I hope you are staying safe and warm as we are in the midst of a very cold and snowy January. Again, I would like to thank the Emergency Managers, first responders, law enforcement, and road workers for all their hard work during this cold and snowy few weeks.

On Thursday, January 18th, Governor Pillen gave his State of the State Address to the Legislative body. He talked about the winter weather we have had and how Nebraskans stepped up to help other Nebraskans as has been done before. State troopers, sheriff’s deputies, police officers, other first responders, and snow fighters from across the state moved swiftly to rescue those trapped by the storms, clear roads, and dig out our communities and agriculture. He then reminded us of the many good things that took place during his first year as Governor. He reminded us that our kids are our future and we never ever give up on our kids. With that in mind, we took major steps to make sure the state meets its school funding promises to every kid in every district by investing $1 billion into the Education Future Fund to support K-12 education. This included a critical step forward in foundation aid of $1500 per student and overdue increases in special education funding. We passed the Opportunity Scholarships Act which will ensure that needy students from every corner of our state have a chance at a good education at a school that will be the best fit for them. We took a big first step toward addressing mental health challenges with the unanimous creation of certified community behavioral health clinics. We agreed that state government was spending too much and taxing its people too much. We passed a historic fiscal conservative budget with only 2% growth. We agreed that taxing our seniors’ social security is not the Nebraska way and ended it. We finally made our income tax codes competitive with our neighbors by reducing income tax rates to 3.99% by 2027. We supported value-added agriculture by increasing consumer ethanol access. We created and strengthened the Nebraska Broadband Office, which will leverage once-in-a-generation resources to ensure rural Nebraska businesses and farms can connect to a global economy. We defended the unborn by restricting abortions beyond 12 weeks. We will continue to embrace life here in Nebraska with the launch of a yearlong “Culture of Life and Love Initiative”. It will provide resources to expecting moms, especially those in crisis and who need support more than ever. We Nebraskans are a people grounded in values: faith, family, freedom, life, and love. We are a place of rich opportunity and one of the safest places to live in the world to raise a family. We have the gift of belief. Among our greatest strengths is that we believe we can compete with anyone, anywhere in the world and we can. (Strimple, Laura and Schafer, Jacy. “Governor Pillen 2024 State of State Address”. 18 January, 2024. https://shorturl.at/aqFN3)

News from Governor Pillen’s Office
Governor Pillen issued Executive Order 24-2 to produce and preserve electricity in the face of energy demands resulting from the recent snow storm and subzero temperatures. Power providers are permitted to take steps necessary to meet ongoing demands. At the same time, entities with an ability to generate electricity are asked to take actions that will ensure preservation of the electrical grid. The Governor’s order is effective immediately and will remain in effect through February 16, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. (Strimple, Laura and Schafer, Jacy. “Gov. Pillen Temporarily Waves Regulations on Nebraska’s Power Providers’ Ability to Produce Electricity”. Governor Pillen Press Release. 16 January, 2024. https://shorturl.at/boAQ8)

Two bills were introduced this past week aimed at pushing back against foreign adversarial influence in Nebraska. Senator Barry DeKay (District 40) introduced legislation to modernize laws related to foreign-owned agriculture land (LB1301). This bill will continue the state’s prohibition on foreign persons or foreign-owned companies from owning agricultural land. It tightens existing exemptions on industrial use and ownership by foreign adversaries in areas near critical military installations. This bill directs the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) to review land purchases and sets forth a process for divestment of entities determined to be violating the law. Senator Bostar (District 29) introduced legislation requiring the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) to audit all critical procurements of the state to determine what affect a conflict in the Pacific would have on state supply chains (LB1300). This proposed measure also restricts public entities from contracting with companies owned by foreign adversaries with specific regard to communication technologies. “I am proud to work with a bipartisan group of senators on both of these priorities to help protect Nebraskans against our foreign adversaries,” added Governor Pillen. (Strimple, Laura and Schafer, Jacy. “Governor Pillen & Senators Push Back Against Foreign Adversaries”. Governor Pillen Press Release. 16 January, 2024. https://shorturl.at/qvBCD)

As always, I invite you to let me know your thoughts, ideas, concerns, or suggestions by calling my office at (402) 471-2716 or emailing me at jalbrecht@leg.ne.gov.