HEARING ON MANDATORY E-VERIFY FOR BUSINESSES DRAWS MIXED RESPONSES

LINCOLN- Testifiers on Monday were about split for and against a measure that would require some 6,350 Nebraska employers to use an online verifying system to weed out undocumented workers — or face suspension of their business license. Legislative Bill 532, introduced by State Sen. Kathleen Kauth of Omaha, would require businesses with at least 25 workers to tap the E-Verify system or a government equivalent that checks an applicant’s eligibility to work.

The Nebraska Labor Department says about 6,350 of the state’s businesses currently fit that bill. Some already use E-Verify: public contractors and employers that receive tax incentives from the state are mandated; some others use it voluntarily. Kauth, during a public hearing for her bill before the Legislature’s Business and Labor Committee on Monday, said E-Verify should help guarantee Nebraska businesses “peace of mind and a level playing field.”

“Yes, our jobs need to be filled, but we’ve got to make sure the people we have here — who are citizens not just of this state but of this country — are able to do those jobs first and foremost,” Kauth said.

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LAWMAKERS ASKED TO RESTORE FUNDING FOR CHIEF STANDING BEAR MUSEUM, LAKE PROJECTS

LINCOLN- State lawmakers were told Monday that restoring funding for a Standing Bear museum and improvements at two large lakes would enhance tourism and economic development and honor “an extraordinary Nebraskan.” Author Joe Starita, whose book about Chief Standing Bear, “I Am a Man,” led to the filming of a Hollywood movie and issuance of a U.S. Postal Service stamp, was among several people urging legislators to restore $14 million in state funding for a museum and cultural center honoring Standing Bear. The funding was cut as part of an effort to close the state’s multi-million dollar budget deficit.

Others testified to restore funds to build an expanded marina on Lewis & Clark Lake in northeast Nebraska and to reverse a cut in funds to improve roads and infrastructure on western Nebraska’s popular Lake McConaughy. Advocates for adding 350 new slips and a visitors center at the Wiegand Marina on Lewis & Clark Lake said the $40 million project has already sparked the construction of new private campgrounds and is key to attracting visitors and new residents. Testifiers said South Dakota — on the north side of the lake — is getting the bulk of tourism dollars spent by the 2 million visitors each year to the reservoir on the Missouri River.

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U.S. REP. DON BACON, ON '60 MINUTES,' SAYS TRUMP WRONG TO APPEASE PUTIN

OMAHA- Nebraska Republican U.S. Rep. Don Bacon stepped onto a national stage Sunday to express concerns about President Donald Trump’s recent statements about Ukraine. On the CBS news program “60 Minutes,” Bacon, a retired Air Force brigadier general, said it appeared that the president was trying to “appease” Russian leader Vladimir Putin by saying that Ukraine “started” the war in that Eastern European nation and that any peace deal should include no security guarantee from the West.

“I hope it’s not as bad as it sounds,” Bacon told “60 Minutes” correspondent Scott Pelley. “America is the leader of the free world, we’re the indispensable power. No one can stand up to Russia and China if we’re not a part of that.” While Bacon said it appears as if Trump is trying to curry favor with Putin with his comments, the congressman added, “I don’t know his motives. Some people think he’s doing this for negotiating and maybe to help get a better deal.”

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SANDHILLS GLOBAL PLANS EXPANSION ON ITS NORTHWEST LINCOLN CAMPUS

LINCOLN- Sandhills Global is planning to expand its campus in northwest Lincoln with 12 new buildings, ultimately adding up to 360,000 square feet for office and commercial space. The City Council on Monday approved an amendment to an existing special permit that includes a preliminary site layout for the expansion, as well as drainage plans, and a waiver to the height requirements so the business can add buildings up to 60 feet tall.

The waiver allows for buildings to be 15 feet beyond the existing 45-foot limit for office space and 5 feet beyond the 55-foot limit for manufacturing and storage space. City planners said the waiver won’t significantly impact surrounding areas because the Sandhills campus is bordered by a business district to the west and northwest and a residential district to the north, which is separated by West Fletcher Avenue and already allows 55-foot apartment buildings.

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LABOR GROUPS RING ALARMS OVER PROPOSED CHANGES TO MINIMUM WAGE, PAID SICK LEAVE LAWS

LINCOLN- Labor activists stood in the Capitol Rotunda during Thursday morning’s agenda and criticized a pair of legislative bills seeking to weaken voter-approved minimum wage and paid sick leave laws, which keep marching on in the Nebraska statehouse. Worker advocates and union leaders spoke out against the proposed changes as attempts to undermine the will of Nebraska voters, who over the past three years have approved increasing wages and paid leave for all workers via ballot measure.

