We are very close to the mid point of the session, but we certainly are not ‘half done’ with debate on the floor. If you have watched any of the session it might appear that we are not progressing through the agenda very quickly. (Note: you can watch live if your cable station carries it, or you can find a link to watch via the internet on Nebraska Public Media. Click on their blue logo on the right side of the Legislature’s website at www.nebraskalegislature.gov)

As you know, we have already discussed some big issues. There are good reasons not to rush through complicated bills with far reaching effects. A “filibuster”, which can consume eight hours of debate on the first round, is actually when much of the hard work is done. Many times that is when side conversations take place and explanations are made more clear. There are often negotiations and adjustments, resulting in amendments. And that can be the difference between a bill passing or not.

The Appropriations Committee on which I serve, is working through the regular general fund budget adjustments as well as the federal funding requests from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The general budget adjustments are due to be reported out from our committee on day 40. The adjustments to this second year of the budget will rely on the analysis from the Nebraska Economic Forecasting Advisory Board, which meets on February 28th.  We will also use those projections for the budget that impacts our next fiscal year, which starts on July 1st. 

The nearly 100 bills requesting ARPA funds are taking a lot of time to work through. The chairman has grouped similar bills together in hearings, for example Thursday was University of Nebraska day as eight ARPA bills were heard in committee.

I presented several bills in committee again this week. The first was LB 761, heard by the Transportation and Telecommunication Committee, which handles broadband legislation. The bill creates the Precision Agriculture Infrastructure Act, funded by ARPA dollars, to help set up points for wireless infrastructure in rural areas that lack good broadband coverage. Grants would go to broadband providers offering on-farm structures and devices; and to producers, cooperatives, or agronomists to help with practical uses. Today’s farm and irrigation equipment is increasingly dependent on digital applications that require a real-time source of connectivity. We also know this technology will keep expanding in years to come and we need to be ahead of the curve.

LB 968 was brought to me by several non-profit organizations to use ARPA funds to develop affordable housing including accommodations for vulnerable populations like refugees and immigrants. LB 968 also includes funds for job training for refugees. The state of Nebraska has already taken in 5000 people from Afghanistan, who have 90 days to get established, get an address and so on. 

We had a gentleman from Afghanistan testify in support of LB 968 who had worked as an interpreter for the US military there, was in danger because of that, and was removed to the US for the safety of him and his family. We also had two gentlemen come in from Somalia who fled the wars there and resettled in Nebraska.  These people represent the huge need, but also a great opportunity for Nebraska businesses who are really struggling to find employees.

You may remember that just one year ago, we had the coldest temperatures of the season, falling to 30 below. I introduced LB 969 to get ARPA funds to support and improve the reliability and resiliency of the electric grid in Nebraska. Public power agencies across the state are asking for help with maintenance and improvements they haven’t been able to do because of the pandemic and severe weather events, with the hope of preventing failures and “rolling blackouts” in the future. 

The Appropriations committee heard my LB 904 on Thursday as part of that slate of bills related to the University of Nebraska statewide system. LB 904 deals with cybersecurity and  would create a national complex for digital dependability. In the past couple of years we have seen hackers disrupt meat packing and ag cooperatives, schools, hospitals and even the city of Beatrice. We need to be prepared in Nebraska with a facility and experts to get us ahead in cybersecurity; we are all too aware this will continue to become more and more of an issue. 

On the floor this week, I voted to advance LB 906, introduced by Sen. Ben Hansen. The bill would create a way for people to claim a religious or medical exemption for coronavirus vaccinations. I visited extensively with people in the medical field, and heard from many constituents in District 30. The views on this issue are quite divided. As an example, I heard from one parent who said their children would not attend a school with a mandate, and another parent who was happy a mandate was in place or they would not have sent their children to school there. This bill does give people some options. 

We will continue to discuss LB 939, as introduced by Sen. Linehan in the coming week. This measure would reduce the state Income tax top rate from 6.84 percent to 5.84 percent over 3 years. In general, I agree a tax cut will spur economic activity – when people have money to spend, they will spend it. Sitting on Appropriations, I know the “rainy day fund” has never been higher and the state is in the best financial shape we have been in for years. But I have to ask if we will be in the same positive situation in three to five years when the revenue reductions kick in and the federal money dries up and the economy changes, as it always does. These are crucial considerations and I am listening to the debate and studying this issue. 

Your communication is as important as ever as we go through the session. Please reach out at:  402-471-2620 or mdorn@leg.ne.gov.  Thank you.