This column covers legislative days 44 through 48.

Days 44 through 48 of this 60-day legislative session were full of heated debate, name-calling,
and more than enough drama. What was missing, however, was real, tangible action on property
tax relief for those in District 16, the region, and the state. Our first day back in the Capitol since
a break due to COVID in March was on Monday, July 20th. We’ll finish the remaining days of
the session and adjourn on August 13th, hopefully with more progress than took place the first
week. My focus over the next few weeks remains property tax relief and helping retirement
homes that have been hit especially hard by the COVID shutdown. I’ll continue to fight for
those in District 16.

My office received a great number of calls and emails in favor of LB 814, a bill that would
prohibit the practice of dismemberment abortions in the state of Nebraska. LB 814 did not
receive enough votes in the Judiciary Committee, so the bill’s sponsor, Senator Geist of Lincoln,
brought a motion to “pull” the bill from committee and bring it to the floor for debate. This “pull
motion” is well within the rules of our legislature and utilized often. I spoke in favor of the
motion to “pull” the bill from committee, as did many of my colleagues. However, eight
senators voted against the motion, seven did not vote, and four were absent even though the
motion was scheduled well in advance. The motion was successful and the bill will be brought
to the floor for debate where senators will decide whether we’ll allow unborn babies to be pulled
apart limb from limb in our state. Thank you for those who called or emailed our office to show
your support for the bill – I will do everything in my power to make sure this bill advances into
law and this barbaric practice ends.

LB 1160, a bill that would change some portions of school funding in our state, and LB 720, a
business tax incentive bill have been tied together for most of this session. Both were debated
this past week although votes were taken on neither of the bills. As I’ve said before, property tax
relief remains my number one priority in Lincoln, and action must be taken this session. LB
1160 and LB 720 should both come for votes this session to deliver property tax relief that is
sorely needed.

On Friday, July 24th we adjourned early due to escalating tensions and unruly debate. Three
senators began an argument that had little to do with actual legislation and much more to do with
hurt feelings and name-calling. This sort of child-like behavior is what I’ve found to be most
disappointing since I was elected as your Senator. I came to Lincoln to get stuff done, to
represent District 16, and to fight for your freedoms. I did not come to Lincoln to listen to
senators argue about whose feelings have been hurt the most. We need to get back to work and
pass legislation that will make life easier for Nebraskans across the state; and right now that
means property tax relief and support for those who need it most, including nursing homes and
retirement facilities.

As always you can contact me at bhansen@leg.ne.gov or contact the office to speak with my
Administrative Assistant, Ellie Stangl, or my Legislative Aide, Jacob Campbell.  To read all
introduced legislation please visit nebraskalegislature.gov. You may watch the live stream of the
session when available at netnebraska.org.