DISTRICT COURT PROCEEDINGS BEGIN ON NEBRASKA MEDICAL CANNABIS LAWSUIT

LINCOLN - A Lancaster County District Court judge said Friday she intends to issue “narrowly” at the end of this week whether to dismiss a lawsuit seeking to invalidate Nebraska’s medical cannabis petitions. The lawsuit comes from John Kuehn, a former state senator, and seeks either to remove the two certified marijuana measures from the Nov. 5 ballot or prevent counting of votes and void the election results.

The lawsuit lays out several claims of issues with the validity of signatures on the ballot. However, Secretary of State Evnen denied each allegation in a brief. The defendants argue Kuehn thinks he is more equipped than the State to determine the validity of the election. This election cycle, election officials confirmed more than 600,000 signatures across 6 ballot initiatives.

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NECK-AND-NECK CONTEST OVER NEBRASKA SENATE SEAT HAS NATIONAL CONSERVATIVES NERVOUS

LINCOLN – The Senate race between Sen. Deb Fischer and Independent candidate Dan Osborn has intensified, with recent polls showing a neck-and-neck contest. This razor-thin margin has prompted the GOP Super PAC Heartland Resurgence to unleash a staggering $500,000 in ads targeting Osborn over the past week, branding him a “dangerous Trojan Horse” for the Democratic Party. 

As Democrats eye a challenging path to reclaiming the Senate nationally, Osborn’s candidacy emerges as a critical wildcard that could prevent Republicans from taking control of the chamber. While he has notably declined the endorsement of the Nebraska Democratic Party, his stances on labor and abortion rights resonate closely with their platform.

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MORE THAN 200 BUSINESSES BACK NEBRASKA PAID SICK LEAVE BALLOT MEASURE

LINCOLN– A coalition of over 200 businesses has publicly declared its support for a ballot measure aimed at instituting paid sick leave. The measure has garnered backing without encountering any public opposition.

If passed, the measure would mandate that businesses with 20 or fewer employees provide a minimum of five paid sick days annually for full-time workers. Larger companies would be required to offer seven days of paid sick leave. Advocates argue that allowing employees to stay home when ill is essential for protecting the health of all workers and ensuring a safe workplace environment.

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STATE SEN. MIKE MCDONNELL DEFLATES GOP HOPES FOR NEBRASKA WINNER-TAKE-ALL IN 2024

LINCOLN - State Senator Mike McDonnell released a press release stating he does not support the plan to change Nebraska's electoral process, effectively killing the attempt. Senator McDonnell notified the Governor of his decision and encouraged the legislature to pass a constitutional amendment to make the change in the upcoming regular session.

Governor Pillen and national GOP figures, including former President Donald Trump, have called on the Nebraska Legislature to adopt a Winner Takes All method for the electoral process. With McDonnell publicly stating he is in opposition, there is a slim to no chance that there would be 33 votes in favor, the minimum number of votes required to overcome a filibuster.

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GOV. PILLEN'S FAMILY BUSINESSES APPEAR TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR UNIQUE PROPERTY TAX CREDIT

LINCOLN- An investigation reveals Governor Jim Pillen and his businesses were eligible for more than $64,000 in tax credits due to a bill passed during the special session that most Nebraskans won't be able to cash in on. It's unclear if Pillen claimed those credits; however, it points out an inequity resulting from the passage of LB 34.

LB 34 creates a tale of two taxpayers based on "when" you paid your 2023 property taxes. If, as Pillen's property tax records show, you paid your 2023 property tax bill before January 2024, you could have claimed the credit on your 2023 income tax return. Because of LB 34, which lawmakers passed 40 to 3 and Pillen signed into law Aug. 20, that credit goes away on the 2024 income tax return and is no longer available.

"Your finances stay equal where they are right now. Your taxes, both property taxes and income taxes, are going down if your local governments play along," State Senator Lou Ann Linehan said.

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SEN. MIKE McDONNELL SAYS HE'S A NO ON WINNER-TAKE-ALL 'AS OF TODAY'

OMAHA- Nebraska State Sen. Mike McDonnell was among two dozen Republican state senators who met in Lincoln with Gov. Jim Pillen, Republican U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham from South Carolina, and others backing former President Donald Trump to discuss Nebraska potentially adopting a winner-take-all approach to presidential elections before November. Nebraska and Maine award a single Electoral College vote to the winner in each congressional district, plus two votes to the statewide winner of the presidential popular vote.

McDonnell was a lifelong Democrat before he switched to the Republican Party in April. He is still a labor leader in Omaha and said when he switched parties that he would never support a winner-take-all approach. Republicans are treating the push for Trump to win Nebraska’s 2nd District seriously. Some have argued it could break a 269-269 Electoral College tie.

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LAWMAKERS AGAIN PROBE POSSIBLE AI REGULATION IN NEBRASKA BUT LOOK TO OTHER STATES AS GUIDE

LINCOLN- An interim study ahead of possible 2025 legislation to regulate artificial intelligence when it comes to Nebraska elections could depend on the fate of legislation in at least 19 other states.

