Discussion of the state’s biennial budget started this week. In past updates, I have talked about the process, attention and time that goes into developing the budget proposals before they are taken up on the floor. That work was completed and Chairman Stinner introduced the package of bills that comprise the budget on Thursday. 

The first step is to move some of the bills that have to do with the mechanics of state business. These include LBs 379, 381, 382 and 384, which cover administrative costs of the Legislature, salaries for constitutional officers, the transfer of funds by the State Treasurer to make them available and the Cash Reserve. The mainline budget bill, LB 380, is where the most discussion takes place, and rightfully so. We heard some good remarks by a number of senators and a few amendments were offered as well. This bill advanced on Thursday on a 42-0 vote.

On Friday we began debate on LB 383, which is the Appropriations bill for capital construction. This legislation includes financing of correctional facilities and generated a great deal of discussion. 

I would like to point out that we had about $215M available for senator’s bills outside of the main budget, this is often referred to as “money for the floor”. The Legislature’s Fiscal Office keeps track of spending that has passed the general or select file by keeping a tally of how much money would remain if all the bills being debated were to pass. The total for the floor of $215 million was already down to $174 million by Friday morning.

In other floor action, Sen. Hunt introduced LB260 to expand unemployment benefits to those caring for a family member with a serious health condition to the Nebraska Employment Security Law. The pandemic brought this to the forefront, but I have some first hand knowledge of this from the past few years with my in-laws. My wife and sister in law have full time jobs; as a farmer, I was able to have a little flexibility to help out from time to time. I experienced how hard it is for working people to care for elderly parents. Most employees would have been paying into the state fund from their paychecks, so they would be able to utilize part of their contributions this way.

We continue to get a lot of news and feedback from the past year’s elections. Two bills, introduced by Sen. Slama were: LR3CA which requires voter identification and LB76 a “winner take all” mode for the electoral college. Both of those bills are still held in the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee. 

On a local level, I have always been very proud of how Dawn Hill and her staff handled elections in Gage county. Gage county was one of the first counties that bought new vote counting machines. We have many safeguards in place to lend confidence to our election process being very safe. 

We need to encourage a strong voter turnout and should not do anything to keep people from being able to vote. In 2020, over 70% of ballots were mailed-in ballots. I recently spoke with someone who heard that exit polling in last week’s Lancaster county election was difficult because not many people were voting in person. Mail-in ballots continue to be highly utilized, especially during the pandemic. 

Another issue generating communication is the “30 x 30” federal executive order. We are trying to gather as much information as we can about the 2030 environmental goals President Biden has outlined and what all is being included. Looking at the information we have received so far, I believe it deals with carbon credits, fossil fuels and climate change; one section has more to do with trees, forests and fires. The information we have been looking at says most federal departments have to start to develop plans for their departments in the next two months. These include agriculture, transportation, energy, interior, labor, and others. 

Could this order affect us? Yes. How much? I don’t have an answer for that. I plan to get a better understanding of this as it plays out. We do need to protect our land so future generations can still be farming and supporting their families for a long time to come.

I appreciate hearing from you, with your questions and concerns and opinions. Call any time to 402-471-2620 or email me at mdorn@leg.ne.gov.