The first session of the 107th Legislature has come to an end. Senators have adjourned until September when we will reconvene for a special session to work out the new redistricting map for the next ten years. Census data was delayed getting to us because of covid-19. Shifts in population and a vastly-growing Sarpy County mean that it is possible that the Legislature may lose one rural seat and add one urban seat, which is what will be debated when we return.

There were some developments on my bills during the closing days of the session. LB306 (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) was vetoed by the Governor but my colleagues and I voted to override the veto on a vote of 32-15. The new law will address federal funding and utility customer payment issues by allowing more people to get help that need it while less people will receive extra payments that they don’t need. It will also provide more funding to community action partnerships such as Blue Valley to weatherize homes. Two of my other bills LB324 (animal share program and processor’s assistance fund) and LB396 (farm to school network) were signed by the Governor into law. 

In covid news, covid-19 rates continue to drop as more people choose to get vaccinated. Nebraska has one of the nation’s lowest per capita COVID-19 rates, second only to Oklahoma, who we should strive to beat at everything. Over the past four weeks, no state has seen a steeper percentage drop in cases than the Cornhusker state so kudos to everyone doing their part by getting vaccinated, wearing a mask and social distancing. Governor Ricketts proclaimed an end to the COVID-19 pandemic emergency, declaring it time to “return to normalcy” which means we will see restaurants and venues operating at full capacity again. However, vaccination rates still need to increase to at least 70% of the population to reach herd immunity. A covid vaccine is now available to everyone aged 12 and older that wants one. I encourage you to get one if you haven’t already so we don’t have a resurgence in the fall and can finally move past this disease. Getting back to normal is as important for our economy as it is for our health.