<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/07/23/we-are-not-his-slaves-lawmakers-demand-respect-before-a-property-tax-special-session/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — Nebraska lawmakers blasted Gov. Jim Pillen on Tuesday night for his “blatant disrespect” to the Legislature in not yet formally calling a special session to address what many have called the state’s property tax “crisis.”

Pillen has said for a month that he intends to call senators back to Lincoln this Thursday to iron out property tax relief ideas. Most recently, he has said the “<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/07/22/gov-pillen-clarifies-property-tax-relief-plan-as-special-session-nears/">Nebraska Plan</a>” he’s worked on throughout the summer would result in major savings to taxpayers, with up to 50% savings in property taxes for the average Nebraskan. Many senators have questioned whether that would be the case or if property tax savings would be undercut by a&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/07/18/gov-pillen-releases-nebraskas-plan-for-property-tax-relief-with-few-new-concrete-details/">broadened sales tax base</a>.

Lawmakers were unsuccessful in passing a&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/04/18/stunning-last-minute-defeat-for-pillen-tax-shift-bill-likely-ensures-special-session/">previous Pillen-backed property tax plan</a>&nbsp;during the regular legislative session, which ended April 18, so Pillen immediately pivoted to a special session for the summer. However, he hasn’t yet issued a proclamation to do so, as he is required to do under the&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/articles.php?article=IV-8" target="_blank">Nebraska Constitution</a>.&nbsp;

That document must specify when lawmakers are to return to Lincoln and for which topics legislation can be introduced.

State Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha wrote in an email to all 48 of his colleagues shortly after 7 p.m. Tuesday that state government is composed of three independent branches, which should respect each other’s roles.&nbsp;

But with fewer than 48 hours until a special session, Wayne said, lawmakers didn’t have the necessary information to do their jobs.

“I am compelled to express my profound disappointment and frustration with the Governor’s blatant disrespect in failing to call a special session in a timely and responsible manner,” Wayne wrote.

“We are not his slaves to be summoned at his whim,” Wayne continued. “We have families and lives, and this lack of consideration is unacceptable.”

Wayne said that to solve the problem of rising property taxes, lawmakers must ensure they can collaborate effectively. He and other lawmakers, such as State Sen. Julie Slama of Dunbar, have voiced concern that Pillen’s proclamation could exclude ideas they’re working on to overhaul the state’s tax system.

Among those are ideas to legalize and tax online sports betting or marijuana sales, which Wayne said he is considering bringing.

Slama has said she’s working on legislation but declined to share details.

Multiple senators have confirmed to the Nebraska Examiner that dozens of bills — more than 80 — are being prepped by legislative staff ahead of the special session.

Pillen first issued a “<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/06/17/nebraska-gov-pillen-issues-save-the-date-for-special-session-on-property-taxes/">save-the-date</a>” on June 17 for the special session, to be held between July 26 and Aug. 15. A week later, he landed on July 25 as the starting date, and Speaker John Arch of La Vista offered a&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/06/25/property-tax-special-session-likely-to-begin-july-25-speaker-arch-offers-schedule/">suggested schedule</a>&nbsp;for the special session.

Under that schedule, lawmakers would introduce bills within the scope of Pillen’s call for three straight days this week, Thursday through Saturday. No bills could be introduced after that, per&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/Current/PDF/Rules/RuleBook.pdf" target="_blank">legislative rules</a>.

Full-day hearings would start next Monday on the bills introduced.

“This issue of property tax has been something we’ve been working on for a long time, and not this session of the Legislature, but for a long time,” Arch said.

Wayne, chair of the Legislature’s Judiciary Committee, said that during regular legislative sessions, committee chairs provide a “basic level of respect” by working with other lawmakers to schedule hearings. Wayne said Arch also helps in providing advanced notice of daily agendas.

Regardless of if or when Pillen formally calls a special session, Wayne said, lawmakers should demand a week’s notice before a special session begins and otherwise should adjourn “sine die.” Such a vote requires a simple majority of those present to pass. If successful, it would send lawmakers home unless the governor chose to issue another call for a special session at a later date.

It’s unclear how many lawmakers will attend the first day of the session. Arch has been contacting lawmakers to ensure that at least 25 of the 49 senators show up to meet quorum.

Since 1940, considering&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/pdf/bluebook/bluebook_2022.pdf" target="_blank">36 special sessions</a>&nbsp;for the Unicameral, Nebraska governors have, on average, given at least seven days’ notice between when a proclamation is issued and the time senators are called to meet in Lincoln, according to the Legislature’s records.&nbsp;

Previous governors called lawmakers back just one day after issuing the proclamation three times: Gov. Bob Kerrey, in 1988, and Gov. Val Peterson, for two special sessions in 1952. Gov. Kay Orr gave the longest notice in 1988, at 37 days.

Former Gov. Pete Ricketts gave 17 days’ notice before the 2021 special session on redistricting; Gov. Dave Heinemann gave one week’s notice before a 2011 special session on oil pipelines.

“If that is too daunting for some,” Wayne continued, he suggested lawmakers should meet Thursday but at least recess until Aug. 1, giving senators one week to draft bills within the scope of the session.

“It is time we assert our independence and demand the respect we deserve,” Wayne said.

Arch agreed that any special session is a “serious sacrifice” for many senators who must earn a living outside of their elected duties as “citizen legislators” with annual salaries of $12,000.

Wayne, an attorney, noted that his trials and court hearings can’t proceed until an official “call” has been sent.

“He has points in what he brings out,” Arch said of Wayne.

Arch said lawmakers will “wait and see” for the proclamation, though they shouldn’t anticipate that the topics they’re working on related to property taxes will be excluded. Senators will police themselves in determining what is within the scope of the session, Arch previously told the Examiner.

Asked about Wayne’s suggested schedule, Arch left the door open. He wants to see what Pillen’s proclamation contains and what bills are introduced. He also wants to consider how any schedule change could further disrupt lawmakers’ lives.

“The further you push this out, the more weeks are impacted. We’ll have to make that call,” he said.

Arch described Pillen’s outlined property tax proposal as a “framework” that doesn’t have all the details and said that will certainly be part of the discussion in solving “the property tax crisis.”

The speaker said many Legislatures have come up to the plate to address that crisis but backed away because reforms always involve “very politically difficult decisions.”

“Decisions that affect a large number of people that, unless you see the big picture, and if you’re only focusing on one piece of the plan and not the whole picture, it’s just very different,” Arch said. “It’s just very easy to just say, ‘No. No, that’s a bad idea.’”

But put together, Arch said, the ideas could provide a way forward.

“Maybe we can come together and have some significant impact,” he continued.

State Sen. Steve Erdman of Bayard was among a handful of lawmakers to voice support for Wayne’s suggestions, adding that “perhaps after Labor Day” would work to reconvene.

State Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh of Omaha thanked Wayne “for expressing so clearly what many are feeling.” She led a group of lawmakers in hosting public listening sessions in&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/07/21/overflow-crowd-turns-out-for-lawmaker-led-omaha-event-on-pillen-plan-property-tax-relief/">Omaha and Lincoln</a>&nbsp;last Sunday and Monday after Pillen hosted town halls in&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/07/13/gov-pillens-property-tax-tour-across-nebraska-didnt-lead-to-feedback-for-many-lawmakers/">26 smaller cities</a>&nbsp;across the state.

“I would welcome the opportunity to adjourn after the first day until such time that our deliberative body had appropriate notice for undertaking a special session,” Cavanaugh wrote.

Slama said she “entirely” agreed with Wayne and said the “lack of transparency and timeliness” had “compromised the integrity of the Legislature as a co-equal branch of government.”

“It is incumbent upon Speaker Arch, as the leader of this branch of government, to demand the minimal level of respect of having enough time to draft bills to properly conduct the special session,” Slama wrote back. “The integrity of the institution depends on it.”

