News
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE, April 26, 2021
"Unicam, Unicam, don't tax me!" "Tax that guy behind the tree!" Last Tuesday, the Legislature approved ten bills on Final Reading. They comprise the State's $9.7 billion-ish biennial budget. With not so much as a "hurrah or harrumph," the bills were whisked to the...
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE, April 18, 2021
Betcha The Legislature reconvenes on Tuesday, Day 63 of this 90-day session. The $9.7 billion biennial budget is scheduled for Final Reading after advancing from Select File last Friday. And yes, the kids were active and noisy. When the Appropriations Committee...
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE, April 11, 2021
Budget Advances The Legislature's proposed 2-year $9.7 billion budget advanced to Select File last Friday. The Unicameral Update Page does an excellent job in summary. General File Floor debate can be like watching a mother goose protect her goslings. Picture...
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE, April 4, 2021
Follow the Money The Appropriations Committee delivered their $1.526 billion-ish FY2021-22 / FY2022-23 biennial budget proposal to senators last Thursday. According to Speaker Hilgers, General File budget debate begins Thursday. If you remember nothing else about this...
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE, March 28, 2021
Consent Tomorrow is Day 51 of this 90-day legislative session. It is also the first time this year we've seen Consent Calendar. The process is not unlike the Password Lightning Round. First, the Speaker identifies "non-controversial" bills that advanced to General...
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE, March 21, 2021
Piles of Money The Appropriations Committee sent their $9.7 billion biennial budget to the printer. That means floor debate will soon turn to the distribution of piles-o-money over the next two fiscal years. K-12 education stands at the head of that line. Their $2.65...
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE, March 14, 2021
Bills, Bills, Bills Wednesday will mark the 45th legislative day of this COVID molested 90-day session. Public hearings for new legislation concluded Friday, and all-day floor debate begins tomorrow. Senator Priority Bills (1 each) and Committee Priority Bills (2...
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE, March 7, 2021
Priorities This week, the Judiciary Committee will close out their final public hearings of the session while Speaker Hilgers continues to prep the kids for full-day floor debate. A large majority of bills remain in committees. This week sets up perfectly for...
NDA Encourages Pesticide Applicators and Specialty Crop Growers to Work Together to Protect Sensitive Crops
LINCOLN — Nebraska’s diverse geography, soil and climate support traditional crops, like corn and soybeans, as well as specialty crops, like fruits and vegetables. Specialty crops can be sensitive to pesticides used on neighboring farms, though, which is why the...
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE, February 28, 2021
Flush with Cash Our state economic prognosticators met last week. It seems their "wet index finger in the air" formula worked. State tax revenue will be higher than they predicted only four months ago. $462 million higher in fiscal years 20/21 ($204M), 21/22 ($165M),...