Nebraska voters approved a ballot measure last November to establish a minimum level of paid sick leave for all workers. The initiative mandates that Nebraska businesses provide employees up to seven days of paid sick leave for businesses with at least 20 employees and five days a year for those with fewer than 20 employees. In 2022, Nebraska voters passed a ballot measure to increase the state minimum wage to $15 per hour starting next year. The measure’s design raised the minimum wage by increments to reach that point.

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SENATORS WILL CONSIDER ADVANCING BILL TO MAKE NEBRASKA WINNER-TAKE-ALL ON MONDAY

LINCOLN- Nebraska state lawmakers will consider advancing a proposal to change how the state awards its Electoral College votes in presidential races to the floor of the Legislature on Monday morning. Sen. Loren Lippincott of Central City, who introduced the bill (LB3) this year, said the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee will hold an executive session early next week to determine the measure's next steps.

If advanced from the committee, passed by the Legislature, and signed into law by Gov. Jim Pillen, LB3 would end the 34-year-old system of awarding electoral votes to the winner of the presidential election in each of Nebraska's three congressional districts. Nebraska's other two votes go to the statewide winner.

Moving the Cornhusker State back to a "winner-take-all" system would mean the winner of the popular vote in Nebraska would take home all five of its Electoral College votes.

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DECREASE IN FEDERAL SHARE OF MEDICAID COSTS INCREASES STATE BUDGET SHORTFALL

LINCOLN- The federal government is again planning to decrease the percentage of state Medicaid costs it will cover for Nebraska, leaving state lawmakers on the hook for an additional $90.3 million this budgeting cycle. State Sen. Rob Clements of Elmwood, chair of the budget-writing Appropriations Committee, announced the revision Thursday, one day after legislative staff found the overlooked Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) revisions from January.

That oversight will eat into the progress of a recently amended two-year economic forecast, which decreased an initial $432 million shortfall at the start of the session to $267 million. That’s because of an additional $65 million in projected tax revenue over the next two fiscal years. Lawmakers also have the option of accessing an additional $100 million in revenue from this fiscal year that went automatically to the cash reserve. The change Clements discussed this week determines federal matching funds to offset state Medicaid costs, meaning the recent decrease in federal funds leaves the state needing to pay for more.

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STATE CUTTING DOWN DISABILITIES WAITING LIST BUT PARENTS STILL HAVE CONCERNS

LINCOLN- Nearly a year after Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen announced plans to eliminate the state’s waiting list for individuals seeking intellectual and developmental disability services, state officials say they have whittled the list by nearly two-thirds. The state, Pillen said last March, was taking a new approach to “reimagine how services are offered to individuals with IDD in Nebraska and save taxpayer dollars.”

As of mid-February, the number of individuals on the list stood at about 940, down from just more than 2,700 at the time the governor made his announcement, according to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. Recently, Tony Green, NDHHS developmental disabilities director, said the agency now expects to eliminate the list by July, three months ahead of schedule.

But while families, providers, and advocates say the state is making progress, the transition has raised ongoing concerns that some might lose services or not be able to access them when they need them, particularly as the state seeks to adopt a new tool for assessing needs.

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NEBRASKA LAWMAKERS PROPOSE EXTENDING TERM LIMITS

LINCOLN- Two state senators proposed constitutional amendments to extend lawmakers' term limits to three consecutive terms, rather than the current two. If the Legislature passes either measure, it would be up to voters to approve it in 2026, If approved, it would take effect in 2028.

The sponsoring lawmakers, Sens. Megan Hunt of Omaha and Robert Dover of Norfolk, differ ideologically on most policy issues. Dover is a conservative Republican; Hunt is a progressive independent. Hunt said that most lawmakers are on the same page about the current limits.

During a joint public hearing before the Executive Board Thursday, Dover and Hunt argued the current limit restricts institutional expertise, gives undue power to outside bureaucrats and lobbyists, lessens voters' ability to reelect strong senators, and doesn't give enough time for lawmakers to fully grasp complex issues that impact the state.

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STATE SEN. BOB ANDERSEN PUSHES TO LIMIT WHO CAN RECEIVE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE

LINCOLN — State Sen. Bob Andersen of Papillion introduced Legislative Bill 656, which would adjust who is eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, a state and federal government program that provides monthly funds to help people buy groceries at stores. The bill’s significant change would no longer let the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services accept or renew federal waivers, making exceptions to work requirements for SNAP, such as living in areas with high unemployment rates or studying in school or training programs.

Andersen said he aims to send a “clear message” that Nebraska wants to turn Nebraska’s “welfare system into a workforce system and help more Nebraskans regain their independence.” Andersen also filed LB 379, which would change the maximum length of time someone can receive cash assistance under the public assistance program.

