NEBRASKA BROADBAND OFFICE AIMS TO FILL SERVICE GAPS AFFECTING ROUGHLY 50,000 HOUSEHOLDS

LINCOLN- By 2024, Nebraska's newest state agency is looking to reduce broadband service inequity throughout the state by targeting roughly 50,000 households. Patrick Haggerty, director of the Nebraska Broadband Office, told the Nebraska Legislature's Transportation and Telecommunications Committee on Wednesday that his office was finalizing data in an effort to disburse the grant funding necessary for such an endeavor.

Nebraska has received over $500 million from the federal government for broadband expansion, with the possibility for even more funding in the future, and has, through the Nebraska Public Service Commission, Nebraska Broadband Office, Nebraska Broadband Bridge Program, and the Nebraska Universal Service Fund, awarded roughly $124 million for broadband expansion efforts over the past year.

Despite concerns from state lawmakers that the newly-created Broadband Office would usurp authority from the Nebraska Public Service Commission, both Haggerty and Public Service Commissioner Dan Watermeier testified that the two groups have collaborated well since the office's creation. Sen. Tom Brandt praised the work of the Broadband Office, saying that broadband services are critical across the state, and that improving access in underserved and unserved areas will keep Nebraska competitive.

For the full article click HERE

SPEAKER ARCH RELEASES NEW CALENDAR FOR THE 2024 LEGISLATIVE SESSION

LINCOLN- During a meeting of the Legislative Council, Speaker John Arch released a detailed calendar for the upcoming 2024 session along with an announcement of the first bills to be debated. The first bills will be procurement reform (LB360), defining massage therapy as a health service (LB78), genetic information privacy (LB308), and Medicaid fraud controls (LB664). Please see the list below for a list of notable calendar dates.

• January 10th-19th: All-day rules debate followed by bill debate

• January 17th: Final day of bill introduction

• January 22nd-February 29th: Morning bill debate and afternoon committee hearings

• February 14th: Speaker priority bill request deadline

• February 15th: Committee and Senator priority bill deadline

• March: 4th-7th: Full day debate

• March 7th: Budget bills placed on General File

• March 27th-April 5th: Full day debate

• April 9th: Final day of Select File debate

• April 10th: Layover day

• April 11th: Last day of Final Reading debate

• April 18th: Veto Overrides and Adjournment Sine Die

To download the 2024 Legislative calendar click HERE.

WARNING ISSUED AFTER HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS AVIAN FLU DETECTED IN FLOCK IN NEBRASKA; FLU CAUSED SPIKE IN EGG PRICES IN 2022

LINCOLN- State officials are urging vigilance after a strain of deadly avian flu was discovered in a small backyard flock in Colfax County. The warning from the Nebraska Department of Agriculture comes amid several confirmed cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in the nearby states of Iowa, Minnesota and South Dakota.

The deadly flu forced the slaughter of nearly 58 million birds last year, according to the Associated Press, though the death toll has been much smaller this year. The loss of laying hens caused a spike in egg prices, which more than doubled in 2022. “Poultry producers need to continue to be vigilant in protecting their flocks,” said State Veterinarian Dr. Roger Dudley in a press release.

Avian flu spreads easily among birds, according to the Ag Department, through nasal and eye secretions, as well as manure. Wild birds, through contact with infected poultry, can spread the virus to domestic flocks, but it can also spread via equipment, and clothing and shoes of caretakers. Signs of HPAI or unusual deaths should be reported to the Nebraska Department of Agriculture at 402-471-2351.

For the full article click HERE

UNK UNION ASKS NU BOARD OF REGENTS, LEGISLATURE TO STEP IN AND SAVE CAMPUS JOBS AND PROGRAMS

KEARNEY- The union representing faculty at the University of Nebraska at Kearney called on the NU Board of Regents and the Legislature to restore part of the $4.3 million in proposed budget cuts. The union shared a petition circulated to UNK faculty, staff, students and community boosters urging fewer cuts to the central Nebraska campus.

They urged the board to reconsider its approach and accept smaller cuts to faculty posts — specifically, 15 positions instead of 24.5. A group of faculty had recommended that smaller number. More than 240 people signed a statement saying they oppose “any actions that would undermine the viability and integrity of the University of Nebraska at Kearney.” It called the cuts “a very real threat to the experience UNK can provide its students.”

