Harvest is just getting started or will start in the next few weeks. This past week was National Farm Safety and Health Week. On September 25th the Nebraska State Patrol posted on their Facebook page “This week is National Farm Safety and Health Week! As harvest season continues remember to stay safe on the roads with these three tips:

✅Label slow-moving equipment with necessary Slow Moving Vehicle (SMV) signs.
✅Ensure all equipment has sufficient lighting, reflective tape, and reflectors.
✅Perform regular maintenance on farm vehicles and equipment.”

I also want to encourage all drivers to be alert for agricultural equipment on the roads during harvest season. The Nebraska State Patrol is encouraging all drivers to be aware of agriculture equipment on roads throughout the state. “Agriculture plays a major role in our state. As ag producers continue their harvest, all motorists should stay alert for slow-moving ag implements,” said Captain Martin Denton, Commander of NSP Carrier Enforcement. Due to the size, shape, and loads, driver visibility is often reduced. Drivers should stay cautious when approaching, following, or attempting to pass farm vehicles. (Portions taken from 10/11NOW. (2024, September 25). Nebraska State Patrol urges drivers to be alert for agriculture equipment during harvest season. https://www.1011now.com. https://shorturl.at/w7SAj)

This week I would like to talk about two more proposed amendments and initiatives that you will see on your ballot. I will cover ‘Paid Sick Leave’ and the ‘Private Education Scholarship Referendum’.

‘Paid Sick Leave’ (Initiative Measure 436) says Shall a statute be enacted which: (1) provides eligible employees the right to earn paid sick time for personal or family health needs; (2) entitles employees of employers with fewer than 20 employees to accrue and use up to 40 hours of such time annually and those employed by employers with 20 or more employees to accrue and use up to 56 hours of such time annually; (3) specifies conditions regarding paid sick time; (4) prohibits retaliation against employees for exercising such rights; (5) adopts documentation requirements; and (6) establishes enforcement powers and a civil cause of action or violations. A vote “FOR” will enact the statute and a vote “AGAINST” means such a statute will not be enacted.

Supporters contend that no Nebraskan should have to choose between their paycheck and their health or the health of their family. It’s time to support working Nebraskans so they can take care of their health without losing pay. Initiative 436 would allow Nebraska workers to earn one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked. This will benefit full-time, part-time and temporary employees creating healthier workplaces, families, and communities. If passed by the majority of voters, Initiative 436 would go into effect on October 1, 2025.

Opponents contend that government-mandated paid leave will hurt small and medium-sized businesses by driving up their cost of doing business and making it harder for them to compete with large national and multinational corporations. Because mandates passed by petition must be written narrowly, this proposal disproportionately hurts small businesses located in rural and lower income areas because it does not account for differences in labor availability, cost-of-living, or other variances across the state. This initiative is a one-size-fits-all government mandate, backed by millions of dollars from outside Nebraska. If passed, it will drive up compliance costs and increase prices for consumers who would otherwise like to shop at local retailers.

‘Private Education Scholarship Referendum’ (Referendum Measure 435) says Section 1 of Legislative Bill 1402, enacted by the Nebraska Legislature in 2024, provides for $10 million annually to fund education scholarships to pay all or part of the cost to educate eligible students attending nongovernmental, privately operated elementary and secondary schools in Nebraska. A vote to “RETAIN” will keep in effect Section 1 of Legislative Bill 1402 enacted in 2024 by the Nebraska Legislature. A vote to “REPEAL” will eliminate the funding and scholarship provisions in Section 1 of Legislative Bill 1402.

Opponents contend that Referendum 435 gives voters the choice to retain an education scholarship program, created by a bipartisan super-majority of the Legislature, that empowers families to choose the school that is the best fit for their child. Repealing the program would eliminate record investment in Nebraska schools and block education freedom reforms that empower parents and hold schools accountable. The education scholarship program is benefiting thousands of Nebraska students and repeal will take away scholarships from those students. Repeal would steal hope and opportunity from thousands of families and children from across Nebraska who are benefiting from a new school setting where they have a better chance to learn and succeed in school.

Supporters contend that a vote to REPEAL LB1402 will eliminate a Legislative program that uses public funds to pay for private school tuition. The $10 million in public funds given to pay for private school tuition would otherwise be available to support local public schools, which serve 90% of all children in Nebraska. Private schools are not held to the same taxpayer accountability and transparency standards as public schools. LB1402 is inequitable. Private schools can discriminate against kids–they pick and choose the children they want to enroll. Public funds should be used for public education that is available to all Nebraska students. Indeed, more than half of Nebraska’s 93 counties do not have a private school. Nebraska taxpayers cannot afford to fund two separate school systems.

NDOT State Highway Construction & Detour report
for Northeast Nebraska

This update is from the September 25, 2024 Nebraska Interstate & Highway Construction & Detour Report. This report does not include Waze reports, construction and maintenance projects that will take less than 30 days to complete, rough roads reports, rest area information, and traffic accidents. Call 511 or visit www.511.nebraska.gov for the most current information.

• US-77 in both directions between mile marker 164 and Whitestocking Lane (1 to 7 miles south of Winnebago). Road construction work is in progress.
• US-77 in both directions between County Road Q (6 miles north of Oakland) and NE-94 (6 miles south of Winnebago). Long term road construction. A lane is closed intermittently. Guardrails are being repaired. There is a 12-foot width limit. Anticipated completion is December 2024.
• NE-9 in both directions between Willis Street (near Pender) and Prairie Street (Emerson). Bridge construction. A lane is closed intermittently. Look out for temporary traffic lights. There is a 12-foot width in effect.
• NE-16 IN BOTH DIRECTIONS ROAD CLOSED FOR REPAIRS between NE-51; County Road W51 and NE-9 (Bancroft). The road is closed for resurfacing. Anticipated completion is September 2024.
• NE-57 in both directions between 859th Road and 860th Road (near Carroll). Road construction work is in progress, bridge repair. The roadway is reduced to one lane. Traffic maintained with temporary traffic lights and flaggers. There is a 12-foot width limit in effect.
• NE-57 in both directions between 857th Road and 858th Road (2 miles south of Carroll). Road construction work is in progress, bridge repair. The roadway is reduced to one lane. Traffic maintained with temporary traffic lights and flaggers. There is a 12-foot width limit in effect.
• NE-87B Spur Rosalie Spur in both directions between US-77 and Farley Street (3 miles east of Rosalie). Long term road construction work. A lane is closed intermittently. Guardrails are being repaired. Anticipated completion is December 2024.

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.