Last week, I was invited to speak at the state convention of the Nebraska Professional Fire Fighters Association, which represents paid firefighters across the state. I think it is safe to say that we were not on the same page this year when it came to LB400, which I have discussed in prior articles. LB400 would have created a presumption that any cancer diagnosis was duty-related for the purpose of workers’ compensation, which had the potential to create a significant property tax burden for Nebraskans – either from an uptick in claims paid out or from the cost of trying to refute the presumption.

Although several warned me not to attend the convention, I have never avoided the opportunity to address groups with whom I have disagreed in an effort to bridge gaps. We had a very spirited discussion, and I believe we made some good strides to better understand our differences. We have agreed to continue to meet between now and the next session to find a path forward.

I said to the group last Friday, “Veterans will always be my highest priority, but my respect for law enforcement, firefighters, and first responders is right there as well.” In addition to professional, paid firefighters, Nebraska is also fortunate to have an incredible number of “volunteer” firefighters. These are our neighbors who truly volunteer their time, putting themselves in harm’s way to protect property and lives. Some even pay the expenses of training and serving.

A first responder, paid or volunteer, is a special individual, and I am grateful for their service. I fully support protecting all our first responders and providing fair benefits for them and their families. It is also my duty to ensure that the taxpayer does not get stuck with expenses that are not their responsibility. I am open to updating our current benefit provisions in statute if there is a compromise that strikes an appropriate balance with the burden on taxpayers. Likewise, a statutory change is not needed for municipalities to make changes to their employment policies with firefighters. Municipal officials are also accountable to the voters, and I hope folks are paying attention to how cities, counties, and other political subdivisions are spending their tax dollars.

There are many issues that come before the Legislature on a regular basis that are not easily solved. I remain focused on finding the right path forward that balances the interests of all constituency groups, including taxpayers. These issues are solved by sitting down and discussing our differences.

This week, I plan to attend the Cattlemen’s Ball near Cozad on Friday. Saturday is the official signing of my priority bill, LB525, which enacted the Agricultural Data Privacy Act. Scott McPheeter is generously opening up his farm near Gothenburg for the signing on Saturday morning. The Governor will be on hand to do the official signing, and his support for this bill has been very strong from the beginning. His staff spent many hours working with my staff to refine the bill’s details. I also want to thank the Farm Bureau, Nebraska Corn Growers Association, Farmers Union, Iowa-Nebraska Equipment Dealers Association, Nebraska Cooperative Council, and others for continuing to workshop this bill over the last two years.

LB525 is a first-of-its-kind bill. I hope it provides a good foundation for protecting producer data. Unlike consumer data, agricultural data often becomes co-mingled with other data as it moves through the supply chain. For example, a cow-calf operation collects data on its calves, but so does the feeder, the packer, and the retailer. Similarly, a farmer might collect data on a field and its harvest, but some of that data may also go to the seed company, and even more data is created when it is sold or stored at the co-op. Protecting ag data is vital, but also complicated. I think we found the right starting point in LB525, and I am certain there will be more changes to come.

It continues to be my privilege to represent District 42 as your state Senator. It is a responsibility that I don’t take lightly, and your input on policies and problems is always welcome. I can be reached at 402-471-2729 or by emailing me at mjacobson@leg.ne.gov.