Last week, Omaha Westside Superintendent Mike Lucas had a conversation leaked online by “Accuracy in Media,” a government accountability group. In it, Dr. Lucas bragged that his district had some of the “most important” people in the state. These “important people” could be fed talking points by the school district to lobby the legislature to kill bills the Omaha-based school district didn’t like.

Dr. Lucas listed off the wealthy people he deemed “important” enough to carry the district’s message. His comments hammer home something I despise about politics. Some lawmakers think the number of zeros in your net worth determines the value of your opinions. That’s malarkey. A state senator represents 40,000 people. All of them have one vote, one voice apiece. If someone calls my office for help, I’m not going to do a Google search to see if they’re “important.” Whether you’re rich or poor, republican or democrat, urban or rural – you have access to my office.

The same day Dr. Lucas’ video was released, I spent my recess day with Duane and Larry at the Broken Spoke Ranch a few miles outside Table Rock in Pawnee County. We talked about rodeos, taxes, and horses. We talked about how small farmers and ranchers can’t pass their homesteads down to the next generation. We talked for hours.

Turns out it was my most important conversation of the week, and I’m grateful for every moment of it.

As always, I welcome your input on issues important to you. Follow along on my Facebook and Twitter pages, both entitled “Senator Julie Slama” for more updates, or contact me directly at Senator Julie Slama, District 1 State Capitol, PO Box 94604, Lincoln NE 68509-4604; telephone: 402-471-2733; email: jslama@leg.ne.gov.

Last week, Senator Linehan’s LB 753, the Opportunity Scholarships Act, advanced to the next round of debate. This is historic as it marks the first time in many years that a “school choice” bill has moved forward in the Nebraska Legislature. However, it is important to note that LB 753 is part of a larger school finance and property tax reduction plan proposed by Governor Jim Pillen. I am proud to support this legislation (along with the other legislation included in the package) as it is a win-win for Nebraska taxpayers and our state’s children. LB 753 helps to expand educational options for families who might not otherwise have the means to afford private school tuition, while at the same time reducing the burden on our public school system. By providing scholarships to students in need, we can help to level the playing field and ensure that every child in Nebraska has access to options for education. Parents are the best judges of their children’s educational needs and deserve to be able to choose the educational environment that best suits their children’s needs, regardless of their income.

This week, I would like to cover the school funding package. The bills in this package are:
Senator Sanders’ LB 583 would allocate $1,500 per-student foundational aid within the Tax Equity and Educational Opportunities Support Act (TEEOSA) formula, which is the current school finance formula for Nebraska public schools. Additionally, it would expand funding for special education by “filling the gap” between existing federal and state support and 80% of a district’s anticipated cost for special education.
Senator Briese’s LB 589 would provide a “soft cap” for the annual increase in a district’s property tax revenue at 3%. This is a “soft cap,” as the spending limit could be exceeded with a 75% majority vote of the school board or a 60% vote of the people. This proposal would bring property tax relief through a sensible local constraint on property tax assessment.
Senator Clements’ 681 would establish a $1 billion Education Future Fund; the fund would receive a transfer of $250 million per year. This fund is intended to be spent on foundation aid, increased educational funding, and increased school funding and grant programs, such as teacher retention. It’s a “rainy day fund” to protect education from state budget shortfalls.
Senator Linehan’s LB 753 would create the “Opportunity Scholarships Act” which would allow individual and corporate taxpayers to qualify for a tax credit equal to the amount the taxpayer contributed to a scholarship-granting organization. The scholarship-granting organization would provide education scholarships for students to attend a qualified, nonprofit, private elementary or secondary school. 48 other states have some form of school choice, and Nebraska would be #49 if passed.

I look forward to discussing these issues in the coming weeks on the legislative floor. As always, I welcome your input on issues important to you. Follow along on my Facebook and Twitter pages, both entitled “Senator Julie Slama” for more updates, or contact me directly at Senator Julie Slama, District 1 State Capitol, PO Box 94604, Lincoln NE 68509-4604; telephone: 402-471-2733; email: jslama@leg.ne.gov.

