107TH LEGISLATURE, 1ST SESSION – DAY 22 

BILLS I INTRODUCED TO COMMITTEES THIS WEEK 

LB596- Higher Blend Ethanol Tax Credit– I was pleased to introduce LB 596 that creates the Nebraska Higher Blend Tax Credit Act to increase the sales of sustainable ethanol…produced from corn…right here in Nebraska. 

The ethanol industry brings $5 billion dollars of economic activity to Nebraska. It would seem prudent that the State of Nebraska would reinvest a portion of the tax revenue collected from Nebraska’s ethanol industry back into the source in the form of a higher blends infrastructure program supported by the general fund.

LB 596 creates an incentive for petroleum retailers to increase higher ethanol-blended gasoline sales, from the current E10 blend to E15, E25, E30, and E85. This is accomplished by creating a five-year tax credit pool of $2 million per year for retailers who sell E15 and higher blends. 

For instance, retailers who dispense E15 would be eligible for a 3-cent per gallon income tax credit. If those same retailers dispense E25 and higher, they would be eligible to apply for a 5-cent per gallon tax credit. Higher use of ethanol in our vehicles is good for the environment, good for our ethanol industry, and good for Nebraska’s economy. And it is especially good for our agricultural economy. This bill would help keep us competitive in the markets with the states surrounding Nebraska.

LB597- Tax Relief for Stillbirth Parents– Families with live births qualify for various tax benefits. LB597 would ease some of the burden that falls on families who also incurred costs getting ready for a baby but tragically never got to bring their baby home.

  The bill would allow a refundable tax credit for the parent of a stillborn child in the amount of $2,000 for taxable years beginning in 2022. The credit can be claimed for the taxable year in which the stillbirth occurred if the child advanced to at least the twentieth week of gestation and would have been a dependent of the individual claiming the credit. 

While there is nothing we can do to take away the loss these families have experienced, we can acknowledge the special dignity and humanity of the child and provide some financial relief to grieving families in need. 

Parents incur real expenses as result of stillbirth. The cost of hospital care associated with stillbirths is substantial. According to a 2013 study published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information, the average hospital costs for women with stillbirth delivery are more than $750 higher than women with live births. In addition to medical care and hospital stays, families have added expenses such as paying for a funeral, burial, grief counseling, and lost income from time taken off work. 

This bill has a much deeper meaning than money. State vital statistics records show there are 120 to 150 stillbirths annually in Nebraska. We cannot mend the hearts of these families, but by advancing LB597 we can support families at a time of immense grief and provide recognition to their children.  

ADDRESSING PROPERTY TAXES

I am partnering with other Senators to bring leadership to what could be a tremendous change to Nebraska taxpayers. LB133 and LR11CA are two pieces of legislation that would significantly change the framework for how taxes are determined in Nebraska. Below is an excerpt from an article my colleague, Senator Steve Erdman of District 47, the introducer, wrote about the bills.

“Nebraska’s tax system is completely broken. Nebraska is the worst state in the nation for the inheritance tax, the seventh worst state for property taxes and only Wisconsin beats Nebraska in terms of the number of farm and ranch bankruptcies.

This year I introduced LR11CA and LB133 for the consumption tax. The first piece of legislation is a resolution for a constitutional amendment to change our tax system; the second is a bill to direct the legislature in how to implement the consumption tax. LB133 re-writes the tax code. The legislation is known as the EPIC Consumption Tax Act, where the word EPIC is an acronym which stands for the Elimination of Property, Income and Corporate taxes. It will repeal the state income tax, the state sales tax, the state inheritance tax and all property taxes and replace them all with a consumption tax.  

The consumption tax prevents double taxation. The consumption tax would tax services and new goods. Used goods would never get taxed, because goods should only get taxed once.  Imagine buying a used car or a used boat and paying no taxes on the purchase!

The real beauty of the consumption tax, though, is that it prevents over-taxation. It is the one tax that the taxpayer can control. If you don’t want to pay the tax, don’t go shopping.  Moreover, the consumption tax ties government taxation to the economy. The government only gets more money to spend when consumers spend more of their own money first.”

DISTRICT 17 COVID-19 

The number of positive tests reported for the periods January 28, 2021, and February 4, 2021 in District 17 are as follow: 

Dakota County +46 (3809) 

Thurston County: +41 (1076) 

Wayne County: +13 (1003) 

FORMER SENATOR BLOOMFIELD REAPPOINTED 

I am proud to announce that on January 28, 2021, Governor Pete Ricketts reappointed District 17’s former State Senator, David F. Bloomfield, of Hoskins, to the Commission on Military and Veterans Affairs. The aim of the Commission is to help the State of Nebraska preserve and protect military installations across the state, attract new missions to the State’s military installations, and serve Nebraska’s military and veteran families.

GREAT JOB WAYNE STATE

Recently I met with Chancellor Paul Turman, Nebraska State College System. Chancellor Turman presented to me the excellent advancements Wayne State is making through online programs and student retention in the midst of the Covid Pandemic. I am excited to announce that Wayne State is joining the other Nebraska State Colleges in their Tuition Guarantee, which ensures that Pell-qualified Nebraska students can attend tuition-free. The program takes effect in Fall 2021 and applies to returning and new undergraduate students. “Building on our long-standing history of providing an accessible and affordable college education to Nebraska students, the guarantee will play a vital role in supporting the workforce needs, not only in the rural area in which the College serves, but across Nebraska,” said Gary Bieganski, Chair of the Board of Trustee for the Nebraska State Colleges.

SHARE YOUR COMMENTS 

I want to make sure you are aware that the public may submit online comments through a new feature on the Legislature’s website, which is available on each individual bill page. Online written statements will not be included as part of the official legislative record, but are very important. The new options will allow residents with safety concerns related to the pandemic to continue to share their views with the Legislature. “It’s vital to the legislative process for members of the public to have the opportunity to have their voices heard,” Speaker Hilgers said. “Nebraska’s unique Unicameral Legislature relies heavily on citizen input.” Just go to https://nebraskalegislature.gov, insert the bill number in the “Search Current Bill” box on the homepage, and click on “Submit Written Comment” tab. I always love to see when someone from District 17 becomes involved in the Legislative process! 

As always, it is of great importance that I hear from my constituents to effectively do my job as your voice in the Legislature. I encourage you to contact me and I look forward to hearing from you. You can reach me by phone at 402-471-2716 or by email at jalbrecht@leg.ne.gov.