As Chair of the Business and Labor Committee, my staff and I spend much of the interim studying the need and effects of potential business and labor related legislation. The Business and Labor Committee held a hearing November 27th on a Legislative Resolution I introduced: LR 383, Interim study to examine the feasibility of adopting a workers’ compensation drug formulary. A drug formulary is a list of prescription drugs, sometimes adopted by health insurance companies, used by doctors to identify drugs that offer the greatest overall value for specified injuries or illnesses. We invited professionals in the drug formulary and health care industries to share their experiences and ideas on the benefits or downsides of introducing a drug formulary to worker’s compensation related health care. It was a pleasure to hear from experts and share ideas with fellow senators on the topic.

On December 4th, the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry hosted the 2018 Chamber Economic Development Summit in Lincoln. State Senators and business leaders heard from Governor Pete Ricketts as he discussed the economic success of Nebraska over the last year and his plans for the future. David Drozd of the University of Nebraska Omaha and Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City VP and Omaha Branch Executive Nathan Kauffman gave attendees a snapshot of current Nebraska, regional, and national economic trends. Greater Omaha Chamber President David Brown and Department of Economic Development Director Dave Rippe gave a great review of the competitive economic advantage Nebraska provides businesses and University of Nebraska President Dr. Hank Bounds gave attendees an outlook of the University’s role in the future of Nebraska’s economy. Our state continues to make strides towards strong economic growth. Workforce and economic development will continue to be a focus of the Legislature in the upcoming 2019 session.

At the Chamber Economic Development Summit, the town of Pender was recognized for winning one of the 2018 Midwest Messenger Rural Communities of the Year awards. Pender was chosen as one of three rural communities in Nebraska as a town that has invested in local assets, residents, businesses, and support of the agricultural community. Pender has worked hard to attract residents and businesses and provide improvements while remaining dedicated to rural life and agriculture. Congratulations to Pender and the community’s leaders for setting an example for the rest of Nebraska!

From December 5th-7th, I was invited to attend the Foundation for Government Accountability’s Solution Summit in Florida. The FGA is a non-partisan, non-profit organization and think tank dedicated to implementing policy reform to improve the lives of Americans. The organization focuses on welfare, health care, and work reform. I met with legislators and policy analysts from across the country to discuss welfare reforms that have helped Americans to move off of government dependency and champion personal responsibility, pathways to bring more affordable health care and insurance to our state, and successful strategies to create economic opportunity to Nebraska.

Beginning November 26th, Highway US-75 will be closed for repairs north of Macy, weather permitting. The highway will be closed three miles north of Macy for an anticipated 30 days. Local traffic will be detoured via N-94 and US-77. The Department of Transportation is expecting delays on the detour routes and US-75. Please remember to drive carefully and observe posted traffic signs near construction zones and along detour routes.

I want to encourage my constituents to reach out to me, I look forward to hearing from you!

402-471-2716

jalbrecht@leg.ne.gov