OPPONENTS LINE UP AGAINST NEBRASKA BILLS TO TIGHTEN PROPERTY TAX LIMITS

LINCOLN- Two proposals aiming to tighten limits on property taxes collected by schools and other local government drew more opposition than support at a public hearing on Wednesday. However, some members of the Legislature's Revenue Committee, which held the hearing, argued that these bills are key parts of Gov. Pillen's broader plan of cutting property taxes by 40% in Nebraska.

"This absolutely is a piece of a puzzle that this committee is working to assemble," said Sen. Brad von Gillern, who introduced one of the proposals. LB1241, Sen. von Gillern's bill, would require that local government drop their property tax levies in proportion to valuation increases, meaning that property tax collections would be held flat from year to year.

Sen. von Gillern said his intent with LB1241 is to prevent local governments from getting a windfall when property valuations rise. He argued that governing boards, when in such situations, often tout their success at holding tax levies down, even though property owners with valuation hikes may pay more in taxes.

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STATE TREASURER WANTS NEBRASKANS TO USE STATE WEBSITE TO FIND MISSING MONEY AND PROPERTY

LINCOLN- Thursday, February 1st was "Unclaimed Property Day" in the state of Nebraska, and State Treasurer Tom Briese encouraged citizens to check online at www.nebraskalostcash.gov to reclaim their lost property and cash being held by the state. In 2022 alone, the Treasurer's Office, which operates the website, received $29.4 million worth of lost property.

Of that amount, people checking the website or calling the State Treasurer's Office were able to claim $18.2 million. "I encourage everyone to look for your name," announced Briese on Thursday, "Look for family members. Look for friends and neighbors as well. Let them know if you see something."

The Treasurer's office verifies a person's identity before returning lost items. Briese said he has personally never found any property tied to his name on the site, but that it has helped family members and friends find lost property. "We're here to try to get the dollars back to the rightful owners," said Briese, "And I would certainly encourage everyone to get online and see if they can find something there."

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DOUGLAS COUNTY DEMOCRATS WITHDRAW SUPPORT FROM SEN. MIKE MCDONNELL

OMAHA- On Wednesday, Democratic State Sen. Mike McDonnell's support from the Douglas County Democratic Party was formally withdrawn. More than 60% of the county party's central committee supported the resolution, which would "rescind, withhold, and cease" any support going toward McDonnell.

Three of those attending the central committee meeting cited McDonnell's votes on LB574, which restricted gender-affirming care for minors and provided for stricter abortion bans in Nebraska, as reason for their support of the resolution. The committee's measure also criticized McDonnell for supporting this year's LB1357, which would prohibit camping on property managed by political subdivisions, arguing that it "criminalized unhoused Nebraskans."

"We discussed our values and weighed in on the issue balanced with the protection of free speech and our stance as a welcoming party," said County Chairman CJ King, "We decided as a group that we must stand in solidarity with the folks who are most under attack, the folks who are afforded the least protection, the folks that utilize the safety net that Democratic Party has been responsible for putting in place."

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NEBRASKA DED AWARDS OVER $6.5 MILLION IN RURAL WORKFORCE HOUSING FUNDS

LINCOLN- The Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) has announced $6,750,112 in awards to recipients through the second funding cycle of the Rural Workforce Housing Fund (RWHF). Authorized by the Rural Workforce Housing Investment Act of 2017, the RWHF aims to assist communities in creating quality, affordable housing to accommodate growth.

Director of DED, K.C. Belitz, emphasized the vital role of affordable housing in contributing to the state's growth and vitality.

“Nebraska’s growth and vitality as a state hinge upon our success developing affordable housing,” said Belitz. “Today’s awardees have shown exemplary initiative in raising funds to support local housing projects. Congratulations to the award winners! DED looks forward to supporting these organizations as they implement their housing plans.”

In 2022, the Nebraska Legislature approved a general fund allocation of $29,555,112 to the Rural Workforce Housing Fund. In May 2023, DED awarded $22,805,000 of these funds to 27 non-profit housing organizations. With this announcement, the remaining funds of $6,750,112 have now been awarded.

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NEBRASKA LAWMAKER WANTS TO SET 'MANAGEABLE' CLASS SIZE LIMITS FOR SCHOOLS

LINCOLN- Class sizes need to be more manageable, especially when special education students are involved, in order to keep teachers from being overwhelmed, says Sen. Danielle Conrad. She wanted to start a conversation about school class sizes. Her bill (LB1081) would require public school districts to follow specific class size limits to decrease the burden for teachers.