We’re rolling toward the halfway mark of the session. At this point, we’re debating legislative bills/resolutions that have been voted out of their respective committees in the mornings until the lunch hour with committee hearings following in the afternoon. There are many issues we face in Southeast Nebraska; tax relief is always at the top of my agenda. Governor Jim Pillen designated six priority bills for this Legislative session aimed at modernizing Nebraska’s tax code and making our state’s tax structure more competitive with other states. This week, I would like to highlight some of those bills for tax relief. 

• Senator Von Gillern’s LB 804 would reduce the top corporate state income tax rate from 7.25 percent to 5.84 percent. If passed, it would result in immediate and further tax relief of $78.5 million for the tax year 2024. 

• Senator Kauth’s LB 641 would hasten tax relief by advancing the state’s Social Security benefit exemption one year earlier. This proposal would raise the exemption from the current 60 percent level to a full 100 percent, generating an additional $17 million in tax relief savings in the fiscal year 2024. Also, the change would finally align Nebraska with the other 37 states that do not impose a tax on Social Security income.

• Senator Linehan’s LB 754 would gradually reduce the top-tier tax rate for individuals to 3.99 percent for the tax year beginning January 1, 2027, and each subsequent tax year after. For the tax year beginning January 1, 2027, LB 754 would also gradually reduce the corporate income tax rate for all earnings over $100,000 to 3.99 percent for that year and each tax year after. This would result in annual tax relief of over $720 million. 

• Senator Albrecht’s LB 750 proposes that the state switch from a market assessment to one based on income-earning potential in order to make the valuation of agricultural and horticultural land more fair. According to the Agricultural Value Fairness Act, valuations would be based on the type of land and the region, with a combined statewide growth cap of 3.5 percent. This switch would prevent “high bidders” on agricultural land from driving up taxes on their neighbors. 

• Senator Murman’s LB 783 would prohibit community colleges from levying property taxes beginning the fiscal year 2025. If passed, state funds would be allocated to cover current property tax requests.  As a result, Nebraskans would see a statewide average property tax cut of 5.3 percent and by the tax year 2026, $282.5 million in property tax relief. 

I look forward to discussing these issues in the coming weeks on the legislative floor. If anything is certain and spoken loud and clear: Nebraskans want tax relief and I will continue to be fighting for it on the front lines. As always, I welcome your input on issues important to you. Follow along on my Facebook and Twitter pages, both entitled “Senator Julie Slama” for more updates, or contact me directly at Senator Julie Slama, District 1 State Capitol, PO Box 94604, Lincoln NE 68509-4604; telephone: 402-471-2733; email: jslama@leg.ne.gov. 

Last week concluded all-day committee hearings and this week the legislature begins debate on the legislative bills that have been kicked out of their respective committees.

This week, I would like to highlight Senator Briese’s LB 685 as I have received many emails and phone calls from constituents in regard to this bill, expressing the need to “stand up for the little guys.” With this said, let me be clear: “I hear you.”

LB 685 would boost the fees for “games of skill” machines to $1,000 per machine and impose a 20% tax on the net proceeds. Although I applaud Senator Briese’s efforts in attempting to cut property taxes, I do not feel that this is the best solution.

For one, I believe that LB 685 unfairly targets smaller businesses and charitable organizations that rely on these machines as a source of income. Small businesses already pay more than their fair share in taxes and fees already; these businesses are already struggling to survive now. LB 685 would have a negative effect on various small businesses in District 1, such as small convenience stores, bars, etc. The proposed tax increase, including other fees and regulations, would make it much more difficult for some businesses to operate and it could even lead to their closure.

As your Senator, I promise to continue to fight for “the little guys,” as it is crucial to understand that the “little guys” are the small businesses that are the backbone of the United States. With this said, I am proud to stand strong with our small businesses and oppose LB 685.

As always, I welcome your input on issues important to you. Follow along on my Facebook and Twitter pages, both entitled “Senator Julie Slama” for more updates, or contact me directly at Senator Julie Slama, District 1 State Capitol, PO Box 94604, Lincoln NE 68509-4604; telephone: 402-471-2733; email: jslama@leg.ne.gov.

