FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, February 6, 2012

Contact: Matt Boever

Phone: (402) 471-2929

Lincoln, NE—Greetings from your State Capitol. This afternoon, the Legislature’s Transportation and Telecommunications Committee held a public hearing on LB 1112, a bill I introduced concerning state highway construction planning. The bill adds an additional factor for the Department of Roads to consider in establishing priorities for its state highway system long-range plan. The Department currently considers several factors: current and projected traffic volume, safety requirements, economic development needs, current and projected demographic trends, and enhancement of the quality of life for all Nebraska citizens. LB 1112 would add a new consideration: whether funding is available for a project from a local entity, such as a town or county.

Last session, the Legislature passed an important highway funding bill, Sen. Deb Fischer’s LB 84, which, beginning in 2013, will dedicate a quarter of one cent of existing state sales tax for roads funding. The new law is expected to provide $60 million to $65 million annually for badly needed road construction projects. As evidenced from its most recent 10-year plan, this LB 84 funding has allowed the Department of Roads to take several projects off the shelf, including the Highway 30 project between Schuyler and Fremont, which, when completed, would connect Columbus and Omaha with four lanes.

Close to my hometown of Norfolk, finishing the 50 miles of expressway on Highway 275 between Tony’s Steak house and Scribner is vital to our long-term economic success and livelihood in northeast Nebraska. This Highway 275 project is not part of the Department’s current 10-year plan, and it is not my intent with LB 1112 to require the Department to reshuffle its current highway project priorities. But LB 1112 does require the Department to consider, at least, whether there is local buy-in. In other words, if it is important enough for a community or several several communities to invest part of their limited resources toward a highway construction project, it should be important enough for the Department to consider this cooperation when it sets project priorities. Because, for cities like Norfolk and other communities located off an interstate, good roads provide needed mobility, connect our communities, and promote economic development.

As always, I welcome hearing from you, and, if I can ever be of assistance to you or your family, please feel free to contact me at (402) 471-2929, mflood@leg.ne.gov, or via U.S. mail at District 19, State Capitol, P.O. Box 94604, Lincoln, NE 68509-4604.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, January 30, 2012

Contact:  Matt Boever

Phone:  (402) 471-2929

Lincoln, NE—Greetings from your State Capitol. Earlier this session, I introduced a bill, LB 1115, with the goal of expanding natural gas capacity and spurring economic development in the rural areas of our State. With today’s Update, I’d like to provide some background on LB 1115 and the pressing need for increased natural gas pipeline capacity to meet the demands of current and new industries in many Nebraska communities.

LB 1115 provides for a streamlined, less-regulated process whereby a utility may develop and implement a plan to construct rural natural gas infrastructure in unserved and underserved areas. It would allow for collaboration between the interstate natural gas pipeline operators, local utilities, municipalities, and businesses in developing and funding new capacity. Communities would have to demonstrate significant support for such a project.

I became familiar with this issue early on in my time in the Legislature when the city of Norfolk lost out on a soybean processing facility. Unfortunately, rural Nebraska communities have been routinely passed over by new businesses, and we have watched as these opportunities go elsewhere when they find out our communities can’t support their utility needs. Something needs to be done about the chokepoint in the current system that puts a huge barrier in front of development in much of rural Nebraska. There is certainly more work to be done, but LB 1115 is a starting point to turn the tide and allow for a forward-looking partnership between the gas and pipeline companies, local municipalities, and businesses.

Recently Mayor Sue Fuchtman of Norfolk said that to retain and expand industrial and manufacturing businesses in northeast Nebraska, they need the promise of firm gas, and, for several of the local industrial businesses, that guarantee is not provided them. I share Mayor Fuchtman’s concern that resolving this issue of natural gas capacity is imperative to providing better opportunities for a vibrant economic future in rural Nebraska.

The Legislature’s Urban Affairs Committee has scheduled a public hearing on LB 1115 for Tuesday, February 7 at 1:30pm in Room 1510 of the State Capitol building. Please let me know if you are interested in attending or testifying in person. For those unable to come to Lincoln but who still wish to follow the hearing, NET Television streams public hearings on its website.

