I am writing to give you an update on the great progress made by the Legislature this year to reform Nebraska’s child welfare system and behavioral health system. I am proud to let you know that the passage of my priority legislation, The Children’s Health and Treatment Act (2012), seeks to end the tragic and longstanding practice of Medicaid wrongly denying behavioral health treatment to Nebraska’s youth. 

For decades, the denial of behavioral healthcare for Nebraskan children lead to this tragedy: A doctor’s diagnosis and recommended treatment is denied by Medicaid and the family is placed in the untenable position of having to make their child a ward of the state. Can you imagine giving up custody of your child so that he or she can receive the care they require, the care prescribed by their physician? 

The Children’s Health and Treatment Act will help end this practice by requiring that the definition of “medical necessity,” which is currently used as a means to deny care, be made using a transparent, public process. This new law will provide continued oversight and accountability when Medicaid denies prescribed care. Parents, doctors, and the Legislature will now be informed about the exact reasons that a child’s care has been denied. 

This law and others passed this year make needed reforms to ensure that your government works. Thank you all for your input during this legislative session. I appreciate your engagement in the lawmaking process and, as always, it is an honor to represent you. 

Very Truly Yours, 

State Senator Tanya D. Cook 

 I wanted to write you all with an update on the accomplishments that I made on your behalf this legislative session.  Despite the economic crisis affecting us all, your state government balanced the budget without raising your taxes.  Difficult cuts were made and as a result your government is leaner than ever before. 

 Here is an outline of accomplishments this session:

LB 502 (Cook) – Health care careers are high paying and in demand.  This law adds a health care employer to the State Workforce Development Board and adds a duty for that board to develop a plan to reduce the current shortage of health care workers in the state and create these high-paying careers.

 LB 406 (Cook) – One-half ofNebraska counties have a shortage of primary care physicians.  This law allows for physicians who may have left the practice of medicine to raise a family or to serve as a medical volunteer to have a means to become re-licensed to practice in the State ofNebraska. 

 LB 329 (Cook) -Nebraska’s energy code was outdated.  This law adopts the most current national building standards that will save home and building owners up to 30% on their energy costs.  LB 329 gives Nebraskan owners and renters the highest standards of energy efficiency. 

 LB 543 (Cook) – LB 543 helps the almost one in ten Nebraskan families, elderly, and people with disabilities who struggle with food insecurity.  This law enrollsNebraska in a Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) outreach program operated through a public-private partnership and funded byNebraska non-profits.  LB 543 also removes an existing policy that prevented Nebraskans in need of temporary nutrition assistance from building long-term assets that will help them out of poverty.  

LB 152 (Lathrop) –  My priority bill this year, this law saves each of our local trauma-care hospitals up to one million dollars per year.  At a time when these critical institutions are taking severe cuts, LB 152 ensures that hospitals are reimbursed fairly when they care for Nebraskans injured at work. 

LB 628 (Cook)  – This law enables political subdivisions (counties, cities and public utilities) to donate surplus vehicles toNebraska non-profit organizations.  Our local governments and utilities can now donate surplus vehicles toNebraska non-profit organizations.  These vehicles will aid in the missions of our non-profits and provide reliable transportations to those in need. 

LB 500 (Cook) – This law ensures no one is burdened with a criminal record for the simple and common act of hanging an air-freshener or a parking permit from their rear-view mirror.  

In addition to my introduced and prioritized legislation, the Nebraska Unicameral Legislature tackled other tough issues. 

Metropolitan Community College’s proportion of state aid increased significantly under a compromise funding formula resulting from a full two years of intense work on the issue.  This will help keep your property taxes down and provide Metro with the resources they need to train and re-tool our workforce for the future.  

Nebraska’s Commission on Industrial Relations (CIR) was subject to a thorough and fair reform which will save taxpayer dollars while preserving collective bargaining rights for public sector employees.  

The decennial redistricting process occurred this year.  While I am personally disappointed with the changes in the 2^nd Congressional District removingBellevue and Offutt Air Force Base, our Legislative District showed strong growth in the U.S. Census and remains a vibrant community. 

 I am extremely proud to have introduced, prioritized, and passed these laws.  Each of them addresses the real needs of our State and key priorities of Legislative District 13.  Thank you all for your support and input throughout the session.  As always, it is an honor to represent you.

Dear Constituents,

I wanted to write you all with an update about my legislative agenda this legislative session.  These are difficult times to govern, but I am committed to moving Nebraska forward with proposals that address pressing needs.   The following are a sample of the bills that I have introduced in service to each of your families:

LB 502 – ADD A HEALTH CARE EMPLOYER TO THE STATE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD

Address the shortage of health care providers by adding a health care employer to the State Workforce Development Board and add a duty for board to develop a plan to reduce the current shortage of health care workers in the state.

LB 330 – DENTAL HYGIENIST PUBLIC HEALTH INITIATIVE

Provide preventative dental care to Nebraskans by allowing dental hygienists to treat children and adults in public health clinics and nursing homes.

