By:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">Jennifer Shutt</a>&nbsp;AND&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/ashley-murray/">Ashley Murray</a>

WASHINGTON — The U.S. House early Thursday approved the “big, beautiful bill” that Republican leaders spent months negotiating with centrists and far-right members of the party — two distinct factions that hold vastly different policy goals — over intense opposition from Democrats.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2025145" target="_blank">215-214 vote</a>&nbsp;ships the package to the Senate, where GOP lawmakers are expected to rewrite much of it, before sending it back across the Capitol for final approval, a process likely to stretch through the summer.

President Donald Trump, who said he backed the House version, would then need to sign the legislation, which under the complicated process being used by Republicans can pass with just a majority vote in the GOP-controlled Senate.

Speaker Mike Johnson said minutes before the vote that he expects lawmakers to give the measure final approval before the Fourth of July.

“Now, look, we’re accomplishing a big thing here today, but we know this isn’t the end of the road just yet,” Johnson, R-La., said. “We’ve been working closely with leader (John) Thune and our Senate colleagues, the Senate Republicans, to get this done and delivered to the President’s desk by our Independence Day. That’s July 4. Today proves that we can do that, and we will do that.”

Ohio’s Warren Davidson and Kentucky’s Thomas Massie were the only Republicans to vote against passing the bill, which members debated throughout the night prior to the vote just after daylight in the nation’s capital. All Democrats, who dubbed it “one big ugly bill,” were opposed. Maryland GOP Rep. Andy Harris, chairman of the Freedom Caucus, voted “present.”

Massie spoke against the bill overnight, calling it “a debt bomb ticking.”

“I’d love to stand here and tell the American people: We can cut your taxes and we can increase spending, and everything’s going to be just fine. But I can’t do that because I’m here to deliver a dose of reality,” Massie said. “This bill dramatically increases deficits in the near term, but promises our government will be fiscally responsible five years from now. Where have we heard that before? How do you bind a future Congress to these promises?”

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1/text?s=6&amp;r=1&amp;q=%7B%22search%22%3A%22H.R.+1%22%7D" target="_blank">1,116-page package</a>&nbsp;combines 11 bills that GOP lawmakers debated and reported out of committee during the last several weeks.

The bill would make deep cuts to Medicaid spending, reducing the program by $625 billion over 10 years under the latest estimate by the Congressional Budget Office.

The budget measure would also raise the debt limit by $4 trillion.

<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/cbo-analysis-shows-us-house-gop-budget-measure-tilted-toward-upper-income-taxpayers" target="_blank">A new Congressional Budget Office analysis</a>&nbsp;released late Tuesday showed the package tilted toward the wealthy, projecting it would decrease resources for low-income families over the next decade while increasing resources for top earners.

Republicans hold especially thin majorities in the House and Senate, meaning that nearly every GOP lawmaker — ranging from centrists who barely won their general elections to far-right members who are more at risk of losing a primary challenge — needed to support the bill.

Balancing the demands of hundreds of lawmakers led to nearly constant talks during the last few days as Johnson struggled to secure the votes to pass the bill before his Memorial Day deadline.

Any deal Johnson made with far-right members of the party risked alienating centrist GOP lawmakers and vice versa.

An agreement finally came together Wednesday evening when&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-house-speaker-predicts-vote-soon-giant-budget-bill-stalled-hard-right-objections" target="_blank">GOP leaders released a 42-page amendment</a>&nbsp;that made changes to various sections of the package, including the state and local tax deduction, or SALT, and Medicaid work requirements and nixed the potential sale of some public lands.&nbsp;

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">Jennifer Shutt</a>&nbsp;AND&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/ashley-murray/">Ashley Murray</a>WASHINGTON — The U.S. House early Thursday approved the “big, beautiful bill” that Republican leaders spent months negotiating with centrists and far-right members of the party — two distinct factions that hold vastly different policy goals — over intense opposition from Democrats.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">PASSED: THE ONE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL ACT. House Republicans just passed this HISTORIC piece of legislation FOR YOU. <a href="https://t.co/keVGJstR6c">pic.twitter.com/keVGJstR6c</a>&mdash; House Republicans (@HouseGOP) <a href="https://twitter.com/HouseGOP/status/1925505923822260229?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 22, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The&nbsp;<a href="https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2025145" target="_blank">215-214 vote</a>&nbsp;ships the package to the Senate, where GOP lawmakers are expected to rewrite much of it, before sending it back across the Capitol for final approval, a process likely to stretch through the summer.President Donald Trump, who said he backed the House version, would then need to sign the legislation, which under the complicated process being used by Republicans can pass with just a majority vote in the GOP-controlled Senate.Speaker Mike Johnson said minutes before the vote that he expects lawmakers to give the measure final approval before the Fourth of July.“Now, look, we’re accomplishing a big thing here today, but we know this isn’t the end of the road just yet,” Johnson, R-La., said. “We’ve been working closely with leader (John) Thune and our Senate colleagues, the Senate Republicans, to get this done and delivered to the President’s desk by our Independence Day. That’s July 4. Today proves that we can do that, and we will do that.”Ohio’s Warren Davidson and Kentucky’s Thomas Massie were the only Republicans to vote against passing the bill, which members debated throughout the night prior to the vote just after daylight in the nation’s capital. All Democrats, who dubbed it “one big ugly bill,” were opposed. Maryland GOP Rep. Andy Harris, chairman of the Freedom Caucus, voted “present.”Massie spoke against the bill overnight, calling it “a debt bomb ticking.”“I’d love to stand here and tell the American people: We can cut your taxes and we can increase spending, and everything’s going to be just fine. But I can’t do that because I’m here to deliver a dose of reality,” Massie said. “This bill dramatically increases deficits in the near term, but promises our government will be fiscally responsible five years from now. Where have we heard that before? How do you bind a future Congress to these promises?”The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1/text?s=6&amp;r=1&amp;q=%7B%22search%22%3A%22H.R.+1%22%7D" target="_blank">1,116-page package</a>&nbsp;combines 11 bills that GOP lawmakers debated and reported out of committee during the last several weeks.The legislation would:<ul>
 <li>Extend the 2017 tax law, including tax cuts for businesses and individuals;</li><li>Bolster spending on border security and defense by hundreds of billions of dollars;</li><li>Rework energy permitting;</li><li>Restructure higher education aid such as student loans and Pell Grants;</li><li>Shift some of the cost of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program food aid program for low income Americans to state governments; and</li><li>Overhaul Medicaid, the nation’s program for health care for low income people and some people with disabilities.</li>
 </ul>The bill would make deep cuts to Medicaid spending, reducing the program by $625 billion over 10 years under the latest estimate by the Congressional Budget Office.The budget measure would also raise the debt limit by $4 trillion.<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/cbo-analysis-shows-us-house-gop-budget-measure-tilted-toward-upper-income-taxpayers" target="_blank">A new Congressional Budget Office analysis</a>&nbsp;released late Tuesday showed the package tilted toward the wealthy, projecting it would decrease resources for low-income families over the next decade while increasing resources for top earners.Republicans hold especially thin majorities in the House and Senate, meaning that nearly every GOP lawmaker — ranging from centrists who barely won their general elections to far-right members who are more at risk of losing a primary challenge — needed to support the bill.Balancing the demands of hundreds of lawmakers led to nearly constant talks during the last few days as Johnson struggled to secure the votes to pass the bill before his Memorial Day deadline.Any deal Johnson made with far-right members of the party risked alienating centrist GOP lawmakers and vice versa.An agreement finally came together Wednesday evening when&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-house-speaker-predicts-vote-soon-giant-budget-bill-stalled-hard-right-objections" target="_blank">GOP leaders released a 42-page amendment</a>&nbsp;that made changes to various sections of the package, including the state and local tax deduction, or SALT, and Medicaid work requirements and nixed the potential sale of some public lands.&nbsp;

US House GOP push through massive tax and spending bill slashing Medicaid

LINCOLN, Neb - A proposal seeking to regulate and tax medical cannabis in Nebraska after approval of two ballot initiatives last November stalled on the first round of debate May 20 following a failed cloture motion.

The successful ballot measures protect qualified individuals from legal penalties for possessing and using medical cannabis when recommended by a health care practitioner and create the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission to oversee the industry.

The commission is required to establish criteria to accept or deny applications for registered cannabis establishments by July 1. Entities will be able to apply for licensure beginning Oct. 1.

LB677, as introduced by Blair Sen. Ben Hansen, would provide a regulatory framework for medical cannabis and establish licenses for cultivators, dispensaries, product manufacturers, transporters, testing facilities and “vertical” facilities — those that both cultivate and dispense products.

The bill would limit the number of licenses issued in each congressional district and give the commission through Oct. 1 to establish criteria for registering cannabis establishments. Entities could apply for licensure beginning Jan. 1, 2026.

Under the proposal, health care practitioners — defined as a physician, osteopathic physician, physician assistant or nurse practitioner — would be authorized to issue a written recommendation for up to five ounces of medical cannabis for individuals with qualifying medical conditions. Individuals under age 18 would need approval from a legal parent or guardian with authority to make health care decisions.

After receiving written notation from a health care provider, the bill would require an individual to apply for a registry card to identify them as a qualified patient or registered caregiver. The registry would be established directly through the commission and require an application fee of up to $45.

The use or possession of cannabis on school grounds, at a child care facility or home day care, in a jail, adult or juvenile correctional facility or youth rehabilitation and treatment center and while operating a vehicle would be prohibited under the bill. Schools would have the authority to establish regulations that allow for students to use non-smoked or vaporized medical cannabis in certain areas.

The measure also would enact a 4% sales tax on all medical cannabis products, with that revenue deposited into the Property Tax Credit Relief Fund.

Hansen said the bill seeks to ensure medical cannabis is safely provided to qualifying patients by requiring product testing, seed-to-sale tracking, childproof packaging and warning labels for pregnant individuals.

“I want to treat this about as close as we possibly can to a pharmaceutical medication,” he said. “Because if that’s the intent [of the ballot initiative], we need to treat it that way.”