Conrad said she knows the bill isn’t ready to move out of the Legislature’s Education Committee this year, but she sees it as a first step to addressing a problem that contributes to Nebraska’s worsening teacher shortage. “I had the opportunity to visit with some former educators who were sharing their experiences with me about why they left the classroom,” Conrad said.

Spencer Head, president of the OPS school board, said on Tuesday that if LB1081 were to pass, the district would have to hire 1,000 new teachers to comply with the legislation guidelines. LB1081 would require that by the 2025-26 school year, each public school district would have to follow specific student-to-teacher ratios.

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BILL WOULD START NEBRASKA K-12 VOUCHER PROGRAM WITH $1,500 A YEAR

LINCOLN- The next front in Nebraska’s school choice fight could shift toward a proposal by State Sen. Ben Hansen of Blair under which the state would deposit $1,500 a year per student into a new type of state-managed savings account for parents and guardians of students attending private K-12 schools. Hansen said his goal is to “fund students, not systems.”

Legislative Bill 1386 would let people use the funds for private school tuition, textbooks, school supplies, therapies, books and academic materials approved by the Nebraska Board of Education. The new educational savings accounts for approved or accredited private K-12 schools would begin in the 2025-26 school year. The accounts would be overseen by the Nebraska State Treasurer’s Office.

Critics of the voucher push said the plan would violate the Nebraska Constitution’s Article VII, Section 11, which says, “No appropriation or grant of public funds or property shall be made to any educational institution which is not owned and controlled by the state or a governmental subdivision thereof.”

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PROPOSALS AIM TO EASE PATH FOR 'MISSING MIDDLE HOUSING' IN NEBRASKA, BUT CRITICS SEE FLAWS

LINCOLN- No one disagreed with State Sen. John Lowe’s overarching premise: that Nebraska has a pressing need for more housing, particularly affordable. But battle lines were drawn when it came to specifics of two Lowe proposals aimed at ramping up the number of “missing middle housing” duplexes and accessory dwelling units across the state.

Critics told the Legislature’s Urban Affairs Committee they had a problem with the proposals stripping certain zoning and regulation powers from local governments. “This is a zoning matter best suited to be addressed at the local level,” said Eric Englund of the Omaha Planning Department, echoing the sentiments of other opponents who largely represented Nebraska municipalities.

Under Lowe’s duplex-focused LB1165, cities of the metropolitan, primary and first class could not have zoning regulations on two-dwelling units that are more restrictive than those for single-family homes. The other proposal, LB1166, calls for municipalities to adopt zoning regulations that allow at least one accessory dwelling unit on a lot that contains a single-family dwelling. ADUs are second, smaller homes on the same property as a primary house. They’re sometimes called granny flats, in-law suites or garage conversions.

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GRAND ISLAND STATE SEN. RAY AGUILAR FILES FOR RE-ELECTION

GRAND ISLAND- Grand Island State Senator Ray Aguilar officially filed Friday, Jan. 26 with Secretary of State Bob Evnen to seek re-election to represent the people of District 35 in the Nebraska Legislature. Aguilar stated he’s running for re-election to build on his positive record of getting things done for the hard-working people of Grand Island.

“I voted for the creation of the Property Tax Relief Fund to help lower the property tax burden on seniors, veterans, small businesses and working families and for tax reform bills that resulted in $1.7 billion in property tax relief, a 100% state income tax exemption for military retirement benefits, and a 50% state income tax exemption for social security benefits by 2025.”

Working with Veteran’s organizations, community leaders and the Governor, Aguilar introduced LB80 which secures 8 million dollars to build to the Nebraska Veterans Cemetery at Grand Island. Aguilar said among other things, he intends to keep advocating for property tax relief, fighting for quality education for students in Nebraska, and giving veterans and taxpayers in his district a strong voice from their Senator.

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STATE SEN. CAROL BLOOD OFFICIALLY KICKS OFF CAMPAIGN FOR U.S. HOUSE

LINCOLN- A former rival to Gov. Jim Pillen, State Sen.Carol Blood of Bellevue, kicked off her campaign for Nebraska’s 1st Congressional District seat. Blood has lived in Sarpy County for many years, serving on the Bellevue City Council from 2008-2016 before being elected to the Legislature. In her second major political campaign, Blood will run on the democratic ticket as she did in her 2022 campaign for Governor.

Her campaign kick-off event filled the local Electrical Workers Union Hall with about 70-80 supporters. Several prominent Nebraska progressives were in attendance, including State Senators Jane Raybould, George Dungan, Machaela Cavanaugh, and John Cavanaugh, Lancaster County Commissioner Christa Yoakum, Nebraska Democratic Party Chair Jane Kleeb, and various others.