As always, I welcome hearing from you, and, if I can ever be of assistance to you or your family, please feel free to contact me at (402) 471-2929, mflood@leg.ne.gov, or via U.S. mail at District 19, State Capitol, P.O. Box 94604, Lincoln, NE 68509-4604.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, January 23, 2012

Contact: Matt Boever

Phone: (402) 471-2929

Lincoln, NE—Greetings from your State Capitol. Last session, 15 senators, including all the members of the Health and Human Services Committee, introduced Legislative Resolution 37. The resolution directed the committee to review, investigate, and assess the effects of child welfare reform, which the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) began implementing in July 2009.

LR 37 was adopted by the Legislature in February 2011, and between February and November 2011, Health and Human Services Committee members and staff undertook a wide array of research, interviews, correspondence, consultations, briefings, surveys and public hearings. Other individuals, legislative divisions, and groups undertook specific tasks at the committee’s request. The end result was a detailed report published December 15, 2011, which contained a list of recommendations as well as rationales for those recommendations. The report is available in its entirety online here.

In this Capitol Update, I would like to briefly outline several bills introduced this session that reflect the LR 37 recommendations.

LB 774, introduced by Sen. Gwen Howard of Omaha, would require DHHS to report on December 15^th of 2012, 2013, and 2014 to the Governor, the Legislature, and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court on progress made toward recommendations contained within the LR 37 Report. It had a public hearing on January 18^th.

LB 820 was introduced by the Health & Human Services Committee and had a hearing on January 20^th. It would require, by January 2013, DHHS to apply for a certain federal waiver. The funding incentives in the waiver are in line with program goals and good practices and provide an alternative to expensive out-of-home care for in-home and reunification services.

Other bills introduced by the Health and Human Services Committee this session are LB 957, LB 961, and LB 821. LB 957 would create the position of Inspector General for children’s services. LB 961 would return case management to the state. LB 821 would create the Nebraska Children’s Commission and provide for the creation of the Department of Children’s Services in 2013. LBs 957 and 961 have hearing dates this week on January 26. LB 821 has a public hearing on February 1.

Finally, LB 949, introduced by the Legislature’s Performance Audit Committee, would provide for performance-based budgeting for the Division of Children and Family Services within DHHS. It has a hearing date on February 8. It requires DHHS to include a strategic plan for the Children and Family Services division in its budget request. The plan is to describe the main purpose or purposes of each program within the division and provide performance measures, benchmarks and time-frames for meeting them.

Much more information on these, and other bills, is available on the Legislature’s website, www.nebraskalegislature.gov. If you have an interest in attending these hearings or submitting testimony, please contact me at your convenience.

As always, I welcome hearing from you, and if I can ever be of assistance to you or your family, please feel free to contact me at (402) 471-2929, mflood@leg.ne.gov, or via U.S. mail at District 19, State Capitol, P.O. Box 94604, Lincoln, NE 68509-4604.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
Monday, January 16, 2012 
Contact: Matt Boever
Phone: (402) 471-2929

Lincoln, NE—Greetings from your State Capitol. Last week, Gov. Dave Heineman delivered his annual State of the State address before the Legislature. He highlighted the progress made in Nebraska’s tax climate improving from 45th to 29th since 2006 in the Tax Foundation’s state rankings. He also noted that there is more work to be done, and middle class Nebraskans need tax relief.

The Governor’s proposed plan calls for $326.6 million in tax relief over three years beginning January 1, 2013: lowering individual income tax rates and expanding brackets; helping small businesses grow by lowering the top corporate tax rate to the same rate as the top individual rate; and repealing the inheritance tax. Nebraska, it should be noted, is one of only 8 states with an inheritance tax. Of the $326.6 million in tax relief, $273.7 million would go to individual income tax and $52.9 million for Nebraska businesses.

As an illustration, tax relief for Married, Filing Jointly would be as follows:

Bracket 1 - Expand from $0-4,800 to $0-6,000 & Lower rate from 2.56% to 2.42%.

Bracket 2 - Expand from $4,800-35,000 to $6,000-36,500 & Lower rate from 3.57% to 3.40%.

Bracket 3 - Expand from $35,000-54,000 to $36,500-60,000 & Lower rate from 5.12% to 4.90%.

Bracket 4 - Expand from over $54,000 to over $60,000 & Lower rate from 6.84% to 6.70%.