The group asked UNK supporters to pressure Kearney-area Regent Paul Kenney and State Sen. John Lowe of Kearney to do more to convince their peers of UNK’s important role in the region’s economic development and business and cultural vibrancy. Of particular concern was the proposed elimination of the entire theater and recreation management programs and proposed elimination of eight degree programs.

For the full article click HERE

PLATTE INSTITUTE CALLS FOR 'ANOTHER LEAP' IN TAX RELIEF IN NEBRASKA

LINCOLN- The Platte Insitute is calling for “another leap” in tax cuts in Nebraska, aimed at tougher caps on government spending and more power for voters to reject property tax increases. A report released said that it would move Nebraska to among the Top 10 most business-friendly tax climates nationally. It was termed “another leap” forward after the State Legislature adopted major income tax cuts.

“Nebraska has made commendable strides, but there’s more work to be done,” said Jim Vokal, Platte’s chief executive officer. State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn, a key senator on tax policy as the chair of the Legislature’s Revenue Committee, said that she hadn’t reviewed all of Platte’s suggestions but that property tax relief will be a big issue during the 2024 session, which begins in five weeks.

The Platte Institute, in its report, estimated that once the tax breaks enacted by the Legislature in the past two years are fully implemented, the average tax break per household will amount to $3,000. Vokal, the Platte CEO, said Nebraska now needs to embark on a four-year plan of additional “pro-growth tax policies.”

For the full article click HERE

UNL CHANCELLOR EXPANDS OFFICE STAFF AS THE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM FACES MILLIONS IN CUTS

LINCOLN- While departments at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln look to do more with less due to millions of dollars in cuts, the chancellor is expanding his staff through private funds. UNL Chancellor Rodney Bennett has revived two positions: directors of university relations and external relations. UNL spokesperson Leslie Reed said the positions had existed at UNL under previous administrations.

Those positions, as well as two others in top campus offices, have been filled by former colleagues of Bennett from the University of Southern Mississippi. Those joining the university include Dee Dee Anderson, Ernest Franks, Jimm Coll, and Brian Morrison. Franks and Morrison will each be paid $180,000, Reed said. Neither will be paid through state funds or tuition dollars, Reed said. Anderson’s salary is $267,000; Coll’s salary is $250,000.

This month, Bennett proposed $12 million in budget reductions to shore up years of declining enrollment. Those cuts are separate from the University of Nebraska system’s $58 million shortfall and $2.3 million in academic cuts at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. Bennett also proposes cutting the budget of UNL’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion by 46% and reducing the funding for student teaching assistants and temporary lecturers by $1.4 million.

For the full article click HERE

NEBRASKA ECONOMY EXPECTED TO CONTINUE GROWING

LINCOLN- Nebraska’s Leading Economic Indicator, which is designed to predict economic activity over the next six months, rose 0.3 % in October, according to the most recent report from the UNL's Bureau of Business Research. "The modest increase in the leading indicator suggests that economic growth will continue through the first half of 2024, but that growth will be slow," said economist Eric Thompson.

The six components of the Leading Economic Indicator are business expectations, building permits for single-family homes, airline passenger counts, initial claims for unemployment insurance, the value of the U.S. dollar and manufacturing hours worked. Two of six indicator components improved significantly during October. Business expectations also were positive in Nebraska during October.

The UNL report was much less pessimistic than one released earlier this month by Creighton University. That Rural Mainstreet Report, which covers a 10-state region, showed economic activity in November was at its lowest level in three years. The report also found that Nebraska's level of economic activity was lower than the region as a whole.

For the full article click HERE

DESPITE DROUGHT, NEBRASKA FARMERS SEE INCREASE IN INCOME AND STRONG HARVEST YIELDS

LINCOLN- Worsening drought takes a toll on some but farm income in Nebraska is ticking up and as harvest wraps up many farmers will see strong yields. “Plant in dust and the bins will bust” is a saying you’ll hear in corn country but the truth is more nuanced. Harvest has officially reached the end throughout the corn belt according to the USDA which reports yields in Nebraska are up.

After a year when wildfires and drought devastated many it's quite a turnaround and Sherry Vinton, Director of the Nebraska Department of Agriculture says modern genetics and precision technology deserve credit. “Our crops are actually a pretty good average yield for corn and soybeans. When you think this drought is severe as it was in the 1930s and we're still bringing in above average crop in yield, that's amazing,” she said.

