special importance in presidential races because of the way Nebraska splits its Electoral College votes by congressional district rather than using the winner-takes-all approach of most states. Nebraska also has a competitive U.S. Senate race this year, as well as a tightly contested U.S. House race in the Omaha area. The debate in Nebraska played out at a time when Republican officials in several states were seeking to tighten voter registration rules or reconsidering when people with felony convictions should be eligible to cast ballots.

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THREE OF FOUR INCUMBENT NU REGENTS FACE CHALLENGERS THIS ELECTION

LINCOLN- Four seats are up for election this November on the University of Nebraska Board of Regents, responsible for governance and oversight of the state's only public university system. Each of the four elections features a sitting incumbent, but only three of the races will be contested this fall.

The eight-member Board of Regents is responsible for hiring NU's president, setting tuition and room and board rates for students, approving annual operating budgets, and reviewing academic programs.

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BACON, VARGAS SPEND FINAL 2ND DISTRICT DEBATE SWINGING FOR UNDECIDEDS

OMAHA - State Senator Tony Vargas and U.S. Representative Don Bacon had their third and final debate before the November General Election. The highly contentious debate focused on support for law enforcement, taxes, abortion, and climate change. 

Bacon focused on his support of law enforcement and accused Vargas of “leading” protests against the police in 2020. Vargas denied the accusation and pointed Bacon to witness accounts of the protest. When given the chance to state what they liked about the other candidate, both attacked each other for “spreading misinformation” and being a “phony”.

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IOWA SEN. JONI ERNST PUSHES IMPORTANCE OF TRUMP GROUND GAME IN NEBRASKA’S 2ND DISTRICT

OMAHA — Iowa Republican Senator Joni Ernst attended a rally to energize more than 100 GOP volunteers, urging them to continue door-knocking efforts in Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District. The district has become a point of concern for the Trump campaign, which is being outspent 20-to-1 in advertising.

Both campaigns are heavily focused on the 2nd District, deploying prominent surrogates to bolster support. Democratic Senator Michael Bennet of Colorado recently visited Omaha on behalf of Vice President Harris, underscoring the significance of the area in the national race. With its history of splitting electoral votes, the 2nd District remains a key battleground that could influence the outcome in a tight election year.

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TIM WALZ COMING BACK TO NEBRASKA’S 2ND DISTRICT FOR HARRIS ON OCT. 19

OMAHA — Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, the Democratic Vice Presidential candidate, is set to campaign in Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District on October 19th. This will mark Walz's second visit to the Omaha area, following an earlier stop in La Vista shortly after being announced as Vice President Kamala Harris' running mate.

Nebraska’s unique method of awarding electoral college votes, which can split by congressional district, has placed the 2nd District in the national spotlight. The district notably flipped between elections, with former President Donald Trump winning it in 2016 and Joe Biden in 2020. Recent polls show Harris leading in the district.

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NEW FISCHER POLL, OTHERS SHOW HER U.S. SENATE RACE WITH OSBORN REMAINS TIGHT

LINCOLN — Incumbent Republican Senator Deb Fischer released an internal campaign poll showing her with a slight edge over independent challenger Dan Osborn. According to the poll, Fischer leads Osborn 48% to 42%, with 10% of voters undecided and a 4% margin of error. However, Osborn’s own campaign poll presents a different narrative, placing him narrowly ahead with 45% compared to Fischer's 44%.

This divergence in polling has raised concerns within the national GOP, prompting a significant financial response. Over the past month, Republican-aligned groups have poured millions into anti-Osborn advertising. Among them, the super PAC Ending Spending, backed by conservative donors Marlene and Joe Ricketts—the parents of U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.)—has invested $1.4 million in attack ads scheduled to air throughout October.

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'DREAM TEAM' TAPPED TO LEAD NEBRASKA RACING AND GAMING AGENCY

LINCOLN - Members of the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission on Friday recommended Casey Ricketts as the next executive director of the agency.

Commissioners Friday also selected one of the other finalists, Laurie Holman, to serve in a new position as the agency’s deputy director. Holman currently serves as Legal Counsel for the Legislature's General Affairs Committee.

Ricketts, one of four finalists for the job, has been interim director of the agency that regulates Nebraska casinos and horse racing.

Commissioners noted that under a new law her selection is subject to the approval of Gov. Jim Pillen. Commission Chair Denny Lee said he would be sending word of the choice to the governor.

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NOMINATING COMMISSION FORWARDS CHIEF JUSTICE APPLICANTS TO NEBRASKA GOV. JIM PILLEN

LINCOLN - The Judicial Nominating Commission that was created to replace Nebraska State Supreme Court Justice Mike Heavican advanced all four applicants for the seat. Gov. Pillen will now select his choice to replace the Chief Justice once he retires on October 31.

The Governor has 60 days to make the selection, otherwise, the acting Chief Justice will select from the list according to the Nebraska Constitution. Chief Justice Heavican is leaving the Court after serving for 19 years.

Advanced candidates are: sitting Supreme Court Justice Jeffrey Funke, Sarpy County Judge Patricia Freeman, Saline County District Judge David Bargen and Lancaster County District Judge Ryan Post.

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IOWA, NEBRASKA, 18 OTHER STATES SUE FEDS TO BLOCK STAFFING MANDATES FOR NURSING HOMES

LINCOLN – Nebraska has joined 19 other states in filing a lawsuit against the Biden administration to block new federal regulations on nursing home staffing. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized rules in April that mandate nursing homes to assess residents' needs and provide a minimum of 3.48 hours of direct nursing care per resident, per day. Additionally, the regulations require nursing homes to have a registered nurse (RN) on staff 24/7.

The lawsuit argues that these new requirements place an undue burden on an industry already grappling with severe staffing shortages. A study by the Long-Term Care Community Coalition revealed that only 60% of nursing homes would be able to meet the new standards. Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers criticized the rules, stating, “Unfortunately, the CMS rule imposes new burdens on nursing homes that are both unlawful and counterproductive.”

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ADVOCATES HOPE NEBRASKA SUPREME COURT RULES SOON ON FUTURE OF FELONY VOTING LAW

OMAHA- In a letter to supporters this month, the Voting Rights Restoration Coalition, a collection of statewide advocacy groups, wrote that the Nebraska Supreme Court needs to rule soon on whether the State Constitution reserves the power to restore voting rights to the executive or legislative branch. The letter encouraged people seeking to register to vote or learn more information about how to regain their right to vote by visiting the coalition’s website.

Justices heard oral arguments in late August on a lawsuit seeking to overturn an administrative decision by Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen, following the advice of Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers, not to register voters under Legislative Bill 20, a state law passed this spring eliminating a two-year waiting period to vote after serving a felony sentence. Officials with the Voting Rights Restoration Coalition say they must rely on social media, traditional media, and other forms of outreach to let people know if and when they can register.

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