State Sen. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln, who has served in&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/05/30/property-tax-special-session-could-be-among-costliest-in-nebraska-history/">three special sessions</a>&nbsp;during her tenure, said the governor is “well within his legal right” to delay calling the session until the last possible moment, though it might not be a “recipe for success.”

She cautioned that now is not the time for “creative procedural distractions” that, while important, could reflect poorly on the institution.&nbsp;

Conrad said procedural options should remain on the table for the future but told her colleagues they shouldn’t back away from a plan that she believes “will collapse naturally under its own weight when subjected to public analysis and engagement.”

“I look forward to the opportunity to demonstrate that indeed our Founders were right to be skeptical of an all powerful Executive and democracy should remain inconvenient to bad ideas.”

Pillen’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the emails.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721844484088.jpeg" alt="State Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha. Feb. 22, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>State Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha. Feb. 22, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Zach Wendling<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/07/23/we-are-not-his-slaves-lawmakers-demand-respect-before-a-property-tax-special-session/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — Nebraska lawmakers blasted Gov. Jim Pillen on Tuesday night for his “blatant disrespect” to the Legislature in not yet formally calling a special session to address what many have called the state’s property tax “crisis.”Pillen has said for a month that he intends to call senators back to Lincoln this Thursday to iron out property tax relief ideas. Most recently, he has said the “<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/07/22/gov-pillen-clarifies-property-tax-relief-plan-as-special-session-nears/">Nebraska Plan</a>” he’s worked on throughout the summer would result in major savings to taxpayers, with up to 50% savings in property taxes for the average Nebraskan. Many senators have questioned whether that would be the case or if property tax savings would be undercut by a&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/07/18/gov-pillen-releases-nebraskas-plan-for-property-tax-relief-with-few-new-concrete-details/">broadened sales tax base</a>.Lawmakers were unsuccessful in passing a&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/04/18/stunning-last-minute-defeat-for-pillen-tax-shift-bill-likely-ensures-special-session/">previous Pillen-backed property tax plan</a>&nbsp;during the regular legislative session, which ended April 18, so Pillen immediately pivoted to a special session for the summer. However, he hasn’t yet issued a proclamation to do so, as he is required to do under the&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/articles.php?article=IV-8" target="_blank">Nebraska Constitution</a>.&nbsp;That document must specify when lawmakers are to return to Lincoln and for which topics legislation can be introduced.<h2>‘We are not his slaves’</h2>State Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha wrote in an email to all 48 of his colleagues shortly after 7 p.m. Tuesday that state government is composed of three independent branches, which should respect each other’s roles.&nbsp;But with fewer than 48 hours until a special session, Wayne said, lawmakers didn’t have the necessary information to do their jobs.“I am compelled to express my profound disappointment and frustration with the Governor’s blatant disrespect in failing to call a special session in a timely and responsible manner,” Wayne wrote.“We are not his slaves to be summoned at his whim,” Wayne continued. “We have families and lives, and this lack of consideration is unacceptable.”Wayne said that to solve the problem of rising property taxes, lawmakers must ensure they can collaborate effectively. He and other lawmakers, such as State Sen. Julie Slama of Dunbar, have voiced concern that Pillen’s proclamation could exclude ideas they’re working on to overhaul the state’s tax system.Among those are ideas to legalize and tax online sports betting or marijuana sales, which Wayne said he is considering bringing.Slama has said she’s working on legislation but declined to share details.Multiple senators have confirmed to the Nebraska Examiner that dozens of bills — more than 80 — are being prepped by legislative staff ahead of the special session.<h2>Special session schedule</h2>Pillen first issued a “<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/06/17/nebraska-gov-pillen-issues-save-the-date-for-special-session-on-property-taxes/">save-the-date</a>” on June 17 for the special session, to be held between July 26 and Aug. 15. A week later, he landed on July 25 as the starting date, and Speaker John Arch of La Vista offered a&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/06/25/property-tax-special-session-likely-to-begin-july-25-speaker-arch-offers-schedule/">suggested schedule</a>&nbsp;for the special session.Under that schedule, lawmakers would introduce bills within the scope of Pillen’s call for three straight days this week, Thursday through Saturday. No bills could be introduced after that, per&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/Current/PDF/Rules/RuleBook.pdf" target="_blank">legislative rules</a>.Full-day hearings would start next Monday on the bills introduced.“This issue of property tax has been something we’ve been working on for a long time, and not this session of the Legislature, but for a long time,” Arch said.Wayne, chair of the Legislature’s Judiciary Committee, said that during regular legislative sessions, committee chairs provide a “basic level of respect” by working with other lawmakers to schedule hearings. Wayne said Arch also helps in providing advanced notice of daily agendas.Regardless of if or when Pillen formally calls a special session, Wayne said, lawmakers should demand a week’s notice before a special session begins and otherwise should adjourn “sine die.” Such a vote requires a simple majority of those present to pass. If successful, it would send lawmakers home unless the governor chose to issue another call for a special session at a later date.It’s unclear how many lawmakers will attend the first day of the session. Arch has been contacting lawmakers to ensure that at least 25 of the 49 senators show up to meet quorum.<h2>Previous special sessions</h2>Since 1940, considering&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/pdf/bluebook/bluebook_2022.pdf" target="_blank">36 special sessions</a>&nbsp;for the Unicameral, Nebraska governors have, on average, given at least seven days’ notice between when a proclamation is issued and the time senators are called to meet in Lincoln, according to the Legislature’s records.&nbsp;Previous governors called lawmakers back just one day after issuing the proclamation three times: Gov. Bob Kerrey, in 1988, and Gov. Val Peterson, for two special sessions in 1952. Gov. Kay Orr gave the longest notice in 1988, at 37 days.Former Gov. Pete Ricketts gave 17 days’ notice before the 2021 special session on redistricting; Gov. Dave Heinemann gave one week’s notice before a 2011 special session on oil pipelines.“If that is too daunting for some,” Wayne continued, he suggested lawmakers should meet Thursday but at least recess until Aug. 1, giving senators one week to draft bills within the scope of the session.“It is time we assert our independence and demand the respect we deserve,” Wayne said.<h2>Speaker leaves scheduling door open</h2>Arch agreed that any special session is a “serious sacrifice” for many senators who must earn a living outside of their elected duties as “citizen legislators” with annual salaries of $12,000.Wayne, an attorney, noted that his trials and court hearings can’t proceed until an official “call” has been sent.“He has points in what he brings out,” Arch said of Wayne.Arch said lawmakers will “wait and see” for the proclamation, though they shouldn’t anticipate that the topics they’re working on related to property taxes will be excluded. Senators will police themselves in determining what is within the scope of the session, Arch previously told the Examiner.Asked about Wayne’s suggested schedule, Arch left the door open. He wants to see what Pillen’s proclamation contains and what bills are introduced. He also wants to consider how any schedule change could further disrupt lawmakers’ lives.“The further you push this out, the more weeks are impacted. We’ll have to make that call,” he said.Arch described Pillen’s outlined property tax proposal as a “framework” that doesn’t have all the details and said that will certainly be part of the discussion in solving “the property tax crisis.”The speaker said many Legislatures have come up to the plate to address that crisis but backed away because reforms always involve “very politically difficult decisions.”“Decisions that affect a large number of people that, unless you see the big picture, and if you’re only focusing on one piece of the plan and not the whole picture, it’s just very different,” Arch said. “It’s just very easy to just say, ‘No. No, that’s a bad idea.’”But put together, Arch said, the ideas could provide a way forward.“Maybe we can come together and have some significant impact,” he continued.<h2>Lawmakers echo criticisms</h2>State Sen. Steve Erdman of Bayard was among a handful of lawmakers to voice support for Wayne’s suggestions, adding that “perhaps after Labor Day” would work to reconvene.State Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh of Omaha thanked Wayne “for expressing so clearly what many are feeling.” She led a group of lawmakers in hosting public listening sessions in&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/07/21/overflow-crowd-turns-out-for-lawmaker-led-omaha-event-on-pillen-plan-property-tax-relief/">Omaha and Lincoln</a>&nbsp;last Sunday and Monday after Pillen hosted town halls in&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/07/13/gov-pillens-property-tax-tour-across-nebraska-didnt-lead-to-feedback-for-many-lawmakers/">26 smaller cities</a>&nbsp;across the state.“I would welcome the opportunity to adjourn after the first day until such time that our deliberative body had appropriate notice for undertaking a special session,” Cavanaugh wrote.Slama said she “entirely” agreed with Wayne and said the “lack of transparency and timeliness” had “compromised the integrity of the Legislature as a co-equal branch of government.”“It is incumbent upon Speaker Arch, as the leader of this branch of government, to demand the minimal level of respect of having enough time to draft bills to properly conduct the special session,” Slama wrote back. “The integrity of the institution depends on it.”State Sen. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln, who has served in&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/05/30/property-tax-special-session-could-be-among-costliest-in-nebraska-history/">three special sessions</a>&nbsp;during her tenure, said the governor is “well within his legal right” to delay calling the session until the last possible moment, though it might not be a “recipe for success.”She cautioned that now is not the time for “creative procedural distractions” that, while important, could reflect poorly on the institution.&nbsp;Conrad said procedural options should remain on the table for the future but told her colleagues they shouldn’t back away from a plan that she believes “will collapse naturally under its own weight when subjected to public analysis and engagement.”“I look forward to the opportunity to demonstrate that indeed our Founders were right to be skeptical of an all powerful Executive and democracy should remain inconvenient to bad ideas.”Pillen’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the emails.

