September 4th was the last day to sign onto the petition to call a special session of the Legislature to address racism/police powers/crimes and COVID-19 issues. The petition required 33 signatures to hold a special session, and it fell short of that number. I did not sign on for a number of reasons, not the least of which is the increased cost to the taxpayer.

While these are very important issues, I do not believe a special session gives enough time to adequately address them. A special session would lead to a rushed process which would eliminate the opportunity for many to testify on these complicated issues. I believe that during the next Legislative session starting in January, there will be a number of bills dealing with these issues which will provide a better chance for a variety of individuals to be heard.

We can make other changes to fight racism as well. Lack of school choice is a big issue for minority populations. There needs to be a way for students to be able to leave an underperforming school and receive assistance to attend a better performing school. Also, we need to remove the many abortion clinics that are in and around areas that are populated mostly by minorities.  These clinics have a horrible, racist history of attempting to slow the increase in number of certain races by targeting them.

The breakdown of the family has been a problem in our country for decades across all demographics.  It has been especially troubling in the black community.  As a society we must encourage families to stay together.

As always, we must continue to look for ways to improve law enforcement.  The worst thing we could do is defund the police.  Everyone, no matter what our race, wants to be protected from criminals, thieves, drug dealers, etc.

We have had an overwhelming response to COVID-19 from the federal, state, and local governments.  COVID-19 is a continuing issue, but soon our focus must turn to paying for the dramatic increase in spending that has occurred.

Finally, I want to bring to your attention two events that are happening on September 12th. Both are being put on by Nebraskans for Founders’ Values at the Hastings Evangelical Free Church. The first is a workshop that discusses the legislative process and how a bill becomes a law. It will be from 10-11:45 a.m. and will feature Lieutenant Governor Foley as the featured speaker. The second is a Constitution Day lunch with featured speaker Senator Julie Slama, who in a very short time has become a star in the legislature. Registration begins at noon, and closing ceremonies will take place at 2 p.m. You can RSVP to both by contacting Mark at 402-490-8612 or markb@dynamicconsulting.net; or Marilyn at 402-660-2323 or masher50@gmail.com.

If you have any questions or concerns please contact my office at 402-471-2732, by email at dmurman@leg.ne.gov, or by visiting my Facebook page.

A bill I was privileged to introduce over the past two years was LB 705, which dealt with ABLE accounts. ABLE accounts offer tax free savings options for education, housing, and other needs of a disabled person. These accounts allow those who are disabled to receive donations from family or friends and not have such donations count against their income that would otherwise put them over the income cap for receiving assistance.

Previously, upon death, ABLE accounts were only allowed to be transferred to the ABLE account of a disabled sibling of the original owner. Otherwise the funds would be given back to the state. Very few families have more than one child that is disabled, so most of the funds were being given back to the state to do with what they wanted. Those funds should be able to go to someone else who has an ABLE account. How many of us have disabled family members or even best friends who we would love to be able to help out if we could? LB 705 allows those with ABLE accounts to help those family members and friends by allowing them to transfer their ABLE account to anyone with an ABLE account. This legislation removes a major objection to those who have been reluctant to previously fund ABLE accounts and encourages private donations to continue to help those with ABLE accounts; without the fear that the government would claw back those funds.

ABLE accounts open doors for their owners. They can use this money for education, to attain job training, for work transportation, medical appointments, and any other essential assistance such as help with bathing, dressing, walking, toileting, eating, and needed supervision.

I was glad to have the support of Treasurer Murante’s office, ARC of Nebraska, First National Bank, and ABLE account owners and their families. Thanks to their support, LB 705 passed unanimously at the end of session and was signed into law by Governor Ricketts on August 6th.

This was supposed to be a session of hope for those wanting property tax relief.  Instead, we got delays, fighting, and a last minute “grand” compromise that does not do nearly enough for property taxpayers, especially farmers.

I really thought we had a chance at substantial property tax relief.  Senator Linehan’s LB 974 and LB 1106 were both bills that would have done at least a serviceable job at providing relief.  Both of those bills were held up by the major school districts in Omaha and Lincoln and the senators that represent those districts.

Senator Linehan repeatedly brought stakeholders to the table, trying to determine the best way to achieve property tax relief while addressing some the concerns of the schools.  Everyone knew that the other two major issues in the compromise, business incentives and the NExT project, would not be passed without property tax relief.