Corporate income tax relief would lower the tax rate for income over $100,000 from 7.81% to 6.70%.

The Governor’s proposed changes are contained in LB 970, which was introduced by Sen. Abbie Cornett of Bellevue.

This time last year, the Legislature was facing a $956 million dollar shortfall. Fortunately, through an improved revenue forecast and a conservative approach to the budget by making significant cuts, the Legislature only had to utilize $22 million dollars of the Cash Reserve Fund (the equivalent of the state’s savings account) instead of the originally planned $256 million dollars. With a current balance of $413 million in the Cash Reserve Fund, the Governor believes Nebraska can afford to provide income tax relief for the middle class and our corporate community. Times are tough and there is no question that our middle class families could use a few more dollars to help make ends meet. As the Legislature discusses the budget, the Governor’s tax relief proposal will be an integral part of the discussion, in addition to property tax relief proposals and proposals to reinstate some of the budget cuts made last year. All of these views will need to be weighed against the state’s economic picture before the Legislature adopts any changes to its biennial budget in late March.

As always, I welcome hearing from you, and if I can ever be of assistance to you or your family, please feel free to contact me at (402) 471-2929, mflood@leg.ne.gov, or via U.S. mail at District 19, State Capitol, P.O. Box 94604, Lincoln, NE 68509-4604.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, January 9, 2012
Contact:  Matt Boever
Phone:  (402) 471-2929

Lincoln, NE—Greetings from your State Capitol. On January 4, 2012, the second or “short” session of the 102nd Legislature began. This session marks the 75th anniversary of the meeting of the state’s first unicameral legislature in January 1937. Senator George Norris championed the concept of a nonpartisan and one-house legislature in the belief that a one-house system would curb the abuse of conference committees and promote transparency in government proceedings. I believe that Nebraska’s Unicameral Legislature, which requires a public hearing on every substantive bill, delivers the transparency George Norris promoted, in addition to making the government process more understandable and accessible for people to interact with their representatives. I speak for my colleagues when I say we feel honored to serve in the nation’s only unicameral.

In the coming weeks, I look forward to providing a detailed look at the issues that will demand our attention during this 60-day session, but for now I’d like to provide some general information and key dates as we begin our first full week in session.

The Legislature’s website, nebraskalegislature.gov, is a great source of information, including a 2012 Session Calendar, a listing of the membership on various legislative committees, and a day-by-day summary of bills introduced. You can also research current bills and past legislation and find links to individual senator webpages.

Today, January 9, is the fourth day of bill introduction this session. New bills may be introduced for the first 10 legislative days, or until January 19. Beginning today, also, my office will be accepting committee and senator priority bill designations. A priority designation nearly ensures that a bill will come up for the first round of full legislative debate this year. Tomorrow, on January 10, we will begin floor debate of carryover legislation. Basically, in all second or “short” sessions of the Nebraska Legislature, bills begin wherever they were in the process when the first session adjourned. Of these carryover bills, 44 are on “General File,” which is the first stage of floor debate by the body as a whole.

Gov. Dave Heineman’s annual State of the State address is scheduled for January 12 at 10:00 a.m. Public committee hearings will begin the afternoon of January 17 and continue, in the afternoons, through February. On January 19, Chief Justice Michael Heavican of the Nebraska Supreme Court will deliver his State of the Judiciary Address at 10:00 a.m.

As always, I welcome hearing from you, and if I can ever be of assistance to you or your family, please feel free to contact me at (402) 471-2929, mflood@leg.ne.gov, or via U.S. mail at District 19, State Capitol, P.O. Box 94604, Lincoln, NE 68509-4604.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, May 23, 2011

Contact:  Matt Boever

Phone:    (402) 471-2929

Lincoln, NE—Greetings from your State Capitol. About a month ago, I discussed LB 397 and possible changes to the Nebraska Commission of Industrial Relations or “CIR.” As you may recall, the CIR is the state’s arbiter of labor disputes between public sector employees and government employers, and Sen. Steve Lathrop of Omaha introduced LB 397 this session with the intent of bringing greater predictability and consistency to the process of resolving labor disputes. Today I would like to provide an update on this bill—one of this session’s major issues.