An amendment offered by the General Affairs Committee would replace the bill with a modified proposal. Under the amendment, the sales tax would be increased to 5.5% and municipalities would be allowed to impose an additional 2% tax on dispensaries.

The committee amendment also would prohibit the consumption of medical cannabis by smoking and limit the amount of dried flower a patient may possess to two ounces. Additionally, the amendment would narrow the definition of “qualifying medical condition” to 15 conditions recommended by the Nebraska Medical Association, including:

• autism with frequent or self-injurious or aggressive behavior;

• Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis;

• spinal cord injury or a disease with residual neurological deficits;

• terminal illness with a probable life expectancy of under one year;

• severe or chronic pain lasting longer than six months that is not adequately managed, in the opinion of a health care practitioner, despite treatment attempts using conventional medications other than opioids or opiates or physical interventions.

The measure also includes a provision that would allow an out-of-state health care provider to recommend medical cannabis to a patient in Nebraska who they have been seeing for at least six months.

Hansen supported the committee amendment, saying it would help establish one of the most “comprehensive, regulated and restrictive” medical cannabis programs in the country.

Sen. John Fredrickson of Omaha also supported the proposal. He said it is the Legislature’s responsibility to ensure that the medical cannabis measure passed by voters is safe, effective and medically sound. He said 47 other states already have implemented legislation to allow for the use of medical cannabis.

“Two things can be true at the same time — we can support access while also safeguarding against misuse or abuse,” Fredrickson said. “Let’s put the right guardrails in place and … help build a system that we can be proud of and put our patients first.”

Also supporting the bill and the committee amendment was Sen. Glen Meyer of Pender. He said several individuals had spoken to him regarding the relief they found through medical cannabis after other treatments and medications left them unable to perform everyday tasks.

“I would expect [that] intelligent people with good hearts, which I believe this body is, can find a way to provide relief with some medical marijuana,” Meyer said.

Speaking in favor of the proposal, Omaha Sen. Dunixi Guereca expressed concern about the potential for medical cannabis to become inaccessible if its regulation is left solely to the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission created by the initiative.

That commission will include the current three members of the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission and two members appointed by the governor, individuals who Guereca characterized as “anti-marijuana” advocates.

Sen. Jared Storm of David City introduced a series of procedural motions to extend debate on the bill. He said the Legislature should not take action until the Nebraska Supreme Court rules on a pending case challenging the validity of the ballot initiatives.

Storm also said LB677 as amended would not represent the will of Nebraska voters who chose to grant authority to implement rules and regulations for medical cannabis to the newly created commission and not the Legislature.

“I have sympathy for people who are struggling … but we have to get this right,” he said. “The people voted [and] as a legislator, I will carry out the will of the people.”

Norfolk Sen. Robert Dover agreed and added that the commission has not yet had the opportunity to carry out the provisions of the ballot initiative. He said the two gubernatorial nominees first must be confirmed by the Legislature before they can begin to establish a regulatory framework.

“Why would we as a Legislature start messing with a commission that hasn’t even started to do its work in the first place?” Dover said.

Also speaking in opposition to the measure, Sen. Beau Ballard of Lincoln expressed concern regarding the “broad” nature of the qualifying conditions laid out in the amendment. He worried that health care providers might exploit definitions such as “chronic pain” to provide medical cannabis to individuals who do not need it.

Sen. Teresa Ibach of Sumner also opposed the bill, saying the federal Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of a cannabis-derived medication for certain types of epilepsy and as a treatment for nausea caused by chemotherapy.

“While the agency has approved some cannabis-derived products for medical use, it currently prohibits the federal legalization and medical prescription of cannabis,” Ibach said. “Do we follow those FDA guidelines or do we find our own path?”

After eight hours of debate, Hansen filed a motion to invoke cloture, which ceases debate and forces a vote on the bill and any underlying amendments.

The motion failed on a 23-22 vote. Thirty-three votes were needed.

A failed cloture motion results in debate on a proposal ceasing for the day. LB677 is unlikely to be placed on the agenda again this session.

LINCOLN, Neb - A proposal seeking to regulate and tax medical cannabis in Nebraska after approval of two ballot initiatives last November stalled on the first round of debate May 20 following a failed cloture motion.The successful ballot measures protect qualified individuals from legal penalties for possessing and using medical cannabis when recommended by a health care practitioner and create the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission to oversee the industry.The commission is required to establish criteria to accept or deny applications for registered cannabis establishments by July 1. Entities will be able to apply for licensure beginning Oct. 1.LB677, as introduced by Blair Sen. Ben Hansen, would provide a regulatory framework for medical cannabis and establish licenses for cultivators, dispensaries, product manufacturers, transporters, testing facilities and “vertical” facilities — those that both cultivate and dispense products.The bill would limit the number of licenses issued in each congressional district and give the commission through Oct. 1 to establish criteria for registering cannabis establishments. Entities could apply for licensure beginning Jan. 1, 2026.Under the proposal, health care practitioners — defined as a physician, osteopathic physician, physician assistant or nurse practitioner — would be authorized to issue a written recommendation for up to five ounces of medical cannabis for individuals with qualifying medical conditions. Individuals under age 18 would need approval from a legal parent or guardian with authority to make health care decisions.After receiving written notation from a health care provider, the bill would require an individual to apply for a registry card to identify them as a qualified patient or registered caregiver. The registry would be established directly through the commission and require an application fee of up to $45.The use or possession of cannabis on school grounds, at a child care facility or home day care, in a jail, adult or juvenile correctional facility or youth rehabilitation and treatment center and while operating a vehicle would be prohibited under the bill. Schools would have the authority to establish regulations that allow for students to use non-smoked or vaporized medical cannabis in certain areas.The measure also would enact a 4% sales tax on all medical cannabis products, with that revenue deposited into the Property Tax Credit Relief Fund.Hansen said the bill seeks to ensure medical cannabis is safely provided to qualifying patients by requiring product testing, seed-to-sale tracking, childproof packaging and warning labels for pregnant individuals.“I want to treat this about as close as we possibly can to a pharmaceutical medication,” he said. “Because if that’s the intent [of the ballot initiative], we need to treat it that way.”An amendment offered by the General Affairs Committee would replace the bill with a modified proposal. Under the amendment, the sales tax would be increased to 5.5% and municipalities would be allowed to impose an additional 2% tax on dispensaries.The committee amendment also would prohibit the consumption of medical cannabis by smoking and limit the amount of dried flower a patient may possess to two ounces. Additionally, the amendment would narrow the definition of “qualifying medical condition” to 15 conditions recommended by the Nebraska Medical Association, including:• cancer;• autism with frequent or self-injurious or aggressive behavior;• Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis;• epilepsy or epileptic seizures;• HIV or AIDS;• Huntington’s disease;• Parkinson’s disease;• spinal cord injury or a disease with residual neurological deficits;• terminal illness with a probable life expectancy of under one year;• Tourette’s syndrome; and• severe or chronic pain lasting longer than six months that is not adequately managed, in the opinion of a health care practitioner, despite treatment attempts using conventional medications other than opioids or opiates or physical interventions.The measure also includes a provision that would allow an out-of-state health care provider to recommend medical cannabis to a patient in Nebraska who they have been seeing for at least six months.Hansen supported the committee amendment, saying it would help establish one of the most “comprehensive, regulated and restrictive” medical cannabis programs in the country.Sen. John Fredrickson of Omaha also supported the proposal. He said it is the Legislature’s responsibility to ensure that the medical cannabis measure passed by voters is safe, effective and medically sound. He said 47 other states already have implemented legislation to allow for the use of medical cannabis.“Two things can be true at the same time — we can support access while also safeguarding against misuse or abuse,” Fredrickson said. “Let’s put the right guardrails in place and … help build a system that we can be proud of and put our patients first.”Also supporting the bill and the committee amendment was Sen. Glen Meyer of Pender. He said several individuals had spoken to him regarding the relief they found through medical cannabis after other treatments and medications left them unable to perform everyday tasks.“I would expect [that] intelligent people with good hearts, which I believe this body is, can find a way to provide relief with some medical marijuana,” Meyer said.Speaking in favor of the proposal, Omaha Sen. Dunixi Guereca expressed concern about the potential for medical cannabis to become inaccessible if its regulation is left solely to the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission created by the initiative.That commission will include the current three members of the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission and two members appointed by the governor, individuals who Guereca characterized as “anti-marijuana” advocates.Sen. Jared Storm of David City introduced a series of procedural motions to extend debate on the bill. He said the Legislature should not take action until the Nebraska Supreme Court rules on a pending case challenging the validity of the ballot initiatives.Storm also said LB677 as amended would not represent the will of Nebraska voters who chose to grant authority to implement rules and regulations for medical cannabis to the newly created commission and not the Legislature.“I have sympathy for people who are struggling … but we have to get this right,” he said. “The people voted [and] as a legislator, I will carry out the will of the people.”Norfolk Sen. Robert Dover agreed and added that the commission has not yet had the opportunity to carry out the provisions of the ballot initiative. He said the two gubernatorial nominees first must be confirmed by the Legislature before they can begin to establish a regulatory framework.“Why would we as a Legislature start messing with a commission that hasn’t even started to do its work in the first place?” Dover said.Also speaking in opposition to the measure, Sen. Beau Ballard of Lincoln expressed concern regarding the “broad” nature of the qualifying conditions laid out in the amendment. He worried that health care providers might exploit definitions such as “chronic pain” to provide medical cannabis to individuals who do not need it.Sen. Teresa Ibach of Sumner also opposed the bill, saying the federal Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of a cannabis-derived medication for certain types of epilepsy and as a treatment for nausea caused by chemotherapy.“While the agency has approved some cannabis-derived products for medical use, it currently prohibits the federal legalization and medical prescription of cannabis,” Ibach said. “Do we follow those FDA guidelines or do we find our own path?”After eight hours of debate, Hansen filed a motion to invoke cloture, which ceases debate and forces a vote on the bill and any underlying amendments.The motion failed on a 23-22 vote. Thirty-three votes were needed.A failed cloture motion results in debate on a proposal ceasing for the day. LB677 is unlikely to be placed on the agenda again this session.