‘We are not his slaves’: Lawmakers demand respect before a property tax special session

WASHINGTON —&nbsp;&nbsp;President Joe Biden&nbsp;on Wednesday tried to explain in an Oval Office address his decision to drop his bid for reelection and to throw his support behind&nbsp;Vice President Kamala Harris.

WASHINGTON —&nbsp;&nbsp;President Joe Biden&nbsp;on Wednesday tried to explain in an Oval Office address his decision to drop his bid for reelection and to throw his support behind&nbsp;Vice President Kamala Harris.(click below to watch the address)<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/93T8biDlaBc?si=HkDNw-9oDSzeYZ0E" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>

🎥History: President Biden explains why he did not seek reelection

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/new-nebraska-law-connects-911-operators-with-988-suicide-prevention-line/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN —&nbsp;Two years after the nation adopted a three-digit suicide prevention line, a new Nebraska law will offer clear interface between mental health and other emergency providers.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://988lifeline.org/" target="_blank">988 number</a>&nbsp;was established in July 2022 as a nationwide, 24/7 suicide prevention line, which is available to anyone experiencing a mental health-related crisis. The prevention line “serves Nebraskans from all walks of life” and connects them to free, trained, confidential care and support, according to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.

Call volume increased in the second year, between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024, by 22.5% from the&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/nebraska-dhhs-commemorates-first-year-of-988-suicide-crisis-lifeline/">previous fiscal year</a>, to 22,409 calls.

Before implementation in 2022, the Boys Town National Hotline in Omaha was the call center for the Suicide Prevention Hotline. It now handles 988 calls as well as the Nebraska Family Helpline.

“988 is an impactful mental health resource to Nebraska and across our nation,” said Tony Green, interim director of the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services’s Division of Behavioral Health “No situation is too tough, complex or far gone for you to reach out for help. Remember you are not alone, help is available and effective.”

Approximately 94% of calls received through the prevention line are being deescalated and managed by Boys Town crisis counselors without activating a Mobile Crisis Response Team according to DHHS. About 1.04% of calls resulted in activation of those teams, the department added, which are available statewide and can assist in person, via telehealth or over the phone.

A new state law that took effect Friday authorized DHHS and the Public Service Commission to ensure 988 can route calls to or receive calls from 911 service operators.

In most instances before, 988 could direct calls to 911, but the reverse wasn’t the same. The&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=54752" target="_blank">legislation</a>, brought by State Sen. John Fredrickson of Omaha, was included in&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=55163" target="_blank">Legislative Bill 1200</a>&nbsp;this spring.

“This helps ensure Nebraskans in crisis are getting the right services for their circumstances,” Fredrickson said in a text.

The DHHS news release said the department already helped pilot 911-988 connections earlier this year. In March, DHHS collaborated with the Lincoln Emergency Communications Center. And on July 11, Sarpy County launched as a 911-988 partnership pilot site.

“These pilot programs are a vital component to link Nebraskans with community-based services to effectively reduce the reliance on law enforcement and hospital services during mental health crises,” the news release states.

A spokesperson for DHHS said the department will establish pilot sites in each of the state’s&nbsp;<a href="https://dhhs.ne.gov/BHSchoolResources/AboutDBH.pdf" target="_blank">six behavioral health regions</a>&nbsp;to test protocols in urban, rural and frontier areas of Nebraska. The outcomes will be used to better expand 911-988 interoperability statewide and with the Public Service Commission.

Additional 911-related legislation from Fredrickson and State Sen. Wendy DeBoer of Omaha, passed in&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=55181" target="_blank">LB 1031</a>, will speed up the transition to&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=55328" target="_blank">next-generation 911 services</a>&nbsp;and require the Public Service Commission to host public hearings within 90 days of&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=55544" target="_blank">911 service outages</a>.

The department recommends these numbers for individuals or their loved ones in times of crisis:

