Race is on to enact good legislation
Friends and neighbors of Legislative District 44:
As you may know, earlier in my professional career, I operated shopping centers. Managing these centers taught me that in order to be successful, a goal needed to be defined and in order to achieve it, we would work backwards to make it happen. At the beginning of session, the Legislature identified goals of enacting property tax relief, income tax relief, and expanding broadband to unserved and underserved areas. While things may look bleak right now, the Legislature has continued to advance towards achieving these goals this week with some of the debates on these measures lasting into the late hours of the day.
As I explained last week, the Legislature began discussion on LB 243, the property tax relief package and on Monday, April 3rd, advanced the legislation to the next round of debate on a 41-1 vote. As amended, the bill adds dollars to the different property tax relief programs, enacts into statute school district property taxation limitations, and eliminates the levy authority of community colleges while ensuring the State will provide funding to these schools. On Tuesday, April 4th, the Legislature advanced LB 583 to the next round of debate which provides foundation aid of $1500 dollars to each school for every student that is enrolled and provides school districts 80% of the costs that will be incurred to provide special education services on a vote of 39-3.
On Wednesday, the Legislature advanced LB 683, which creates the Nebraska Broadband Office, to the final round of debate. This office will be charged with the implementation and expedited application for grants from BEAD, the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment Program. The bill was also amended to update the One-Call Notification Act and to create the Underground Excavation Safety Committee to investigate complaints. The bill was also amended to prohibit telecommunication companies from receiving financial support from the Nebraska Universal Service Fund if the company is using or providing communications equipment or services deemed to pose a threat to national security.
On Thursday, Director of the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources Tom Riley presented an updated overview and status of the Perkins County Canal project to members of the Appropriations Committee, and, as the Senator who represents the area where the canal is located, I was invited to participate. We were informed that engineers have been hired to conduct the mechanical approach to the project, and that conversations with Colorado about the project are continuing. I look forward to touring the area where the project will be located with Director Riley and Governor Pillen to get an up close view of what will be built. I’m confident that a route for the canal will be identified later this year, and pending approval of this project in our State’s budget, we will be able to claim the water it is promised under the compact.
This week, debate began on multiple budget bills. I imagine that these bills will require significant debate, but it is important that we discuss these bills thoroughly to prevent unnecessary and reckless spending, thus protecting the taxpayers of the state. Debate on other bills will also occur next week, and with June 9th slated to be the last day of session, the race is on to enact as much good legislation as we can.
As always, if I can be of assistance to you in any way, please do not hesitate to contact my office. My e-mail address is tibach@leg.ne.gov, and the office phone number is 402-471-2805. Tyler and Julie are always available to assist you with your needs if I am not immediately available