In the middle of negotiations, COVID-19 hit.  This presented a major problem for getting everyone together to negotiate.

Finally, we were brought back for 13 days of session, and we only had around ten of those to get a deal done that would give the Legislature enough time to pass the bill through all three rounds of voting.  LB 1107 is what ended up as the result.

I am not happy with the very limited relief our property taxpayers are receiving in LB 1107.  The bill will actually only provide a decrease to the increase in property taxes over time.  I did vote for the bill because it is at least a step in the right direction to provide some nominal relief.

Property tax relief will be a continuing struggle and ultimately Nebraska needs a complete restructuring of its tax system to achieve equity and fairness.  That will most likely never come through the Legislature and may take a vote of the people.

The fight for property tax relief is not over, we will work over the interim and start again next session.  It remains to be seen how receptive the rest of the Legislature will be.  We will have to wait until after the November elections to see if the makeup of the Legislature will be inclined to spend less.  That is the only way to truly cut taxes.

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please contact my office at 402-471-2732, by email at dmurman@leg.ne.gov, or my Facebook page.

We just finished up what was a very unconventional session. It is definitely different than anybody could have imagined when we convened in January. Thanks to COVID-19, Nebraskans have changed the way they live their lives. Whether it was the lockdowns, wearing a mask in public being a common occurrence, employees working from home, and the loss of life and the economic impact the virus has had, our world has been changed.

Another big topic this session was the status of the Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Centers. Early in the session, there was vandalism at the Geneva YRTC by some of the girls who lived there. The Department of Health and Human Services removed the girls from Geneva and moved them to the YRTC in Kearney, which currently houses the boys. Since then, as part of the Health and Human Services Committee, I have worked with other members of the committee to determine how to get the girls back to a safe place of their own with their own programming. We must do our best to get these youths back on the right track to live successful lives.

In the package of bills we passed near the end of session, the Legislature delayed DHHS’s plan to move the girls to the Hastings Regional Center which is currently being used for those male youths with substance use disorders. Under the plan, those male youth would be transferred to Lincoln. Those moves were planned to take place this fall. Under the bills passed, the date for the girls to move to Hastings has been delayed until 2021. However, on August 7^th, we received word that DHHS was planning on moving ahead with the transfer of the male youth from Hastings to Lincoln. We certainly don’t want to put two once-successful programs at risk by moving the successful substance use disorder program from Hastings to Lincoln and moving the YRTC girls into housing in Hastings that was not properly built to house them. Myself, as a member of the Health and Human Services Committee, along with Senator Halloran, who represents Hastings, are closely monitoring the situation and any further developments.

Finally, the biggest issue of the session was the work on property tax relief, business incentives, the University’s NEXT project, and the compromise that was reached to pass all three. That will be the focus of my next letter.

We have some major challenges that still face us and will continue to face us for years to come. It is important that we have the leadership at all levels of government to do so. That is why I encourage all of you to do your research on candidates for office and vote in November.

In a little bit of office news, my Legislative Aide, Elizabeth Todsen, will be leaving the office at the end of session. She is moving to Washington, D.C., with her fiancée to further her career and start grad school. We will miss her in the office and wish her the best. I have hired John Adams, J.D., to replace her and couldn’t be more excited to have him.

If you have any questions or comments, please contact my office by phone at (402)-471-2732, by email at dmurman@leg.ne.gov, or through my Facebook page.

The pandemic and the governmental response to it have caused serious damage to our economy. Many people are hurting economically. Unemployment is at an all time high in the United States. Many that are still working have been forced to take cuts in hours and/or pay. Many business owners and farmers are taking huge losses in earnings or are losing their businesses entirely. As a result, tax revenues in Nebraska and in the United States will be reduced drastically.

There are some great examples of public servants near the top of the pay scale who have sacrificed to do their part due to the uncertain future as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The School Board from South Central Nebraska Unified School District #5 has voted unanimously to forgo scheduled salary increases for administrative staff. Spread between five positions the reductions in the budget totals $29,232. A 1% percent increase in health insurance benefits has been approved. It took courage by both the school board and the staff to accomplish this agreement. The taxpayers appreciate your sacrifice!

