Jacki, Glenda and I would like to extend warmest wishes for a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Next week there will be a lot of hustle and bustle as I begin final preparations for the Christmas holiday. My office will be lightly staffed as I want my staff to have time to prepare for their Christmas holiday as well. May you enjoy time with your family and, if you are traveling, travel safely. This will be our last newsletter for 2022.

During the interim we began preparing for the 108th Legislative Session scheduled to begin on Wednesday, January 4, 2023. Along with preparing for the new session there will be a lot of movement with new chair appointments and committee assignments. There is a lot of work to be done between now and the beginning of the new session. Bills are being prepared and work is being done to make sure everything is ready to go. The first 10 days are a significantly important part of the session and sets the stage for the rest of the 90 day session.

I received some sad news this past week. Former Senator Leo Patrick “Pat” Engel passed away on Tuesday, December 6, 2022. He was laid to rest on Monday, December 12, 2022 with military graveside honors at St. Michael’s Cemetery. Pat was an amazing father and a pillar in the South Sioux City community. He played many roles during his life: served our country, state, and his community by serving in the Air Force, State Farm Insurance agent, school board member, Dakota County Commissioner, and was appointed to the Nebraska State Legislature in 1993. He served as the District 17 Senator for 16 years. While there he served as Chair of the Executive Board, was a member of the Appropriations Committee, Reference Committee Chair, Committee on Committees member, and Legislative Performance Audit Committee member. On behalf of the State of Nebraska and my office, we send out our heartfelt condolences. Pat will be sorely missed.

As the new session quickly approaches, my office is getting prepared to move into a new office space the first day of session. There seems to be a lot to get packed up and ready for the move, but I look forward to being on a lower floor closer to the hearing rooms and Legislative Chamber.

WE WISH YOU A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!