Last Friday during Select File debate, Sen. Steve Lathrop of Omaha brought an important compromise amendment to LB 397, a compromise that was ultimately adopted on 42-0 vote. Reaching this resolution was not easy, but it was hammered out by folks, who, to their credit, sat down across the table last week and talked to each other. We had heated discussions. We had differences of opinion. We had citizens from labor, management, and the business community make impassioned speeches based in fact, and we witnessed good-faith efforts to make the right policy happen in Nebraska.

This bill as amended represents, I believe, the Nebraska approach to solving problems like this. As I emphasized during floor debate last week, I have been very impressed with the efforts of not only the cities and the League of Nebraska Municipalities but also representatives of labor—the hours spent, the meetings that these folks have had for many months, and the restraint, which was shown on both sides. But I also want to recognize and appreciate the business community for recognizing its vital role, for driving the state’s economy together with the citizens, and for making a strong case to be at the table and find the right answer.

What I think is the key component of this bill, and I have to credit the business community for it, is the inclusion of a range. Replacing the true average with a range of between 98% and 102 % of the average compensation—and between 95% and 102% during periods of recession—gives public employers the flexibility they need, especially during tough economic times. This was a serious concession by folks representing labor. But the inclusion of this range is critical, I think, to addressing the one point that groups like the Lincoln Chamber, the Omaha Chamber, and the State Chamber reiterated to us:  they said, give the local elected officials some flexibility, some of the same flexibility private employers have. This flexibility is an important part of the solution. LB 397 was placed on Final Reading today and will now be scheduled for the third and final stage of legislative debate.

As always, I welcome hearing from you, and if I can ever be of assistance to you or your family, please feel free to contact me at (402) 471-2929, mflood@leg.ne.gov, or via U.S. mail at District 19, State Capitol, P.O. Box 94604, Lincoln, NE 68509-4604.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, May 16, 2011

Contact:  Matt Boever

Phone:    (402) 471-2929

Lincoln, NE—Greetings from your State Capitol. I mentioned last week that one of the major issues remaining in this legislative session is redistricting. Every ten years, following the U.S. Census, the Legislature must redraw the boundaries for the Judiciary, Public Service Commission, Board of Regents, State Board of Education, the Legislature, and the Representatives of Congress. Last Friday in Lincoln, the Legislature’s Redistricting Committee heard public testimony regarding five redistricting bills. Their hearing included testimony via videoconference from Alliance, Norfolk, North Platte, Scottsbluff, and Omaha.

The Redistricting Committee’s actions are guided by the provisions of LR 102, a resolution adopted by the Legislature April 8. Among other criteria, the resolution requires that the Legislature:

• use population data and geographical information from the 2010 U.S. Census;
• not dilute the strength of any minority population;
• create districts that are substantially equal in population;
• not favor a political party or consider the political affiliation of registered voters; and
• follow county lines whenever practicable and follow traditional districting principles of compactness and contiguity.

Under LR 102, the congressional districts are to be drawn with an overall population range of deviation of no more than one percent, with a goal of zero deviation. The remaining districts are to be drawn with an overall range of deviation of no more than 10 percent.

The Redistricting Committee has worked hard throughout a sometimes difficult process. One of the real challenges, especially regarding legislative redistricting, is rural depopulation in many parts of our state. The Committee has proposed a map moving Legislative District 49, which is currently served by Senator LeRoy Louden of Ellsworth, from the northwestern part of our state to Sarpy County, south of Omaha. Other rural districts face significant changes as well. More information, including the proposed maps, is available on the Redistricting Committee’s website. I would encourage you to stay in touch with your state senator as debate by the full Legislature will begin on several redistricting bills this week.

As always, I welcome hearing from you, and if I can ever be of assistance to you or your family, please feel free to contact me at (402) 471-2929, mflood@leg.ne.gov, or via U.S. mail at District 19, State Capitol, P.O. Box 94604, Lincoln, NE 68509-4604.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, May 9, 2011

Contact:  Matt Boever

Phone:    (402) 471-2929

Lincoln, NE—Greetings from your State Capitol. Today marks the 76^th day of our 90 day session. With only 14 days remaining in the session, we continue to have some big issues before us. On Wednesday we will take the final reading votes on the budget bills. When beginning the session in January, the Legislature faced a projected $986 million dollar budget shortfall.  With increased revenue receipts during the last few months, the Nebraska Economic Forecasting Advisory Board increased the revenue outlook for the state significantly.