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SUDDEN INFLUX OF KRATOM, AN HERBAL STIMULANT OR SEDATIVE, PROMPTS LAWMAKERS TO ACT

LINCOLN- Nebraska lawmakers advanced a bill that would regulate kratom, an herbal substance that can produce sedative or stimulating effects. LB230 passed its first floor vote unanimously Thursday. It would set the legal age to purchase or use kratom at 21, ban advertising that may appeal to children and set labeling requirements, including a warning that the product may be "habit-forming." Kratom comes in various forms, including liquid, powder and tablet, and is available at retailers like convenience stores and vape shops.

The bill would also ban synthetic kratom, which often does not come from the kratom plant native to Southeast Asia and contains higher concentrations of the chemical 7-hydroxymitragynine. The chemical affects dopamine, kappa opioid receptors, norepinephrine and serotonin according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The FDA has not approved any uses of kratom.

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YOUNG PEOPLE ADVOCATE FOR STATE 'GREEN AMENDMENT' TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT

LINCOLN- A group of young people descended on the Capitol on Wednesday in hopes of convincing state lawmakers to support adding a “Green Amendment” to the Nebraska Constitution. Such an amendment — which would require approval by Nebraska voters — would give citizens a legal right to a “clean and healthy environment,” including “pure water,” clean air and “healthy soils.”

Advocates said the language would grant citizens and communities a pathway to sue state regulators if they weren’t taking steps to protect the environment, or had taken steps that harm it. Some cited the example of the AltEn ethanol plant in Mead, which had skirted state environmental rules for years before the state eventually shut it down in 2021. State Sen. George Dungan of Lincoln is the main sponsor of the proposal, Legislative Resolution 22CA. He said Wednesday that he introduced the measure after being inspired by the activism of young people to protect the environment.

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LAWMAKERS ADVANCE BILL TO SHIELD MINORS FROM COMPULSIVE SOCIAL MEDIA USE

LINCOLN- Nebraska lawmakers gave first-round approval Tuesday to a proposed law that would require social media companies to change how they design their platforms to shield children from harm. The proposal, part of Republican Gov. Jim Pillen's larger policy agenda aimed at reducing youths' exposure to online harms, would require social media companies to consider harm prevention and mitigation when designing platform features meant to keep users online — including traits like push notifications and "infinite scroll" that are commonplace on platforms like TikTok and Instagram.

The Legislature voted 38-0 to advance the sweeping proposal to the second round of debate Tuesday after nearly four hours of debate across two days, during which opponents raised questions over the bill's potential unconstitutionality but pledged to work with its sponsor, Sen. Carolyn Bosn of Lincoln, to alleviate concerns. Introduced by Bosn at Pillen's request, the bill (LB504) would require social media companies to design such features to mitigate a host of risks minors face online, including mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression and eating disorders, as well as compulsive social media use, sexual exploitation, the promotion of drug use and deceptive marketing practices.

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LAWMAKERS PUSHING EMBRYOLOGY IN SCHOOLS PIVOTS FROM POPULAR FETAL GROWTH VIDEO

LINCOLN- A Nebraska state senator who proposed adding the study of human fetal development to the state’s science curriculum said his bill was not related to debates over abortion and he’s open to barring a controversial video that depicts fertilization and fetal growth. Sen. Rick Holdcroft of Bellevue said he introduced LB213 to enhance the science curriculum, saying students do not know enough about human development. He acknowledged during an Education Committee hearing Monday that people have varying beliefs on when life begins but said it occurs “certainly somewhere before birth.”

Holdcroft proposed lessons on embryology would occur in elementary, middle and high school. Science classes would cover stages of embryonic development and include videos “of at least four-dimensional quality” depicting fetal growth. Parents would have the option to keep their children out of the lessons.

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NU RESEARCHERS AND FANS LOBBY LAWMAKERS TO RAISE, NOT LOWER, STATE FUNDING

LINCOLN- NU has requested a 3.5% increase for each of the next two years in its roughly $700 million state-aided university budget that funds core academic operations. Gov. Jim Pillen, a former NU regent, however, has recommended a 2.07% cut next year, as he tries to fix a projected $432 million state budget shortfall over the next two years and also provide more property tax relief to Nebraskans.

Also testifying before the Legislature’s Appropriations Committee were business leaders such as Heath Mello of the Greater Omaha Chamber, who spoke of NU’s annual $6.4 billion economic impact to the state, as reported in a recent economic impact study. NU President Dr. Jeffrey Gold, in his comments to the committee, described the university’s budget request as a modest but essential increase needed for the university system to continue its “promise to Nebraska — to remain the key engine of opportunity and innovation for generations to come.”