Blood will run against incumbent Congressman Mike Flood, a republican from Norfolk. Flood was elected to represent Nebraska’s first congressional district in a special election to fill a vacancy left by Jeff Fortenberry who resigned due to a criminal conviction that has since been reversed. Flood narrowly beat out Democratic challenger Patty Pansing Brooks by a little over 6,000 votes, a 5.4% lead.

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PILLEN PLAN TO 'SWEEP' EXCESS CASH FUNDS GETS BUMPY RECEPTION AT CAPITOL HEARING

LINCOLN- Gov. Jim Pillen’s plan to use excess cash reserves to “jump-start” his property tax relief proposal got a rough reception during a state legislative hearing. A long line of representatives of wildlife, hunting, banking, retail, grocers, recycling and affordable housing groups spoke against two bills in the governor’s plan for “transformational” property tax relief.

Officials with natural resources and rural water projects, as well as the state’s major chambers of commerce also voiced opposition. And while Secretary of State Bob Evnen testified “neutral,” he also raised concern about parts of the proposal. Some called the plan to sweep $274 million out of state agency reserve funds for the plan a “bait and switch” because it would use money that was dedicated for programs like litter reduction, workforce training and affordable housing and not tax relief.

But representatives of the Pillen administration said that agency cash funds had become “overbloated” and that agencies can afford to give up the funds. Some contracts might have to be cancelled or postponed, they said, but contracts include language to allow that if money is short. The agencies will still have $2.49 billion in reserve funds, the Pillen administration has said, even after the $274 million “sweep” of those funds.

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US SENS. DEB FISCHER, PETE RICKETTS FORMALLY FILE TO SEEK ELECTION TO SENATE

LINCOLN- Both of Nebraska’s incumbent U.S. senators have formally filed to run for office again, likely ensuring state voters will see familiar names on the November 2024 ballot. Republican Sen. Deb Fischer filed paperwork to run for reelection with Nebraska’s Secretary of State early this week, a formal step in her bid for a third term in the Senate, which she was first elected to in 2012.

“This milestone is a testament to the strong grassroots support for my campaign and our collective commitment to earn each and every vote,” Fischer said in a statement Monday. She will be joined on the ballot by Republican Sen. Pete Ricketts, the state’s former governor whom Pillen appointed to the Senate in January 2023.

Ricketts, 59, filed earlier this month to finish the two years remaining in the term he inherited following former Sen. Ben Sasse’s resignation from the body last January. “I’m asking for your vote to continue the fight to hold Joe Biden accountable, secure our southern border, stand up to the Chinese Communist Party and defend our God-given rights and freedoms", said Ricketts.

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NEARLY 60% OF NEBRASKA'S SMALLER RURAL HOSPITALS OPERATE AT A LOSS, HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION SAYS. PENDING LEGISLATION COULD HELP

LINCOLN- A new survey of Nebraska hospitals showed that about half were operating in the red, and the share was even more dramatic, nearly 60%, for small rural hospitals. Driving that financial picture, says the Nebraska Hospital Association, which released the survey results, are rising workforce and pharmaceutical costs, along with reimbursement coverage gaps from Medicaid and Medicare.

At risk if the trend continues unaddressed are cuts ranging from patient medical programs to staff support services such as child care, hospital representatives said during a news conference. The association and its members are advocating for the adoption of the Hospital Quality Assurance and Access Assessment Act, currently before the Legislature as Legislative Bill 1087.

The bill could lead to up to $1 billion more in federal funds for Nebraska hospitals, said Jeremy Nordquist, president of the Nebraska Hospitals Association. The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services and the Governor’s Office are working with the association to help obtain the higher reimbursement for Medicaid and Medicare patients, said Nordquist.

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NU SEEKS TO PROTECT ACADEMIC, ATHLETIC FUTURE IN BIG TEN, PLEDGING CLOSER UNL-UNMC TIES

LINCOLN- The University of Nebraska-Lincoln took a significant step toward securing its future in the Big Ten Conference, which would preserve its membership in the academically prestigious group and its access to the highest level of college sports. The University of Nebraska system announced that the National Science Foundation has agreed to let UNL and the University of Nebraska Medical Center combine their annual federal research funding when responding to the foundation’s annual survey of national colleges and universities.

Securing this change addresses a key issue that the Association of American Universities cited in 2011 when it took the unprecedented step of kicking out UNL. Iowa State University resigned from the AAU in 2022 to avoid a similar fate. Leaders at UNL and Iowa State have said some AAU leaders had prioritized medical research over agricultural research when evaluating their academic peers.

