The second week of the Legislature continued with the introduction of
bills. I continue to work on preparing bill drafts to be introduced,
and I did introduce one bill this week, LB 930. This proposal was
brought to me by constituents in Burt County who would like to be
able to drive golf carts in town.  The bill was initially a request
from a constituent and petition initiated in Oakland.  However, this
legislation is most recently also important to Tekamah residents and
golfers should the golf course be annexed and thus, fall within city
limits. To summarize, LB 930 grants cities and villages the ability
to authorize the use of golf car vehicles, and they may place
additional safety requirements and further restrictions on the use of
golf carts within their jurisdiction. Several senators signed onto
the bill as co-sponsors, and a public hearing will be scheduled
before the Transportation and Telecommunications Committee.

On January 12 Governor Heineman gave his State of the State Address.  He
acknowledged the eight senators who will be leaving the body after
this session due to term limits.  The governor also pointed to a more
promising financial outlook with increased tax receipts of $349
million.  With this in mind, the governor pointed to notable
legislation to reduce the burden placed upon our taxpayers, in
particular the middle class.  Also, as part of his tax proposals, he
expressed intent to provide state corporate tax relief and to
eliminate Nebraska’s inheritance tax.  Additional legislative matters
that the Governor mentioned in his State of the State included the
focus we will place this session on child welfare reform and the need
to work together on a resolution for the benefit of struggling
children and families.  Also acknowledged was the state’s need to act
on creating a health care exchange, despite the fact that the federal
health care law is tied up in court at this time.  Merging two state
departments, the Department of Labor and the Department of Economic
Development are also items on the legislative agenda. Rightly so, the
Governor, myself, and other senators and elected officials share
enthusiasm about the future of our state and the potential for
further success going forward.

A bill I introduced last session, LB 343, was carried over to this year
and taken up by the Legislature on General File.  The bill was
brought to me by the Board of Examiners for Land Surveyors and would
have allowed the Board to set their own educational requirements for
land surveyors through the rules and regulations process.  They
sought this legislation because of their intent to gradually increase
educational requirements over a period of time, and they determined
it to be more sensical to do this through the rules and regulations
as similar industries already do.  However, during debate some
concerns were raised about taking away necessary legislative
oversight, and the decision was made to lay over the bill
indefinitely, meaning we will not see LB 343 debated again this
session.  Instead, I fully expect to carry a bill next session for
the Board that will include elevated education requirements that will
be part of and remain in state statute.

Committee hearings begin on Tuesday, January 17.  The Legislature will convene
for debate in the morning, and hearings will begin in the afternoon
at 1:30.  Please contact me if you have an interest in testifying at
a committee hearing as the public’s input is crucial to the process
and the outcome of legislation.

Outside of the legislative chambers, I have met with constituents across the
district who have come to Lincoln to visit on issues of significance
to them.  Various organizations have sponsored events where I have
had the opportunity to visit with professionals in our district.  It
is encouraging to see involvement in the legislative process and get
direct feedback on the implications of legislation that I will be
voting on.  As always, please feel free to contact me with questions
or concerns, and stop by your District 16 office if you visit Lincoln
or the State Capitol.

Serving you in the Nebraska Legislature to keep the good life growing,

Senator Lydia Brasch

District 16