State Sens. Tom Brewer of north-central Nebraska and John Cavanaugh of Omaha each posed the question to their colleagues Thursday about whether the state should regulate AI. For Brewer’s Legislative Resolution 362, the focus was possible dangers for elections generally, and for Cavanaugh’s LR 412 about the use of AI in political campaigns.

Cavanaugh’s legislation would have put AI regulation under the auspices of the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission and require clear and conspicuous disclosures for paid state or local advertisements for candidates or ballot questions.

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OMAHA BOARD PEPPERS DEVELOPERS WITH QUESTIONS ABOUT PROJECT IN LINE FOR $90M IN STATE FUNDS

OMAHA- A $90 million plan to launch a business park near Omaha’s airport faced continued scrutiny from a board that must provide a letter of support for the publicly funded project in order for it to proceed.

The questions from Omaha’s Inland Port Authority board also raised questions about whether the development team would meet its deadline to get the project site shovel-ready for job-producing industrial businesses to sprout. State Sen. Terrell McKinney, who chairs the board, said he was more focused on “transparency” and getting firm financial details from the development team led by the Omaha Economic Development Corp., Burlington Capital, and Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce.

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GOV. PILLEN SAYS NEW LAWS 'BUTTON UP LOOPHOLES' ON FOREIGN ADVERSARIES PURCHASING NEBRASKA AG LAND

LINCOLN- Gov. Jim Pillen is praising a trio of new laws that he says enable Nebraska to proactively identify and push back on security threats and foreign land ownership. Together, Pillen said, they “pack a significant punch” in protecting Nebraska from “undue outside influence” that could disrupt the state’s economy or safety.

“Agriculture drives our economy and there is nothing of greater consequence than ensuring our assets, including our crops and our animals, are protected from interference,” Pillen added. All three bills passed with broad support, and Pillen signed ceremonial copies of the bills last week. He said the actions “provide much-needed protections for our state.”

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MORE THAN 60 NE ENTITIES SHOW UNIFIED FRONT TO UPDATE LAWS, STATE POLICIES THAT HELP IMMIGRANTS

LINCOLN- More than 60 Nebraska organizations converged Wednesday at the State Capitol to announce a unified resolve to change state and federal policies in ways that would swing the door open for more immigrants to work and settle in as Cornhuskers. Among the representatives was Bryan Slone, president of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry, who said he wouldn’t have thought two years ago that such broad support could be harnessed for immigration-related shifts.

The group that gathered atop the west steps of the building where Nebraska law is made grew out of a smaller coalition formed two years ago by leaders of the chamber and Omaha Together One Community, a religious-based network formed three decades ago to advocate for social justice issues. Darcy Tromanhauser, Nebraska Appleseed’s director of immigrant integration and civic participation, said the key at this point was to establish broad support among varied industries and political persuasions.

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'INNOVATIVE' CO-RESPONDER PROGRAM EMBEDS MENTAL HEALTH PROS WITH LINCOLN POLICE OFFICERS ON CALLS

LINCOLN- Mental health professionals will start accompanying Lincoln police officers on calls involving people having a mental health crisis under a new program announced Tuesday. The Co-Responder Program is a partnership between the Lincoln Police Department and CenterPointe. It is to be funded for the first three years by a $550,000 Bureau of Justice Assistance grant and $221,278 from the City of Lincoln’s general funds.

Lincoln Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird said it was a “shining example” of agencies joining forces to get the most appropriate and effective care to people in need. Lincoln Police Chief Michon Morrow said such co-responder programs have led to better outcomes by reducing the use of control by officers and by getting the appropriate experts quicker to people in distress.

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EFFORTS LAUNCHED TO CREATE OMAHA PLAN TO ELIMINATE POVERTY, AS REQUIRED BY NEW NE LAW

OMAHA- Two Omaha meetings are scheduled for October 1 and October 3 to gather public input to be used as the city creates a poverty elimination action plan. Omaha’s plan is being coordinated by the Nebraska Center for Justice Research of the University of Nebraska at Omaha and the City of Omaha Human Rights & Relations Department.

Such a plan, required of Nebraska’s two largest cities, is the result of a law passed by the Nebraska Legislature earlier this year. The aim of the legislation introduced by State Sen. Terrell McKinney of North Omaha is to better understand and address poverty and ultimately lift economic circumstances for poor families across the state.

Plans are to be submitted by mid-2025 to the Legislature and include strategies for use of federal, state and local incentives to help reduce poverty in impacted areas.

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NEBRASKA, OTHER ATTORNEYS GENERAL CHALLENGE CALIFORNIA REGULATION ON BIG TRUCKS

LINCOLN- Nebraska and 23 other Republican-led states asked the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Monday to block a push by Democratic-led California to require more trucks used for transporting goods to reduce carbon emissions. California needs a federal waiver from the EPA to enforce stricter emissions standards on medium-duty and heavy-duty trucks because the federal Clean Air Act prevents most states from setting individual standards without a waiver.

Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers, who led the effort, argued in a letter that California is overstepping its authority and risks harming commerce beyond its borders. The letter was signed by leaders in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia and Wyoming.