Cloture attempt on medical cannabis regulation fails in Legislature

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/ashley-murray/">Ashley Murray</a>

WASHINGTON — Senators tasked with tax writing split along party lines Tuesday praising and grilling former Republican U.S. Rep. Billy Long of Missouri, President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Internal Revenue Service, the agency tasked with enforcing the largest source of U.S. revenue as the country faces record debt and interest costs.

Long, who served in Congress from 2011 to 2023 and previously spent multiple years as a talk radio host, testified to the Senate Finance Committee that he plans to get rid of “stinking thinking” at the IRS and implement a “comprehensive plan” to modernize the agency and “invest in retaining skilled members of the team.”

“This does not mean a bloated agency, but an efficient one where employees have the tools they need to succeed,” Long said.

The agency has lost more than 11,000 employees, or 11% of its workforce, either through deferred resignations or mass firing of probationary workers since Trump began his second term, according to a May 2&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tigta.gov/sites/default/files/reports/2025-05/2025ier017fr.pdf" target="_blank">report</a>&nbsp;from the agency’s inspector general. Trump said in December he intended to nominate Long for the IRS post.

Committee Chair Mike Crapo of Idaho opened the confirmation hearing expressing his confidence in Long, saying he will direct a “sea change” at the agency that will benefit taxpayers.

“President Trump called Congressman Long the ‘consummate people person.’ Congressman Long is very clear that he will make himself available to all IRS employees, no matter their seniority. Moreover, he wants to implement a top-down culture change at the agency,” Crapo said.

The confirmation hearing comes as lawmakers&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-house-right-wing-tanks-trumps-big-beautiful-bill-budget-committee" target="_blank">struggle to agree</a>&nbsp;on a budget reconciliation package, which will extend and expand Trump’s 2017 tax law and in turn widen IRS responsibilities.

Sen. James Lankford, an Oklahoma Republican, said he trusted Long’s work ethic and told him, “We’re going to do a tax bill here in the next couple of months. To be able to get that done, as we did it in 2017, there’ll be a lot of work the IRS has to do to be able to put guidance documents out, to be able to get clear instructions of what that means.”

Democrats approached the hearing with skepticism.

The nearly two-hour back-and-forth with Long followed recent revelations that he accepted donations to his defunct Senate campaign shortly after Trump nominated him as the IRS commissioner. Democratic senators on the panel have also&nbsp;<a href="https://www.finance.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/cortez_masto_wyden_letter_white_river_energy_corp.pdf" target="_blank">called for an investigation</a>&nbsp;into Long’s work with a company that peddled nonexistent tribal tax credits.

“Bottom line, the American people have the right to know whether the future IRS commissioner is a crook,” said Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon, the panel’s top Democrat.

Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, a Nevada Democrat, pressed Long about $65,000 he allegedly received for his involvement promoting the fake tax credits for the companies Capital Edge Strategies and White River.

“Knowing that (the credits) are illegal, the IRS has said they’re illegal, how do you stand here before this committee and tell the chairman just a few minutes ago that you have no conflict of interest?” Cortez Masto asked.

Long replied that he’s in compliance with the Office of Government Ethics regarding his nomination and that he “did not have any perception whatsoever that these (credits) did not exist.”

Other Democrats on the panel questioned Long on Trump’s recent statements that he would pull Harvard University’s tax-exempt status over its refusal to comply with demands from the administration.

Wyden characterized Long as a “MAGA devotee” and said that Trump wants to use the IRS “as a cudgel to beat his adversaries into submission.”

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who sent Long&nbsp;<a href="https://www.warren.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/letter_from_senator_warren_to_billy_long_on_nomination_concerns.pdf" target="_blank">a 14-page letter</a>&nbsp;questioning his past, repeatedly asked Long about a statute prohibiting the president from ordering tax audits on specific people or businesses.

“Is it illegal for the President to instruct the IRS to remove nonprofit status from taxpayers?” Warren asked several times.

“I’m not going to have the answer that you need, I apologize,” Long said.

Senate Republicans on the panel questioned Long on how he can improve customer service for taxpayers — despite the party successfully fighting in 2023 to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/IN12172" target="_blank">cut</a>&nbsp;new IRS funding under President Joe Biden in 2022.

Sen. Todd Young of Indiana said the agency is “behind the curve” on technology and that its customer service issues are “out of hand.”

“If confirmed, will you commit to developing a comprehensive IRS modernization plan that prioritizes customer service, identifies critical technology infrastructure needs and ensures greater transparency and audit practices? Yes or no?” Young asked.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1747859738526.png" alt=" Former U.S. Rep. Billy Long, nominee for Internal Revenue Service commissioner, testifies before the Senate Finance Committee at his confirmation hearing on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. (Screenshot from committee webcast)" />
 <figcaption> Former U.S. Rep. Billy Long, nominee for Internal Revenue Service commissioner, testifies before the Senate Finance Committee at his confirmation hearing on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. (Screenshot from committee webcast)</figcaption>
 </figure>By:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/ashley-murray/">Ashley Murray</a>WASHINGTON — Senators tasked with tax writing split along party lines Tuesday praising and grilling former Republican U.S. Rep. Billy Long of Missouri, President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Internal Revenue Service, the agency tasked with enforcing the largest source of U.S. revenue as the country faces record debt and interest costs.Long, who served in Congress from 2011 to 2023 and previously spent multiple years as a talk radio host, testified to the Senate Finance Committee that he plans to get rid of “stinking thinking” at the IRS and implement a “comprehensive plan” to modernize the agency and “invest in retaining skilled members of the team.”“This does not mean a bloated agency, but an efficient one where employees have the tools they need to succeed,” Long said.The agency has lost more than 11,000 employees, or 11% of its workforce, either through deferred resignations or mass firing of probationary workers since Trump began his second term, according to a May 2&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tigta.gov/sites/default/files/reports/2025-05/2025ier017fr.pdf" target="_blank">report</a>&nbsp;from the agency’s inspector general. Trump said in December he intended to nominate Long for the IRS post.<h2>‘Top-down culture change’</h2>Committee Chair Mike Crapo of Idaho opened the confirmation hearing expressing his confidence in Long, saying he will direct a “sea change” at the agency that will benefit taxpayers.“President Trump called Congressman Long the ‘consummate people person.’ Congressman Long is very clear that he will make himself available to all IRS employees, no matter their seniority. Moreover, he wants to implement a top-down culture change at the agency,” Crapo said.The confirmation hearing comes as lawmakers&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-house-right-wing-tanks-trumps-big-beautiful-bill-budget-committee" target="_blank">struggle to agree</a>&nbsp;on a budget reconciliation package, which will extend and expand Trump’s 2017 tax law and in turn widen IRS responsibilities.Sen. James Lankford, an Oklahoma Republican, said he trusted Long’s work ethic and told him, “We’re going to do a tax bill here in the next couple of months. To be able to get that done, as we did it in 2017, there’ll be a lot of work the IRS has to do to be able to put guidance documents out, to be able to get clear instructions of what that means.”<h2>Nonexistent tribal tax credits</h2>Democrats approached the hearing with skepticism.The nearly two-hour back-and-forth with Long followed recent revelations that he accepted donations to his defunct Senate campaign shortly after Trump nominated him as the IRS commissioner. Democratic senators on the panel have also&nbsp;<a href="https://www.finance.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/cortez_masto_wyden_letter_white_river_energy_corp.pdf" target="_blank">called for an investigation</a>&nbsp;into Long’s work with a company that peddled nonexistent tribal tax credits.“Bottom line, the American people have the right to know whether the future IRS commissioner is a crook,” said Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon, the panel’s top Democrat.Long denies any wrongdoing.Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, a Nevada Democrat, pressed Long about $65,000 he allegedly received for his involvement promoting the fake tax credits for the companies Capital Edge Strategies and White River.“Knowing that (the credits) are illegal, the IRS has said they’re illegal, how do you stand here before this committee and tell the chairman just a few minutes ago that you have no conflict of interest?” Cortez Masto asked.Long replied that he’s in compliance with the Office of Government Ethics regarding his nomination and that he “did not have any perception whatsoever that these (credits) did not exist.”Other Democrats on the panel questioned Long on Trump’s recent statements that he would pull Harvard University’s tax-exempt status over its refusal to comply with demands from the administration.Wyden characterized Long as a “MAGA devotee” and said that Trump wants to use the IRS “as a cudgel to beat his adversaries into submission.”<h2>14-page letter</h2>Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who sent Long&nbsp;<a href="https://www.warren.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/letter_from_senator_warren_to_billy_long_on_nomination_concerns.pdf" target="_blank">a 14-page letter</a>&nbsp;questioning his past, repeatedly asked Long about a statute prohibiting the president from ordering tax audits on specific people or businesses.“Is it illegal for the President to instruct the IRS to remove nonprofit status from taxpayers?” Warren asked several times.“I’m not going to have the answer that you need, I apologize,” Long said.Senate Republicans on the panel questioned Long on how he can improve customer service for taxpayers — despite the party successfully fighting in 2023 to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/IN12172" target="_blank">cut</a>&nbsp;new IRS funding under President Joe Biden in 2022.Sen. Todd Young of Indiana said the agency is “behind the curve” on technology and that its customer service issues are “out of hand.”“If confirmed, will you commit to developing a comprehensive IRS modernization plan that prioritizes customer service, identifies critical technology infrastructure needs and ensures greater transparency and audit practices? Yes or no?” Young asked.“Yes,” Long replied.“Excellent,” Young said.&nbsp;

IRS nominee Billy Long probed by Democrats over nonexistent tribal tax credits

McClain County, Oklahoma—Authorities in Oklahoma shared a video Tuesday of a dramatic lightning strike of a police car.

The strike occurred on Monday during a severe storm, according to Newcastle Emergency Emergency Management.&nbsp;No one was hurt. 

"But that could’ve been anyone," the agency reminded. "If you hear thunder, you’re close enough to get hit. Get inside, stay away from trees and metal, and unplug electronics until the storm passes. Take lightning seriously every time."&nbsp; Newcastle is located approximately 2 and one half hours south of Wichita.