The Legislature responded to this news by utilizing only $22 million dollars of the Cash Reserve Fund (the equivalent of the state’s savings account) instead of the originally planned $256 million dollars. At the time of the April forecast, the Appropriations Committee had already finalized their budget and the Legislature had made significant cuts to K-12 school funding, eliminated aid to cities and counties and reduced child care provider rates. By taking a conservative approach to the positive budget outlook news, the Legislature is in a good position to reevaluate the budget next year if the economic climate in Nebraska continues to improve.

Constitutionally, the Legislature has two issues it must complete this session: passing a two-year budget for the state and adopting redistricting bills which must be done every ten years following the U.S. Census. Redistricting bills include redrawing the boundaries for the Judiciary, Public Service Commission, Board of Regents, State Board of Education, the Legislature and the Representatives of Congress. Last Friday, the Redistricting Committee held a public hearing on LB 699, the bill which will establish new boundaries for the Judiciary. I anticipate we will begin debating that bill yet this week. Due to the death of Nebraska Court of Appeals Judge Theodore Carlson, we need to expedite this bill to establish the new boundaries prior to the May 23^rd application deadline for persons applying to the open vacancy.

The Redistricting Committee will hold a public hearing on the other five redistricting bills this Friday, May 13^th. Two separate hearings will be held: one in the morning beginning at 9 a.m. and one in the afternoon beginning at 1:00 p.m. The Redistricting Committee will be physically present in room 1525 of the State Capitol in Lincoln, but in addition to having people testify in person at the Capitol, the committee has arranged several satellite locations in local communities for persons to offer testimony during that time frame.  If you are interested in testifying or just observing the morning hearing, you may attend the morning hearing which will be broadcast via satellite in Norfolk at Northeast Community College, room 167A of the Maclay Building. Debate of these redistricting bills will begin next week.

Some of the other major issues left for the Legislature to address include:

• LB 397, the Business and Labor Committee bill  that would make changes to the Nebraska Court of Industrial Relations;
• LB 667, my bill to enhance the use of ignition interlock devices to lessen the number of drunk drivers on the road (see last week’s Capitol Update for a complete description); and
• LB 521, Senator Fulton’s bill to eliminate what has been referred to as “webcam abortions,” abortions performed without a physician physically present in the same room as the patient.

As always, I welcome hearing from you, and if I can ever be of assistance to you or your family, please feel free to contact me at (402) 471-2929, mflood@leg.ne.gov, or via U.S. mail at District 19, State Capitol, P.O. Box 94604, Lincoln, NE 68509-4604.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, May 2, 2011

Contact:  Matt Boever

Phone:    (402) 471-2929

Lincoln, NE—Greetings from your State Capitol. In my January 31, 2011 Capitol Update, I discussed LB 667, a bill I introduced this legislative session regarding drunk driving. Since the public hearing on LB 667 at the beginning of March, I have reviewed the testimony of all the testifiers and, with my staff, researched the various amendments suggested by proponents and opponents. With this information in hand, I have worked with the leadership at the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles to craft a workable solution and compromise regarding the Administrative License Revocation or ALR provisions—an amendment that keeps the ALR framework but that aims to better protect the public by providing incentives for more DUI offenders to install and use interlocks soon after arrest.

Many of the provisions in LB 667 as originally introduced are retained in my proposed amendment. Namely, the amendment:

• Criminalizes the Intoxicated Transportation of a Child;
• Makes Motor Vehicle Homicide a distinct crime from DUI;
• Changes penalties regarding Boating Under the Influence and make other changes to the State Boat Act;
• Creates the enhanced punishment of a Class III felony for procuring when it proximately causes serious bodily injury or death and increases the punishment for procuring offenses to include a mandatory minimum two days in jail as part of the Class I Misdemeanor penalty; and
• Removes the 12 year look-back limitation from the DUI enhancement statutes.

