Give the Nebraska Legislature an incomplete for its 2022 grade. It will be years before its major actions can be evaluated.
Nebraska lawmakers launched into the first full-blown filibuster of the 2022 session during the second day of debate. By the time they headed home Wednesday, filibusters had filled up more than half of the 60 days they met and senators had taken votes on 24 filibuster-ending cloture motions on 15 bills and one resolution.
Senators approved a bill Sept. 30 that establishes new boundaries for the state’s 49 legislative districts.
The Legislature gave 41-0 final approval Thursday to a bill that will incrementally reduce the state income tax on Social Security income with a goal of total exemption by 2030. The bill (LB64), sponsored by Sen. Brett Lindstrom of Omaha, would achieve a 50% tax reduction by 2025 with an expressed intention to achieve 100% reduction by 2030, subject to review by a future legislative session.
Under LB388, by Sen. Curt Friesen at the request of Gov. Pete Ricketts, the Public Service Commission will administer grants to providers, cooperatives and political subdivisions to fund qualifying broadband development projects.
The governor issued no vetoes on the $9.7 billion, two-year state budget package, which he praised for controlling state spending and significantly increasing direct property tax relief.
Domestic violence victims who are living with their abuser in a rental property could break their lease and leave without penalties under a bill that won final approval from Nebraska lawmakers. Senators passed the measure through the last of three required votes, 43-3.
LINCOLN, Neb.: American Communications Group announced today the publication of On the Record, a new book by the public policy advocacy group that compiles all of the floor speeches that state Sen. Ernie Chambers delivered during the 105th Nebraska Legislature’s second session in 2018.
“An ounce of prevention is worth (more than) a pound of cure”: This ancient adage greatly understates the present reality when it comes to community health. The real work of achieving a healthier community must be done while people are still healthy — through prevention and promotion of good health practices.
As wind energy projects continue to be debated in this corner of the state, we can’t help but take note of what’s happening in O’Neill this year. O’Neill Public School officials recently provided an update on a $13 million building project that will break ground in July.