Legislature

Ricketts Vetoes Bill Banning Hairstyle Discrimination

Published by Nikki Palmer on Wed, 08/19/2020 - 5:00am

Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts vetoed a legislative bill to extend employment discrimination protection to include traits historically associated with race, including hairstyles and hair texture.

Read more about Ricketts Vetoes Bill Banning Hairstyle Discrimination

Abortion Foes Celebrate New Procedure Ban

Published by Nikki Palmer on Wed, 08/19/2020 - 4:00am

LIFE Runner founder Pat Castle listens to Gov. Pete Ricketts during a ceremony to sign the LB 814 bill at the steps of the state capitol in Lincoln, on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2020. The anti-abortion bill bans dismemberment abortion in Nebraska. (Kenneth Ferriera/Lincoln Journal Star via AP)

A bill signing ceremony on the steps of the State Capitol praised state senators for passing a ban on an abortion procedure described as “gruesome” and “brutal” by anti-abortion activists.

Read more about Abortion Foes Celebrate New Procedure Ban

ACLU, Partner Coalition Seek Special Legislative Session

Published by Nikki Palmer on Wed, 08/19/2020 - 3:00am

A coalition of advocacy groups are calling for a special session of the Nebraska Legislature to address racial justice and police reform issues.

In a joint letter, the ACLU of Nebraska and its partners point to listening sessions held in June by the Judiciary Committee, and they argue action has fallen short of what is expected by Black Nebraskans and their allies.

Read more about ACLU, Partner Coalition Seek Special Legislative Session

Ricketts Summarizes 2020 Session in Sine Die Address

Published by Scott Stewart on Wed, 08/19/2020 - 12:00am

Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts highlighted some of the accomplishments of the second session of the 106th Legislature in his annual sine die address last Thursday.

Read more about Ricketts Summarizes 2020 Session in Sine Die Address

Legislative News Briefs 8/19/20

Published by Scott Stewart on Wed, 08/19/2020 - 12:00am

New Native American Holiday Established on Columbus Day

The second Monday in October will be Indigenous Peoples’ Day and Columbus Day in Nebraska under a bill passed Aug. 11.

Read more about Legislative News Briefs 8/19/20

Tax, Business Incentives Legislative Package Passed

Published by Nikki Palmer on Wed, 08/19/2020 - 12:00am

Lawmakers passed a bill containing several major tax proposals last Thursday prior to adjourning for the session. LB 1107, introduced by Norfolk Sen. Jim Scheer, contains numerous provisions, including a new tax credit based on the amount of property taxes paid to a taxpayer’s school district, a new business tax incentive program and a requirement to provide matching funds for a potential project at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

Read more about Tax, Business Incentives Legislative Package Passed

Nebraska Senators OK Property Tax Credits as Session Ends

Published by Scott Stewart on Fri, 08/14/2020 - 5:00am

Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts addresses lawmakers in Lincoln, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2020, on the last day of a legislative session marked by major disruptions from the coronavirus and political feuds that often turned personal. (AP)

Lincoln – Nebraska lawmakers approved new tax credits for homeowners, farmers and businesses and put more restrictions on abortions Thursday as they finished a session marred by ugly public disputes and criticism that they didn’t do enough to address the coronavirus pandemic.

Read more about Nebraska Senators OK Property Tax Credits as Session Ends

Property Tax, Abortion Bills Set for Final Votes in Legislature

Published by Scott Stewart on Thu, 08/13/2020 - 5:00am

Lincoln – Nebraska lawmakers advanced a property tax and business incentives package and new abortion restrictions through a key procedural vote on Tuesday, despite fervent opposition from some senators in the final days of this year’s session.

Read more about Property Tax, Abortion Bills Set for Final Votes in Legislature

Legislative News Briefs 8/11/20

Published by Scott Stewart on Tue, 08/11/2020 - 12:00am

Proposal to Decouple From Federal Tax Change Debated

Lawmakers debated a proposal Aug. 6 to decouple Nebraska’s tax code from a federal change made in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Read more about Legislative News Briefs 8/11/20

Unicameral Advances New 2nd Trimester Abortion Limits

Published by Scott Stewart on Mon, 08/10/2020 - 3:00am

Lincoln – A proposal to outlaw a second-trimester abortion procedure cleared a major hurdle in the Nebraska Legislature, a signal that it’s likely to pass in the final days of this year’s session.