LAWMAKERS INVITED TO TOUR STATE-RUN ICE JAIL AS GROUP AFTER CAVANAUGH COMPLAINT

LINCOLN — Two days after a Democratic Nebraska lawmaker publicly criticized Republican Gov. Jim Pillen’s administration for denying her entrance to a controversial state-run ICE detention facility, all 49 officially nonpartisan state senators received an invite to a group “walkthrough” next week.

Notice of the Dec. 15 group tour of the former McCook Work Ethic Camp, which recently was converted to a jail for migrants awaiting deportation by the federal government, came via email Wednesday from State Sen. Myron Dorn of Adams, who heads the Legislature’s Oversight Committee.

Dorn told the Nebraska Examiner that conversations about a tour had been ongoing with State Sen. John Arch, speaker of the Legislature, and Pillen’s team since State Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh of Omaha notified him in mid-November that she was turned away from the McCook detention center. Dorn, a Republican, said all senators were notified late Wednesday afternoon after details had been solidified.

For the full article, click HERE.

EVENT MARKS ‘MILESTONE’ IN PUSH FOR ‘AFFORDABLE HOMEOWNERSHIP’ IN NEBRASKA’S LARGEST CITY

OMAHA — In the making for five years, the first phase of the “affordable” Bluestem Prairie neighborhood has wrapped up, and Habitat for Humanity of Omaha on Tuesday celebrated what it calls a “milestone” occasion.

Nonprofit Habitat said its $29 million Bluestem Prairie — built on the site of the former and notoriously troubled Wintergreen apartments — is the largest development in its 40-year history. Typically a builder of 10 or fewer home clusters, Habitat believes the venture to be the largest nonprofit affordable homeownership project in Nebraska’s largest city.The first wave of newly constructed homes at the roughly 15-acre North Omaha site near 52nd Street and Sorenson Parkway connects 85 families to homeownership. Another 15 homes in the area were renovated.

Ground preparation and infrastructure for the second Bluestem phase is underway. Construction of those 64 homes is expected to begin next year. Habitat CEO Amanda Brewer said it’s widely known that homeownership makes a difference in a family’s quality of life, health and education. She said it was unimaginable early on that a homeownership project of that scale could materialize.

“This land that was out of commission for so long, vacant, abandoned and overrun with weeds, trees and dumping — it seemed impossible,” she said. “But what seemed impossible, not just difficult but impossible, happened. It gives you renewed faith.”

For the full article, click HERE.

NATIONAL DEMOCRATS INVEST IN NEBRASKA 2026 STATEHOUSE RACES

LINCOLN — Nebraska’s officially nonpartisan Unicameral is in the crosshairs of the national Democrats for 2026.

The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, the party’s national arm that targets legislative races, announced this week that the Nebraska Legislature is part of its efforts to expand the map of where it helps Democrats compete during the upcoming midterm elections. The group’s increased effort in Nebraska will be part of a $50 million political investment across 27 states. The announcement came after Democrats overperformed in this year’s election across the country, including in gubernatorial races in New Jersey and Virginia and most recently in flipping a mayoral seat in Miami. 

For Nebraska, the DLCC aims to help Nebraska Democrats break the 33-vote Republican supermajority in the 49-member one-house Legislature, according to its strategy memo. The DLCC wants to help Nebraska Democrats gain at least one seat, which would help preserve the filibuster. The Nebraska Democratic Party has also focused staff time and resources on legislative races.

In theory, the GOP majority could pass legislation without Democratic input and overcome any filibuster. In practice, some moderate Republican senators have sided with Democrats on central issues that have stopped a handful of more controversial proposals. 

For the full article, click HERE.

PILLEN WILL AGAIN PROPOSE STATE TAKEOVER OF SCHOOL OPERATING COSTS

LINCOLN - Gov. Jim Pillen signaled Wednesday he will once again propose the state take over paying to run schools in Nebraska in an effort to reduce property taxes.

Pillen discussed the school funding takeover in an interview with Nebraska Public Media News about his priorities for the upcoming legislative session. Pillen said local school districts would still use property taxes to pay for the cost of buildings, but under his plan, “We, the state, pay for educating the children. Pay for the operations. That would take a little over a billion dollars, maybe $1.2 billion.”