McClain County, Oklahoma—Authorities in Oklahoma shared a video Tuesday of a dramatic lightning strike of a police car.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=395&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2F100068070158289%2Fvideos%2F1709176623353212%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=1" width="560" height="395" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>The strike occurred on Monday during a severe storm, according to Newcastle Emergency Emergency Management.&nbsp;No one was hurt. "But that could’ve been anyone," the agency reminded. "If you hear thunder, you’re close enough to get hit. Get inside, stay away from trees and metal, and unplug electronics until the storm passes. Take lightning seriously every time."&nbsp; Newcastle is located approximately 2 and one half hours south of Wichita.

🎥 Lightning bolt strikes police vehicle 

— Adam Wegner, Nebraska Beef Council

KEARNEY, Neb. — In the panhandle of Nebraska, where the beef industry stands as a pillar of the community, local ranchers are extending their support beyond the pastures to embrace foster families through an initiative called Foster Love with Beef. This program ensures that families welcoming new foster children can bond over hearty, nutritious meals featuring locally donated beef.

Founded by Jessi Grote, a rural nurse, rancher, and mother, Foster Love with Beef was born out of personal experience and a deep-seated desire to give back. Reflecting on her journey, Jessi shared how the groundwork for the initiative took shape.

“As our long-term foster son transitioned home, there were so many mixed emotions. During this time, my heart was aching for what I knew was going to come.” She and her husband pondered how they could remain involved in the foster care community, but in a different way. “We are ranchers in the Nebraska Panhandle and found the foster kids in our home really enjoyed nights when we cooked with our homegrown beef,” Jessi noted. This realization sparked the idea for Foster Love with Beef—a way for local ranchers to make a meaningful difference in the lives of foster families by providing donated beef.

The beauty of the program lies within its simplicity: when a child is placed into a foster home within the service area, Foster Love with Beef is notified. Jessi then coordinates with local farmers and ranchers who have volunteered to donate beef. Each donation consists of five pounds of hamburger and a roast, offering families the opportunity to share meals together during pivotal moments of transition.

Nicole Dean, a rancher from Bridgeport, NE expressed the significance of contributing to the cause. “Foster Love with Beef has been a blessing to so many families, communities, and to the donors,” said Dean. “Jessi’s desire to love and serve others has created a beautiful space to form a connection between foster families and ranchers. We are all called to love our neighbor and Foster Love with Beef is putting this command into action. As donors, my family and I are blessed to be a part of this wonderful program.”

May is celebrated as “Beef Month” in Nebraska, highlighting the vital role the beef industry plays in the state’s economy and culture. Foster Love with Beef exemplifies how Nebraska’s farmers and ranchers are dedicated not only to their livelihoods but also to nurturing their communities. By providing quality beef to foster families, they help create an environment where new family bonds can flourish over shared meals.

Jessi emphasized the broader impact of the program: “Foster Love with Beef has been a blessing in so many ways. Not only to the foster families and kids in care, but also for the ranchers who donate and for my mental health too. This program gave me hope at a time when that was incredibly challenging.”

As Nebraska honors its beef industry this month, initiatives like Foster Love with Beef remind us that the essence of community lies in coming together to support one another, ensuring that every family has a place at the table and a nourishing meal to share. To learn more about Foster Love with Beef, visit their website www.fosterlovewithbeef.org or find them on Facebook and Instagram.

The Nebraska Beef Council is a non-profit organization served by a nine-member board of directors. The volunteers oversee the beef checkoff in Nebraska and checkoff-funded programs. Programs for marketing and promotion are funded by the $1/head beef checkoff.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1747828456684.jpeg" alt="Jessi Grote and her family started Foster Love with Beef as a way for local ranchers to support foster families by providing donated beef. (Courtesy photo of Grote family)" />
 <figcaption>Jessi Grote and her family started Foster Love with Beef as a way for local ranchers to support foster families by providing donated beef. (Courtesy photo of Grote family)</figcaption>
 </figure>— Adam Wegner, Nebraska Beef CouncilKEARNEY, Neb. — In the panhandle of Nebraska, where the beef industry stands as a pillar of the community, local ranchers are extending their support beyond the pastures to embrace foster families through an initiative called Foster Love with Beef. This program ensures that families welcoming new foster children can bond over hearty, nutritious meals featuring locally donated beef.Founded by Jessi Grote, a rural nurse, rancher, and mother, Foster Love with Beef was born out of personal experience and a deep-seated desire to give back. Reflecting on her journey, Jessi shared how the groundwork for the initiative took shape.“As our long-term foster son transitioned home, there were so many mixed emotions. During this time, my heart was aching for what I knew was going to come.” She and her husband pondered how they could remain involved in the foster care community, but in a different way. “We are ranchers in the Nebraska Panhandle and found the foster kids in our home really enjoyed nights when we cooked with our homegrown beef,” Jessi noted. This realization sparked the idea for Foster Love with Beef—a way for local ranchers to make a meaningful difference in the lives of foster families by providing donated beef.The beauty of the program lies within its simplicity: when a child is placed into a foster home within the service area, Foster Love with Beef is notified. Jessi then coordinates with local farmers and ranchers who have volunteered to donate beef. Each donation consists of five pounds of hamburger and a roast, offering families the opportunity to share meals together during pivotal moments of transition.Nicole Dean, a rancher from Bridgeport, NE expressed the significance of contributing to the cause. “Foster Love with Beef has been a blessing to so many families, communities, and to the donors,” said Dean. “Jessi’s desire to love and serve others has created a beautiful space to form a connection between foster families and ranchers. We are all called to love our neighbor and Foster Love with Beef is putting this command into action. As donors, my family and I are blessed to be a part of this wonderful program.”May is celebrated as “Beef Month” in Nebraska, highlighting the vital role the beef industry plays in the state’s economy and culture. Foster Love with Beef exemplifies how Nebraska’s farmers and ranchers are dedicated not only to their livelihoods but also to nurturing their communities. By providing quality beef to foster families, they help create an environment where new family bonds can flourish over shared meals.Jessi emphasized the broader impact of the program: “Foster Love with Beef has been a blessing in so many ways. Not only to the foster families and kids in care, but also for the ranchers who donate and for my mental health too. This program gave me hope at a time when that was incredibly challenging.”As Nebraska honors its beef industry this month, initiatives like Foster Love with Beef remind us that the essence of community lies in coming together to support one another, ensuring that every family has a place at the table and a nourishing meal to share. To learn more about Foster Love with Beef, visit their website www.fosterlovewithbeef.org or find them on Facebook and Instagram.About the Nebraska Beef Council:The Nebraska Beef Council is a non-profit organization served by a nine-member board of directors. The volunteers oversee the beef checkoff in Nebraska and checkoff-funded programs. Programs for marketing and promotion are funded by the $1/head beef checkoff.

A Seat at the Table: Ranchers Donate Beef to Help Foster Families Bond Over Meals

LINCOLN, NE&nbsp;–&nbsp;Today, Governor Jim Pillen hosted U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins on a day-long visit that included three separate stops and two significant announcements. He was joined in the visits by Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) Director Sherry Vinton and U.S. Congressman Adrian Smith.

“I’m pleased that Sec. Rollins has had the opportunity to experience the depth and breadth of Nebraska agriculture and what our state is doing to help feed the world and save the planet,” said Gov. Pillen. “Today, she heard from a diverse group of producers, visited a typical multi-generational Nebraska family farm, and got a first-hand look at what sets our state apart for the future -- value-added agriculture.&nbsp; I’m glad we could make these connections and look forward to continuing the work that makes Nebraska the innovative agricultural leader it is, between crop, livestock and ethanol production.”

The ag tour kicked off at the Cargill Bioscience 650-acre facility in Blair this morning. That facility is Cargill’s largest and directly employs approximately 600 Nebraskans while processing over 340,000 bushels of corn daily to produce products such as fuel grade ethanol, corn gluten meal and meat for poultry, pet food and cattle feed. The company also makes sweetener, corn syrup and other corn-based products such as enzymes, biopolymers, and amino acids.

Upon arriving at Wholestone Farms in Fremont, Sec. Rollins took a few minutes to greet employees waiting inside. The group witnessed part of the plant’s hog processing operation and later gathered in the staff cafeteria with members of the media. There. Sec. Rollins signed off on Nebraska’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) waiver request, excluding soda and energy drinks from the list of approved purchases. Nebraska submitted its waiver in early April and is the first state in the nation to have its application approved by the USDA, effective Jan. 1, 2026.

“Today’s waiver to remove soda and energy drinks from SNAP is the first of its kind, and it is a historic step to Make America Healthy Again. Under President Trump’s leadership, I have encouraged states to serve as the ‘laboratories of innovation.’ Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen and Governors in Iowa, Arkansas, Indiana, Kansas, West Virginia, and Colorado are pioneers in improving the health of our nation,” said Sec. Rollins.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“There’s absolutely zero reason for taxpayers to be subsidizing purchases of soda and energy drinks. SNAP is about helping families in need get healthy food into their diets, but there’s nothing nutritious about the junk we’re removing with today’s waiver. I’m grateful to have worked with Secretary Rollins and the Trump Administration to get this effort across the finish line. It is a tremendous step toward improving the health and well-being of our state. We have to act because we can’t keep letting Nebraskans starve in the midst of plenty,”&nbsp;said Gov. Pillen.&nbsp;

Gov. Pillen, Sec. Rollins, Rep. Smith and NDA Dir. Vinton wrapped up their tour of ag businesses with a stop in the afternoon at Ohnoutka Family Farm in Valparaiso. There, the group engaged in a roundtable with invited producers from across the state. Discussion hit on a variety of topics, from tariffs to grants, water quantity and quality, educating youth about agriculture and keeping generational farming going in Nebraska. Prior to the roundtable event, the group was greeted by youth from the local FFA chapter.