Overall, total corn production in the Cornhusker State isn't a record but isn't far off. Economists at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln say farm income is ticking up, however they're quick to point out the cost of raising a crop is also up. Fertilizer and fuel came down from the previous year but remain significant expenses. and several other categories rose including taxes, labor, and rent.

For the full article click HERE

NEBRASKA EMERGENCY AGENCIES LOOKING INTO ANOTHER 911 OUTAGE

LINCOLN- Several law enforcement agencies across the state are looking into another issue with their emergency phone lines. Multiple departments said they were unable to take 911 calls for about an hour this week. The Lincoln Police Department was one of the agencies impacted and it said it’s looking into the issue.

This isn’t the first time law enforcement has had to deal with this problem this year either. There were two statewide outages back in August and September, both caused by issues at local communication companies. The Nebraska Public Service Commission launched it’s own investigation in September, while the City of Lincoln announced new emergency tech to help out.

Senator John Fredrickson, who’s on the legislature’s transportation and telecommunications committee, said in September that something had to be done to protect people in an emergency. “How do we not have a backup in place?” he asked. “What is that backup plan? And not just plan A or plan B, but really plan C, D, E, and even F.”

For the full article click HERE

NEBRASKA HEARING ON MANDATES FACING K-12 SCHOOLS TARGETS TEACHER TRAINING, STUDENT BEHAVIOR

LINCOLN- Nebraska’s K-12 schools face mandates at the state and federal levels that cost local property taxpayers money and cost teachers time in class, a legislative committee was told. The discussion during an interim study hearing focused mostly on state mandates, including two hours of transportation training and a rule that school libraries subscribe to at least 25 periodicals.

But state lawmakers also heard about another costly problem plaguing teachers and schools: student behavior. Riverside Public Schools Superintendent Stephanie Kaczor told Education Committee members she and teachers in her north-central Nebraska district have seen a sea change in how kids behave. Kaczor said the amount of students acting out is greater than the past two decades.

Multiple testifiers said schools need more flexibility on training requirements to respond more capably and cost-effectively to changes in the student population and local needs. State Sen. Lynne Walz of Fremont sought the hearing on unfunded mandates in LR166. She said she wants school employees to recommend requirements the state can cut.

For the full article click HERE

NEBRASKANS TESTIFY LARGELY AGAINST GENDER CARE REGULATIONS, ASK FOR LOOSER RESTRICTIONS

LINCOLN- Nebraskans weighed in on the state’s proposed gender care regulations, with testifiers seeking fewer regulations outnumbered those supporting a full ban on such care, 25 to one. 7 hours into the 12-hour hearing, the first supporter of stricter regulations spoke, following testimony from 49 others who included health care providers, clergy, transgender youths, and parents.

The regulations, required under Legislative Bill 574 approved by the Legislature last spring, address puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones. LB 574, when it took effect Oct. 1, also prohibited transition surgeries. These guidelines set a new baseline for youths seeking care, including 40 hours of gender-identity-focused therapy and a seven-day waiting period between informed patient consent and the dispersal of medications.

With the state’s current shortage of mental health providers, a requirement that youths cannot bank more than two hours of therapy in a week, combined with other financial or travel barriers, multiple testifiers said the regulations — as written — could act as a de facto ban for youths or prevent care for at least five to 10 months (with therapy once or twice a week) and possibly for several years.

For the full article click HERE

WALKERS AND CYCLISTS ADDED TO NEBRASKA'S ROAD SAFETY PLAN FOR THE FIRST TIME

LINCOLN- For the first time in state history, the Nebraska Department of Transportation has added considerations of safety for pedestrians, bicyclists, and other "vulnerable road users" in its annual road safety plan. The Department released its updated Strategic Highway Safety Plan, which goes through 2026, setting its goals and strategies for reducing fatalities and serious injuries on Nebraska's highways and local roads.

This year, the plan included an assessment of the risks faced by non-motorists on the road, a change that was required by the 2021 Federal Infrastructure Act. Vicki Kramer, the state's transportation director, said the addition was an effort to ensure the department is serving all Nebraskans, not just motorists.

"Developing real-world strategies to address the concerns of all Nebraskans helps us increase safety on our transportation system," said Kramer, "We have a shared responsibility to achieve zero deaths on Nebraska's roadways, and the Vulnerable Road User Assessment is another tool to help us work toward that." According to the updated report, the number of fatalities for pedestrians and bicyclists nationally climbed from around 5,000 in 2011 to nearly 7,500 in 2020.