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NU REGENTS HOLD SPECIAL MEETING TO DISCUSS POTENTIAL CHANGES TO POLICIES AND BYLAWS

LINCOLN- The University of Nebraska Board of Regents on Tuesday weighed what changes might be needed to NU bylaws and policies to meet the demands of a Feb. 14 Trump administration letter stressing its legal interpretation against “race-based preferences.” The Valentine’s Day letter from the U.S. Department of Education drew immediate attention for its clear threat to schools that fail to comply — the risk of losing federal funding — which aids everything from students to research.

The NU system had already been looking to update dated language in its bylaws and policies, much of which Dr. Jeffrey Gold, the NU president, said had not been updated since the 1980s. The letter helped NU focus on which to review first. One appeared to be targeting language referencing affirmative action, from before the state’s voters passed an initiative outlawing the approach in 2008. Others aimed at language addressing race and ethnicity, including in admissions and tuition-setting. The NU board did not immediately take action on the proposed changes.

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DED AWARDS $414k TO GROUPS FOR RECRUITING OUT-OF-STATE TALENT

LINCOLN- A total of $414,706 in awards will go to Nebraska organizations to recruit talent as part of the state’s “Good Life is Calling” campaign. The Nebraska Department of Economic Development, in announcing winning proposals Thursday, said it launched the campaign in 2021 to promote the state’s quality of life and career opportunities. Last year, the Legislature approved Gov. Jim Pillen’s funding request to carry out the next phase, designed as a more targeted recruitment of out-of-state talent. Winning proposals, which range from local governments to businesses, are to provide matching funds.

DED Director K.C. Belitz, in a news release, said his agency is excited to partner with organizations statewide on initiatives to “promote the Good Life.” Here is a list of the awardees:

• Midland University, $85,000

• Greater Omaha Chamber, $75,000

• Hastings College, $50,000

• South Sioux City, $50,000

• York County Development Corp., $47,800

• Cheyenne County Chamber Foundation, $29,500

• Major Talent, $20,000

• Marble Technologies, $15,000

• Lincoln Literacy, $14,406

• JT Martin, $9,000

• Boone County, $8,000

• Falls City, $6,000

• Knox County, $5,000

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NEW BUDGET FORECAST SHRINKS NEBRASKA'S BUDGET DEFICIT TO 267 MILLION

LINCOLN — Nebraska's projected $432 million budget deficit diminished Friday with a more optimistic economic forecast — but lawmakers still face some budgetary challenges. 

The Nebraska Economic Forecasting Advisory Board projected slight growth in revenues through June 30, 2027, which includes the next two-year state budget period. Overall, the board predicted an additional $165 million in tax revenue within that time. If accurate, that would reduce the state's deficit to approximately $267 million. 

The board forecasted state tax revenues of $6.4 billion for the current fiscal year, which is $100 million higher than the previous projections in October. For the upcoming budget cycle beginning on July 1, the board projected revenues at about $7 billion for the first year and a little more than $7 billion for the second year, marking a $65 million increase from past projections. 

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NSAA SAYS IT WILL COMPLY WITH TRUMP ORDER ON TRANSGENDER PARTICIPATION IN HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS

LINCOLN — Nebraska’s high school sports will comply with President Donald Trump’s executive order banning transgender athletes from competing on women’s sports teams inconsistent with their sex at birth.

The Nebraska School Activities Association (NSAA), the governing body for most high school sports, announced Monday that its eight-member board of directors had unanimously adopted a resolution last week stating that it would comply with the president’s order “until further notice” and follow state and federal law.

Trump signed an executive order on Feb. 5 that pledges to rescind federal funds from any “educational program” that fails to comply with his ban. The order asks federal agencies to interpret Title IX — the civil rights law that bans sex-based discrimination — so that federal funding could be withdrawn if transgender athletes were allowed to compete.

The decision means that NSAA will scrap, for now, its 9-year-old policy that had allowed trans athletes to compete if they met several criteria, including proving, via a medical examination and physiological testing, that they did not possess “physical or physiological advantages over genetic females of the same age group.”

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EVOLVING FIX FOR LEGISLATIVE OVERSIGHT FACES CONTINUED RESISTANCE

LINCOLN — The Nebraska Legislature’s Executive Board heard testimony Tuesday about the effort to clarify its oversight of state agencies after Attorney General Mike Hilgers and Gov. Jim Pillen sought to limit legislative reach. Legislative Bill 298, sponsored by Speaker John Arch of La Vista, would reconstitute many functions of the Offices of Inspectors General for child welfare and corrections and place them under a newly created Division of Legislative Oversight as part of the Legislature.

This design would operate as the legislative branch’s eyes and ears for how the money it spends on behalf of taxpayers is being used, primarily by the executive branch. The new division would report to a new Legislative Oversight Committee picked by the Legislature’s Executive Board. “We aren’t police,” Arch said during his testimony about the reasons behind the bill. “Our requests are not part of a criminal investigation. Our purpose is to legislate and to appropriate. We can’t do either without information.”

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