The NU Board of Regents has pledged to do all it can to help UNL rejoin the AAU, including boosting research ties between UNL and UNMC in Omaha. Interim NU President Chris Kabourek said reporting research as a single University of Nebraska was “a first step.” He called it “a big deal” and said it “instantly makes Nebraska look more like our peers.” But, he stressed, it is one of many steps needed.

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NEBRASKA ANNOUNCES $234 MILLION IN GRANTS FOR NORTH, SOUTH OMAHA ECONOMIC RECOVERY

OMAHA- On Friday, Gov. Jim Pillen announced awards of $234.4 million in North and South Omaha recovery grants, which will go to a wide assortment of nonprofit developers, community organizations, businesses, and the City of Omaha. Pillen announced the awards before crowds of more than 100 people at events held at Metropolitan Community College and the Livestock Exchange Building.

"These awards represent historic, historic investments for our community," said Pillen. Nebraska Department of Economic Development Director K.C. Belitz said his department anticipates the creation of at least 9,250 jobs from the grants. Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert joined the governor at the podium, praising the grants. So too did Sens. Tony Vargas and Mike McDonnell, who helped spearhead the legislative efforts to create the grants.

Notably, however, Sens. Justin Wayne and Terrell McKinney were not at either event. Both lawmakers issued a statement criticizing Friday's awards. "Today's historic investment of over $234 million in North and South Omaha fell short of the transformative promise envisioned by the Legislature," they wrote, "Over 75% of the funds are being channeled into nonprofit projects with little to not economic development and are already being supported by millionaires."

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NEBRASKA GOP FIGHT WITH DELEGATION SPILLS OVER INTO ITS ENDORSEMENTS, 26 STATE SENATORS OFFER SUPPORT

LINCOLN- For the first time in their elected runs, none of Nebraska's five-member, all-Republican congressional delegation received an endorsement from the Nebraska Republican Party. Instead, the party's State Central Committee endorsed Republican challengers to three of the GOP incumbents: Lt. Col. John Glen Weaver, who is running against Sen. Pete Ricketts; Dan Frei, running against Rep. Don Bacon; and John Walz, running against Rep. Adrian Smith.

The central committee, which released its endorsements on Saturday, did not endorse candidates in the two other congressional races involving Sen. Deb Fischer and Rep. Mike Flood. Nebraska GOP chairman Eric Underwood had no immediate comment on Saturday's endorsements. One Republican attendee, however, said of the endorsements: "You can't win if you don't play."

Tension has existed between the state party and its top elected officials since Nebraska GOP leadership changed hands in the summer of 2022. John Glen Weaver, following the announcement, said it felt great to have active Republicans from across the state back his bid. "People here are passionate about saving our country," said Weaver, "It's not like a bunch of crazy people who got together in a room."

Following the announcement of the Nebraska GOP's endorsements, 26 Republican state senators signed a letter endorsing Ricketts, Fischer, Smith, Flood, and Bacon. "We, State Senators of Nebraska, endorse our current federal incumbents for re-election in 2024," they wrote. "The only message in the letter is unity," said Sen. Rob Dover of the letter. Dover, whom Ricketts appointed to the Legislature in 2022, said the purpose of the letter was not to take a shot at those who think differently of Nebraska's federal delegation.

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PILLEN RALLIES ABORTION OPPONENTS AT NEBRASKA WALK FOR LIFE TO FIGHT AGAINST ABORTION BALLOT INITIATIVE

LINCOLN- Thousands of Nebraska abortion opponents marched on Saturday from the Nebraska State Capitol to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for the annual Walk for Life. Gov. Pillen, alongside all five members of Nebraska's congressional delegation, attended the march, focusing much of their attention on a potential ballot initiative to enshrine abortion in the State Constitution.

"Not all of us agree on everything," Pillen told the crowd, "But we have to be together...to win the ballot...to make sure that we save as many babies growing in mothers' wombs as possible." Pillen finished by saying that people trying to end abortion in the state need to do a better job connecting with people on a one-to-one level.

Sandy Danek, of Nebraska Right to Life, told the crowd that many Nebraskans don't understand how much of the work the anti-abortion movement's work the proposed constitutional amendment could erase. She said the amendment would allow abortions up to 22 to 24 weeks gestational age, with the possibility for a doctor to decide if an abortion is necessary past that point. "We have to form a coalition," Danek said, "like we have never done before."