Pillen said he would get the money by broadening the sales tax base, and by using those funds to offset property taxes, the net result would be a tax decrease. He said his team was still working on what changes to the sales tax he would propose. He added the sales tax currently brings in about $2.3 billion per year, but if all exemptions were removed, it would bring in $7 billion.

For the full article, click HERE.

SENATOR JACOBSEN: ‘HOW TO DEAL WITH THE $400 MILLION DOLLAR PROJECTED BUDGET DEFICIT’

SENATOR JACOBSEN WEEKLY COLUMN - Nebraska faces a tough challenge this legislative session: balancing a budget with a projected $400 million deficit. 

Many ideas have been suggested to address the shortfall, including delaying the final income tax reduction and redirecting funds from the Perkins County Canal project, but these are not viable solutions. Lawmakers must find a combination of revenue measures and spending cuts that can gain support from at least 33 of 49 senators. Proposals to expand the sales tax base have so far failed, meaning difficult decisions on spending—including agency budgets and tax relief—will be necessary.

Income and property taxes in Nebraska remain high compared to neighboring states, pushing some residents to relocate to avoid taxes. Ensuring tax competitiveness is essential to retain current residents and attract new ones, rather than incentivizing people to leave after decades in the state. Attempts to tax the wealthy often fail because those with resources can legally avoid taxes, underscoring the need for broader fiscal strategies.

Property taxes also continue to rise unsustainably, especially affecting retirees. While the state has tried to reduce local reliance on property taxes and provide credits or subsidies, the impact on actual tax relief has been limited. Nebraska must find more effective ways to balance the budget without forcing residents out or undermining the state’s competitiveness.

For the full article, click HERE.

‘BRAIN DRAIN’ ALARM ESCALATES: OMAHA AND BUSINESS LEADERS FLAG JOB LAG

OMAHA —Nebraska business and civic leaders are sounding the alarm over “brain drain” as Omaha’s job and talent growth lags behind peer cities. 

City officials and researchers at a recent Omaha forum highlighted concerns that more than half of the state’s out-migration of educated workers originates in the Omaha metro, with tens of thousands of degree-holders leaving since 2019. Efforts to better understand and counter this trend are underway, including public surveys and input for the city’s new 20-year comprehensive plan. Leaders and attendees pointed to the need for higher-paying jobs, affordable housing, improved transit, inclusive community spaces, and responsive political leadership to retain and attract talent. 

Local business organizations like the Greater Omaha Chamber and the Aksarben Foundation are backing deeper studies and initiatives, noting that the region has lagged peers in job creation, wage growth, and investment—a dynamic tied to the broader “brain drain” issue. The discussions reflect growing urgency to develop strategies that strengthen the metro’s economic competitiveness and keep skilled workers from leaving Nebraska. 

For the full article, click HERE.

NEBRASKA AUDITOR FEARS DHHS OVERSIGHT FAILURES RISK ‘MIND BOGGLING IMPROPRIETRIES’

LINCOLN — Nebraska State Auditor Mike Foley has called out a state agency for allowing “outrageous” dysfunction in a publicly funded program that provides personal assistance to people with disabilities.

In an 11-page letter Monday to Steve Corsi, chief executive of the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, Foley’s team alleged “ongoing financial abuse” in the personal assistance services (PAS) program that helps Medicaid-eligible Nebraskans with mobility, hygiene and housekeeping. “Numerous PAS caregivers continue to milk the program with false, inflated and duplicate billings,” Foley said, adding that the alarm to DHHS was his office’s third since February 2024.

He said DHHS “oversight failures may, in fact, be feeding the problem — effectively setting the stage for some truly mind-boggling improprieties, financial and otherwise.” Information uncovered by the audit team was forwarded to law enforcement for review of possible legal violations.

For the full article, click HERE.

NEBRASKA’S TOP COURT: CHIEF JUSTICE JEFFREY FUNKE REFLECTS ON FIRST YEAR AS LEADER OF A UNANIMOUS-CALLING NEBRASKA SUPREME COURT

LINCOLN — In his first year as chief justice, Jeffrey Funke says he’s worked hard to “keep the ship afloat,” navigating court budgets, outreach efforts, and administrative duties — all while leading a Supreme Court that last year issued unanimous decisions in all but one of its 105 written opinions.

Funke describes the court as more than just a group of judges making decisions behind closed doors: the justices strive for unanimity to provide clear, binding guidance for lower courts and litigants across Nebraska.

