Welcome Fall! As we move into this most colorfully changing time of year, I want to wish everyone a safe and bountiful harvest! With the change in weather also comes a change in traffic on the roads. In addition to watching for school buses, it is important for drivers to be on the lookout for farm vehicles and machinery traveling on the roads. Remember to slow down. Watch for slow moving vehicles, especially as you come over hills. You won’t have to wait long. Waiting for a neighbor to navigate the road between fields is the equivalent of waiting through two (2) lights in the city. Take time and make this your time—to enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells of nature changing around you.

Congratulations to Darren Wolfe of Macy on his appointment by the Governor to the Nebraska Commission on Indian Affairs and thank you to Mr. Wolfe for being willing to serve. The Commission on Indian Affairs was established by statute in 1971. The mission of the Commission is “to do all things which it may determine to enhance the cause of Indian rights and to develop solutions to problems common to all Nebraska Indians.” The Commission serves as liaison between the four headquarter tribes of the Omaha, Ponca, Santee Sioux and Winnebago. There are 14 Indian commissioners appointed by the Governor and four ex-officio members representing the Pawnee tribe, Ogallala Sioux, Ioway, Sac and Fox on the Commission.

On Thursday, September 24, Governor Ricketts was joined by State Senators, the Adjutant General of the Nebraska National Guard Major General Daryl Bohac and leaders from the National Guard as he signed LB450 into law. LB450 increases opportunity to members of the National Guard by increasing the tuition credit for degrees from 75% of resident tuition to 100% of resident tuition. It also increases tuition credit of 50% for graduate and professional degrees. Those who are ever ready to protect and serve the needs of Nebraskans and to go wherever in the Nation they may be called certainly deserve to benefit from our State’s educational system.

This Sunday, October 4, 2020, I will have the honor of speaking at the Bells Across America service in Dakota City. Dakota City joins fire departments across the nation in paying tribute to fallen firefighters lost in 2019, while also recognizing its own fallen firefighers Captain Andrew Zaime, lost in 2016; Captain Erin Speck, lost in 2016, and Firefighter Lowell E. Satterwhite Sr., also lost in 2016. Our firefighters play a vital role in keeping our communities safe and I appreciate each of them. This is a touching and important memorial service. The service will be held to remember fallen firefighters and will begin at 1:00 p.m. at the Dakota City Fire Hall, 208 S. 21st St. The public is invited to attend.

COVID-19 BY THE NUMBERS: As we continue to be cautious while we move toward reopening and normalcy as a State and as a Legislative District, seeing schools and businesses reopen, I think it is important that we track the reported positive cases in District 17 from week to week and I will plan to do so in this Weekly Update going forward. Thank you to Northeast Nebraska Public Health and Dakota County Public Health for keeping me updated. New reported positive tests in District 17, by county, for the period Sept. 18 to Sept. 24, 2020 were:
Dakota County: +48
Thurston County: + 8
Wayne County: +10

COMING UP! The 107th Legislature will be here before we know it. Not long after the November 3 election, newly elected, re-elected, and sitting State Senators will join together in a gathering of the Legislative Council. Each member of the Legislature is a member of the Legislative Council and under Nebraska law, the group must meet at least once every two (2) years. The gathering will give all senators the opportunity to get to know one another better, to recap the Legislative Sessions of the past two years, and to discuss important upcoming issues like the post-Covid budget concerns and re-districting. I look forward to joining my colleagues and meeting new Senators in November.

Legislative Page Opportunity Deadline. Having pages at the Capitol to assist us as Senators is more important than many people realize. During Session, we are frequently hard at work reviewing bills and speaking to other Senators, as well as answering questions and preparing for opening on our own bills. Leaving the floor for the many various needs we may have is oft times impossible. Consequently, each year, Nebraska College or trade school students are chosen as Legislative pages to assist Senators on the Legislative floor. During their 20-hour weeks, Pages assist Senators by running errands, delivering messages, photocopying materials, and so forth. They also assist presiding officers at hearings to set up and staff committee hearings and perform other assigned duties. This is a 20-hour a week paid position which may also offer college credits. Deadline for applications is 5:00 p.m. this Friday, October 2, 2020. I am happy to talk with any interested student to write a letter of recommendation for the position. Applicants can apply online at: unicampages@leg.ne.gov

Looking forward to re-districting: After the 2020 Census is complete, the Legislature will begin to undertake the process of drafting and enact new district maps designed to meet federal law that requires representation of equal populations in each Legislative District (LD). Redistricting involves identifying district lines for Nebraska’s three (3) United States Congressional representatives and Nebraska’s 49 elected state legislators. I am intrigued about the process and am considering serving on the Committee initially concerned with putting the pieces in place before sending a plan to the Government, Military, and Veterans’ Affairs Committee that handles the legislation regarding redistricting.

All in all there is much happening now as my family and I also tend to the harvest, and there is much to look forward to on the home front and at the Legislature.

As always, it is of great importance that I hear from my constituents to effectively do my job as your voice in the Legislature. I encourage you to contact me and I look forward to hearing from you. You can reach me by phone at 402-471-2716 or by email at jalbrecht@leg.ne.gov