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OPPOSITION LINES UP, AS IN THE PAST, TO THE PROPOSED ELIMINATION OF TAX BREAKS

LINCOLN- This year, as has been the case several times in the past, a new round of opposition is stirring over Gov. Jim Pillen's call to eliminate sales tax exemptions, and possibly increase the state sales tax by one-cent, in order to shift an additional $1 billion in taxes off property and onto state income and sales tax.

Others have grumbled over the governor's proposal to sweep $274 million from excess cash reserves, which are built up by things like hunting fees, telephone bills, and probationers, to aid his ambitious goal of reducing property taxes by 40%. Normally, discussions about tax policy in the Nebraska lobbyist are pretty calm, but, according to Walt Radcliffe, a Lincoln-based lobbyist, things have changed.

"But the governor has aimed a loaded gun at many people, taxwise. And they're going to speak out," he said. Debate over Pillen's proposals is set to begin this week in the Legislature's Appropriations and Revenue Committees. Sen. Lou Ann Linehan said she's heard a handful of the complaints, but defended the governor's proposals. "We have to tackle this problem," she said, "Everyone's going to have to give a little bit."

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VARGAS AMONG FIRST WAVE OF DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSIONAL CHALLENGERS DRAWING NATIONAL INTEREST

OMAHA- An experienced candidate capable of raising funds and a vulnerable Republican representing a House district that voted for Joe Biden in 2020 has raised the profile of Nebraska’s 2nd District with national Democrats. the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee put the Omaha-area congressional race in its top 17 “Red to Blue” races for national donors to follow as the party tries to flip control of the House.

The label signals that the DCCC sees State Sen. Tony Vargas of Omaha among the Democratic candidates who are most capable of beating a Republican incumbent. U.S. Rep. Don Bacon first faces a primary battle with Omaha businessman Dan Frei. Typically, the first wave of targeted races receive more interest from national donors and outside groups.

Vargas said he is excited the work of his campaign staff and volunteers is being recognized. He said many of his supporters will be energized by his race being identified as one of the best chances for Democrats to pick up a seat. He said his team is focused on talking to Democrats, Republicans and nonpartisan voters who are fed up with the status quo, inflation and a Congress that gets little done.

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NEW UNO REPORT SAYS NEBRASKA COULD AVOID BUILDING A SECOND NEW PRISON, REDUCE OVERCROWDING

LINCOLN- A new report on Nebraska’s prison overcrowding says the state could alleviate crowding, and possibly avoid building a second, pricey new prison, by handling short-term inmates differently. The report recommended that inmates with sentences of less than a year — so-called “short timers” — shouldn’t be sent to prison, but instead serve their time in a county jail or some other alternative.

Short timers now represent over 50% of new state prison admissions. Because of their short sentences, they have little opportunity for rehabilitation programming or work release, according to the report from the Nebraska Center for Justice Research at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. The report suggest that this approach may prevent the need to build an additional prison in all.

Whether or not Nebraska needs to build two new prisons, as a consultant a year ago projected would be necessary, has loomed large as an issue for state lawmakers. Right now, planning is underway for a 1,500-bed, $370 million replacement for the aging Nebraska State Penitentiary, to be built on the north edge of Lincoln. But a year ago, prison consultants said another 1,500 prison beds would be needed by 2030, based on current trends of incarceration.

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PROPOSAL TO FORCE NE TO ACCEPT $18M IN FEDERAL FOOD FUNDS FOR KIDS DRAWS NO OPPONENTS AT HEARING

LINCOLN- At age 55, Dr. Karla Lester said, she is just now able to talk publicly about her childhood shame: hunger. Speaking to a legislative committee, the Lincoln pediatrician was among 17 proponents who urged lawmakers to adopt a proposal — against Gov. Jim Pillen’s wishes — that would require Nebraska to participate in the national Summer EBT food program for kids.

The program, which would provide an estimated $18 million in grocery-buying federal funds to about 150,000 low-income Nebraska youths, has become a high-profile hot potato. Pillen has objected to the state joining the program, saying he did not “believe in welfare.” Sen. Jen Day of Gretna, who introduced Legislative Bill 952, told the Health and Human Services Committee that the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer program would cost Nebraska about $400,000 to administer annually.

State Sen. Ray Aguilar of Grand Island has made the bill his priority, so it will have a better chance of reaching full legislative debate. No one spoke against the proposal, though four letters of opposition were submitted electronically. Another 153 people sent letters of support. Thus far, 35 states, the District of Columbia and 10 tribes and U.S. territories have opted into Summer EBT.

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