For the full article, click HERE and HERE

NEBRASKA OFFERING LIFELINE TO HELP TYSON PLANT WORKERS LOSING THEIR JOBS

LEXINGTON - Gov. Jim Pillen announced Saturday a "rapid response layoff services event" Wednesday and Thursday for workers who will be affected by the closure of Tyson Foods' plant in Lexington in January.

At the Dawson County Fairgrounds event, state agencies will link those affected to resources such as unemployment insurance benefits, job search resources and economic support programs, according to a news release from the governor's office. Tyson will convey timing for the event to workers, the release said.

“The whole state is behind the community of Lexington as they face this tough transition,” Pillen said. “Our state agencies are working together to provide the support this community deserves.” The state departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Economic Development and Agriculture will partner with local Lexington organizations to connect Tyson’s workers and their families with various assistance programs and support.

For the full article, click HERE.

MORE NUCLEAR ENERGY IN NEBRASKA? POWER UTILITIES ARE EXPLORING OPTIONS.

LINCOLN - Nebraska’s largest power utilities are launching an effort to explore new sources of nuclear energy in the Cornhusker State.

The Great Plains New Nuclear Consortium will explore the feasibility of building new reactors in the state to deploy 1,000 and 2,000 megawatts of new nuclear energy.

Lincoln Electric System, Nebraska Public Power District, Omaha Public Power District and the Grand River Authority in Oklahoma have signed on to the effort, according to a joint news release. Emeka Anyanwu, CEO of Lincoln Electric System, said in the news release that the partnership shows local utilities working together for the long-term good of communities. 

“We’re committed to thoughtful planning that puts people first and ensures our customers benefit from innovation, resilience and shared value,” Anyanwu said.

For the full article, click HERE.

CHRISTMAS TREE-LIGHTING CEREMONY MOVES TIMING, REQUIRES TICKETS

LINCOLN — The Nebraska Capitol’s annual Christmas tree-lighting event that has been marked in recent years by singing children and sometimes interrupted by protests focusing attention elsewhere is getting more private in a public place.

Gov. Jim Pillen moved this year’s event to 6 p.m., after the Capitol’s public hours, and required tickets obtained from state senators to attend. The Governor’s Office said it was an effort to keep the event focused on the season’s meaning. 

The move spurred some criticism from lawmakers, including State Sen. Wendy DeBoer of Omaha, who argued in a Facebook post that the people’s event in the people’s house should be open to the public and questioned why lawmakers needed to handle tickets. Pillen spokeswoman Laura Strimple said the program was moved partly to make sure the lighting happened after the sun had gone down and that ticketing was required to host an event in the Capitol after regular business hours. 

For the full article, click HERE.

FORMER STATE SEN. LYNNE WALZ DETAILS STATEWIDE LISTENING TOUR FOR LIKELY 2026 GOVERNOR BID

LINCOLN — Former State Sen. Lynne Walz announced a statewide listening tour as she mulls a Democratic bid for governor in 2026.  The 10 town halls will happen over four days next week, starting Dec. 10 with one in Scottsbluff, and the goal for the former state lawmaker is to hear what people want leaders to focus on.

“I’m hitting the road to get out into communities … so I can hear directly from Nebraskans about the issues they’re struggling with and talk about how we can move forward together,” Walz said in a statement. Last week, she launched an exploratory committee, saying the state’s political system and economy are “broken.” If Walz runs, as expected, she would face the winner of the Republican gubernatorial primary. 

For the full article, click HERE.

NEBRASKA SUPREME COURT HEARS APPEAL IN MEDICAL CANNABIS, ELECTION NOTARY CASE

LINCOLN — The Nebraska Supreme Court appeared skeptical Wednesday about a case alleging fraud in and seeking invalidation of last year’s medical cannabis petition campaign, which voters widely supported. Former State Sen. John Kuehn of Heartwell, a longtime opponent of medical marijuana, continues to allege widespread “fraud” in the 2024 medical cannabis petitions. 

His lawsuit argues a district judge incorrectly ruled last November that the measures had enough signatures to reach the ballot despite allegations from Kuehn and two top state officials, largely based on questions about notaries. Kuehn sued Secretary of State Bob Evnen and the ballot sponsors, but Evnen and Attorney General Mike Hilgers largely joined forces with Kuehn. Together, they argued that at least enough signatures would lose a “presumption of validity” to force the trial into a second phase involving greater scrutiny of signatures.