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20 PROJECTS TO SHARE NEARLY $11M FROM NE AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST FUND

LINCOLN - The Nebraska Affordable Housing Trust Fund awarded nearly $11 million in funding this week. The Nebraska Legislature established the fund in 1996 to help address the building of affordable housing.

The program is administered by the Nebraska Department of Economic Development said this year was “highly competitive”.  There were over 50 applications that requested nearly $31 million to support projects across the state. The department selected 20 projects to share $10.72 million.

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NEBRASKA'S TOP ELECTION OFFICIAL TO COURT: THROW OUT MEDICAL MARIJUANA PETITIONS

LINCOLN- In a court filing, Secretary of State Bob Evnen is seeking to remove a pair of ballot initiatives that were circulated by Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana. The case came as another case filed by a former state senator, John Kuehn, which is also asking for the initiatives to not be considered by voters in November.

Despite certifying the initiatives on the ballot on September 13th, Evnen is now saying that the petitions are “legally insufficient”. However, Secretary Evnen asked the State Supreme Court to do the same in a case concerning the school choice ballot initiative, but Chief Justice Heavican wrote that there is no process for the Secretary to change his mind after already certifying a ballot.

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RICKETTS’ RICHES: HOW A WEALTHY GOVERNOR AND HIS FAMILY CHANGED NEBRASKA POLITICS

LINCOLN - A new analysis of giving by Pete Ricketts and his parents found his donations spiked when he ran for governor and spiked again to support Jim Pillen, who soon appointed Ricketts to the U.S. Senate. While serving as Governor, Rickets became a disruptive force in the size of his donations to candidates running against incumbent Senators who voted against his interests. He expanded his involvement into races for the NU Board of Regents and county sheriff elections.

Senator Ricketts' net worth is estimated to be around $160 million, which makes him the fourth-richest U.S. Senator. With his new role in the federal government, his federal campaign contributions have increased from $886,000 in 2022 to over $2.6 million this election year. Despite his increased contribution to federal campaigns, Ricketts has remained involved with Nebraska races and ballot initiatives.

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FLOOD, BLOOD TRADE ACCUSATIONS OF EXTREME VIEWS DURING NEBRASKA 1ST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT DEBATE

LINCOLN- Nebraska Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Flood and his Democratic challenger, State Sen. Carol Blood, spent much of their recent debate categorizing the other as more extreme and out of touch with voters.

Flood, who is seeking his second full term as Nebraska’s 1st Congressional District Representative, said he was elected to “turn the page” on an “extreme liberal agenda in Washington” in 2022, which he said Blood would follow. Blood said Flood has contributed to “hyperpartisanship” and inaction while in Congress and that she wouldn’t follow the Democratic Party.

Differences in opinion on foreign policy, national security, immigration, gun violence, abortion, artificial intelligence, student loan debt, and agricultural policies were at the forefront of the debate, whether the disputes were between the individuals or their respective political parties.

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OUTSIDE GROUPS RAMP UP ADVERTISING IN BACON-VARGAS RACE IN NEBRASKA'S 2ND DISTRICT

OMAHA- Two major national groups that spend big on competitive congressional races aired their first TV ads Tuesday in the U.S. House race to represent Nebraska’s 2nd District.

The National Republican Congressional Committee launched an ad against State Sen. Tony Vargas of Omaha, the Democratic nominee, and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee rolled out two ads against U.S. Rep. Don Bacon, the Republican incumbent. The themes of the first ads signal frequent attack lines voters can expect through the November election in the Omaha-based district, attacking Vargas for supporting criminal justice reforms and hitting Bacon for opposing reproductive rights.

Early in-person voting starts October 7 and Election Day is November 5.

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NEBRASKA ACCOUNTABILITY AND DISCLOSURE COMMISSION SEEKS NEW DIRECTOR AS HUNTER STEPS BACK

LINCOLN- The state agency that enforces Nebraska’s campaign finance laws needs a new executive director about a year after promoting a leader from within. David Hunter, whom the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission promoted to the position in July 2023, asked for personal reasons to return to his previous job as deputy director, officials said.

Hunter confirmed the accuracy of the job posting on the NADC and state hiring websites. He referred questions to Jeff Davis, who chairs the NADC. Davis said the commission was “happy with the job” Hunter had done and that the commissioners wanted to keep him in the organization.

Hunter spent the past year stepping into the cavernous shoes of former director Frank Daley, who retired after a quarter century as director.

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NONHAZARDOUS MATERIAL FOUND IN ENVELOPE SENT TO NE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE; CAUTION URGED

LINCOLN- The Nebraska Secretary of State’s Office reported a suspicious envelope at its Elections Division headquarters Monday and advises county election officials to be cautious.

Office staff discovered the suspicious envelope Monday morning, which was isolated in a separate area of the office while awaiting support from the Nebraska State Patrol. With assistance from Lincoln Fire and Rescue and the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department, officials tested a substance inside the envelope that turned out to be non-hazardous.

Officials turned over the envelope to the FBI and U.S. Postal Service authorities for further investigation. “The situation was quickly and safely resolved thanks to the swift action taken by our staff members, law enforcement, and other first responders,” Secretary of State Bob Evnen said.

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