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LEGISLATIVE UPDATE, February, 7, 2021

Whiners The State COVID plan moved from blue to green. Yes, green is a more environmentally sensitive color choice. In virus circles, green means the maximum indoor warm body count jumps from 75% of capacity to 100%. Local Health Departments must bless gatherings of...

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE, January 24, 2021

Rules Bill introductions wrapped-up Wednesday, and the fat lady sang, "Hallelujah!". On the first day of the session, Speaker Mike Hilgers, with a nod to the COVID, asked his colleagues to limit their bill requests in hopes of reducing close contact with one another...

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE, January 17, 2021

Ahhhh The Legislature will not convene tomorrow in observance of MLK Day. Interestingly, two bills that would create new holidays are already on file. Juneteenth would replace Arbor Day as a state holiday, and May 19 would become El-Hajj Malik Shabazz, Malcolm X Day....

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE, January 10, 2021

The kids are back! Forty-nine senators, dressed in their Sunday best, gathered Wednesday for the 107th Legislature's long (90-day) session. All passed the temperature test, most wore face coverings, and plexiglass partitions erected the last session stifled the mood....

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE, August 16, 2020

Long as God Can Grow It Like a house guest who overstays his welcome, Acrimony languished in the George Norris Chamber for the legislative session's final three days. Short tempers and sensitive feelings don't make for good lawmaking, but senators completed the...

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE, August 9, 2020

The Room Where it Happens Governor Ricketts signed the $9.3 billion adjusted state budget without so much as a single line-item veto. Hrumph! Who doesn't enjoy a good veto override battle on the floor of the Legislature? The Super Seven emerged from "the room where it...

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE, August 2, 2020

Step Right Up Big News!! The "Super Seven" (not to be confused with the previous Gang of Ten) may have arrived at a compromise to reduce property taxes. The Legislature's Bill Drafters are writing an amendment to Priority Bill, LB 930 so we can actually read the...