Following the roundtable, Sec. Rollins made her second announcement – a policy initiative aimed at supporting small family farms. Called&nbsp;Farmers First, the program is part of the USDA’s&nbsp;Make Agriculture Great Again&nbsp;agenda and outlines 10 action items that aim to help the 86 percent of small family farms across the nation.

“Welcoming Secretary Rollins to Nebraska alongside Governor Pillen provided a tremendous opportunity to showcase Nebraska’s world-leading livestock, crop, and biofuels producers,” said Rep. Smith, who represents the state’s third district. “As we mark 163 years since the signing of the Homestead Act, agriculture remains the economic driver of our state and the nation’s Heartland. USDA’s new&nbsp;Farmers First&nbsp;strategy will expand markets, deliver regulatory relief, promote long-term certainty, and ensure the accessibility of USDA resources for&nbsp;American&nbsp;farming families working tirelessly to feed and fuel the world. I will continue to work with Secretary Rollins and President Trump to unleash prosperity for generations to come.”

Some of the efforts in the&nbsp;Farmers First initiative&nbsp;include:&nbsp;

“Our family-owned farms and ranches are at the heart of agriculture in America and are the backbone of the economy in states like Nebraska. Generations of producers have passed down the love of farming, strongly rooted values, and common-sense stewardship of our land and water to the next generation,” said Gov. Pillen. “I’m glad that Secretary Rollins and the USDA are highlighting the value and importance of family owned and small operations as part of our efforts to put Farmers First. I look forward to this tremendous initiative, and I am thrilled that she chose to launch it from a family farm right here in Nebraska.”

LINCOLN, NE&nbsp;–&nbsp;Today, Governor Jim Pillen hosted U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins on a day-long visit that included three separate stops and two significant announcements. He was joined in the visits by Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) Director Sherry Vinton and U.S. Congressman Adrian Smith.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1747767446688.jpeg" alt=" Governor Jim Pillen hosted U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins on a day-long visit that included three separate stops and two significant announcements. He was joined in the visits by Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) Director Sherry Vinton and U.S. Congressman Adrian Smith, touring Cargill" />
 <figcaption> Governor Jim Pillen hosted U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins on a day-long visit that included three separate stops and two significant announcements. He was joined in the visits by Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) Director Sherry Vinton and U.S. Congressman Adrian Smith, touring Cargill</figcaption>
 </figure>“I’m pleased that Sec. Rollins has had the opportunity to experience the depth and breadth of Nebraska agriculture and what our state is doing to help feed the world and save the planet,” said Gov. Pillen. “Today, she heard from a diverse group of producers, visited a typical multi-generational Nebraska family farm, and got a first-hand look at what sets our state apart for the future -- value-added agriculture.&nbsp; I’m glad we could make these connections and look forward to continuing the work that makes Nebraska the innovative agricultural leader it is, between crop, livestock and ethanol production.”The ag tour kicked off at the Cargill Bioscience 650-acre facility in Blair this morning. That facility is Cargill’s largest and directly employs approximately 600 Nebraskans while processing over 340,000 bushels of corn daily to produce products such as fuel grade ethanol, corn gluten meal and meat for poultry, pet food and cattle feed. The company also makes sweetener, corn syrup and other corn-based products such as enzymes, biopolymers, and amino acids.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fpermalink.php%3Fstory_fbid%3Dpfbid02DM7Gsbhx1bNiDeT1qi2gMzYsbSvgARm1ZisBKFRSYiaLP7NMqB6RAAmcN2v8NaX6l%26id%3D100087314096798&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="684" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div>Upon arriving at Wholestone Farms in Fremont, Sec. Rollins took a few minutes to greet employees waiting inside. The group witnessed part of the plant’s hog processing operation and later gathered in the staff cafeteria with members of the media. There. Sec. Rollins signed off on Nebraska’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) waiver request, excluding soda and energy drinks from the list of approved purchases. Nebraska submitted its waiver in early April and is the first state in the nation to have its application approved by the USDA, effective Jan. 1, 2026.“Today’s waiver to remove soda and energy drinks from SNAP is the first of its kind, and it is a historic step to Make America Healthy Again. Under President Trump’s leadership, I have encouraged states to serve as the ‘laboratories of innovation.’ Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen and Governors in Iowa, Arkansas, Indiana, Kansas, West Virginia, and Colorado are pioneers in improving the health of our nation,” said Sec. Rollins.&nbsp;&nbsp;“There’s absolutely zero reason for taxpayers to be subsidizing purchases of soda and energy drinks. SNAP is about helping families in need get healthy food into their diets, but there’s nothing nutritious about the junk we’re removing with today’s waiver. I’m grateful to have worked with Secretary Rollins and the Trump Administration to get this effort across the finish line. It is a tremendous step toward improving the health and well-being of our state. We have to act because we can’t keep letting Nebraskans starve in the midst of plenty,”&nbsp;said Gov. Pillen.&nbsp;Gov. Pillen, Sec. Rollins, Rep. Smith and NDA Dir. Vinton wrapped up their tour of ag businesses with a stop in the afternoon at Ohnoutka Family Farm in Valparaiso. There, the group engaged in a roundtable with invited producers from across the state. Discussion hit on a variety of topics, from tariffs to grants, water quantity and quality, educating youth about agriculture and keeping generational farming going in Nebraska. Prior to the roundtable event, the group was greeted by youth from the local FFA chapter.Following the roundtable, Sec. Rollins made her second announcement – a policy initiative aimed at supporting small family farms. Called&nbsp;Farmers First, the program is part of the USDA’s&nbsp;Make Agriculture Great Again&nbsp;agenda and outlines 10 action items that aim to help the 86 percent of small family farms across the nation.“Welcoming Secretary Rollins to Nebraska alongside Governor Pillen provided a tremendous opportunity to showcase Nebraska’s world-leading livestock, crop, and biofuels producers,” said Rep. Smith, who represents the state’s third district. “As we mark 163 years since the signing of the Homestead Act, agriculture remains the economic driver of our state and the nation’s Heartland. USDA’s new&nbsp;Farmers First&nbsp;strategy will expand markets, deliver regulatory relief, promote long-term certainty, and ensure the accessibility of USDA resources for&nbsp;American&nbsp;farming families working tirelessly to feed and fuel the world. I will continue to work with Secretary Rollins and President Trump to unleash prosperity for generations to come.”Some of the efforts in the&nbsp;Farmers First initiative&nbsp;include:&nbsp;<ul>
 <li>Streamlining Processes: Simplifying USDA applications, like the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP), to reduce barriers for farmers</li><li>Credit and Land Access: Reforming loan programs and using tools like the Agricultural Land Easement (ALE) to help farmers buy and protect land</li><li>Farm Transitions: Calling on Congress to adjust tax policies, like expanding Section 179, to ease passing farms to the next generation</li><li>Market and Infrastructure: Prioritizing local farmers in procurement and reforming programs to ensure funds reach producers, not special interests</li><li>Labor Access: Working with other agencies to address labor shortages, including exploring visa reforms for agricultural workers</li><li>Risk Management: Making USDA programs simpler and launching a disaster portal for better access to assistance</li><li>Energy and Regulations: Supporting affordable energy and reviewing environmental permitting to lower costs for farmers</li>
 </ul>“Our family-owned farms and ranches are at the heart of agriculture in America and are the backbone of the economy in states like Nebraska. Generations of producers have passed down the love of farming, strongly rooted values, and common-sense stewardship of our land and water to the next generation,” said Gov. Pillen. “I’m glad that Secretary Rollins and the USDA are highlighting the value and importance of family owned and small operations as part of our efforts to put Farmers First. I look forward to this tremendous initiative, and I am thrilled that she chose to launch it from a family farm right here in Nebraska.”

USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins Announces Farmers First Initiative, Approves Nebraska SNAP Waiver During Tour of Ag Businesses with Gov. Pillen

<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><a href="https://t.co/q5CPyHZkLD">pic.twitter.com/q5CPyHZkLD</a>&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1924523182909747657?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 19, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

President Trump describes phone call with Russian President Putin

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1727691434816.png" alt="File photo former President Joe Biden -image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>File photo former President Joe Biden -image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Former President Joe Biden diagnosed with prostate cancer. <a href="https://t.co/qszrloAsvR">pic.twitter.com/qszrloAsvR</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1924199062443569402?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 18, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

Former President Biden diagnosed with prostate cancer

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/mchilson/">MORGAN CHILSON</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Fuel shortages in Kansas, Iowa and Nebraska spurred a federal agency to issue an emergency declaration this week that gives leeway to commercial drivers hauling fuel.

<a href="http://chrome-extension//efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.kcc.ks.gov/images/PDFs/transportation/Emergency%20Declaration%20No.%202025-007%20-%20Fuel%20Shortages%20-%2005-13-2025.pdf" target="_blank">The emergency order</a>&nbsp;by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association extended an April 30 state of disaster emergency proclamation from Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly. The state-level declaration expired on May 13, said Linda Berry, spokesperson for the Kansas Corporation Commission, which regulates gas and oil production in the state.

Areas in Kansas and surrounding states are experiencing a fuel shortage, causing long lines at fuel stations, delivery delays and a need for truck drivers to increase the number of hours they can drive to deliver fuel, said an April 30 press release. The short-term changes only apply to drivers who are part of the fuel delivery system.

Under the declaration, drivers can temporarily work longer hours to ensure fuel supplies are going through, the release said.

“This declaration is in response to the widespread fuel shortages in affected states impacting agricultural operations and the national food supply, and their effects on people and property, including immediate threats to human life, public safety, or public welfare,” the federal declaration said.

Berry said planned pipeline and refinery maintenance and higher demands among farmers and drivers during planting season were likely sources of the supply chain disruption.

Primarily, the impact has been on diesel fuel and has not affected consumers.