Today marks day 22 of the 90-day legislative session. Although the legislature has nearly surpassed a quarter of the remaining days, my colleagues and I have already debated some of the most significant issues facing Nebraskans: protecting innocent life and voter ID.

On Wednesday, February 1st, I introduced LB 535 to the Government, Military, and Veterans Affairs Committee. LB 535, through AM 215, establishes the framework for the election processes in Nebraska. Initiative 432, requiring a photo ID to vote, was passed by Nebraskan voters. As legislators, it is now our duty to uphold the constitution and make sure that only the ballots of qualified voters are counted. Nebraskans have spoken, and it is now the Nebraska State Legislature’s duty to guarantee that their voices are heard.
We live in a time where a person must produce identification to buy cold medicine or spray paint and it simply does not make sense that we do not ask the same of a person exercising their most important duty to their country. Voter ID is not a brand-new concept. A voter ID law of some kind is already in effect in 35 states. This includes South Dakota, Kansas, Missouri, and Iowa, which are our bordering states. These states have made a wise decision to safeguard their voters from fraud by realizing the value of a safe and fair election. Voter ID is a practical method for protecting our elections against fraud. No voter in Nebraska would lose their right to vote under this proposed method. Instead, it would give our elections a reassuring amount of extra security. My aim is that this legislation would boost voter trust in our electoral process and safeguard our elections. Nebraskans have spoken and it is now our duty as legislators to pass legislation that fosters the will of the people.
LB 626, the Nebraska Heartbeat Act, introduced by Senator Albrecht and heard by the Health and Human Services Committee, was also heard on Wednesday, February 1st. This is the first time our Legislature has been in session since Roe v. Wade was overturned, and it is more crucial now than ever before to solidify that Nebraska continues to be a pro-life state; it is imperative and long overdue for our laws to reflect it. LB 626 would give children who have a heartbeat legal protection from being aborted. The Nebraska Heartbeat Act would mandate that, before performing any abortion, a doctor conduct an ultrasound in accordance with the standard medical procedure to check for a fetal heartbeat. An abortion cannot be carried out if there is a heartbeat. For rape, incest, or a medical emergency, there are exceptions to this bill. This only affects intrauterine pregnancies which exclude ectopic pregnancies (outside of the uterus), IVF procedures (embryos are created in a lab outside of the lab), and miscarriages (no heartbeat present using an ultrasound). The Nebraska Heartbeat Act is focused solely on preventing elective abortions on unborn children who have heartbeats.
As always, I welcome your input on issues important to you. Follow along on my Facebook and Twitter pages, both entitled “Senator Julie Slama” for more updates, or contact me directly at Senator Julie Slama, District 1 State Capitol, PO Box 94604, Lincoln NE 68509-4604; telephone: 402-471-2733; email: jslama@leg.ne.gov.

Last year, I introduced LB 1110, which outlined the provisions for registering all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and utility-terrain vehicles (UTVs) for street use. Unfortunately, that bill got stuck in committee and never made it to the floor. This year, I have introduced LB 66, which has the same intent as last year’s bill.
As many of you know, ATVs and UTVs are a vital part of life in our rural communities. They are used for a variety of purposes, including checking fields, plowing snow, recreational activities, and taking quick trips into town. However, current laws regarding the use of these vehicles are often confusing and inconsistent. The existing law in Nebraska, for instance, allows communities to pass an ordinance allowing people to drive ATVs and UTVs on city streets, but only inside their respective boundaries. Numerous communities across the state, including many in my district, have passed such regulations. However, the problem starts when Nebraskans who live outside of city limits wish to drive an ATV or UTV into the city. These people would theoretically be breaking the law while traveling their route unless they stayed within the legal gray area that permits the use of ATVs and UTVs for agricultural purposes. Just by crossing the city limits, they would fall into a bubble where their use, if accepted by the municipality, would be legal again.
LB 66 would provide a clear legal framework for the use of ATVs and UTVs on county roads, similar to the regulatory framework in South Dakota. This bill would keep well-intentioned Nebraskans from being labeled as criminals for driving their preferred vehicles on county roads.
In addition to making it easier for Nebraskans to use ATVs and UTVs on county roads, this bill would also increase our state’s tourism. Currently, many Nebraskans leave our state to go to South Dakota or other states with looser restrictions on these vehicles for vacations. By opening our county roads to ATVs and UTVs with reasonable safety measures, we would also be opening our doors to tourists who want to get outdoors in their ATVs or UTVs.
Although LB 66’s public hearing has already passed, there are still ways you can make your voice heard! I encourage you or anyone else that may be interested, to visit LB 66’s webpage found on the legislature’s website which can be accessed here to submit a comment, or email members of the Transportation and Telecommunications committee to encourage their support of LB 66.

