NEBRASKA LEGISLATURE
The official site of the Nebraska Unicameral Legislature
Sen. Carol Blood
District 3
The content of these pages is developed and maintained by, and is the sole responsibility of, the individual senator's office and may not reflect the views of the Nebraska Legislature. Questions and comments about the content should be directed to the senator's office at cblood@leg.ne.gov
March 22nd, 2019
What a week in the Legislature, what a week in Nebraska.
As we wind our way to the end of public comment committee hearings, we see more clearly the path that lies ahead for the remainder of Session 2019 with the announcement of Senator, Committee and Speaker Priority Bills. Priority Bills are given priority status and generally considered ahead of other bills for debate. Each senator selects one priority bill, a committee gets two, and the Speaker may select up to 25 priority bills. For my Priority Bill, I have selected LB138 Provide for additional Military Honor Plates and Support our Troops Plates, as well as creating a specific fund that is designed to increase our efforts to recruit a highly skilled workforce to stay in Nebraska upon their retirement from the Military. Two of my bills have been designated Speaker Priorities, those are: LB6 and LB15. LB6 – Changes residency provisions relating to persons on active duty and their dependents for college tuition purposes and will allow dependents of an active duty member of the military, who is assigned to duty out-of-state, but has been accepted to a college or university in Nebraska, to receive in-state tuition. This is important to our state and to the students who need an uninterrupted education process. The second, LB15 will provide health insurance coverage to children in need of hearing aids. I am thrilled that Speaker Scheer has chosen this as one of his Priorities, and grateful to have the support of so many of my fellow Senators in the way of co-sponsorship. Nebraska children are our future and we need to give them every chance at success.
Flooding and Declarations of Disaster
Not news to Nebraskans is the record flooding our state has seen this past week, including Offutt Air Force Base.
A few reminders to keep you and yours safe:
- Stay away from areas that are under evacuation orders
- Do not drive or walk through moving flood waters
- Avoid flood waters, toxins are most likely present
- Heed road closure or other cautionary signage
- If flood waters rise around your vehicle, abandon and move to higher ground.
NEMA Help
As recovery begins, knowing where to turn for information can be overwhelming. The Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) website is continually updating information. You can access that information here.
NEMA has established a hotline for questions from those affected by flooding. That number is: (402) 556-2476
For information on debris clean-up, contact the Crisis Cleanup Hotline at (402) 556-2476.
Farmers who have lost machinery or livestock should report to the Farm Services Agency office. County office contact information can be found on the the agency’s website here.
Nebraska Strong
It’s not just a hashtag, it’s a way of life. Nebraskans and people though out the country are offering assistance. All donations – monetary, goods and services, volunteers – are being coordinated through Nebraska 211.
To access Nebraska 211 within Nebraska, Dial 211.
Outside of Nebraska, call (866) 813-1731.
Free Legal Help for Flood Victims
As individuals and communities respond to this emergency and begin the possible long road to recovery, it is very important to be aware of many common legal issues that may arise during or after a disaster.
Legal Aid of Nebraska’s Disaster Relief Project offers free legal assistance to victims of state-declared disasters, through a network of volunteer lawyers across Nebraska.
The Nebraska Art Teacher’s Association presents Student Art on Display at the Capitol
Artists:
Top L-R:
Artist: Julia Wight Artist: Daisy De Santiago
Grade: 10 Grade: 12
Title: East’s Garden Title: Watercolor World
School: Bellevue East High School: Bellevue East
Bottom L-R
Artist: Alexandria Thompson Artist: Peter Lauterbach
Grade: 12 Grade: 12
Title: Singing the Blues Title: The Girl in Line
School: Bellevue West School: Bellevue West
Legislative Resolutions
This past week I introduced a Legislative Resolution 39 to recognize Madison DeMeo for her generosity to our community. The Nebraska Legislature and I are very proud of Bellevue’s very own, Madi.
Supporting Public Education
I had the pleasure of meeting with constituent supporters of public education as they visited the Capitol on Omaha Education Association (OEA) Action Day. We support all students and teachers!
R-L: Kathy Poehling, Sheri Poehling and Senator Blood
Unicameral Youth Legislature
More Bill News
The Governor has signed LB12, LB115,LB7, LB11 and LB8 into law. That means the only bills we have left that are waiting in the General File queue are LB6, LB9, LB13, LB15, LB138, LB137 and LB594. We are having a productive session and I am hopeful that we will continue to move items through in a timely manner.
APPLY FOR A BOARD OR COMMISSION
It’s that time of year again when there are all kinds of boards and commissions in the state that are looking for dedicated citizens to serve. These positions are appointed by the governor and range in topics from Juvenile Justice to Geology.
If this sounds like something you might be interested in, please visit to the Governor’s website here. You will be able to find a listing of every board that has an opening, as well as a brief synopsis of what is involved. You can also find an application here. Our state is a better place to live and raise our families when our citizens step up and get involved.
MEET OUR TEAM
Dee Austin-Administrative Aide
Oliver VanDervoort-Legislative AideWe are here to serve the residents of District 3 and we are happy to respond to any questions or concerns you may have.Did you know that there is a long list of items available for free to the public relating to the Nebraska Legislature? Here is a list of only a few that you might find interesting. If you are receiving this email digitally, you should be able to link to the information from your newsletter.
1. Unicameral Update
2. About the Legislature
3. Unicam Kids
4. Inside Our Nation’s Only Unicameral
5. Poster of Nebraska Senators
6. Membership & Committees Card
7. Lines of Government
For hard copies of these documents, please call my office at 402-471-2627 and we will be happy to place one in the mail to your home address.
Sen. Carol Blood
P.O. Box 94604
Lincoln, NE 68509
(402) 471-2627
Email: cblood@leg.ne.gov
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