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721846372478.jpeg" alt=" State Sen. John Fredrickson of Omaha testifies before the Health and Human Services Committee on Sept. 20, 2023, in Lincoln. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption> State Sen. John Fredrickson of Omaha testifies before the Health and Human Services Committee on Sept. 20, 2023, in Lincoln. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Zach Wendling<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/new-nebraska-law-connects-911-operators-with-988-suicide-prevention-line/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN —&nbsp;Two years after the nation adopted a three-digit suicide prevention line, a new Nebraska law will offer clear interface between mental health and other emergency providers.The&nbsp;<a href="https://988lifeline.org/" target="_blank">988 number</a>&nbsp;was established in July 2022 as a nationwide, 24/7 suicide prevention line, which is available to anyone experiencing a mental health-related crisis. The prevention line “serves Nebraskans from all walks of life” and connects them to free, trained, confidential care and support, according to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.Call volume increased in the second year, between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024, by 22.5% from the&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/nebraska-dhhs-commemorates-first-year-of-988-suicide-crisis-lifeline/">previous fiscal year</a>, to 22,409 calls.Before implementation in 2022, the Boys Town National Hotline in Omaha was the call center for the Suicide Prevention Hotline. It now handles 988 calls as well as the Nebraska Family Helpline.“988 is an impactful mental health resource to Nebraska and across our nation,” said Tony Green, interim director of the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services’s Division of Behavioral Health “No situation is too tough, complex or far gone for you to reach out for help. Remember you are not alone, help is available and effective.”Approximately 94% of calls received through the prevention line are being deescalated and managed by Boys Town crisis counselors without activating a Mobile Crisis Response Team according to DHHS. About 1.04% of calls resulted in activation of those teams, the department added, which are available statewide and can assist in person, via telehealth or over the phone.<h2>988-911 connectivity</h2>A new state law that took effect Friday authorized DHHS and the Public Service Commission to ensure 988 can route calls to or receive calls from 911 service operators.In most instances before, 988 could direct calls to 911, but the reverse wasn’t the same. The&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=54752" target="_blank">legislation</a>, brought by State Sen. John Fredrickson of Omaha, was included in&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=55163" target="_blank">Legislative Bill 1200</a>&nbsp;this spring.“This helps ensure Nebraskans in crisis are getting the right services for their circumstances,” Fredrickson said in a text.The DHHS news release said the department already helped pilot 911-988 connections earlier this year. In March, DHHS collaborated with the Lincoln Emergency Communications Center. And on July 11, Sarpy County launched as a 911-988 partnership pilot site.“These pilot programs are a vital component to link Nebraskans with community-based services to effectively reduce the reliance on law enforcement and hospital services during mental health crises,” the news release states.A spokesperson for DHHS said the department will establish pilot sites in each of the state’s&nbsp;<a href="https://dhhs.ne.gov/BHSchoolResources/AboutDBH.pdf" target="_blank">six behavioral health regions</a>&nbsp;to test protocols in urban, rural and frontier areas of Nebraska. The outcomes will be used to better expand 911-988 interoperability statewide and with the Public Service Commission.Additional 911-related legislation from Fredrickson and State Sen. Wendy DeBoer of Omaha, passed in&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=55181" target="_blank">LB 1031</a>, will speed up the transition to&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=55328" target="_blank">next-generation 911 services</a>&nbsp;and require the Public Service Commission to host public hearings within 90 days of&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=55544" target="_blank">911 service outages</a>.<h2>Additional support is available</h2>The department recommends these numbers for individuals or their loved ones in times of crisis:<ul>
 <li>988 Suicide &amp; Crisis Lifeline — call, text or chat 988.</li><li>Local faith-based leaders, health care professionals or campus health centers.</li><li>Nebraska Family Helpline — 888-866-8660</li><li>Rural Response Hotline — 1-800-464-0258</li><li>Disaster Distress Helpline — 1-800-985-5990 (oprime dos para Español) or text TalkWithUs to 66746</li><li>National Domestic Violence Hotline — 1-800-799-7233 or text LOVEIS to 22522</li><li>National Child Abuse Hotline — call or text 1-800-422-4453 (1-800-4AChild)</li><li>National Sexual Assault Hotline 1-800-656-4673 (1-800-656-HOPE)</li>
 </ul>

New Nebraska law connects 911 operators with 988 suicide prevention line

Nebraska Department of Transportation

July 24, 2024 (Gering, Neb.) — Weather permitting, work will begin July 29 on the main entrance to the Bridgeport Recreation Area, according to the Nebraska Department of Transportation. 

Simon Contractors, Inc. of Scottsbluff is the prime contractor for this project. Work includes patching cracks in the roadway and a 1-inch mill and asphalt overlay. Traffic will be maintained with daytime lane closures and flaggers. Anticipated completion is two weeks. 

Motorists are reminded to drive cautiously in and near work zones, to buckle up, and to put phones down. 

Nebraska Department of TransportationJuly 24, 2024 (Gering, Neb.) — Weather permitting, work will begin July 29 on the main entrance to the Bridgeport Recreation Area, according to the Nebraska Department of Transportation. Simon Contractors, Inc. of Scottsbluff is the prime contractor for this project. Work includes patching cracks in the roadway and a 1-inch mill and asphalt overlay. Traffic will be maintained with daytime lane closures and flaggers. Anticipated completion is two weeks. Motorists are reminded to drive cautiously in and near work zones, to buckle up, and to put phones down.

Work will begin on the Bridgeport State Recreation Area road

WASHINGTON — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is speaking before a joint session of Congress as the war in Gaza continues.

<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?536521-1/israeli-prime-minister-delivers-speech-joint-meeting-congress">Click here to watch a replay</a>&nbsp;of the speech

Thousands of protesters are outside the Capitol to condemn the&nbsp;war in Gaza&nbsp;and the humanitarian crisis.

WASHINGTON — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is speaking before a joint session of Congress as the war in Gaza continues.<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?536521-1/israeli-prime-minister-delivers-speech-joint-meeting-congress">Click here to watch a replay</a>&nbsp;of the speech<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721842486132.png" alt="Demonstrators Wednesday afternoon outside the Capitol image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Demonstrators Wednesday afternoon outside the Capitol image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>Thousands of protesters are outside the Capitol to condemn the&nbsp;war in Gaza&nbsp;and the humanitarian crisis.

🎥Amid protests Israeli Prime Minister speaks before Congress

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/my-prognosis-is-incredibly-bright-nebraska-lawmaker-continues-blood-cancer-treatments/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN —&nbsp;A Nebraska state senator said her ongoing cancer treatments of a rare form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma have been going “very well,” and she looks forward to getting back to the statehouse.

State Sen. Jane Raybould of Lincoln, a first-term lawmaker in her second year in office, was diagnosed with&nbsp;<a href="https://lymphoma-action.org.uk/types-lymphoma-non-hodgkin-lymphoma/splenic-marginal-zone-lymphoma" target="_blank">splenic marginal zone lymphoma</a>&nbsp;at the beginning of the year, a rare and slow-growing type of blood cancer. She said she has a great medical team behind her as she nears what she hopes is the end of her treatments.&nbsp;

“My prognosis is incredibly bright,” Raybould told the Nebraska Examiner.

Raybould said she will have her sixth round of chemotherapy during the first week of August, which will last three days, followed by multiple days of recovery. As with other cancer treatments, Raybould’s treatment plan was determined and scheduled months in advance.

In that time, Raybould said, she’s made a lot of progress in her physical health and says, “fingers crossed,” her next round of chemo will be her last, and she can regain her strength.

Raybould’s diagnosis caused her to miss much of the 60-day regular legislative session in the spring, but she said she continued to remain on top of legislative issues. Now, she’s preparing&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/11-ne-lawmakers-to-host-lincoln-omaha-listening-sessions-on-property-taxes/">with colleagues</a>&nbsp;for an&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/07/13/gov-pillens-property-tax-tour-across-nebraska-didnt-lead-to-feedback-for-many-lawmakers/">expected special session on property taxes</a>&nbsp;tentatively&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/06/25/property-tax-special-session-likely-to-begin-july-25-speaker-arch-offers-schedule/">scheduled to begin Thursday</a>.

“I’m very enthusiastic and look forward to participating in this special session as much as I possibly can,” Raybould said.

Raybould said she is still recovering but has found “overwhelming” support, on a daily basis, from Nebraskans offering prayers and other kind words for her health.

“They want me to get back. They need me to get back. They want me to be in fighting form,” Raybould said. “It is such a big joy to be thought of in such a kind way. It’s great.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721833137567.jpeg" alt="State Sen. Jane Raybould of Lincoln speaks on the floor of the Nebraska Legislature. March 1, 2023. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>State Sen. Jane Raybould of Lincoln speaks on the floor of the Nebraska Legislature. March 1, 2023. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Zach Wendling<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/my-prognosis-is-incredibly-bright-nebraska-lawmaker-continues-blood-cancer-treatments/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN —&nbsp;A Nebraska state senator said her ongoing cancer treatments of a rare form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma have been going “very well,” and she looks forward to getting back to the statehouse.State Sen. Jane Raybould of Lincoln, a first-term lawmaker in her second year in office, was diagnosed with&nbsp;<a href="https://lymphoma-action.org.uk/types-lymphoma-non-hodgkin-lymphoma/splenic-marginal-zone-lymphoma" target="_blank">splenic marginal zone lymphoma</a>&nbsp;at the beginning of the year, a rare and slow-growing type of blood cancer. She said she has a great medical team behind her as she nears what she hopes is the end of her treatments.&nbsp;“My prognosis is incredibly bright,” Raybould told the Nebraska Examiner.Raybould said she will have her sixth round of chemotherapy during the first week of August, which will last three days, followed by multiple days of recovery. As with other cancer treatments, Raybould’s treatment plan was determined and scheduled months in advance.In that time, Raybould said, she’s made a lot of progress in her physical health and says, “fingers crossed,” her next round of chemo will be her last, and she can regain her strength.Raybould’s diagnosis caused her to miss much of the 60-day regular legislative session in the spring, but she said she continued to remain on top of legislative issues. Now, she’s preparing&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/11-ne-lawmakers-to-host-lincoln-omaha-listening-sessions-on-property-taxes/">with colleagues</a>&nbsp;for an&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/07/13/gov-pillens-property-tax-tour-across-nebraska-didnt-lead-to-feedback-for-many-lawmakers/">expected special session on property taxes</a>&nbsp;tentatively&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/06/25/property-tax-special-session-likely-to-begin-july-25-speaker-arch-offers-schedule/">scheduled to begin Thursday</a>.“I’m very enthusiastic and look forward to participating in this special session as much as I possibly can,” Raybould said.Raybould said she is still recovering but has found “overwhelming” support, on a daily basis, from Nebraskans offering prayers and other kind words for her health.“They want me to get back. They need me to get back. They want me to be in fighting form,” Raybould said. “It is such a big joy to be thought of in such a kind way. It’s great.”

