Newsletter May 9, 2025

Senator Myron Dorn

The old saying, ‘Time flies when you are having fun,’ can also be used when the state is trying to enact a balanced budget, advance senators and committee priorities, and develop a statutory framework for initiatives passed by voters.

As of May 9th, the Legislature has passed day 76 of a 90-day session. As a member of the Appropriations Committee, I can attest that the budget bills brought to the floor were put together with a great deal of thought, debate, and understanding of the impacts any funding reductions would have on the people and various programs needing those funds. Three of the five budget bills have advanced to the second round of debate. LB 261, the main funding bill for agencies and programs, and LB 264, transfers of cash funds, were debated for 8 hours and required a cloture vote. They both advanced with 35 senators in support. Both bills will be up for the second round of debate the week of May 12. However, all senators are feeling a little more stress on our time as the budget is required to be passed by the 80th day, May 15th. 

Part of the budget package includes LB 262 and LB 263 pay for senators’ and constitutional officers’ salaries, respectively. Other bills requiring funding are LB 513 to pay for a 1.5% increase in Nebraska judges’ salaries and LB 534 to pay state claims approved by the State Claims Board. Johnson County had a large claim due to issues related to the state prison in Tecumseh. Senator Bob Hallstrom and I worked with county representatives to see this claim approved and it is part of the bill.

Even though all of these bills have advanced, additional amendments may be proposed to get funds for other projects.

One question commonly asked by constituents is how the state ended up with a deficit. A number of factors have contributed to the shortfall. Some of the cause is income tax reduction enacted last year. Another factor was an increase in Medicaid costs and the reduction of what the federal government puts into Medicaid dropped 58.62% to 55%, which translates to approximately $340 million. Certified numbers for state equalization aid to schools was $57 million more. The state also now pays 80% of special education funding for school districts to ease the property tax burden. This certified amount for special education was $67 million above projections.

After the budget bills, I believe one of the next priorities for the Legislature is the debate and possible passage of LB 677, the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Regulation Act. This bill reflects the clear message with what voters want and what people with chronic medical issues need.

Sen. Hansen introduced LB 677 and has finally been reported out of committee onto General File. Senator John Cavanaugh of Omaha, organized three townhall meetings, one of which was in Lincoln. I attended the meeting where we heard from a vocal crowd of how displeased they were with the lack of action by the Legislature and actions by the Attorney General for his continued opposition to this issue.

The language in the initiative petition was very clear and outlines steps needing to occur on specific dates. On July 1, 2025, the approved petition became law. It requires a new cannabis commission and lays out the regulatory framework for the Medical Cannabis Regulatory Act. The newly formed commission will begin the work of establishing an application and registration process, adopt rules and regulations and is supposed to be operational by October 1, 2025. However, the Legislature has not provided any funding for this commission, an issue that will need to be addressed.

The Attorney General held a press conference with a number of representatives of law enforcement who are opposed to LB 677. Unfortunately for them, their opposition does little to impede the forward progress of this proposal since it will become law on July 1. Since the ballot issue was a statute that the voters passed, and the legislature can make changes to a statute, I believe the Legislature needs to enact LB 677 and establish further guidelines and safety measures for things like who can prescribe and what medical conditions can be considered as qualifying for medical cannabis. I support the initiative and believe that medical cannabis has a place in addressing pain management and other medical conditions. I will be supporting the bill.

For more information on the Nebraska Legislature, the link is: nebraskalegislature.gov   

Here you can find all the information on bills, hearing schedules, information on senators, legislative divisions, and legislative reports etc.

My contact information is mdorn@leg.ne.gov and 402-471-2620. As always, I appreciate hearing from you.