Filibusters create frustrations for all
By Teresa Ibach
Neb. Dist. 44 Senator
As you may be aware, the Nebraska Legislature has been facing an unprecedented filibuster the last few weeks. I, as do the citizens of District 44, expect the Legislature to debate and vote on bills in a manner that reflects responsible government. Unfortunately, several Senators are unhappy with bills introduced in this session. All the bills have many sponsors and most have overwhelming support across District 44 and the state. Several bills have been amended to address the concerns raised during hearings to gain more support among members of the Legislature. Until these Senators decide that democracy is served when the legislative process is allowed to proceed and abandon their filibuster on every bill that makes it to the floor, we will have trouble conducting the responsibilities we are elected to fulfill.
This session, I prioritized LB 249, introduced by Senator Briese. LB 249 updates the Rural Workforce Housing Investment Act. The update allows for more than one application per nonprofit development organization per grant cycle, increases the grant limit from $1 million dollars to $5 million dollars, and provides for $20 million dollars for funding the grant program. With workforce housing a need across the state, and several communities in District 44 who will benefit from LB 249, it is important for the State to continue to invest in housing development to help grow our communities across Nebraska.
I also want to highlight the other bills I introduced, LB 218, 219, and LB 220. LB 218, which has been amended into an Agricultural Committee priority bill, appropriates $6 million dollars to help rid our waterways of invasive vegetation. LB 219, which has been amended into a Health and Human Services Committee priority bill, provides that critical access hospitals that serve our area receive more of the costs for providing care to Medicaid recipients at the time the service is provided. LB 220 has been made a Speaker’s priority bill. LB 220 requires the Board of Pardons to notify a victim of a violent crime when the perpetrator of the crime will be appearing before the Board of Pardons and if a pardon has been granted. This bill will guarantee the rights of victims which are enshrined in the Nebraska Constitution.
On Thursday, March 16th, the Revenue Committee advanced Governor Pillen’s income tax relief proposal to the full Legislature for our consideration. Under LB 754, the top individual and corporate tax rates would be reduced to 3.99% by 2027. The Revenue Committee also included LB 38, LB 318, and LB 641 in this package. LB 38 gives people that are in the federal retirement system who do not receive Social Security the same tax relief as those who do receive Social Security. LB 318 provides $35 million dollars in tax credits for child care expenses and for workers in child care facilities to address the shortage of child care workers and to help low-income families afford child care. LB 641 also speeds up the phase out of state income taxes on Social Security. I am looking forward to this debate and I will be supporting this package of bills.
As of now, the State’s budget, state-school aid bills, and property tax relief packages remain in committee as the respective committees finalize the proposal. The committees have been able to conduct business as usual on these important pieces of legislation. I believe all will require substantial debate and I look forward to learning more regarding these packages in the coming days.
As always, if I can be of assistance to you in any way, please do not hesitate to contact my office.