107TH LEGISLATURE, 1ST SESSION – DAY 50

April showers bring May flowers! Spring is my favorite season of the year. I love seeing the flowers bloom and new baby calves entering the world. The rain brings the blessing of moisture as we anticipate planting our crops soon. There is so much to be thankful for. 

HAPPY AG WEEK

In celebration of National AG Week, March 21-27, the Nebraska Department of Agriculture announced the winners of this year’s annual poster contest. More than 1,700 students in grades 1-6 from all over the state entered NDA’s annual contest by highlighting Nebraska agriculture, our state’s number one industry. The NDA announced the winners of its annual poster contest during National AG Week to highlight the diversity of agriculture and celebrate the food, feed and fuel that farmers and ranchers provide every day. The winning posters and the names of the schools submitting entries are on NDA’s website at nda.nebraska.gov/kids. The posters, depicting this year’s theme of “Nebraska Agriculture: Straight from the Good Life.”We are so proud of our granddaughter, Kylie Fischer, a 3rd grader at St. Paul Lutheran School in West Point, who has placed for the second time in this contest. This year she won 3rd place in her division. I love to see the value and appreciation for agriculture instilled in our children, what a great way to do it. 

BILLS THAT ADVANCED THIS WEEK

LB281, my Senator Priority Bill, advanced to Select File this week with a vote of 32-0. The purpose of this bill is to require that public schools provide four hours of avoiding child sexual abuse training to students in K-12, and teacher training as a preventative method for helping reduce incidents of child sexual abuse. The State Department of Education will provide a framework for policies and standards which will train teachers, involve parents and teach children through age-appropriate, evidence based curriculum. The goal is that children who are being abused will find a voice, and a place where they can safely learn what to do if they need help.

LB113, was a bill I carried for the Department of Motor Vehicles Bill which will change important provisions relating to motor vehicles titling, licensing, registration, and fees and operators’ licenses and permits and authorize a new motor vehicle carrier services system, passed on Final Reading. One of the reasons this bill is vital is to keep the trucking industry across the state on the road, giving them the required resources, empowering them to deliver goods across Nebraska. LB113 is on its way to the Governor’s desk for a final signature. 

FIRST RESPONDER COMPENSATION

I was a lone “no” vote on LB255 – Adopt the In the Line of Duty Compensation Act. It is not often I stand alone on a vote, and though I am not afraid to do it,  it is important to me that I share with you the reason for my vote. 

I hold First Responders of all kinds in very high regard. This is the fifth time this bill has come to the floor and it has failed to pass. I voted “No” on LB255 because I continue to have some significant unanswered questions. What do paid law enforcement and first responders receive from their Cities, Counties and the State? My staff went to great lengths this week to find answers to those questions, and here is some of what we have found:

                                      Fed Funding                           Life Ins         Other                   Totals

NE State Patrol        $370,376          66-75%       $6000          $10-40,000        $386,376

SSC                               $330,000         50%             $25,000                                     $355,000

Dakota County         $338,000        50%              $4000          $4000                   $346,000

                         *All amounts are estimates based on ages and numbers of family members.

I love and respect our first responders, but many people in numerous professions risk their lives and health for the benefit of others. Consider our soldiers who serve our country, teachers, doctors and nurses, railroad workers and truck drivers who all stood in the gap, some losing their lives during the Covid outbreak. I will continue to research and carefully consider LB255 before I give it my green light.

KENO HEARING

Last week I shared with you my concerns regarding LB561, which expands gaming through KENO and Sports Betting in the State. As I mentioned, I understand that Nebraskans said yes to gaming on the ballot last November, but I believe as Legislators, we need to make certain that things get started off right, and I want to do everything in my power to make sure the letter of the law is followed in this process. Because proper protocol was not followed me must have a hearing on the floor.  There will be a public hearing on the KENO aspect of the bill on  Monday, March 29, 12:00 noon in Room 1510. I welcome anyone who would like an opportunity for their voice to be heard about adding KENO to LB561 before it advances, to come to the Capitol on Monday and testify in the hearing.

STAY INFORMED ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION PROPOSED FOR K-12

Recently the Nebraska Department of Education released a draft of the Nebraska Health Education Standards. I strongly encourage you to read the standards and inform yourself about new content that is being considered. Keep in mind State Standards are simply a guideline that individual School Districts can follow. The number one step is for the parents to weigh in. What is being taught in our districts is ultimately up to our local administrators.

Take some time to review the entire document for yourself and let the State Department of Education know what you think. 

A draft Health Education Standards are available for review at:

https://www.education.ne.gov/healthed/health-education-standards-development/

You can contribute your feedback at:

https://nde.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8dI1y2pRSfXlG8R

Or members of the public can submit a formal comment by emailing nde.standardsinput@nebraska.gov. 

DISTRICT 17 COVID-19 

The number of positive tests reported for the periods March 20, 2021, and March 26, 2021 in District 17 are as follow: 

Dakota County +26 (3977) 

Thurston County: +7 (1145) 

Wayne County: +14 (1098) 

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 at 402-471-2716 or jalbrecht@leg.ne.gov.