The Legislature has completed 85 days of this 90-day session. The long hours and intensity ramp up a bit as we must work through the three stages for passing bills in the very short time remaining. The Memorial Day weekend comes at a good time, allowing us to refocus on the freedoms we have in this nation, and honor those who gave all to preserve those rights for us.

This week several major proposals were up for debate including voter identification, education scholarship tax credits and justice reform. The week ended with examination of the governor’s line item vetoes on the budget and possible motions to override.

The Appropriations Committee met early on Thursday to discuss the vetoes and possible action. I was disappointed to see so many crucial reductions after the Committee had worked cooperatively with the governor in crafting the budget. Our decisions were not made lightly; we labored over each item in the budget. Careful consideration was given to each individual expenditure, as well as the impact on the state today and in years to come.

I was especially concerned about vetoes of more than $45 million in increases for provider rates for Medicaid providers. As I have mentioned in past updates, bolstering health care is vital in so many ways. We need to ensure areas outside of Lincoln and Omaha have viable and up to date facilities and a strong workforce. In our metro areas, we must be able to keep these services growing and on the cutting edge of treatments.

Among the other items vetoed were both rural workforce housing and middle income housing in urban areas. Some business leaders and rural senators have called the lack of housing a major barrier to solving the state’s workforce shortage. Other programs that had reductions in funding included additional court interpreters, public guardians and expansion of the Court-Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program that helps children in the court system. In next week’s report, I will comment further on any overrides that were successful.

Many hours of debate this week were spent on tax credits for contributions toward scholarships for attending private schools. This bill was introduced by Sen. Linehan at the request of the governor. It allows individuals, passthrough entities, estates, trusts and corporations to claim an income tax credit of up to 50 percent of their state income tax liability on these contributions.The first two years the total is capped at $25 million: it could then increase based on several things. Much of the discussion centered on who would benefit from these credits and the effect on public schools and state revenues. For these reasons, I did not vote in favor of the bill.

Another eight hours elapsed as we debated voter identification. If you remember, this was on the ballot last fall and Nebraska voters passed an amendment to the Nebraska Constitution to “require that, before casting a ballot in any election, a qualified voter shall present valid photographic identification in a manner specified by the Legislature.”

LB 514 laid out requirements for valid forms of photo identification including documents issued by the state (such as a driver’s license), state agencies or political subdivisions, the military, postsecondary educational institutions, or a recognized Native tribe. Hospitals and care home records that utilize a photo ID would also qualify. Mail in ballots would need to include a copy of the ID or their driver’s license or state ID number. The Secretary of State would then have to match the number to the state election database. Just to be clear, you would need to show an ID, or meet the exclusions, every time you vote.

Sen. Brewer, chairman of the Government Committee, said the measure would implement the will of the people expressed in the constitutional amendment, while not infringing on the rights of eligible voters. We passed the bill on a vote of 44 to 1, although I do expect additional time to be taken on the next stage of debate.

Criminal justice reform was another contentious issue before us this week. The main bill, LB 50, creates several programs to improve the state justice system such as more problem-solving courts, probation incentives and parole oversight. Behavioral health treatments and an increase in probation officers were also included.

Over 98% of those incarcerated will be released from prison and return to society. Offering parole is an excellent way for the state to monitor the parollee’s actions as he or she transitions back into society. The goal of the programming is to provide more oversight, a support system, career guidance and family structures that will result in a positive start to a new life, and prevent a return to prison.

There was also a lot of conversation on the floor about preserving the rights of victims of crime and ensuring adequate sentences are served before parole. With these differing viewpoints between some of the senators who practice law, amendments are being considered before the next round of debate.

There are only five working days left in this session. Your conversations and input are always important to me and to the legislative process. Thank you! mdorn@leg.ne.gov 402-471-2620