For the full article click HERE

STATE EMPLOYEES UNION DEMANDS NEGOTIATION OVER PILLEN ORDER TO END WORKING FROM HOME

LINCOLN- The union that represents state employees has demanded that the state allow negotiations over Gov. Jim Pillen’s recent order to end working from home. The Nebraska Association of Public Employees said its contract with the state “guarantees” that such changes in working terms and conditions are mandatory subjects of bargaining and cannot be imposed without first negotiating.

Pillen’s recent order that state employees return to the office by Jan. 2 set off a firestorm of objections from workers. Some complained that they were hired on the premise that they could work from home, at least part of the time; others said it would disrupt their families and need for day care and would force them to quit. Some agencies argued that they saved up to $500,000 in costs by working at home.

Justin Hubly, who is executive director of NAPE, said remote work assignments, where appropriate, are beneficial to both the taxpayer and the employees. The union’s demand letter said some state workers had already begun applying for non-state jobs, which would exacerbate the shortage of staff in many state agencies. A Sept. 30 report on staffing showed 2,500 vacancies in state offices.

For the full article click HERE

U.S. REP. DON BACON GETS EXPECTED OMAHA POLICE UNION ENDORSEMENT, BUT EARLY

OMAHA- On Monday, Second District U.S. Rep. Don Bacon announced that he had received an endorsement from the influential Omaha Police Officers Association, an expected, but unusually early endorsement for the Congressman. The police union, which represents Omaha's police officers, said it awarded the endorsement early because its members appreciate Bacon's support for certain pieces of federal legislation.

"It's important for us to show support for Don for all the work has done over the years and doing it as early as possible," said Sgt. Anthony Conner, the union's president. At an event held in the union's headquarters, Bacon said the endorsement meant a lot to him, and that he had proposed or signed on to 15 pieces of federal legislation sought by Omaha police officers.

"Your endorsement makes a big difference," said Bacon, "Your endorsement carries so much weight with the population of 700,000 folks who make up our district." Despite the endorsement, political observers in the state expect a particularly tight race between incumbent Rep. Bacon and state Sen. Tony Vargas, a Democrat who lost by less than 3 points in 2022.

For the full article click HERE

GOVERNOR CHOKES UP WITH EMOTION, URGES NEBRASKANS TO ADOPT CHILDREN

LINCOLN- During a Monday press conference to designate November as "Adoption Month" in Nebraska, Gov. Pillen choked up momentarily while relaying the story of his own adopted son, Izic, and urged parents around the state to "answer the calling" to adopt children or become foster parents.

"Every child, no matter their circumstance, deserves a loving, safe, and caring home," he said. According to Pillen, 200 children currently await adoption in Nebraska, including 27 under the age of four. During the conference, state Sen. Wendy DeBoer also revealed that she had applied to become a foster parent.

DeBoer noted that the Legislature has worked to update laws over the past few years to make it easier for parents to adopt. "People in Nebraska care about adoption, and I think that's wonderful," she said. According to Laura Opfer, the deputy director of the DHHS' Children and Family Services Division and another speaker at the event, the state's top goal is to reunify children with their parents after temporary placement with other family members.

For the full article click HERE

GOV. PILLEN STOPS SHORT OF SAYING NO STATE FUNDS SHOULD BE USED FOR MEMORIAL STADIUM RENOVATION

LINCOLN- On Monday, Gov. Pillen praised the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Athletic Department for being "self-funded" and operating without state funds, but, when asked whether that should continue and if no state funding should be given to the University for a $450 million renovation of Memorial Stadium, Pillen stopped short of agreeing, saying that this process will entail a "discussion" but will not be his top priority.

"My focus right now is making the State of Nebraska can compete," said Pillen, "and the first place we have to compete is in tax policy. We have to make sure we're a fiscally conservative state and we have the courage to say 'no.'" As the NU System faces a $58 million budget shortfall, questions have arisen over how UNL plans to fundraise for the stadium renovation, should they be denied state funding.

"We have been self supporting because of the great Nebraska fans," said Pillen, "There's never been a tax dollar used, there's never been a fee used." According to reports, UNL still faces a roughly $125 million hole, with $225 million in private donations and $100 million from the athletic department already secured. Lawmakers recently granted $30 million to Creighton University for a baseball field.