Then there are school districts in the state where voters need to hold school boards and administrators more accountable. An example is the Omaha metro area. Westside Community Schools board recently voted to raise the base pay of the Superintendent by 2.5% or $5,750 to $235,750 per year.. The contract also includes a performance bonus of $5,000 and a retention bonus of $5,000 that could be included if he stays with the district through June 1st, 2021. Papillion-LaVista Community Schools proposed a 1%  salary increase which equates to $2,373 for a total of $239,675. Bellevue Public Schools board approved a 3.6% salary increase of $8,364 for a total of $240,044.

The Omaha Public School board recently considered an extension of their Superintendents contract through 2023 in which the base salary of $300,000 would not change but she would be allowed to convert unused vacation days into cash. When this position was open just a few years ago there were 74 applications for the job. Apparently the pay was not a limiting factor in drawing in applicants. In rural areas it is hard to attract a pool of applicants for administrative candidates, even with a generous salary.

Another idea of where there could be potential for sacrifice because of the loss of taxpayer revenue would be the administration of our University. The University and President Carter are doing a good job during this challenging time. However, President Carter is paid a compensation package estimated at $1.2  Million annually. This makes him one of the highest paid University Presidents in the nation. Other administrative salaries can’t be far behind. We all need to sacrifice during these difficult times.

Governor Ricketts compared the original health care directives imposed on the economy of Nebraska to driving 5mph down Interstate 80. As some of the directives are eased, I hope we can immediately accelerate to 60 mph and then completely to 75 mph. We have to get the economy moving again without taking unnecessary risks.

Physical distancing, reduced capacities, face masks, temperature checks, and other common sense precautions must be used wherever practical at least on a temporary basis. We must focus protection on close working environments such as packing plants. Also medical and long term care facilities must be protected. There is considerable risk of not opening up as quickly as possible. We could see permanent damage to our economy and even our American way of life.

As the legislature went into a temporary recess in March, several costly issues were left unaddressed. By far the most important grassroots issue being relief from the economic burden of Nebraska’s repressive property taxes. The bill on the table to do so was LB 1106. The bill, introduced by Speaker Scheer, would add approximately 100 million per year for state aid to public schools, thus lowering local property taxes by the same amount reaching a total of 300 million by the third and final year of its implementation.

A second issue was LB 720, otherwise known as the ImagiNE Act. The ImagiNE Act is the most important issue of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and the corporate business lobby. It would replace the soon to sunset Nebraska Advantage Act. By the third year of its implementation, the ImagiNE Act is estimated to add an additional 50 million to the Revenue Department’s already forecasted 180 million loss of the existing Advantage Act obligations.

The Legislature was also presented with a demand from Nebraska voters. They voted to mandate that the state fund medicaid expansion. The Department of Health and Human Services has estimated medicaid expansion could add $62 million to the state budget by 2023.

We also need to address prison overcrowding as it has become an urgent issue in Nebraska. The Department of Corrections has proposed leasing a 1,200 -1,800 bed facility at a cost of approximately $70 million per year.

All of this new state spending is expected to be paid for by a projected 4.5% annual historic revenue growth which amounts to approximately $225 million per year.

In addition to all of this spending, the Chancellor of the University of Nebraska Medical Center has requested that the Legislature appropriate $50 million per year over six years. This would be used to attract a $1.5 billion federal investment in a Department of Defense pilot program that would build a hospital in Omaha. The hospital would provide thousands of jobs and increase tax revenues to the state by about $50 million.

None of the above will be done without getting our economy back to near normal quickly. A poor economy hurts everyone, especially those near the bottom of the socio-economic ladder. As I have said before, the cure cannot be worse than the disease. We must get back to 75 mph.

In response to COVID-19 our office is closed for precautionary reasons. We are working remotely and can still help. If you need help please call (402)471-2732 or email dmurman@leg.ne.gov with any questions or concerns.

When the coronavirus began to spread around the world there were many unknowns. How does it spread? How contagious is it? What populations are most vulnerable? How many will be hospitalized? How many will die? How much immunity results? How long will immunity last? Will there be more than one wave? Etc.

President Trump and Governor Ricketts have responded well with the information they originally had. We know much more about the virus now than we did a few weeks ago. As President Trump has said, ”One death is too many.“ In many ways the effects of the virus have not been as severe as earlier feared. The time has come with proper precautions that the vast majority of Nebraskans that are not working can go back to work and get our economy moving again. To continue with the extreme precautionary guidelines will cause irreversible damage to many businesses and more importantly to the whole economy. The cure cannot be worse than the disease.