‘My prognosis is incredibly bright’: Nebraska lawmaker continues blood cancer treatments

LINCOLN, NE&nbsp;–&nbsp;Ahead of&nbsp;this week’s special session aimed at&nbsp;addressing Nebraska’s escalating property tax crisis, Governor Jim Pillen is issuing&nbsp;a&nbsp;‘statement of&nbsp;principles’ as to how he will approach the debate on reforming Nebraska’s imbalanced sales tax exemptions.&nbsp;

“This legislative process depends on everyone bringing their good faith ideas for the purpose of producing property tax reform for all Nebraskans,” said Gov. Pillen. “It is important that we start from a common place of understanding, especially in the debate over sales tax exemptions.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

Gov.&nbsp;Pillen’s&nbsp;statement of principles&nbsp;follows:

•&nbsp;No sales tax on medicines used for human&nbsp;treatment

•&nbsp;No taxing services or goods provided through&nbsp;nonprofits

•&nbsp;No sales tax on ag inputs or manufacturing materials (defined as physical economic resources used to create goods to be sold to an end user)

•&nbsp;No sales tax on services or items that are exempt in all other&nbsp;states

•&nbsp;No sales tax on services or items that are exempt in all surrounding&nbsp;states&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

“I think these principles will help provide clarity and structure to what we need to consider when it comes to that long list of exemptions that are in play,” said Gov. Pillen.&nbsp;

Office of Governor Jim PillenLINCOLN, NE&nbsp;–&nbsp;Ahead of&nbsp;this week’s special session aimed at&nbsp;addressing Nebraska’s escalating property tax crisis, Governor Jim Pillen is issuing&nbsp;a&nbsp;‘statement of&nbsp;principles’ as to how he will approach the debate on reforming Nebraska’s imbalanced sales tax exemptions.&nbsp;“This legislative process depends on everyone bringing their good faith ideas for the purpose of producing property tax reform for all Nebraskans,” said Gov. Pillen. “It is important that we start from a common place of understanding, especially in the debate over sales tax exemptions.”&nbsp;&nbsp;Gov.&nbsp;Pillen’s&nbsp;statement of principles&nbsp;follows:•&nbsp;No sales tax on food•&nbsp;No sales tax on medicines used for human&nbsp;treatment•&nbsp;No taxing services or goods provided through&nbsp;nonprofits•&nbsp;No sales tax on ag inputs or manufacturing materials (defined as physical economic resources used to create goods to be sold to an end user)•&nbsp;No sales tax on services or items that are exempt in all other&nbsp;states•&nbsp;No sales tax on services or items that are exempt in all surrounding&nbsp;states&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;•&nbsp;No double taxation“I think these principles will help provide clarity and structure to what we need to consider when it comes to that long list of exemptions that are in play,” said Gov. Pillen.&nbsp;

Governor Jim Pillen Issues ‘Statement of Principles’ Ahead of Special Legislative Session

Office of U.S. Senator Deb Fischer

&nbsp; WASHINGTON ­– U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) issued the following statement on Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle’s resignation following the assassination attempt on President Trump:

“Secret Service Director Cheatle has rightly resigned following her organization’s utter failure to protect President Trump. However, the American people still deserve to know why that failure was so complete, as well as what changes will be made to stop future assassination attempts. Administration and agency officials must cooperate fully, honestly, and transparently with Congressional investigations,”&nbsp;said Senator Fischer.

Office of U.S. Senator Deb Fischer&nbsp; WASHINGTON ­– U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) issued the following statement on Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle’s resignation following the assassination attempt on President Trump:“Secret Service Director Cheatle has rightly resigned following her organization’s utter failure to protect President Trump. However, the American people still deserve to know why that failure was so complete, as well as what changes will be made to stop future assassination attempts. Administration and agency officials must cooperate fully, honestly, and transparently with Congressional investigations,”&nbsp;said Senator Fischer.

Fischer Statement on Secret Service Director Cheatle’s Resignation

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/ariana-figueroa/">ARIANA FIGUEROA</a>&nbsp;-<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/30/u-s-judge-rules-insurers-dont-have-to-cover-many-free-preventive-health-services/">States Newsroom</a>

WASHINGTON — Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump during a Tuesday call with reporters committed to a debate with Vice President Kamala Harris, the likely Democratic presidential candidate.

“I would be willing to do more than one debate,” Trump said.

Harris, who says she is the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/democratic-delegates-swiftly-give-harris-enough-support-clinch-presidential-nomination" target="_blank">won pledges&nbsp;</a>from enough Democratic delegates by late Monday night to gain the nomination. President Joe Biden on Sunday dropped his reelection bid and endorsed Harris.

During the call, Trump also said that he’s not worried about campaigning against Harris because “she’s the same as Biden” in her policies.

Trump later in the call criticized Harris for the Biden administration’s immigration approach, a topic that he has made a core part of his platform in his third run for the White House.

The Harris campaign did not immediately respond to States Newsroom’s request for comment on Trump’s remarks about debating.

Trump also said he is not sure he wants to take part in a debate hosted by ABC News that was scheduled for Sept. 10 with then-presumptive Democratic nominee Biden.

Biden’s shaky performance in a June 27 debate with Trump led to weeks of growing Democratic unease with his campaign, and members of both the U.S. House and Senate called for the president to drop his reelection bid.

Trump also noted that he hasn’t agreed to the ABC debate because he “agreed to a debate with Joe Biden,” and not Harris.

Harris held her first campaign rally Tuesday in Milwaukee, where she leaned into her prior work as a prosecutor and the attorney general for the state of California.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721587521577.png" alt="File photo CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>File photo CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/ariana-figueroa/">ARIANA FIGUEROA</a>&nbsp;-<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/30/u-s-judge-rules-insurers-dont-have-to-cover-many-free-preventive-health-services/">States Newsroom</a>WASHINGTON — Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump during a Tuesday call with reporters committed to a debate with Vice President Kamala Harris, the likely Democratic presidential candidate.“I would be willing to do more than one debate,” Trump said.Harris, who says she is the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/democratic-delegates-swiftly-give-harris-enough-support-clinch-presidential-nomination" target="_blank">won pledges&nbsp;</a>from enough Democratic delegates by late Monday night to gain the nomination. President Joe Biden on Sunday dropped his reelection bid and endorsed Harris.During the call, Trump also said that he’s not worried about campaigning against Harris because “she’s the same as Biden” in her policies.Trump later in the call criticized Harris for the Biden administration’s immigration approach, a topic that he has made a core part of his platform in his third run for the White House.The Harris campaign did not immediately respond to States Newsroom’s request for comment on Trump’s remarks about debating.Trump also said he is not sure he wants to take part in a debate hosted by ABC News that was scheduled for Sept. 10 with then-presumptive Democratic nominee Biden.Biden’s shaky performance in a June 27 debate with Trump led to weeks of growing Democratic unease with his campaign, and members of both the U.S. House and Senate called for the president to drop his reelection bid.Trump also noted that he hasn’t agreed to the ABC debate because he “agreed to a debate with Joe Biden,” and not Harris.Harris held her first campaign rally Tuesday in Milwaukee, where she leaned into her prior work as a prosecutor and the attorney general for the state of California.