“Notaries are, in effect, walking stamps of approval,” Zach Pohlman, state deputy solicitor general, said Wednesday. “They are professional truth tellers. And so when they lie, that presumption of truth … gets pierced, and they become just like every other witness.

For the full article, click HERE.

NEBRASKA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CUTS 22 FROM FULL-TIME STAFF IN 2 MONTHS

LINCOLN — After state officials initially denied rumors of downsizing, Nebraska’s Department of Economic Development now acknowledges that it has paid roughly 22 fewer full-time employees over the past two months. Similar workforce reductions have also impacted various other state agencies, prompting new concerns from some frontline workers that Gov. Jim Pillen and his administration are focusing on staff cuts to balance Nebraska’s budget.

The Governor’s Office initially claimed, in response to a reporter’s questions, that DED had seen “0 layoffs/reductions in force” through September and October, when the Examiner first asked in early November. The state changed its tune after payroll records obtained by the Examiner from the Department of Administrative Services in recent weeks indicated 112 full-time employees on DED’s payroll in September, then 101 in October and 93 in November. Justin Pinkerman, a spokesperson for the Department of Economic Development clarified this week that DED was down to just over 90 filled full-time positions by the end of November.

Governor’s Office spokeswoman Laura Strimple amended her statement to say all of the reductions in full-time staff from September to November had been voluntary. And the department, via Pinkerman, now says the downsizing is part of a winding down of pandemic-era programs.

For the full article, click HERE.

NEBRASKA LAWMAKERS AIR FRUSTRATIONS WITH UP TO $360M AT RISK IN FEDERAL BROADBAND FUNDS

LINCOLN — Changes to Nebraska’s federally funded broadband expansion plans that Gov. Jim Pillen celebrated as a victory faced questions and criticism from state lawmakers and others concerned it will hinder internet quality.

The Nebraska Legislature’s Transportation and Telecommunications Committee heard an update Thursday from the Nebraska Broadband Office on the status of broadband expansion in Nebraska.

The update came a day after Pillen announced that just $44.5 million of the $405 million Nebraska was awarded through the federal Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program would be used to connect unserved Nebraskans. Pillen said an additional $21 million in pledged private investments would support reaching the remaining 2% of Nebraska households and other properties still waiting to gain access to a broadband connection.

The Pillen administration plan has received initial approval for its approach, but approval of the actual spending requires an additional step of federal approval, a Pillen spokeswoman said Wednesday night. “This is a tremendous victory for Nebraska,” Pillen said in a statement. “Reliable broadband is essential for daily life, from schoolwork and healthcare to running a business or managing a farm. With this approval, rural Nebraskans who have been left waiting will finally have access to the same online opportunities and services as everyone else.”

For the full article, click HERE.

STATE ED BOARD MEMBER SAYS OVERPAID DISTRICTS ‘STOLE’ MONEY AFTER OVERPAYMENT MISTAKES

LINCOLN - The Nebraska Board of Education had a lively debate Friday morning about a school aid miscalculation error that came to light last month, with one commissioner accusing the districts that benefited from the overpayments of essentially stealing the money.

On. Nov. 17, Omaha Public Schools posted a message on its website saying it had received a $30.5 million overpayment. In the weeks since, the Grand Island Public School district said it received a $3 million overpayment, and Southern School District in Wymore received about $482,000 in overpayments. The school districts will now receive less funding in the future to make up for the extra funding.

In the board meeting Friday, Education Commissioner Brian Maher said many Nebraska schools have been impacted by the miscalculations in aid provided under Nebraska’s Tax Equity and Educational Opportunities Support Act, or TEEOSA.

“Many other school districts will end up with more funding due to the reallocation of funds,” Maher said. “But the exact impacts people would like to know – how much money goes here or how much money goes there, due to this error – are not known, since the recalculation of TEEOSA also includes many other factors that are also updated.”

For the full article, click HERE.

LIPPINCOTT: IS IT TIME TO DUMP THE FILIBUSTER IN NEBRASKA UNICAMERAL AND U.S. SENATE?

The filibuster became part of the Nebraska Legislature’s procedures in 1937, when the one-house Unicameral first convened.