As always, I welcome your input on issues important to you. Follow along on my Facebook and Twitter pages, both entitled “Senator Julie Slama” for more updates, or contact me directly at Senator Julie Slama, District 1 State Capitol, PO Box 94604, Lincoln NE 68509-4604; telephone: 402-471-2733; email: jslama@leg.ne.gov.

Bill introductions have concluded and committee hearings start next week! With over 800 bills introduced, the various committees will be hard at work going through the numerous bills. This column will highlight one of my bills this session that will have a direct, positive impact on District 1 – LB 212.


LB 212 allocates funds to the Department of Transportation to construct a continuous four-lane divided highway system from Plattsmouth to the Kansas border. Additionally, LB 212, paves all remaining unpaved state highways in Nebraska. My office has received numerous requests for this change, paired with personal stories of tragedy and injuries on Highway 75. This change is long, long overdue.


There are only three sections of unpaved state highways in Nebraska; 18.85 miles in Frontier County, 10.04 miles in Pawnee County, and 10.28 miles in Otoe County. In total, there are 39.17 miles of unpaved highways in the state of Nebraska, with 20.32 miles being in District 1. Paving these unpaved highways is also long, long overdue.


U.S. Highway 75 is the highway system that runs for 1,239 miles from Dallas, Texas to Kittson County, Minnesota – ending just short of the Canada-United States border. Within the state of Nebraska, it enters on the Kansas state border, 9 miles south of Dawson, traveling north across the extreme eastern portion of the state, to the Nebraska-Iowa border in South Sioux City, crossing the Missouri river along a concurrency with Interstate 129. Currently, Highway 75 is four lanes south of Omaha until it reaches the southern edge of Plattsmouth. From the southern edge of Plattsmouth through Nebraska City, Auburn, and down to the Kansas border, Highway 75 is mainly two lanes. LB 212 seeks to expand that stretch of highway 75 to 4 lanes.

Highways play a vital role in our daily lives, and the benefits they bring to our state and its residents cannot be overstated. From 2016-2020, US-75 from Plattsmouth to Nebraska City had 10 fatalities, 114 injuries, and 222 crashes and from 2016-2020, US-75 from Nebraska City to the Kansas Border had 12 fatalities, 144 injuries, and 326 crashes. The safety of Nebraskans is an everlasting high priority of mine and those driving on Highway 75 should feel safe during their travels.

It is time for the state to prioritize the roads in rural Nebraska. The quality of roads in rural Southeast Nebraska deserves as much attention as the roads running through cities such as Lincoln or Omaha.

As always, I welcome your input on issues important to you. Follow along on my Facebook and Twitter pages, both entitled “Senator Julie Slama” for more updates, or contact me directly at Senator Julie Slama, District 1 State Capitol, PO Box 94604, Lincoln NE 68509-4604; telephone: 402-471-2733; email: jslama@leg.ne.gov.