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/mchilson/">MORGAN CHILSON</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Fuel shortages in Kansas, Iowa and Nebraska spurred a federal agency to issue an emergency declaration this week that gives leeway to commercial drivers hauling fuel.<a href="http://chrome-extension//efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.kcc.ks.gov/images/PDFs/transportation/Emergency%20Declaration%20No.%202025-007%20-%20Fuel%20Shortages%20-%2005-13-2025.pdf" target="_blank">The emergency order</a>&nbsp;by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association extended an April 30 state of disaster emergency proclamation from Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly. The state-level declaration expired on May 13, said Linda Berry, spokesperson for the Kansas Corporation Commission, which regulates gas and oil production in the state.Areas in Kansas and surrounding states are experiencing a fuel shortage, causing long lines at fuel stations, delivery delays and a need for truck drivers to increase the number of hours they can drive to deliver fuel, said an April 30 press release. The short-term changes only apply to drivers who are part of the fuel delivery system.Under the declaration, drivers can temporarily work longer hours to ensure fuel supplies are going through, the release said.“This declaration is in response to the widespread fuel shortages in affected states impacting agricultural operations and the national food supply, and their effects on people and property, including immediate threats to human life, public safety, or public welfare,” the federal declaration said.Berry said planned pipeline and refinery maintenance and higher demands among farmers and drivers during planting season were likely sources of the supply chain disruption.Primarily, the impact has been on diesel fuel and has not affected consumers.

Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska fuel shortages lead to federal emergency declaration

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://stateline.org/author/rsequeira/">Robbie Sequeira</a>

There’s debate over whether classrooms need stricter control or a shift toward restorative justice.

In the wake of President Donald Trump’s executive order aiming to reinstate “common sense” school discipline, more states may follow and expand the authority of teachers and school officials to deal with disruptive students.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/04/reinstating-common-sense-school-discipline-policies/" target="_blank">order</a>, signed in April, repeals prior federal guidance that encouraged schools to address racial disparities in discipline, arguing that such policies promoted “discriminatory equity ideology” and compromised school safety by pressuring administrators to underreport serious student misconduct.

In some states, new legislation already is trending toward giving teachers more authority to address student misbehavior.

In West Virginia, for example,<a href="https://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/bills_text.cfm?billdoc=sb199%20sub1.htm&amp;yr=2025&amp;sesstype=RS&amp;i=199" target="_blank">&nbsp;a new law creates a structured process</a>&nbsp;for responding to violent, threatening or disruptive behavior among students in grades K-6.

Under the law, a student exhibiting such behavior can be immediately removed from class, evaluated by counselors or behavioral specialists and placed on an individualized behavior plan. If there’s no improvement after two rounds of intervention, the student could be moved into a behavioral intervention program or an alternative learning environment.

West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey, a Republican, and supporters say the law empowers teachers to maintain safe classrooms.

“This legislation provides teachers with the tools to regain control of the classroom and ensure safe learning environments for our kids,” Morrisey&nbsp;<a href="https://governor.wv.gov/article/governor-patrick-morrisey-signs-school-discipline-bill-law" target="_blank">said</a>&nbsp;at the bill’s signing.

In April, the Texas House of Representatives&nbsp;<a href="https://legiscan.com/TX/bill/HB6/2025" target="_blank">passed</a>&nbsp;a bill referred to as the “Teacher’s Bill of Rights” with a bipartisan vote of 124-20.

That bill, now sitting in the Senate’s education committee, would significantly expand the grounds for out-of-school suspensions, allowing students to be suspended for repeated disruptions or threats beginning in third grade. It would reverse earlier changes that limited suspensions for younger students. It also would mandate that students making terroristic threats or assaulting school employees be placed in alternative education programs for at least 30 days.

Texas civil rights groups argue that the bill would impose a one-size-fits-all punitive approach, rather than addressing students’ developmental and behavioral needs.

Alycia Castillo, associate director of policy at the Texas Civil Rights Project and a former teacher, said state lawmakers are taking the wrong approach by mandating sweeping discipline policies for&nbsp;<a href="https://spectrumlocalnews.com/tx/south-texas-el-paso/news/2023/09/20/texas-diverse-state-in-u-s--" target="_blank">a state as diverse as Texas</a>.

During the 2020-21 school year, according to the latest data available from the U.S. Department of Education, Black students faced the highest rates of disciplinary action across all categories — suspension and expulsion — among all racial and ethnic groups.

They were 39% more likely than white students to receive in-school suspensions, 70% more likely to face out-of-school suspensions, and 71% more likely to be expelled.

The disparities were even starker for Black students with disabilities, who experienced suspension and expulsion rates far exceeding those of both their white peers and non-disabled students.

Reviving old, harsh disciplinary policies risks disproportionately harming students of color, students with disabilities and those from low-income backgrounds, Castillo said.

“What works in Austin may not work in West Texas,” Castillo said.

“Children are naturally disruptive — that’s part of their development,” she added. “Excluding them only harms their growth into functional adults.”

In recent years, some other states have passed laws promoting restorative practices in schools, in which students and teachers work through problems and focus on repairing the harm caused by disruptions or conflict.

Michigan’s 2017 law&nbsp;<a href="https://www.studentadvocacycenter.org/rethink-discipline-toolkit/" target="_blank">requires schools</a>&nbsp;to consider restorative approaches before suspensions or expulsions, aiming to repair harm rather than exclude students. Nevada began mandating restorative justice approaches in 2019, but&nbsp;<a href="https://nevadacurrent.com/2023/11/03/though-scaled-back-by-nv-lawmakers-restorative-justice-plans-still-making-progress-report-says/" target="_blank">scaled back</a>&nbsp;that approach in 2023.

This year, Maryland passed a&nbsp;<a href="https://legiscan.com/MD/text/HB197/2025" target="_blank">law</a>&nbsp;requiring the state to establish “restorative practices schools,” specific schools with trained educators who use the approach in everyday discipline.

Kimberly Hellerich, an assistant professor at Sacred Heart University and a former K-12 teacher, said discipline policies should go beyond punitive measures to foster accountability and community healing.

“Adding restorative practices to accompany codes of conduct can allow students to recognize the impact of their actions on themselves, peers, the teacher, the class and the school community,” Hellerich said.

In her own classrooms, Hellerich used what she called “community circles” to guide students in processing behavior, offering apologies and rebuilding trust. “The apology served as a way to restore the student’s relationship with the entire class community,” she said.

Calls for a cultural shift on expectations

While lawmakers debate discipline procedures, other education advocates warn that an even deeper issue is unfolding inside classrooms: the gradual erosion of behavioral expectations and academic rigor.

Jessica Bartnick, co-founder and CEO of the Dallas-based mentorship program Foundation for C.H.O.I.C.E., said that declining school discipline and lowered standards are quietly undermining educational outcomes.

“Discipline is the backbone of effective learning,” Bartnick, who supports the Texas legislation, told Stateline in an email. “Without it, classrooms become chaotic, instructional time is lost and teachers are forced to shift their focus from instruction to behavior management.”

Bartnick said efforts to promote equity sometimes inadvertently lower behavioral standards and deprive teachers of the tools they need to maintain safe learning environments.

She also criticized lenient grading policies and unlimited test retakes, arguing that they diminish the value of preparation, responsibility and resilience.

“If students are shielded from the discomfort of failure, they are also shielded from the growth that comes with it,” she wrote. “If we want to prepare students for a world that will not offer endless second chances, we must return to a classroom culture grounded in discipline, responsibility, and rigor.”

