Gering – A federal agency intends to provide a $2.3 million loan to help pay for repairs to an irrigation system tunnel that collapsed last July, cutting off water to farmers in western Nebraska and eastern Wyoming.
Washington – The chairman of the Iowa Democratic Party announced his resignation last week after a disastrous caucus process beset by technical glitches led to a dayslong delay in reporting the results, inconsistencies in the numbers and no clear winner.
The State Financial Officers Foundation, a national nonprofit working to educate the public about fiscal policy, recently recognized Nebraska State Treasurer John Murante as the 2019 Newcomer of the Year.
Lincoln – The Business and Labor Committee heard testimony Feb. 10 on a bill to address Nebraska’s workforce shortage.
LB813, introduced by Lincoln Sen. Kate Bolz, would direct $4 million in general funds to the Nebraska Department of Labor in fiscal year 2020-21 to expand apprenticeship programs.
Lincoln – Lawmakers gave first-round approval to a bill containing several transportation measures.
LB 944, as introduced by Lincoln Sen. Suzanne Geist, would allow owners to seek a refund on vehicle registration if a vehicle is lost to natural disaster. Geist said the bill also would harmonize several technical provisions of state law related to motor vehicles.
Lincoln – Sports wagering would be legalized under a bill considered Feb. 10 by the General Affairs Committee.
LB 971, introduced by Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha, would redefine the definition of a lottery to include wagers on sports contest, excluding high school and youth games. Wayne said Nebraskans, particularly from Omaha, are crossing the Missouri River into Iowa to gamble at casinos.
Des Moines, Iowa – Two doctors and other former employees of an Iowa care center for people with intellectual disabilities have filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against a state agency and several officials, alleging a conspiracy to silence complaints about sexual arousal research that included using pornographic material that they claim exploited fragile and dependent residents.
Des Moines, Iowa – A proposal to build a $225 million casino and hotel at the Des Moines airport got nowhere at the airport board’s meeting last Tuesday.
The Aksarben Foundation is now accepting Aksarben Community Grant Program applications.
Open to 501(c)(3) organizations throughout Nebraska and western Iowa, these matching grants are awarded based on the demonstration of community need, the capacity to implement the proposed project, and the proposed project result.