As regarding ALR, I would like to highlight a couple changes in the amendment:

• For first offense DUI, there will be no “hard suspension” or suspension of all driving privileges, if the offender waives his or her right to an ALR hearing and applies for an ignition interlock permit (IIP); the offender would be required to use the ignition interlock device for 180 days;
• For second and subsequent DUI offenses, the amendment provides that if the offender waives right to ALR hearing and applies for an IIP, there would be a reduced 45 day “hard suspension” period, and the offender would be required to use the ignition interlock device for 1 year; and, finally,
• The amendment provides the DMV authority to administer an Ignition Interlock Fund for the benefit of indigent offenders.

I continue to believe that we can do a better job to prevent drunk driving accidents and fatalities in the state of Nebraska. I also believe that this proposed remodeling of the administrative license revocation process will allow the state to more quickly intervene following an arrest for DUI and will work to stop drivers from operating motor vehicles while impaired. I have provided a copy of my amendment to the members of the Judiciary Committee and will continue to work with them so that LB 667 as amended can be advanced and debated this session.

As always, I welcome hearing from you, and if I can ever be of assistance to you or your family, please feel free to contact me at (402) 471-2929, mflood@leg.ne.gov, or via U.S. mail at District 19, State Capitol, P.O. Box 94604, Lincoln, NE 68509-4604.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, April 18, 2011

Contact:  Matt Boever

Phone:    (402) 471-2929

Lincoln, NE—Greetings from your State Capitol. In today’s Update, I’d like to talk about the Nebraska Commission of Industrial Relations or “CIR” as it’s called. Reform of the CIR has been and remains one of the major issues this legislative session, and, last week, pursuant to our legislative rules, I selected a bill that would make changes to the CIR as one of my 2011 Speaker’s Major Proposals. The status of this bill, LB 397, as a Speaker’s Major Proposal means that I can work to ensure a full and fair debate by scheduling both the bill and the order of motions and amendments considered.

I would like to first provide a little background. The CIR itself is authorized by the Nebraska State Constitution, and its purpose is to resolve public sector labor disputes and preserve uninterrupted government services to Nebraska citizens. The Legislature created the CIR in 1947 and also prohibited strikes and lockouts by public employees and employers. The CIR can decide controversies pertaining to wages, selection of bargaining units and representatives, and prohibited practices during labor negotiations. Five Governor-appointed commissioners serve on the CIR for six-year terms.

This session there were several bills introduced that would make changes to or eliminate the CIR. The Business and Labor Committee held a series of hearings on CIR related bills, including LB 397, during the afternoon and evening of February 7. The full transcript of those hearings is available on the Legislature’s website: http://www.legislature.ne.gov/FloorDocs/Current/PDF/Transcripts/Business/2011-02-07.pdf.

The Committee more recently held another hearing related to the CIR, this one on a proposed amendment to LB 397, AM 1116. Sen. Steve Lathrop of Omaha, Chairman of the Business and Labor Committee, introduced the amendment, which he has said would address concerns regarding consistency and predictability in the state’s dispute resolution process. Among other provisions, the amendment would set certain criteria for choosing an “array” for wage comparison purposes:

• remove a rule of evidence requirement;
• provide a preference for geographic proximity;
• specify a 70 percent match of duties performed and time spent performing those duties;
• set criteria for the size of comparable out-of-state cities and metropolitan statistical areas;
• allow public and private comparisons when matches are appropriate and available; and
• set the preferred array size at between seven and 13, with as few as five allowed if all array members are Nebraska employers.

A full transcript of this April 13 hearing is also available on the Legislature’s website:  http://www.legislature.ne.gov/FloorDocs/Current/PDF/Transcripts/Business/2011-04-13.pdf.

CIR reform involves some complex issues and competing interests. But significant reform is needed this session, and with input from Nebraska citizens and local governments, education and business organizations, it is imperative the Legislature come up with solutions. In the last several months, Sen. Lathrop and his staff and the members of the Business and Labor Committee have worked hard on these issues. In the coming days, I expect the Committee and the members of the Legislature to continue to work on a comprehensive solution, one that both controls costs for our local and state governments and protects the interests of our citizens.

As always, I welcome hearing from you, and if I can ever be of assistance to you or your family, please feel free to contact me at (402) 471-2929, mflood@leg.ne.gov, or via U.S. mail at District 19, State Capitol, P.O. Box 94604, Lincoln, NE 68509-4604.