107TH LEGISLATURE, 1ST SESSION – DAY 74

It was a delight to have the Winside 4th and 5th graders visit the Legislature this week!

CONGRATULATIONS TO 2021 GRADUATES 

Every year, Beverly Neel, my Administrative Assistant reaches out to all of the schools in District 17 so we can send each Graduating Senior a letter of congratulations. This year 607 students will be graduating. To all Graduates, I wish you the best!

NEBRASKA YOUTH PREFER RURAL COMMUNITIES

In January 2020, Nebraska Community Foundation began working with Center for Public Affairs Research at the University of Nebraska at Omaha to co-create a survey designed to explore young people’s perceptions and perspectives of their Nebraska hometowns. 

While this survey only represents the views of 1,302 Nebraska high school students, the emerging patterns indicate that our hometowns are uniquely positioned to offer precisely the things that Nebraska high schoolers say they want in the places they

choose to live. 

They value safety. Students expressed an affinity for safe, low-crime, family-oriented places. Contrary to popular perceptions of youth, the students indicated a preference for safety and security over entertainment. They are community-oriented. Many students boast a resume filled with school sports, extracurricular activities, community volunteerism, and part-time jobs. Nebraska youth are not only highly involved, they also have a desire to be a part of their community. Out of 1302 youth, when asked, besides the people in your household, do you have other family that live in your community, 940 said they do. When asked if they have a job, including, summer jobs, babysitting, mowing lawns, owning your own business etc. 978 said they do. They favor small communities. Nearly half of responding students shared that their community is the perfect size. Nebraska’s hometowns are uniquely positioned to offer young people the safe, secure, family-oriented communities they desire.

REVENUE INCREASE FOR NEBRASKA

The Nebraska State Government will collect an extra $90 million in tax revenue in the current fiscal year that ends June 30 but will face a less rosy outlook over the following two years, based on new state estimates. The Nebraska Economic Forecasting Advisory Board last Friday lowered its revenue projections by $5 million over the following two budget years, starting on July 1. The new predictions will give lawmakers about $38 million more than expected in the current legislative session, after adjusting for requirements of state law. The projections will also trigger an automatic boost to a new state property tax credit program. (excerpts from AP article)

A YEAR FOR REDISTRICTING

Every 10 years, all 50 states must redraw the district  boundaries for the US House of Representatives and State Legislatures. In Nebraska, we will also draw new district boundaries for the State Board of Education, the Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska, the Public Service Commission and the Nebraska Supreme Court. Redistricting is a very difficult process and one that must proceed with substantive guidelines. Because of Covid, Census Data will be delayed until mid August. In order to accommodate the delay, a special session of the Legislature will be held for approximately two weeks in the Fall to complete the process.

STATUS OF BILLS I  INTRODUCED:

LB 111 First Responders In Committee

LB 112 Open Meetings In Committee

LB 113 DMV Modernization Approved by the Governor

LB 149 State Patrol Approved by the Governor

LB 280 Insurance Board In Committee

LB 281 Erin’s Law Select File

LB 282 Repeal Obscenity In Committee

LB 325 Art Therapy General File

LB 523 School Bond Authority General File

LB 595 Ethanol Tax Exemption Select File

LB 596 Ethanol Blend Tax Credit In Committee

LB 597 Stillbirth Tax Credit Select File

OFFENSES USING TECHNOLOGY

I also supported Senator Geist’s LB500, which was approved by the Governor this week. LB500 would allow for a person who uses an electronic device to commit an offense to be tried in the county where the communication was initiated or received. 

VALUATION OF AG LAND REDUCED FOR SCHOOL TAX PURPOSES

I gave a green light to LB 2, introduced by Senator Briese, which would reduce the valuation of agricultural land from 75 percent to 50 percent of actual value for the purpose of educational bonds. The bill has been placed on Final Reading.

CONSUMPTION TAX FAILS

Senator Erdman introduced LR11CA, which would have allowed Nebraska voters to choose to replace property, income, sales, inheritance, corporate and estate taxes with a state consumption tax under a proposed constitutional amendment. Though I am in strong support of a consumption tax, it has failed to advance this year. I will continue to work to reduce the tax burdens Nebraskans face.

FINANCIAL RELIEF CAUSED BY FEB STORM

Several communities in Nebraska, including some in District 17,  were left with severe debt incurred as a result of the extreme weather conditions this February.  For that reason, I stood in support of LB549, introduced by Senator Wayne, which would adopt the Municipal Natural Gas Emergency Assistance Act. Under the Act, municipalities which own or operate a natural gas plant or natural gas system could apply to the State Treasurer for emergency grant funding to cover up to ninety percent of extraordinary costs incurred by the municipality as a result of an extreme weather event. LB 549 provides for a one-time transfer of five million dollars from the General Fund to provide emergency grants under the Act. The Act terminates on June 30, 2023 and contains the emergency clause. LB549 has moved to Select File.

PHASE-OUT OF SOCIAL SECURITY TAX 

I voted in support of LB64,  sponsored by Senator Lindstrom, that would eliminate tax on Social Security income over 10 years.  Nebraska has roughly 320,000 residents that rely on some form of Social Security, either as a retirement, disability or survivor benefit. Nebraska is one of 13 states that tax the benefit, although some low-income residents don’t earn enough to be taxed by the state. LB64 has advanced to Select File.

BEEF MONTH

The Governor had declared May Beef Month in Nebraska. Red meat is one of the most nutritious foods you can eat. It is loaded with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and various other nutrients that can have profound effects on health. Nebraska’s cattle industry grows the state by generating over $10 billion in cash receipts each year. Nebraska ranks first in the nation for commercial cattle slaughter, second for beef exports, and second for all cattle on feed.  In 2019, beef was Nebraska’s number two agricultural export behind soybeans.  Nebraska has 22 million acres of rangeland and pastureland, about half of which are in the Sandhills.

NEBRASKA  DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION HEALTH STANDARDS

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. 

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 April 30, 2021 to May 7, 2021 in District 17 are as follow: 

Dakota County +18 (4108)

Thurston County: +12 (1173)

Wayne County: +10 (1157)

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.