Creating Solutions Together

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE, May 10, 2020

by | May 11, 2020 | Advocacy

Cover your mouth and VOTE!

One month ago, we predicted the top two vote-getters in each of the 25 Primary Election races for the Nebraska Legislature. Today, we take a big swing and crown the candidates who just might actually win their respective Primaries on Tuesday.
Let the record reflect that winners are selected in the most scientific process at our disposal…..wet finger in the air. If, for some incomprehensible twist of fate, we pick the wrong winner, let the record also reflect that it’s not our fault.
If When these predictions hold true, the makeup of the Legislature would only slightly change from 30 Republicans / 18 Democrats / 1 Independent today, to 30 Republicans / 19 Democrats.
  • District 1 Senator Julie Slama (R) wins a fistfight over Janet Palmtag (R)
  • District 3 Senator Carol Blood (D) holds off Rick Holdcroft (R)
  • District 5 Senator Mike McDonnell (D) demolishes Gilbert Ayala (R)
  • District 7 Senator Tony Vargas (D) annihilates Jorge Sotolongo (R)
  • District 9 John Cavanaugh (D) trashes Marque Snow (D)
  • District 11 Terrell McKinney (D) clobbers Fred Conley (D)
  • District 13 Senator Justin Wayne (D) is unopposed
  • District 15 Senator Lynn Walz (D) sails past David Rogers (R)
  • District 17 Senator Joni Albrecht (R) triumphs over Sheryl Lindau (D)
  • District 19 Former Senator Mike Flood (R) is unopposed
  • District 21 Senator Mike Hilgers (R) whips up on Brody Weber (D)
  • District 23 Senator Bruce Bostelman (R) bests Helen Raikes (I)
  • District 25 Senator Suzanne Geist (R) blows away Stephany Pleasant (D)
  • District 27 Senator Anna Wishart (D) obliterates Brenda Bickford (R)
  • District 29 Jennifer Carter (D) outworks Jacob Campbell (R)
  • District 31 Former Senator Rich Pahls (R) trims Tim Royers (D)
  • District 33 Senator Steve Halloran (R) is unopposed
  • District 35 Senator Dan Quick (D) outbattles former Senator Ray Aguilar (R)
  • District 37 Senator John Lowe (R) crushes Mercedes Damratowski (?)
  • District 39 Senator Lou Ann Linehan (R) tools Allison Heimes (D)
  • District 41 Senator Tom Briese (R) is unopposed
  • District 43 Senator Tom Brewer (R) outguns Tanya Storer (R)
  • District 45 Rita Sanders (R) drubs Susan Hester (D)
  • District 47 Senator Steve Erdman (R) is unopposed
  • District 49 Senator Andrew La Grone (R) plasters Jen Day (D)
Select File
LB803 (Hughes) MONITOR – SPEAKER PRIORITY BILL
  • Creates a new promotional checkoff program for pulse crops, including dry peas, lentils, chickpeas or garbanzo beans, faba beans, and lupine. The bill also expands a waiver of a distance limitation for overweight/oversize vehicles transporting crops to include pulse crops.
General File
LB1084 (Kolterman / MONITOR)
  • The Nebraska Transformational Project Act would provide $300 million in state funding to the University of Nebraska Medical Center for their NExT Project. Before receiving $300 million, UNMC must show the economic impact to Nebraska is at least $2.7 billion during the planning and construction period and at least $4.9 billion over ten years.
  • NExT Project has two components: a state of the art academic medical center facility and a federal all-hazard disaster response military and civilian partnership.
LB1159 (Stinner) SUPPORT
  • Extends the initial training period for a noncertified pesticide applicator from 60 to 120 days prior to obtaining an initial commercial or noncommercial applicator license. The bill also authorizes unlimited exam attempts for the noncertified applicator during that training period.
Held In Committee
LB919 (Wayne / MONITOR)
  • Hemp cultivator, processor-handler, and broker license and renewal applications shall only be denied if they are incomplete or deficient, including for nonpayment of the required application and registration fees, or if the applicant does not meet minimum qualifications.
LB946 (Briese / MONITOR)
  • The bill lowers the sales tax rate and eliminates exemptions on services. Service includes all activities that are engaged in for other persons for a consideration and that involve predominantly the performance of a service as distinguished from selling or leasing tangible personal property.
Failed to Advance
LB974 (Linehan) MONITOR – REVENUE COMMITTEE PRIORITY BILL
  • A complex property tax reduction and school funding bill. As amended by AM2433, the bill would reduce property taxes as a significant source of funding for K-12 education. Unless expressly exempt:
  • Real property would be valued at 95% of actual value for the tax year 2020, 91% in the tax year 2021, and 86% in 2022 and after that.
  • Agricultural and horticultural land would be valued at 65% of actual value in the tax year 2020, for purposes of taxes levied by a school district and 75% of actual value for taxes levied by other political subdivisions.
  • Agricultural and horticultural land would be valued at 60% of actual value in the tax year 2021, for purposes of taxes levied by a school district and 75% of actual value for taxes levied by other political subdivisions.
  • Agricultural and horticultural land would be valued at 55% of actual value in the tax year 2022, and each tax year after that, for purposes of taxes levied by a school district and 75% of actual value for taxes levied by other

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