Stateline reporter Amanda Hernández contributed to this report. Stateline reporter Robbie Sequeira can be reached at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:rsequeira@stateline.org">rsequeira@stateline.org</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1691616488001.jpg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>By:&nbsp;<a href="https://stateline.org/author/rsequeira/">Robbie Sequeira</a><h2>There’s debate over whether classrooms need stricter control or a shift toward restorative justice.</h2>In the wake of President Donald Trump’s executive order aiming to reinstate “common sense” school discipline, more states may follow and expand the authority of teachers and school officials to deal with disruptive students.The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/04/reinstating-common-sense-school-discipline-policies/" target="_blank">order</a>, signed in April, repeals prior federal guidance that encouraged schools to address racial disparities in discipline, arguing that such policies promoted “discriminatory equity ideology” and compromised school safety by pressuring administrators to underreport serious student misconduct.In some states, new legislation already is trending toward giving teachers more authority to address student misbehavior.In West Virginia, for example,<a href="https://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/bills_text.cfm?billdoc=sb199%20sub1.htm&amp;yr=2025&amp;sesstype=RS&amp;i=199" target="_blank">&nbsp;a new law creates a structured process</a>&nbsp;for responding to violent, threatening or disruptive behavior among students in grades K-6.Under the law, a student exhibiting such behavior can be immediately removed from class, evaluated by counselors or behavioral specialists and placed on an individualized behavior plan. If there’s no improvement after two rounds of intervention, the student could be moved into a behavioral intervention program or an alternative learning environment.West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey, a Republican, and supporters say the law empowers teachers to maintain safe classrooms.“This legislation provides teachers with the tools to regain control of the classroom and ensure safe learning environments for our kids,” Morrisey&nbsp;<a href="https://governor.wv.gov/article/governor-patrick-morrisey-signs-school-discipline-bill-law" target="_blank">said</a>&nbsp;at the bill’s signing.In April, the Texas House of Representatives&nbsp;<a href="https://legiscan.com/TX/bill/HB6/2025" target="_blank">passed</a>&nbsp;a bill referred to as the “Teacher’s Bill of Rights” with a bipartisan vote of 124-20.That bill, now sitting in the Senate’s education committee, would significantly expand the grounds for out-of-school suspensions, allowing students to be suspended for repeated disruptions or threats beginning in third grade. It would reverse earlier changes that limited suspensions for younger students. It also would mandate that students making terroristic threats or assaulting school employees be placed in alternative education programs for at least 30 days.Texas civil rights groups argue that the bill would impose a one-size-fits-all punitive approach, rather than addressing students’ developmental and behavioral needs.Alycia Castillo, associate director of policy at the Texas Civil Rights Project and a former teacher, said state lawmakers are taking the wrong approach by mandating sweeping discipline policies for&nbsp;<a href="https://spectrumlocalnews.com/tx/south-texas-el-paso/news/2023/09/20/texas-diverse-state-in-u-s--" target="_blank">a state as diverse as Texas</a>.During the 2020-21 school year, according to the latest data available from the U.S. Department of Education, Black students faced the highest rates of disciplinary action across all categories — suspension and expulsion — among all racial and ethnic groups.They were 39% more likely than white students to receive in-school suspensions, 70% more likely to face out-of-school suspensions, and 71% more likely to be expelled.The disparities were even starker for Black students with disabilities, who experienced suspension and expulsion rates far exceeding those of both their white peers and non-disabled students.Reviving old, harsh disciplinary policies risks disproportionately harming students of color, students with disabilities and those from low-income backgrounds, Castillo said.“What works in Austin may not work in West Texas,” Castillo said.“Children are naturally disruptive — that’s part of their development,” she added. “Excluding them only harms their growth into functional adults.”<h2>Restorative justice models</h2>In recent years, some other states have passed laws promoting restorative practices in schools, in which students and teachers work through problems and focus on repairing the harm caused by disruptions or conflict.Michigan’s 2017 law&nbsp;<a href="https://www.studentadvocacycenter.org/rethink-discipline-toolkit/" target="_blank">requires schools</a>&nbsp;to consider restorative approaches before suspensions or expulsions, aiming to repair harm rather than exclude students. Nevada began mandating restorative justice approaches in 2019, but&nbsp;<a href="https://nevadacurrent.com/2023/11/03/though-scaled-back-by-nv-lawmakers-restorative-justice-plans-still-making-progress-report-says/" target="_blank">scaled back</a>&nbsp;that approach in 2023.This year, Maryland passed a&nbsp;<a href="https://legiscan.com/MD/text/HB197/2025" target="_blank">law</a>&nbsp;requiring the state to establish “restorative practices schools,” specific schools with trained educators who use the approach in everyday discipline.Kimberly Hellerich, an assistant professor at Sacred Heart University and a former K-12 teacher, said discipline policies should go beyond punitive measures to foster accountability and community healing.“Adding restorative practices to accompany codes of conduct can allow students to recognize the impact of their actions on themselves, peers, the teacher, the class and the school community,” Hellerich said.In her own classrooms, Hellerich used what she called “community circles” to guide students in processing behavior, offering apologies and rebuilding trust. “The apology served as a way to restore the student’s relationship with the entire class community,” she said.<h2>Calls for a cultural shift on expectations</h2>While lawmakers debate discipline procedures, other education advocates warn that an even deeper issue is unfolding inside classrooms: the gradual erosion of behavioral expectations and academic rigor.Jessica Bartnick, co-founder and CEO of the Dallas-based mentorship program Foundation for C.H.O.I.C.E., said that declining school discipline and lowered standards are quietly undermining educational outcomes.“Discipline is the backbone of effective learning,” Bartnick, who supports the Texas legislation, told Stateline in an email. “Without it, classrooms become chaotic, instructional time is lost and teachers are forced to shift their focus from instruction to behavior management.”Bartnick said efforts to promote equity sometimes inadvertently lower behavioral standards and deprive teachers of the tools they need to maintain safe learning environments.She also criticized lenient grading policies and unlimited test retakes, arguing that they diminish the value of preparation, responsibility and resilience.“If students are shielded from the discomfort of failure, they are also shielded from the growth that comes with it,” she wrote. “If we want to prepare students for a world that will not offer endless second chances, we must return to a classroom culture grounded in discipline, responsibility, and rigor.”Stateline reporter Amanda Hernández contributed to this report. Stateline reporter Robbie Sequeira can be reached at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:rsequeira@stateline.org">rsequeira@stateline.org</a>.

Some states reexamine school discipline as Trump order paves go-ahead

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1747318447152.png" alt="Protests outside the Supreme Court Thursday morning -image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Protests outside the Supreme Court Thursday morning -image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">LIVE --&gt; U.S. Supreme Court Oral Argument on Birthright Citizenship <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SCOTUS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SCOTUS</a> <a href="https://t.co/y1i1CCbn8j">https://t.co/y1i1CCbn8j</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1923009339616354559?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 15, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

🎧 Supreme Court debates Trump's Efforts to Limit Birthright Citizenship

<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">President <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a> arrives at Al Udeid Air Force Base to speak to U.S. and Qatari Troops! 🇺🇸🇶🇦 <a href="https://t.co/G6P9IeNdIW">pic.twitter.com/G6P9IeNdIW</a>&mdash; Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) <a href="https://twitter.com/MargoMartin47/status/1922956624743760238?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 15, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: &quot;The American People never forget that our servicemembers and their families make incredible sacrifices each and every day, so that all Americans can be safe and be free. We love our amazing Military Families.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/SzJUfpvVBd">pic.twitter.com/SzJUfpvVBd</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1922961348217950355?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 15, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: &quot;We love and respect you. What you are doing, the service you do for your country... there is no more important profession, and I was so proud to see those reports coming in just a few days ago saying that the enrollment is at the highest level ever.&quot; ❤️🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/VCWYvGfi3A">pic.twitter.com/VCWYvGfi3A</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1922963249458212865?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 15, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">President Trump arrives at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar… <a href="https://t.co/cu8sGjegzJ">pic.twitter.com/cu8sGjegzJ</a>&mdash; Dan Scavino (@Scavino47) <a href="https://twitter.com/Scavino47/status/1922964416972140632?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 15, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

🎥 Trump visits main U.S. military base in Middle East

Following discussion of several proposed changes, lawmakers gave second-round approval May 12 to the state’s $10.8 billion budget package. The state budget is structured on a two-year basis, with the budget enacted in legislative sessions held in odd-numbered years.

<a href="http://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/search_by_number.php?DocumentNumber=LB261&amp;Legislature=109th" target="_blank">LB261</a>, introduced by Speaker John Arch of La Vista at the request of Gov. Jim Pillen, is the mainline budget bill. Senators adopted an amendment on select file offered by&nbsp;<a href="http://news.legislature.ne.gov/app" target="_blank">Appropriations Committee</a>&nbsp;chairperson&nbsp;<a href="http://news.legislature.ne.gov/dist02" target="_blank">Sen. Robert Clements</a>&nbsp;of Elmwood that replaced the bill and made additional adjustments to close a shortfall.

Among those additional adjustments is a $10 million reduction in the Medicaid Managed Care Excess Profit Cash Fund and the reappropriation of a number of carryover funds, including $8 million from the Nebraska Crime Commission. The amendment also would allow several state agencies to utilize cash funds and correspondingly decrease their general fund appropriations.

Clements said the adjustments were needed because of projected reductions in revenue madeby the Nebraska Economic Forecasting Advisory Board after the committee’s initial proposal had been advanced to the full Legislature for debate.

Lincoln Sen. Danielle Conrad questioned the committee’s approach. She said shifting funds to “fill holes” in order to achieve a constitutionally required balanced budget this year would not address the “structural imbalances” lawmakers created in recent years that she said threaten the state’s long-term economic stability.

“We’ve moved from a historic fiscal surplus to a budget deficit in a matter of just a few years through unaffordable, inequitable, unsustainable tax cuts … that primarily benefit the wealthy at the expense of Nebraska consumers and communities,” Conrad said.

Senators considered a number of additional changes to the mainline budget bill, including an amendment offered by Bellevue Sen. Rick Holdcroft to restore $3 million in general fund appropriations to the Nebraska Supreme Court.

Holdcroft said the funds are necessary to maintain problem solving courts in Sarpy County and other areas, which the Supreme Court indicated would be halted under existing budget constraints. Problem solving courts are diversion programs that connect adults and youth with treatment services for mental health and substance use disorders.

Without these programs, Holdcroft said, people would cycle through courts and jail systems without getting real help. The average cost for an individual participating in a problem solving court is $4,400 compared to $41,000 to keep a person incarcerated for a year, he said, adding that problem solving court participants have a 10% recidivism rate compared to 30% for those exiting the state’s prison system.

“These are not theoretical programs,” Holdcroft said. “These are real people whose lives and outcomes are being changed through structured, accountable and therapeutic court interventions.”

Clements opposed the amendment. He said the Supreme Court could fund the problem solving courts with cash funds through this year and make a deficit request of the Appropriations Committee next session if additional funds are needed.

Sen. George Dungan of Lincoln supported the amendment, saying the courts need certainty in their funding in order to continue providing problem solving courts. Program participation often stretches over multiple years, he said, and without a guaranteed funding source, the courts likely would start winding down the programs.

The amendment would transfer $3 million from the state’s Cash Reserve Fund to the General Fund to cover the cost. Holdcroft said the move would leave $689 million in the state’s so-called “rainy day” fund, still above the 12% of state expenses that the Appropriations Committee has determined is a necessary balance.

“It’s the ‘rainy day’ fund,” Holdcroft said, “and folks, it’s raining.”

The amendment was adopted 26-17. Twenty-five votes were needed.

Also adopted was an amendment offered by Lincoln Sen. Carolyn Bosn that would provide $3 million in each of the next two fiscal years from the Medicaid Managed Care Excess Profit Cash Fund for domestic violence support services across the state.

Bosn said lawmakers approved the funding last session, but were unable to utilize Temporary Assistance to Needy Families as the source. She said 20 programs serve all 93 Nebraska counties and provide counseling, legal advocacy, transportation services, shelter and assistance navigating the court system.

Nine Nebraskans have lost their lives in domestic violence incidents so far this year, she said, and demand for services continues to rise, with the state’s domestic violence service network providing assistance to 12,000 people last year.

“These are not optional services,” Bosn said. “These are life-saving interventions and they are required in our state statutes under the Protection from Domestic Violence Act.”

Sen. Jason Prokop of Lincoln supported the amendment, saying “not a single dollar” of the funds approved last year made it to domestic violence survivors because the state Department of Health and Human Services was not able to access TANF funds for that purpose.

Several additional changes also were approved, including amendments from:• Norfolk Sen. Robert Dover to restore $1 million in funding to the Robert B. Dougherty Water for Food Global Institute at the University of Nebraska, on a 30-11 vote;• Glenvil Sen. Dave Murman to restore approximately $264,000 to the state’s Educational Service Units, on a 42-0 vote; and• Bennington Sen. Wendy DeBoer to reduce a reappropriation of lapsed funds from the Nebraska Broadband Bridge Program from $5 million to $4 million, on a 42-0 vote.