For the full article click HERE

GOV. PILLEN LETTER TO NEBRASKA ENVIROMENTAL TRUST LABELED 'UNUSUAL' AND 'POLITICAL INTERFERENCE'

LINCOLN- Members of a watchdog group are labeling a letter penned by Gov. Jim Pillen to the Nebraska Environmental Trust Board as “unusual” and as “political interference.” Pillen gave final approval in August to an update of the rules and regulations that govern the Trust, which doles out about $20 million a year in grants to environmental, conservation and research groups. That approval came with a letter.

Pillen called on the Trust’s board to grant money for capital improvements and for projects that provide the biggest impact and “long-term public benefit.” The letter also urged the board — of which 12 of the 14 members are either appointed or hired by the governor — to avoid grants to “recurring entities” for operating expenses. “Providing long-term public access to and environmental benefits for these spaces should be the focus of awarding NET grant funding,” the letter stated.

The governor has control over most of those who sit on the board, the openly dictatorial nature of the letter was criticized by members of the watchdog group “Friends of the Environmental Trust.” The group, which has been critical of recent actions by the Trust, labeled the letter as “political interference” and “inappropriate” for a board that should objectively consider grant applications, both big and small.

For the full article click HERE

NEBRASKA PRISONS LAUNCHING NEW, 'HOLISTIC' APPROACH TO PREPARE INMATES FOR REENTRY INTO SOCIETY

LINCOLN- State prisons are launching a new, “holistic” approach in mentally preparing inmates for their return to society, using fellow inmates as guides. A three-year initiative, started with an anonymous grant of nearly $900,000, seeks to better make ready inmates for reentry by focusing on things like healthy thinking, positive relationships and meaningful work.

The “5-Keys for Wellbeing Development” program replaces two existing classes, called “Thinking for a Change” and “Moral Reconation Therapy,” with an overall goal of preventing a return to criminal behavior and to prison. “Our goal is to approach reentry from that holistic sense of looking at the whole person, and not focusing on just one area,” said Dawn Renee Smith, the deputy director of Nebraska Corrections.

Nebraska will be the first state to try the 5-Keys program within its prison system. Officials have been working over the past year with faculty at Florida State University and a 2-year-old, Florida-based think tank called Well-Being and Equity Innovation Inc. The program will be launched full bore next year at seven state prisons.

For the full article click HERE

UNL PROPOSES RESTRUCTURING, SLASHING BUDGET OF DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION OFFICE

LINCOLN- Last week, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Chancellor Rodney Bennett proposed budget cuts totaling $12 million as part of the NU System's plan to adapt to a projected $58 million budget shortfall. One of the largest of these cuts would eliminate $800,000 from the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and restructure it from a central hub for DEI to a role primarily concerned with supporting university-wide priorities and initiatives.

Marco Baker, UNL's vice chancellor for diversity and inclusion, described the cuts as disappointing. "But, we understand the many external pressures impacting higher education and diversity and inclusion are outside of our control," he said, "Still, ODI will work to discern and reimagine the best strategies and structures possible to preserve and build on the progress we've made thus far."

The Office, created in 2018, worked to promote "inclusive excellence" and uplift the "power of every person," and had a budget of $1.1 million. The proposed cuts would also reduce the combined budgets of ODI, as well as the adjacent Office of Academic Success and Intercultural Services, by more than 46%.

For the full article click HERE

GOV. PILLEN ISSUES PROCLAMATION, ANNOUNCES ACTIONS TO FIGHT ANTISEMITISM AND SUPPORT NEBRASKA'S JEWISH COMMUNITIES

LINCOLN- Last week, Gov. Jim Pillen announced a new statewide strategy to fight antisemitism and issued a slew of actions to enhance public safety and reemphasize Nebraska's strong support for the State of Israel. "From the day Hamas started this war," Pillen said in a statement, "Nebraskans have stood in strong support of Israel."

More specifically, Gov. Pillen's proclamation condemns public statements and demonstrations that seek to normalize or justify terroristic violence and support for Hamas, as well as preemptively denounce statements by politicians or activists seeking to draw equivalence between Hamas' attacks and Israel's defensive strategies.

Gov. Pillen also designated Lieutenant Governor Joe Kelley to serve as a liaison between Nebraska's Jewish communities and state law enforcement to ensure that the proper channels are in place to address security threats. Another action by Gov. Pillen directed the Department of Administrative Services to conduct a review of all anti-harassment and anti-discrimination training provided to state servants to ensure that Jewish identity is sufficiently covered.

For the full article click HERE