Trump says he’s willing to debate Harris, more than once

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/07/22/flurry-of-100-new-laws-are-taking-effect-in-nebraska/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN —&nbsp;A flurry of new state laws took effect Friday, establishing new policies for firearms in small schools, launching Parole Board reforms and expanding open government and voting rights.

Of the 150 bills&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/04/11/more-than-100-bills-sent-to-nebraska-gov-pillen-for-approval-in-legislative-voting-spree/#:~:text=By%3A%20Zach%20Wendling%20%2D%20April%2011%2C%202024%208%3A38%20pm&amp;text=LINCOLN%20%E2%80%94%20After%20a%20marathon%20voting,the%20governor%20for%20his%20signature.">signed into law this year</a>, more than 100 became effective last week. Some took effect in the spring while others won’t get the green light until July 1, 2025.

Here is a breakdown of some of Nebraska’s newest laws.

<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=55486" target="_blank">Legislative Bill 1402</a>, from State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn, sets aside&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/pillen-approves-nebraskas-newest-school-choice-law-as-opponents-weigh-next-steps/#:~:text=By%3A%20Zach%20Wendling%20%2D%20April%2024%2C%202024%207%3A29%20pm&amp;text=Jim%20Pillen%20on%20Wednesday%20approved,will%20fight%20the%20new%20law.&amp;text=Legislative%20Bill%201402%2C%20from%20State%20Sen.">$10 million for the state treasurer</a>&nbsp;to distribute private K-12 scholarships to prospective students.

As of Oct. 31, the law will repeal its predecessor:&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=50326" target="_blank">LB 753</a>, a one-to-one tax credit, capped at $25 million, that used scholarship-granting organizations to route funds to students and families.

Public school advocates are again seeking to block LB 1402, as they tried with the previous version. The Support our Schools ballot committee submitted signatures July 17, again seeking&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/pillen-approves-nebraskas-newest-school-choice-law-as-opponents-weigh-next-steps/#:~:text=By%3A%20Zach%20Wendling%20%2D%20April%2024%2C%202024%207%3A29%20pm&amp;text=Jim%20Pillen%20on%20Wednesday%20approved,will%20fight%20the%20new%20law.&amp;text=Legislative%20Bill%201402%2C%20from%20State%20Sen.">access to the November ballot</a>&nbsp;to decide the fate of LB 1402.

<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=55393" target="_blank">LB 1329</a>, an Education Committee package, in part authorizes school boards to create a written policy for security personnel and off-duty law enforcement to carry firearms on school grounds or at school-sponsored activities. State Sen. Tom Brewer introduced the proposal in&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=55183" target="_blank">LB 1339</a>.

The policy must specify personal qualifications, training, appropriate firearms and ammunition, and appropriate use of force.

The State Board of Education will develop a model policy in consultation with the Nebraska State Patrol, including the appropriate number of training hours for security personnel.

The law doesn’t include&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=79-102" target="_blank">Class III, IV or V</a>&nbsp;public school districts, or districts of at least 5,000 or more people.

The committee package also included&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=55154" target="_blank">LB 1385</a>, from State Sen. Kathleen Kauth of Omaha, to streamline the application process to expand teaching certificates and explain how teachers could earn additional endorsements. It also creates license reciprocity with other states.

Also included in LB 1329 were bills to prohibit debt collection agencies and interest charges for students’ unpaid breakfast and lunch accounts (<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=54754" target="_blank">LB 855</a>&nbsp;from State Sen. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln); to limit the use of mercator maps in K-12 classrooms beginning this fall (<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=54916" target="_blank">LB 962</a>&nbsp;from State Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha) and to allow school boards to levy&nbsp;<a href="https://revenue.nebraska.gov/sites/default/files/doc/pad/research/annual-reports/2023/annrpt2023%20table%2013.pdf" target="_blank">additional property taxes</a>&nbsp;for&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/03/29/nebraska-lawmakers-advance-school-safety-package-to-full-legislature/">school safety infrastructure</a>&nbsp;concerns (<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=55179" target="_blank">LB 1012</a>&nbsp;from State Sen. Lynne Walz of Fremont).

<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=49705" target="_blank">LB 16</a>&nbsp;has been described as a “comprehensive rewrite” of the state’s&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/03/13/platte-institute-other-advocates-celebrate-new-nebraska-occupational-licensing-reforms/">occupational licensure policies</a>. Conrad took up the bill after its introducer, former State Sen. Tom Briese of Albion, resigned to become&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/09/14/pillen-appoints-state-sen-tom-briese-as-new-state-treasurer/">state treasurer</a>.

The legislation provides additional ways to license and recognize licenses from experienced workers who move to Nebraska from other states.&nbsp;

LB 16 also includes language to allow interior designers to join a voluntary registry for their profession. Brewer introduced those provisions in&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=49734" target="_blank">LB 471</a>.&nbsp;

Lawmakers are taking steps to eliminate poverty in Lincoln and Omaha through&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=54715" target="_blank">LB 840</a>, from State Sen. Terrell McKinney of Omaha. It requires both cities to submit a five-year poverty elimination action plan by July 1, 2025.

That document must include goals for poverty elimination in certain areas and plans to use federal, state and local incentives to eliminate poverty in those areas.

Another bill applying to just Lincoln and Omaha officials is&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=55631" target="_blank">LB 1358</a>&nbsp;from State Sen. Mike McDonnell of Omaha, which was amended into and passed in&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=55110" target="_blank">LB 1300</a>.

McDonnell’s proposal sets a ceiling for city council members and mayors to&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/04/11/lawmakers-seek-to-prevent-pacific-conflict-build-bridges-with-nebraska-asian-americans/">increase their salaries</a>: no more than the average percentage change in the unadjusted Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers for the period since the last salary increase, plus 1%.

Salaries can’t be increased more than once every two fiscal years.

If officials seek to increase their salaries more than that level, the increase must be the subject of a public hearing, receive supermajority support from the city council and be put to a public vote.

<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=50402" target="_blank">LB 43</a>, with provisions from Conrad’s&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=50179" target="_blank">LB 366</a>, outlaws special fees for&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/03/21/legislature-outlaws-public-records-special-fees-extends-grace-period-before-charges/">public records requests</a>&nbsp;and doubles the grace period before fees are imposed on records requests, from four to eight hours. Those hours include consecutive time spent “searching, identifying, physically redacting or copying” after a records request.&nbsp;

The changes apply to all Nebraskans and news media.

Recordkeepers could also waive or reduce records fees if doing so is in the public interest or “likely to contribute to the understanding of the operations or activities of government and is not primarily in the commercial interest of the person requesting such records.”

Another provision in LB 43 was Thurston State Sen. Joni Albrecht’s&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=50594" target="_blank">LB 637</a>, which requires every public body subject to the Open Meetings Act to allow members of the public an opportunity to speak at each of their public meetings. This doesn’t include closed sessions.

State Sen. Rita Sanders of Bellevue, who introduced LB 43, also passed&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=49659" target="_blank">LB 71</a>&nbsp;to modernize a 30-year-old law regarding&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/03/21/proposal-advances-to-modernize-parental-involvement-in-nebraska-k-12-education/">parental rights in education</a>.