After four hours of debate and a successful cloture motion from Arch, senators advanced LB261 to final reading on a vote of 39-6.

Several amendments were considered to LB264, also introduced by Arch at the request of the governor, which would provide for fund transfers, change provisions governing the administration and use of funds and repeal previous expansions to aid and incentive programs.

Among the changes approved was an amendment brought by Syracuse Sen. Bob Hallstrom that would transfer $8 million from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund to the General Fund in fiscal year 2026-27 in order to restore $4 million in funding cuts to both the Rural Workforce Housing Fund and the Middle Income Workforce Housing Fund.

Hallstrom said he supports the free market but that incentives are needed to spur the workforce housing development Nebraska needs to grow the state’s economy. He said the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, which is funded by the documentary stamp tax on real estate transactions, should be able to make up the transfer in a year.

Conrad questioned the amendment, which she said simply would “paper over” a hole in the budget and likely would ultimately shift affordable housing funds away from Lincoln and Omaha.

The Hallstrom amendment was adopted on a 26-5 vote. Twenty-five votes were needed.

Also adopted was a Bosn amendment to effectuate the change she succeeded in making to the mainline budget bill. Adopted 36-0, the amendment would add domestic violence services to the list of allowable uses of the Medicaid Managed Care Excess Profit Fund.

On a 27-12 vote, lawmakers approved $1.25 million in transfers over the next two fiscal years from the Nebraska Litter Reduction and Recycling Fund to the General Fund offered by Clements.

Finally, Clements offered an amendment, adopted 40-3, which would increase a transfer from the Cash Reserve Fund to the General Fund from $142 million to $147 million. The increase was necessary to balance the budget following additional changes made to the committee package during select file debate, he said.

Senators rejected an amendment from Omaha Sen. Terrell McKinney on a vote of 15-32 that would maintain a policy directing interest on earmarked funds for the proposed Perkins County Canal project and the new state prison to a variety of economic recovery projects.

LB264 would end that policy and begin directing interest to the General Fund beginning July 1. McKinney said lawmakers had negotiated to divert those funds for three years and that the Legislature should honor that deal and continue investing in important economic development projects.

Clements opposed the amendment, saying diverting the interest to the General Fund was needed to help erase the budget deficit. Taken together, the budget package would leave a $1.1 million surplus, he said, and any additional changes would jeopardize the state’s bottom line.

Following four hours of debate and a successful cloture motion from Arch, senators advanced LB264 to the final round of debate by voice vote.

By Unicamiral UpdateFollowing discussion of several proposed changes, lawmakers gave second-round approval May 12 to the state’s $10.8 billion budget package. The state budget is structured on a two-year basis, with the budget enacted in legislative sessions held in odd-numbered years.<a href="http://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/search_by_number.php?DocumentNumber=LB261&amp;Legislature=109th" target="_blank">LB261</a>, introduced by Speaker John Arch of La Vista at the request of Gov. Jim Pillen, is the mainline budget bill. Senators adopted an amendment on select file offered by&nbsp;<a href="http://news.legislature.ne.gov/app" target="_blank">Appropriations Committee</a>&nbsp;chairperson&nbsp;<a href="http://news.legislature.ne.gov/dist02" target="_blank">Sen. Robert Clements</a>&nbsp;of Elmwood that replaced the bill and made additional adjustments to close a shortfall.Among those additional adjustments is a $10 million reduction in the Medicaid Managed Care Excess Profit Cash Fund and the reappropriation of a number of carryover funds, including $8 million from the Nebraska Crime Commission. The amendment also would allow several state agencies to utilize cash funds and correspondingly decrease their general fund appropriations.Clements said the adjustments were needed because of projected reductions in revenue madeby the Nebraska Economic Forecasting Advisory Board after the committee’s initial proposal had been advanced to the full Legislature for debate.Lincoln Sen. Danielle Conrad questioned the committee’s approach. She said shifting funds to “fill holes” in order to achieve a constitutionally required balanced budget this year would not address the “structural imbalances” lawmakers created in recent years that she said threaten the state’s long-term economic stability.“We’ve moved from a historic fiscal surplus to a budget deficit in a matter of just a few years through unaffordable, inequitable, unsustainable tax cuts … that primarily benefit the wealthy at the expense of Nebraska consumers and communities,” Conrad said.The Clements amendment was adopted 37-2.Other changesSenators considered a number of additional changes to the mainline budget bill, including an amendment offered by Bellevue Sen. Rick Holdcroft to restore $3 million in general fund appropriations to the Nebraska Supreme Court.Holdcroft said the funds are necessary to maintain problem solving courts in Sarpy County and other areas, which the Supreme Court indicated would be halted under existing budget constraints. Problem solving courts are diversion programs that connect adults and youth with treatment services for mental health and substance use disorders.Without these programs, Holdcroft said, people would cycle through courts and jail systems without getting real help. The average cost for an individual participating in a problem solving court is $4,400 compared to $41,000 to keep a person incarcerated for a year, he said, adding that problem solving court participants have a 10% recidivism rate compared to 30% for those exiting the state’s prison system.“These are not theoretical programs,” Holdcroft said. “These are real people whose lives and outcomes are being changed through structured, accountable and therapeutic court interventions.”Clements opposed the amendment. He said the Supreme Court could fund the problem solving courts with cash funds through this year and make a deficit request of the Appropriations Committee next session if additional funds are needed.Sen. George Dungan of Lincoln supported the amendment, saying the courts need certainty in their funding in order to continue providing problem solving courts. Program participation often stretches over multiple years, he said, and without a guaranteed funding source, the courts likely would start winding down the programs.The amendment would transfer $3 million from the state’s Cash Reserve Fund to the General Fund to cover the cost. Holdcroft said the move would leave $689 million in the state’s so-called “rainy day” fund, still above the 12% of state expenses that the Appropriations Committee has determined is a necessary balance.“It’s the ‘rainy day’ fund,” Holdcroft said, “and folks, it’s raining.”The amendment was adopted 26-17. Twenty-five votes were needed.Also adopted was an amendment offered by Lincoln Sen. Carolyn Bosn that would provide $3 million in each of the next two fiscal years from the Medicaid Managed Care Excess Profit Cash Fund for domestic violence support services across the state.Bosn said lawmakers approved the funding last session, but were unable to utilize Temporary Assistance to Needy Families as the source. She said 20 programs serve all 93 Nebraska counties and provide counseling, legal advocacy, transportation services, shelter and assistance navigating the court system.Nine Nebraskans have lost their lives in domestic violence incidents so far this year, she said, and demand for services continues to rise, with the state’s domestic violence service network providing assistance to 12,000 people last year.“These are not optional services,” Bosn said. “These are life-saving interventions and they are required in our state statutes under the Protection from Domestic Violence Act.”Sen. Jason Prokop of Lincoln supported the amendment, saying “not a single dollar” of the funds approved last year made it to domestic violence survivors because the state Department of Health and Human Services was not able to access TANF funds for that purpose.The Bosn amendment was adopted 40-2.Several additional changes also were approved, including amendments from:• Norfolk Sen. Robert Dover to restore $1 million in funding to the Robert B. Dougherty Water for Food Global Institute at the University of Nebraska, on a 30-11 vote;• Glenvil Sen. Dave Murman to restore approximately $264,000 to the state’s Educational Service Units, on a 42-0 vote; and• Bennington Sen. Wendy DeBoer to reduce a reappropriation of lapsed funds from the Nebraska Broadband Bridge Program from $5 million to $4 million, on a 42-0 vote.After four hours of debate and a successful cloture motion from Arch, senators advanced LB261 to final reading on a vote of 39-6.Fund transfersSeveral amendments were considered to LB264, also introduced by Arch at the request of the governor, which would provide for fund transfers, change provisions governing the administration and use of funds and repeal previous expansions to aid and incentive programs.Among the changes approved was an amendment brought by Syracuse Sen. Bob Hallstrom that would transfer $8 million from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund to the General Fund in fiscal year 2026-27 in order to restore $4 million in funding cuts to both the Rural Workforce Housing Fund and the Middle Income Workforce Housing Fund.Hallstrom said he supports the free market but that incentives are needed to spur the workforce housing development Nebraska needs to grow the state’s economy. He said the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, which is funded by the documentary stamp tax on real estate transactions, should be able to make up the transfer in a year.Conrad questioned the amendment, which she said simply would “paper over” a hole in the budget and likely would ultimately shift affordable housing funds away from Lincoln and Omaha.The Hallstrom amendment was adopted on a 26-5 vote. Twenty-five votes were needed.Also adopted was a Bosn amendment to effectuate the change she succeeded in making to the mainline budget bill. Adopted 36-0, the amendment would add domestic violence services to the list of allowable uses of the Medicaid Managed Care Excess Profit Fund.On a 27-12 vote, lawmakers approved $1.25 million in transfers over the next two fiscal years from the Nebraska Litter Reduction and Recycling Fund to the General Fund offered by Clements.Finally, Clements offered an amendment, adopted 40-3, which would increase a transfer from the Cash Reserve Fund to the General Fund from $142 million to $147 million. The increase was necessary to balance the budget following additional changes made to the committee package during select file debate, he said.Senators rejected an amendment from Omaha Sen. Terrell McKinney on a vote of 15-32 that would maintain a policy directing interest on earmarked funds for the proposed Perkins County Canal project and the new state prison to a variety of economic recovery projects.LB264 would end that policy and begin directing interest to the General Fund beginning July 1. McKinney said lawmakers had negotiated to divert those funds for three years and that the Legislature should honor that deal and continue investing in important economic development projects.Clements opposed the amendment, saying diverting the interest to the General Fund was needed to help erase the budget deficit. Taken together, the budget package would leave a $1.1 million surplus, he said, and any additional changes would jeopardize the state’s bottom line.Following four hours of debate and a successful cloture motion from Arch, senators advanced LB264 to the final round of debate by voice vote.