LB 631 – AUTOMATIC EARLY VOTER APPLICATIONS

Encourage increased voter participation with a state-wide program that automatically mails applications for early voting ballots to those who request to be on a permanent list.

LB 628 – NON-PROFIT VEHICLE DONATION

Enable political subdivisions (counties, cities and public utilities) to donate surplus vehicles to Nebraska non-profit organizations

LB 662 – MEDICAID GLOBAL PAYMENT SYSTEM DEMONSTRATION PROJECT

Seek solutions to Medicaid funding shortages by setting up a 5 year pilot project for an innovative system of Medicaid reimbursement that emphasizes better outcomes and greater efficiency.

LB 543 – ALLOW PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS FOR NUTRITION OUTREACH

Enroll Nebraska in a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program outreach program that allows private donations to be used as matching funds.

I am proud of these bill proposals and will work tirelessly towards their passage.  If you have any questions about these bills or any others before the Legislature please contact me.  It is an honor to represent you all.

Very truly yours,

Senator Tanya D. Cook

I am writing with important information about property tax relief for seniors.  I want to make sure you are all aware of the advantages of the Homestead Exemption, as well as the June 30 deadline to apply.  In these tough economic times it is important that every eligible senior take advantage of this opportunity.  I encourage you to determine your eligibility and to apply.  

If you are already taking advantage of this exemption you know that this is real relief. The Homestead Exemption excludes all or part of the value of your home and the land it sits upon from property tax. 

Time is running out to take advantage of the Homestead Exemption this year, but it is not too late.  Again, the deadline for application for the Homestead Exemption is June 30. 

Do you qualify?  Homeowners age 65 and over who have an income below $31,301 for an individual or $36,801 in combined income for a couple may qualify for this benefit.  Additionally, certain physically disabled individuals, including certain disabled veterans and their widows or widowers, may qualify to take advantage of the Homestead Exemption. 

Keep in mind that medical expenses that are greater than four percent of your household income may be deducted in determining your eligibility. 

For help determining if you are eligible for the exemption and to apply, please contact your Douglas County Assessor, Roger F. Morrissey.  The county Homestead Exemption Helpline is 402-597-6659.  The Assessors website is www.dcassessor.org. 

I truly hope you take advantage of this opportunity to save your hard-earned money.  Also, please tell your friends and neighbors if you think that they could benefit from this real relief.  If I can be of any further assistance, on this or any other matter, please do not hesitate to contact my office.

      Nebraska anchors an area rightfully called the “Saudi Arabia of Wind.” It is essential that the Unicameral put a framework in place that allows for, and encourages, investment in Nebraska’s wind resources. At the same time, our State’s proud tradition of public power, and the traditionally low rates that they offer us, must be protected.

      Amending Nebraska law to allow private development of our wind resources can strengthen the manufacturing base of our district. I am working hard to bring new career-level jobs opportunities to Legislative District 13. Legislation that invites and encourages a $20 billion investment in Nebraska will do just that. Our district has adaptable and hardworking people. We have industrial zoned areas ripe for re-development. Major transportation routes cross the district. All of these factors, and the training that Metropolitan Community College can provide, will make our district a prime location for the global wind industry.

      My job in the legislature is to provide leadership that allows Nebraska to take full advantage of its natural resources and compete for jobs. The legislation in the Natural Resources Committee creates a framework that lets industry do what it does best, innovate and create careers.

      Nebraska needs innovative public policy that supports a stable and growing Nebraska, even in tough times. Opening up export markets for Nebraska’s wind resources will serve the residents and businesses in this state while protecting our low energy costs. Now, more than ever, Nebraska is close to welcoming a vibrant new industry into our borders.

Effective governance is solution based. In my experience, identifying common interests brings positive change. Adhering to these principles, the legislature tackled important issues like public school funding and strengthening our state’s mental health safety net this year. Job not done, but…

A solutions-based approach also led to the enactment of my legislative agenda. I am especially proud of the unanimous passage of my priority bill, LB 340. This law requires a study among the stakeholders in our state-wide community college system, including Metropolitan Community College, to address fallout over the current funding formula. I hope that the result of this study will be an agreement that strengthens open-access education for our district.

The second bill that I passed into law this year is LB 360, a step towards greater government efficiency in our community. The bill transfers an important county function, the sale of tax delinquent properties back into private ownership, to the City of Omaha.

Finally, a bill that I introduced on behalf of the Department of Health and Human Services to fortify the state from the reemergence of traditional strains of Tuberculosis, as well as new multidrug-resistant stains threatening public health, was advanced. Much of the substance of the original bill was amended into LB 195, which passed into law. Enactment of this law helps ensure that public health official have the tools they need to fulfill their mission.

As my first legislative session draws to a close, I am reassured by the effectiveness and diligence of our state government. My firm belief that public service is the highest honor is reaffirmed and I look forward to continuing to live out that honor.

As I continue my work as your Nebraska State Senator, I hope you will feel free to continue to give me your input and to share your concerns with me.