On January 4th, the 108th Nebraska Legislature convened for its first regular session. This
legislative session is in full swing, and we are nearly through the bill introduction period!
One of my bills introduced this session is LB 213, a major economic development bill for
District 1 and all of rural Nebraska. This bill targets villages and cities of the second class, which
include any community or city under 5,000 residents. This bill makes 2 changes: lowers the
match from .5:1 to .25:1 for Rural Workforce Housing and expands the Mainstreet Revitalization
Act specifically for communities under 5,000 residents.
Rural Workforce Housing provides grants for the construction of workforce housing. Right now,
RWHF grants require 50% of the RWHF award in matching funds such as dollars contributed by
individuals, businesses, political subdivisions, etc. into a single investment fund administered by
the eligible nonprofit development organization. With this change, this match would be lowered
to 25% for communities under 5,000 residents. With this bill, Nebraskans in smaller rural
communities will be put on a more level playing field with the larger communities that are able
to reach the percentage of matching funds easier.
Additionally, the Nebraska Job Creation and Mainstreet Revitalization Act, which without the
passage of LB 213, this program would cease to exist this year. LB 213 would create a credit
against Nebraska income tax for investment in the rehabilitation of historic buildings or
buildings that contribute to a historic district. State historic tax credits have been shown to be
effective at promoting both economic growth and historic preservation in small communities.
Such credits are available in more than 30 states, most notably in the states bordering Nebraska.
Both parts of LB 213 were inspired by my summer tour of every community in District 1. Every
village and town had at least a handful of highly-motivated people who wanted to grow and
improve their hometown. I pointed them toward our current rural development programs, but
these programs are built to serve larger cities in rural areas with a full-time economic
development director and strong private investment. Our smallest towns most in need of these
programs are constantly left out because they don’t have the private money for a match or they
can’t take time off their full-time job for an application that is going to a larger town anyway. I’m
working to fix this with LB 213.
As your State Senator, I am committed to crafting and supporting bills that help promote the
economic development of rural communities in Southeast Nebraska. With this said, I am also
working on crafting legislation that seeks to address rural clean water accessibility and cut more
unfunded mandates. Stay tuned!
As always, I welcome your input on issues important to you. Follow along on my Facebook and
Twitter pages, both entitled “Senator Julie Slama” for more updates, or contact me directly at

Senator Julie Slama, District 1 State Capitol, PO Box 94604, Lincoln NE 68509-4604;
telephone: 402-471-2733; email: jslama@leg.ne.gov.

January 3 marked the first day of the 2023 legislative session. I am more eager than ever to be in Lincoln fighting for District 1. There are many new faces throughout the building, including newly elected Senators and staff, new leadership within the legislative body, and new committee assignments. With this said, I am thrilled to announce that I was elected to serve as the Chairman of the Banking, Commerce, and Insurance committee! My experience growing up with my mom as a teller at Auburn State Bank, focus on insurance law during law school, and two years of service drew me to lead this committee.

I will continue my service on the Executive Board and now also represent Southeast Nebraska on the Natural Resources Committee. I am grateful to District 1’s Cooper Nuclear Station and Nebraska City Station for providing low-cost, base-load energy for the state of Nebraska. I will be sure to keep our public power employees in mind on the Natural Resources Committee.

In other news, I am pleased to share that Senator Brewer introduced his Constitutional Carry bill, LB 77. The right to bear arms is a fundamental right protected by the United States Constitution which individuals should not have to pay a fee or “ask permission” to exercise. You have my word that I will continue to fight for our Second Amendment rights and am a proud co-sponsor of LB 77. I will be sure to keep you informed on the future of this legislation, such as ways to support it and when the hearing date will be scheduled.

As more issues continue to arise, remember this: Nebraska’s unique Unicameral Legislature relies heavily on the citizens of the State of Nebraska. Ensuring that members of the public have the opportunity to have their voices heard is vital to the legislative process. I will be sure to keep you informed on upcoming hot-button issues and the bills impacting Southeast Nebraska.

As always, I welcome your input on issues important to you. Follow along on my Facebook and Twitter pages, both entitled “Senator Julie Slama” for more updates, or contact me directly at Senator Julie Slama, District 1 State Capitol, PO Box 94604, Lincoln NE 68509-4604; telephone: 402-471-2733; email: jslama@leg.ne.gov.