A little of this and some of that
Nebraska’s unemployment rate decreased from 8.7% in April to 5.2% in May. The lowest in the nation.
The tax rate on motor fuels will increase from 29.3 cents per gallon (Jan 1 – Jun 30, 2020) to 33.2 cents per gallon (Jul 1 – Dec 31, 2020).
Gov. Ricketts told local government officials they would not receive a share of the $100 million CARES Act recovery funding if they require citizens to wear masks in public buildings.
New social distancing guidelines go into effect tomorrow for all 93 counties. The following guidelines apply to all counties except Hall, Hamilton, Merrick, and Dakota Counties:
- Fans attending youth games are limited to 75% of the venue capacity
- Elective surgeries are no longer restricted
- Bars and restaurants may open to 100% of their rated capacity. A maximum of eight people are allowed per group, and six-foot distancing between tables is now a mere suggestion. Self-serve buffets/salad bars are prohibited, but you can shoot darts or play pool and arcade games.
- Nursing homes may now accept visitors who test for COVID-19. Child-care facilities can now take more kids.
- Theaters, libraries, and indoor venues may open to 50% capacity. Outdoor venues capacities may now operate at 75% capacity. 10,000 people max.
- Indoor gatherings are limited to 50% of rated occupancy -10,000 people max.
- Outdoor gatherings are limited to 75% of a facility’s rated occupancy – 10,000 people max.
- Gyms, health spas, barbershops and beauty salons, tattoo parlors, etc. are limited to 75% of capacity.
- Weddings and funerals may fill 100% capacity of a venue. Dance to your heart’s content at the reception.
- Parades, street dances, carnivals, beer gardens, and midways are still taboo.
Happy Father’s Day to all you great dads!
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