Nebraska’s filibuster operates through unlimited debate, which can be ended only by a cloture motion requiring a two-thirds majority (currently 33 of 49 senators) to cease debate and force a vote. This supermajority requirement for cloture — which allows minority obstruction — stems from the Unicameral’s design, which aims to promote thorough discussion and protect minority views in a nonpartisan system.

The formal cloture rule, which allows a vote to end debate after time limits have expired, has existed since the rules were adopted in 1937. Refinements, like automatic cloture votes after eight hours on the general file, were added in 1990 and clarified in 1994. 

Prior to 1937, Nebraska’s bicameral Legislature lacked a comparable supermajority cloture mechanism, relying more on majority rules. The filibuster’s prominence has grown over time and become a key tool for compromise in the nonpartisan Unicameral, akin to the U.S. Senate but unique among states.

Nebraska closely mimics U.S. Senate rules, so perhaps we should examine the kerfuffle happening in D.C. Unfortunately, our Unicameral is following the same obstructionist path.

For the full article, click HERE

SENATOR JANA HUGHES WEEKLY COLUMN

Student outcomes are a crucial component of any educational policy discussion. Tracking student progress, primarily through standardized testing, has often been used to predict student educational outcomes. Nebraska has used a standardized system of state-wide testing of students for many years. Most recently, the Nebraska Department of Education implemented the Nebraska Student-Centered Assessment System (NSCAS).

NSCAS assesses student performance in English language arts (reading comprehension and writing), mathematics, and science in grades 3, 5, 8, and high school. To assess students during their junior year in high school, NSCAS utilizes the American College Testing (ACT) exam. Each state has its own specific state-wide assessment tests; students in all 50 states take the ACT each year. So, how do Nebraska students' ACT scores compare to those of students in other states?

Most people are unaware that Nebraska is one of the 13 states that requires all high school juniors to take the ACT as a statewide assessment test. Why is this significant? As a parent, as a school board member, and now as a state senator, I have often heard that Nebraska’s ACT scores are frequently below the national average. This is true. Nebraska’s average ACT score at the end of the 2024-2025 school year was 19.2, and the national average for the same time period was 19.4.

For the full article click HERE

WRONG MODEL FOR NEBRASKA - FORMER STATE SEN. TIM GRAGERT

NORFOLK - As a veteran and former state senator, I don’t disagree with the need to regulate pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) or the goal of reducing prescription drug costs for consumers — especially for veterans. But Arkansas’s new law, Act 624, is the wrong way to go about it. Nebraska legislators shouldn’t follow their lead for the upcoming session.

The Arkansas law bans PBMs from owning or operating pharmacies in the state. On the surface, that might sound like a good idea — curbing corporate power and helping local pharmacies. In reality, it goes too far. If implemented, the law would eliminate vital services, increase drug prices, and make it harder — especially for rural residents and veterans — to get the medications they need. It’s a classic case of “be careful what you wish for.”

PBMs manage drug benefits, negotiate prices, and offer services such as home delivery. Millions of Americans — including tens of thousands of veterans — depend on them. By prohibiting PBMs from owning pharmacies, Arkansas is effectively forcing large, integrated providers out of the state. More than 100 pharmacy locations in Arkansas are at risk of closure, leaving numerous patients scrambling to find alternative options.

For the full article click HERE

FROM THE LEGISLATIVE DESK OF SEN. MIKE JACOBSON

Last Friday, the City of Lexington received the devastating news that Tyson Foods, the largest employer in the area, will close its plant on January 20, 2026. When a town of just over 10,000 people loses over 3,200 jobs, it is a significant development.

This, of course, is not the first time Lexington has experienced an impact like this. When the New Holland combine plant decided to close its doors at the same location, it required a lot of hard work. However, with the help of state incentives, local leaders successfully recruited IBP to buy and convert the plant into a beef packing facility. Along with the new plant came odor problems and the need to hire workers who were willing to work hard in difficult conditions. This was a difficult challenge for a community the size of Lexington (at the time) to deal with. Not only was housing a challenge, but the school system was ill-equipped to deal with the language and cultural barriers presented by new families moving to the community. Many long-time residents moved out of town, and some residents resisted the new employer.

Lexington demonstrated considerable resilience following the New Holland closure. I have always been impressed by the commitment of local leaders to face the new challenge head-on and convert problems into opportunities. Today, the Lexington Public School system is one of the top-performing school systems in the state. The town's growth has been phenomenal. Lexington was firing on all cylinders until the Tyson announcement.

For the full article click HERE