Unfortunately, a recession is most harmful to the poor and underprivileged. When the economy is good there are jobs for everyone and more social, educational, and health programs are available and can be funded. Also, if we don’t return the economy to better form we cannot be as prepared for a possible second wave of the virus.

We owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to the local health departments, first responders, law- enforcement, hospital personnel, grocery stores, healthcare workers, and all essential services, for their tireless work and dedication often risking their own health during this crisis. I would like to thank Nebraskans for following the healthcare directives from the Governor and the President. I know Nebraskans will continue to follow the directives even as they are greatly relaxed in the coming days.

Finally I would like to thank God for answering the prayer of Vice President Pence in the
unfolding days of the pandemic and giving our leaders guidance on how to respond. The United States has avoided the predicted tremendous number of deaths and hospitals from being overrun. With common sense guidelines all of us that are able need to return to work. Those with underlying health conditions or living with someone with underlying health conditions should still continue to work remotely and their paychecks need to be protected as long as there is a health threat. May God continue to bless America!

This past week the Legislature returned to session for three days for the sole purpose of providing emergency funding for health departments and the state to combat the COVID-19 virus. The importance of the bill was evident so the bill passed unanimously with no debate. I am proud that we were able to come together and get this done quickly for the people in this state. The proposal totaled $83,619,600 and included emergency appropriations to allow for COVID-19 testing, lab equipment, healthcare staffing to cover response needs, and a cash reserve if needed. 

The coronavirus outbreak has led to economic havoc across our country. From falling ethanol, Grain, and livestock markets, household goods flying off the shelves, cancellation of travel and school, and the fear of getting sick and having to quarantine for an extended time. The best advice that we’ve been given is to do your best to wash your hands, sanitize surfaces that are used frequently, self-distance and if you do experience the symptoms to call your local Health Department. The two Health Districts that cover District 38 are South Heartland District Health Department in Hastings and Two Rivers Public Health Department in Holdrege. South Heartland District Health in Hastings can be reached at (402)462-6211. Two Rivers Public Health Department can be reached at (308)995-4778. 

The Department of Labor is instituting some changes to help those who may be out of work during this crisis. First is a short-time compensation program. This program allows employers to reduce affected workers’ hours by 10 to 60 percent while still allowing those workers to receive a prorated unemployment benefit. Employers can apply for this program at https://dol.nebraska.gov/stc.

The second change is a temporary change to unemployment benefits. For those of you who are not able to work and not collecting a paycheck during this period, you may want to check out these changes. From March 22nd through May 2nd:

• The waiting week for benefits has been waived. You will start receiving benefits immediately instead of needing to wait a week.

• The work search requirements have been waived. You will not be required to apply to jobs to receive benefits.

• For employers, benefits will not be charged against your individual accounts.

Those who need this program can find more information at https://dol.nebraska.gov/uibenefits.

I know this is a difficult time for everyone, but I want to thank everyone for their patience, and thank all of our leaders from the federal level down to the city and county level for their leadership during these times. We will get through this. 

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me by email at dmurman@leg.ne.gov, by phone at (402)471-2732, or on my Facebook. 

I know there are many out there temporarily out of work due to the coronavirus. As stated yesterday at the Governor’s press conference, the Department of Labor is instituting some changes to help those who may be out of work during this crisis.

First is a short-time compensation program. This program allows employers to reduce affected workers’ hours by 10 to 60 percent while still allowing those workers to receive a prorated unemployment benefit. Employers can apply for this program at https://dol.nebraska.gov/stc.

The second change is a temporary change to unemployment benefits. For those of you who are not able to work and not collecting a paycheck during this period, you may want to check out these changes. From March 22nd through May 2nd:
The waiting week for benefits has been waived. You will start receiving benefits immediately instead of needing to wait a week.
The work search requirements have been waived. You will not be required to apply to jobs to receive benefits.
For employers, benefits will not be charged against your individual accounts.
Those who need this program can find more information at https://dol.nebraska.gov/uibenefits.

If you are attempting to contact the Department of Labor for either of these programs or other questions or concerns, please be patient as they are currently handling a high volume of calls. The best thing to do is leave a message with your name, number, and concern, and they will return your call as soon as they are able.

I know this is a difficult time for everyone, but I want to thank everyone for their patience, and thank all of our leaders from the federal level down to the city and county level for their leadership during these times. We will get through this and be back to normal soon.