The revisions will expand what educational materials parents can access, in addition to textbooks and tests, such as employee training materials, websites or applications used for learning, digital materials and activities information.

School districts would need to specify how they would “accommodate” — not merely “handle” — parental requests to attend and monitor classes, assemblies, activities or counseling sessions.

Districts must update their policies by July 1, 2025.

State Sen. Jana Hughes of Seward introduced&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=55539" target="_blank">LB 1296</a>&nbsp;to create a&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/03/15/lawmaker-seeks-nebraska-registry-of-authorized-vape-products-crackdown-on-sales/">Nebraska-specific registry and list of regulations</a>&nbsp;for vaping products.

Beginning Friday, passed as part of&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=55526" target="_blank">LB 1204</a>, online or other electronic sales for vapes are no longer allowed. Violations are a Class I misdemeanor.&nbsp;

Manufacturers of electronic nicotine delivery systems must complete a&nbsp;<a href="https://revenue.nebraska.gov/sites/default/files/doc/tax-forms/2024/5-272.pdf" target="_blank">certification</a>&nbsp;form and pay a $75 fee by April 1, 2025. The Nebraska Department of Revenue will list all approved manufacturers and products that have been approved for sale beginning Oct. 31, 2025.

The law also cracks down on advertising targeted at minors, outlawing ads or packaging that:

“What we saw with schools, we saw highlighters, flash drives, that’s illegal, full stop,” Attorney General Mike Hilgers told the Nebraska Examiner. “Even if it is registered, they can’t do that.”

Hilgers worked with Hughes on the legislation and said the “Nebraska-based solution” will help to screen out material that is counterfeit or otherwise not safe for consumers.

Another bill from Hughes,&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=55026" target="_blank">LB 1035</a>, will establish a prescription drug donation program. While no nonprofit has yet been chosen, Hughes has eyed a likely partnership with the&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/12/13/nebraska-lawmaker-looks-to-partner-with-iowas-prescription-drug-donation-program/">Iowa-based nonprofit SafeNetRx</a>, which she visited last October.

Under the law, prescription drugs must be in single-unit doses in original, unopened, sealed and tamper-evident packaging. Nebraskans can already donate to SafeNetRx’s program, but the law opens up a pathway for the medicine to be returned to Nebraska patients.

A DHHS spokesperson said the department is having conversations with SafeNetRx about how the Iowa program can work in Nebraska and about licensing and statutory obligations.

DHHS is also set to coordinate and cooperate with the Public Service Commission to ensure the nationwide 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline can be&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/new-nebraska-law-connects-911-operators-with-988-suicide-prevention-line/">routed to 911 servers</a>, and vice versa. State Sen. John Fredrickson of Omaha introduced that change in&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=54752" target="_blank">LB 929</a>, which passed in&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=55163" target="_blank">LB 1200</a>.

Several changes are coming to the&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/04/04/legislative-package-advances-to-reform-nebraska-parole-board/">state’s parole system</a>&nbsp;through McKinney’s&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=50450" target="_blank">LB 631</a>.

One major change is limiting the Board of Parole to two reasons for which it may defer parole: if there is a substantial risk that the person would not conform to the conditions of parole or that continued correctional treatment, medical care or training would “substantially enhance his or her capacity to lead a law-abiding life when released at a later date.”

Parole couldn’t be denied solely because the department did not offer needed programming or otherwise delayed programming because of operational issues.

Parole Board members consider whether to grant parole during more than 1,000 hearings each calendar year, and they may be now removed from their post for “neglect of duty.”

That definition includes not attending 12 full days of hearings within a year, which doesn’t include days missed for a medical appointment that couldn’t reasonably be rescheduled or delayed, a family emergency, illness, an act of God or other similar circumstances.

The Parole Board will also need to begin regularly conducting “Parole School” sessions in each correctional facility, so offenders have the knowledge and confidence to successfully navigate the process.

Another proposal,&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=50027" target="_blank">LB 20</a>&nbsp;from Wayne, “automatically” removes a disqualification from voting rights for any Nebraskans who have completed their felony sentence. The law removed a two-year waiting period for felons after completing their sentence, which had been established in 2005.

Enforcement of LB 20, as well as the two-year waiting period, remains in question after Hilgers issued a&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/07/17/ag-hilgers-issues-opinion-that-threatens-new-felon-voter-registrations-in-nebraska/">formal opinion to Secretary of State Bob Evnen</a>&nbsp;stating that both laws were an unconstitutional encroachment on the authority of Nebraska’s Pardons Board.

The secretary of state, attorney general and governor make up that board, and Pillen had cast doubt on the law in April when he allowed the law to go into effect&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/04/18/felon-voting-rights-restoration-proposal-becomes-law-but-faces-possible-legal-challenge/">without his signature</a>.

Hilgers’ opinion doesn’t carry the same weight as the state’s judicial system, and the legislation has not been challenged in the courts.

Conrad, a civil rights attorney, confirmed to the Examiner that thousands of Nebraskans who had been disqualified from registering to vote but were within the two-year waiting period “automatically” had that voting registration disqualification go away as of Friday, per the new&nbsp; law.

A slew of other laws that took effect Friday include:

Flurry of 100+ new laws taking effect in Nebraska

West Yellowstone, Montana —Tourists enjoying Yellowstone National Park were forced to run for cover when the was a massive geyser explosion.

&nbsp;Just before 10:30a.m. Tuesday, a localized&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/yvo/news/hydrothermal-explosions-yellowstone-national-park" target="_blank">hydrothermal explosion</a>&nbsp;occurred near Sapphire Pool in Biscuit Basin, located just north of Old Faithful, according to the National Park Service.

No injuries were reported and the extent of damage is unknown at this time.&nbsp;

Biscuit Basin including the parking lot and boardwalks, are temporarily closed for safety reasons. The Grand Loop Road remains open.&nbsp; Park staff and staff from USGS will monitor conditions and reopen the area once deemed safe.&nbsp;

No&nbsp;other monitoring data show changes in the Yellowstone region. Tthe explosion does not reflect a change in the volcanic system, which remains at normal background levels of activity. The park service indicated this is an&nbsp;evolving incident, and additional details will be shared as more facts are known.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721765630612.png" alt="Photo National Park Service" />
 <figcaption>Photo National Park Service</figcaption>
 </figure>West Yellowstone, Montana —Tourists enjoying Yellowstone National Park were forced to run for cover when the was a massive geyser explosion.&nbsp;Just before 10:30a.m. Tuesday, a localized&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/yvo/news/hydrothermal-explosions-yellowstone-national-park" target="_blank">hydrothermal explosion</a>&nbsp;occurred near Sapphire Pool in Biscuit Basin, located just north of Old Faithful, according to the National Park Service.No injuries were reported and the extent of damage is unknown at this time.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721766258883.png" alt="Photo National Park Service" />
 <figcaption>Photo National Park Service</figcaption>
 </figure>Biscuit Basin including the parking lot and boardwalks, are temporarily closed for safety reasons. The Grand Loop Road remains open.&nbsp; Park staff and staff from USGS will monitor conditions and reopen the area once deemed safe.&nbsp;No&nbsp;other monitoring data show changes in the Yellowstone region. Tthe explosion does not reflect a change in the volcanic system, which remains at normal background levels of activity. The park service indicated this is an&nbsp;evolving incident, and additional details will be shared as more facts are known.

Geyser explosion closes portion of Yellowstone National Park

&nbsp;(Gering, Neb.) — Weather permitting, work will begin August 5 on eastbound and westbound I-80 and the westbound rest area at Sidney, from reference post 60.68 to reference post 68.67 according to the Nebraska Department of Transportation.

Paulsen, Inc. of Cozad is the contractor for this project. Work includes pavement repair, milling old asphalt and repaving with a new asphalt overlay, bridge girder repairs, and new guardrail and grading.

