Meet the state senators making laws in 2022
“I do believe that the bonuses we’ve received, the rate increases, have helped us with recruitment," HHS CEO Dannette Smith said as she announced the department's business plan for fiscal year 2022.
The former state senator "told me last night she is officially a candidate" for governor, Cass County Republican Chairwoman Tracy Zeorian stated in an online post promoting a forum hosted by the county party.
The combination of a billion dollars in federal pandemic recovery assistance and a healthy flow of state revenue offers "some significant opportunities," Speaker of the Legislature Mike Hilgers of Lincoln said.
Sen. Anna Wishart texted a message that the adventure has been "an incredible experience. … One of the most beautiful places I've ever been to … people and mountain."Â
The 49 senators will consider what should be done with a projected surplus in the state treasury combined with another $1 billion in federal pandemic recovery funds.
The business of the 2022 session will begin shortly after the 10 a.m. opening with the introduction of bills to be considered during the election-year session that is scheduled to adjourn on April 20.
Nebraska is staring at a future where there may be more residents 65 and older than there are 18 and younger, Lincoln Sen. Anna Wishart noted, and "I see that as staring at the abyss" in terms of the state's economic future.
"Nobody should be coming into this (legislative) session thinking we will be spending a lot more money," Gov. Pete Ricketts said. "We will give the money back to the people."
"We're talking about the second house here," Sen. Tom Briese said. "If a mistake has been made by the voters, they should have the ability to correct that mistake prior to the next election."
Tax relief, workforce development, corporate tax reduction and pro-life legislation are among Gov. Pete Ricketts' priorities for his final year leading the state.
The cap could be overridden for two of three years as long as the annual increase over any three-year period is not more than 3%.
The bill would apply to medical professionals (such as doctors, nurses, researchers and pharmacists), hospitals and nursing homes, and health care payers including employers and insurers.
Omaha Sen. Justin Wayne argued that a bill allowing municipalities to essentially offer broadband as a utility should have been heard by the Urban Affairs Committee and not the Transportation and Telecommunications Committee.
"We've identified locations we think would work, and we think would fit our criteria," Speaker Mike Hilgers said of a proposed lake between Lincoln and Omaha, adding that no site has been selected at this time.
Banned concepts under the bill include that one sex or race is inherently superior to another, that the U.S. or Nebraska are "fundamentally or systemically racist or sexist," among others.
Both tax reduction proposals were opposed by Open Sky Policy Institute, who warned that the bills would obligate the state to future tax cuts and reduction in revenue without knowing if state government can afford it.
The bill would expand DNA collection from individuals convicted of felonies to people accused of certain crimes.Â
Supporters said the bill would ensure Nebraskans of all faiths could practice their religion freely. But opponents said it would give special legal exemptions to religious people and organizations.
Although opponents to the resolution calling for a convention of states had signaled their intent to push debate to a cloture vote in an effort to sink it, a filibuster never materialized.
"It's high time we end the idolatrous practice of celebrating Nebraska's nonpartisan Unicameral simply because it's unique," Sen. Julie Slama said.
The latest proposal by Sen. Tom Briese of Albion was the centerpiece for a public hearing debate over whether school spending should be reined in or if state financial assistance to help support schools ought to be increased.
A medical cannabis bill was introduced as one last attempt for state lawmakers to enact a policy before voters potentially get their say this November.
A leading proponent of medical marijuana legislation criticized a bill introduced Thursday, saying it will not actually provide Nebraskans with access to medical marijuana.
Most senators who spoke in support of slowing down the process said they eventually would vote in favor of the bill that would result in an estimated $73 million loss of annual state revenue by 2027.
Sharp debate erupted over a bill designed to secure an additional $200 million in property tax relief for Nebraskans in 2024 by eliminating an earlier $375 million cap on a refundable income tax credit created in 2020.
Colorado may "look to be potentially accelerating construction now" in reaction to Gov. Ricketts' proposal to build a Perkins County canal along with reservoirs, the director of the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources said.
Public school proponents raised concerns about a pilot program that would send money to low-income families for private school or other learning resources, such as tutoring.
A legislative proposal to rely on a half-cent of current sales tax revenue matched by state appropriations to help fund local schools ran into a variety of opposition Wednesday.
While conservative politicians have said publicly they believe the state’s elections are secure, several lawmakers have proposed measures to tighten elections in the Cornhusker State. Many of those bills had public hearings Wednesday.
Sen. Bruce Bostelman's bill would allow the governor to appoint a majority of both the Nebraska Public Power District and Omaha Public Power District boards, as well as the chief executive officer of each.
The Nebraska Department of Transportation expressed opposition to a bill that would require the state to accelerate long-delayed expressway construction in northeast Nebraska.
Sen. John Lowe of Kearney introduced a bill (LB900) allowing microdistilleries to operate five retail locations under a single liquor license -- something craft brewing companies have been able to do since 2016.
A state lawmaker wants to let Nebraska voters remove future governors and members of the Legislature through the recall process.
The Legislature's Revenue Committee advanced amended legislation to slice the top income tax rate for individuals and corporations to the floor for debate.
This school year, classes at LPS began on Aug. 16, with May 25 as the last day. Next school year, the schedule runs from Aug. 15 to May 25.
A bill (LB997) introduced by Sen. Jen Day of Gretna would require children to be screened for autism before they could enroll in kindergarten, similar to how those children also undergo physical and vision screenings.
Prosecutors are required to notify defense attorneys whenever an officer involved in a case has a confirmed record of lying in their official capacity. Omaha Sen. Terrell McKinney wants to make those disclosures public.
Sen. Mike Hilgers of Lincoln assures Lincoln and Omaha officials that proposed construction of a new lake between the two cities would not begin without assurance that the project would not threaten their water supply.
An income tax reduction bill in the Legislature would incrementally reduce the top income tax rate for individuals from 6.84% to 5.84%, providing parity with the top corporate income tax rate. Â
"I've been doing this for 12 years, and there are other things I want to do now and other ways I want to spend my time," Lathrop said during a brief conversation in his state Capitol office.
"If this is a No. 1 issue, we have nobody at the state level directing and coordinating this effort now," Sen. Justin Wayne told the Legislature's Urban Affairs Committee.
Sen. Justin Wayne's bill would create a process allowing cities and villages to provide municipal broadband services if they are in an underserved or unserved area.Â
"We should target tax cuts," Sen. Megan Hunt said, while creating more income tax brackets rather than continue to crowd most Nebraskans into the highest bracket. "This is a tax cut for millionaires and billionaires."Â
Mike Jacobson was sworn in at a news conference Wednesday morning.
Gage County officials said a plan from Sen. Myron Dorn of Adams to appropriate $4 million in state funds toward paying a $28.1 million judgment would help the county shed a heavy tax burden on its citizens.
"The pandemic caused a financial hardship for many Nebraskans, including those in Gage County," the governor said. "I consider the funding provided by LB103 as a one-time payment in light of this extreme hardship circumstance."
Advanced with a veto-proof 35 votes, the bill from Sen. Myron Dorn of Adams would help Gage County satisfy its $28.1 million debt sooner.