The westbound rest area will be removed. New ramps and parking lot will be built to accommodate a new rest area building being constructed under a separate project. Traffic will be maintained with lane closures. Anticipated completion is July 2025.

Motorists are reminded to drive cautiously in and near work zones, to buckle up, and to put phones down.


Nebraska Department of Transportation&nbsp;(Gering, Neb.) — Weather permitting, work will begin August 5 on eastbound and westbound I-80 and the westbound rest area at Sidney, from reference post 60.68 to reference post 68.67 according to the Nebraska Department of Transportation.Paulsen, Inc. of Cozad is the contractor for this project. Work includes pavement repair, milling old asphalt and repaving with a new asphalt overlay, bridge girder repairs, and new guardrail and grading.The westbound rest area will be removed. New ramps and parking lot will be built to accommodate a new rest area building being constructed under a separate project. Traffic will be maintained with lane closures. Anticipated completion is July 2025.Motorists are reminded to drive cautiously in and near work zones, to buckle up, and to put phones down.

Work will begin on I-80, Sidney–Sunol and Sidney Westbound Rest Area

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/07/22/nebraska-push-for-winner-take-all-will-wait-in-line-after-property-tax-relief/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — Nebraska Republicans who want to change how the state awards its Electoral College votes before the presidential election this fall will have to wait a little longer.

Gov. Jim Pillen’s office confirmed Monday that his written call for this week’s special session will focus on property taxes alone and won’t include winner-take-all.

Pillen spokeswoman Laura Strimple said the governor has not shut the door on perhaps calling a special session later this year to consider awarding all five of Nebraska’s electoral votes to the winner of the presidential popular vote statewide. This year that likely would be former President Donald Trump in this Republican-dominated state.

State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Omaha told Nebraska Public Media on Monday the tax session could last until Labor Day. If so, that would push a winner-take-all special session into September.

The governor visited the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee on Thursday, the same day Trump spoke. The Trump campaign has made clear that it wants the law changed.

Trump himself&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/04/05/sources-say-trump-sought-to-directly-pressure-nebraska-state-senator-over-winner-take-all-proposal/">called at least one Nebraska state lawmaker</a>&nbsp;last session when the measure was being discussed, the senator told several of his colleagues, although the Trump campaign denied the call being made.

Pillen has said Nebraska should not stand alone with Maine in awarding a single vote for the winner in each congressional district, with the rest going to the statewide winner.

The Nebraska Republican Party has tried for decades to change a 1991 law passed under Democratic Gov. Ben Nelson that allowed one slice of a GOP-leaning state to stay competitive.

The Omaha-based 2nd Congressional District, despite the 2020 redistricting that swapped parts of suburban Sarpy County for rural Saunders County, remains politically divided.&nbsp;&nbsp;

In the last four presidential elections, Democratic and GOP candidates have each won the&nbsp;<a href="https://omaha.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/joe-biden-picks-up-2nd-district-electoral-vote-trump-wins-the-four-other-nebraska-votes/article_feb6eb42-95b1-5f13-b04f-598bae9d6544.html" target="_blank">2nd District twice</a>. Democrats won a vote in 2008 and 2020. Republicans won in 2012 and 2016.

Pillen has told the Examiner he would call a special session on winner-take-all this summer if legislative leaders tell him they have the votes. Thus far, they do not.

State Sen. Loren Lippincott of Central City, who sponsored last year’s winner-take-all proposal, Legislative Bill 764, said Monday he remains short of the 33 votes needed to overcome a promised filibuster.

Several local political observers have said the holdouts could face tremendous pressure from Trump and his campaign supporters as the election nears. Some expect senators to flip.

Time is short. The first early ballots get mailed to overseas Nebraskans at least 45 days before the election, in September, and the first early ballots sent to Nebraska addresses are mailed in October.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721751156307.jpeg" alt=" Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen greets attendees at one of his property tax town halls Friday, May 24, 2024, in Beatrice. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption> Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen greets attendees at one of his property tax town halls Friday, May 24, 2024, in Beatrice. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Aaron Sanderford<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/07/22/nebraska-push-for-winner-take-all-will-wait-in-line-after-property-tax-relief/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — Nebraska Republicans who want to change how the state awards its Electoral College votes before the presidential election this fall will have to wait a little longer.Gov. Jim Pillen’s office confirmed Monday that his written call for this week’s special session will focus on property taxes alone and won’t include winner-take-all.Pillen spokeswoman Laura Strimple said the governor has not shut the door on perhaps calling a special session later this year to consider awarding all five of Nebraska’s electoral votes to the winner of the presidential popular vote statewide. This year that likely would be former President Donald Trump in this Republican-dominated state.State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Omaha told Nebraska Public Media on Monday the tax session could last until Labor Day. If so, that would push a winner-take-all special session into September.<h2>Pillen attended GOP convention</h2>The governor visited the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee on Thursday, the same day Trump spoke. The Trump campaign has made clear that it wants the law changed.Trump himself&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/04/05/sources-say-trump-sought-to-directly-pressure-nebraska-state-senator-over-winner-take-all-proposal/">called at least one Nebraska state lawmaker</a>&nbsp;last session when the measure was being discussed, the senator told several of his colleagues, although the Trump campaign denied the call being made.Pillen has said Nebraska should not stand alone with Maine in awarding a single vote for the winner in each congressional district, with the rest going to the statewide winner.The Nebraska Republican Party has tried for decades to change a 1991 law passed under Democratic Gov. Ben Nelson that allowed one slice of a GOP-leaning state to stay competitive.<h2>2nd District remains closely split</h2>The Omaha-based 2nd Congressional District, despite the 2020 redistricting that swapped parts of suburban Sarpy County for rural Saunders County, remains politically divided.&nbsp;&nbsp;In the last four presidential elections, Democratic and GOP candidates have each won the&nbsp;<a href="https://omaha.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/joe-biden-picks-up-2nd-district-electoral-vote-trump-wins-the-four-other-nebraska-votes/article_feb6eb42-95b1-5f13-b04f-598bae9d6544.html" target="_blank">2nd District twice</a>. Democrats won a vote in 2008 and 2020. Republicans won in 2012 and 2016.Pillen has told the Examiner he would call a special session on winner-take-all this summer if legislative leaders tell him they have the votes. Thus far, they do not.State Sen. Loren Lippincott of Central City, who sponsored last year’s winner-take-all proposal, Legislative Bill 764, said Monday he remains short of the 33 votes needed to overcome a promised filibuster.Several local political observers have said the holdouts could face tremendous pressure from Trump and his campaign supporters as the election nears. Some expect senators to flip.<h2>Time for 2024 changes running out</h2>Time is short. The first early ballots get mailed to overseas Nebraskans at least 45 days before the election, in September, and the first early ballots sent to Nebraska addresses are mailed in October.Part of the reason for the&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/04/09/pillen-staffer-confirms-charlie-kirks-talk-of-nebraska-winner-take-all-special-session/">national attention</a>&nbsp;is because of the possibility of the election ending in a 269-269 tie. In that scenario, a single stray electoral vote could matter.Speaker of the Legislature John Arch did not immediately return messages seeking comment about winner-take-all discussions in the conservative-led, officially nonpartisan body.If Nebraska acts, state lawmakers in Democratic-leaning Maine have said they would&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/04/26/maine-draws-a-line-in-the-sandhills-will-match-nebraska-on-winner-take-all/">consider changing to winner-take-all</a>&nbsp;to avoid handing any one candidate an unfair advantage.Nebraska Democratic Party chair Jane Kleeb has said Republicans are trying to change the rules too close to an election. She has said Trump should compete for 2nd District votes.Both major party presidential campaigns have built a presence in the 2nd District in recent months, hiring staff and working with volunteers and U.S. House candidates to knock on doors.