Pastors Hale and High Offer Prayer at Legislature

By Senator Lydia Brasch, District 16

The first full week of our 90 Day session began on January 12th. This marked Day 4 of the 10 days allowed for bill introduction according to the “Rules of the Nebraska Unicameral Legislature.” The rule does allow for exceptions, such as appropriation bills or bills introduced at the request of the governor. Overall, our Rules book consists of 10 rules with multiple sections and sub-sections. While the rules can seem extensive at times, they help preserve the order of the Legislature.

As of Friday, January 16, there were 430 bills and 27 legislative resolutions introduced. Wednesday, January 21, will mark Day 10 of the session meaning no further bills can be introduced. Committees will begin holding public hearings on Tuesday, January 20th.

So far, I have introduced five bills, with more to come next week. LB 179 requires apprentice electricians to complete continuing education hours. This bill would help apprentice electricians understand the National Electrical Code Book which is the adopted standard for electricians in our region and assist them in passing their exam to become licensed electricians.

LB 338 provides for a docket fee for custody, parenting time, visitation, and other parental access disputes. Currently, when a married couple with children seeks to divorce, the court may require mediation to help the couple address key issues such as custody and parenting time. They are assessed a $50 fee which goes to a fund that supplements the costs of mediation. However, non-married couples addressing the same issues of custody and parenting time are not required to pay the $50 fee. The number of unmarried parents with these child-centered issues are far outpacing the number of marital dissolutions (nearly 6,000 to 3,769). This bill would help our state’s court and mediative services finance a service provided to those using the system.

LB 350 seeks to provide property tax relief for agricultural and horticultural land by decreasing the valuation from 75% to 65%. I have introduced this in the past and was previously introduced by then Senators Fischer and Heidemann. It is a change long overdue. Currently, agricultural taxpayers consists of only 3% of our population but pay 26% to 29% of the tax burden for education. Related to LB 350, I also introduced LB 351. This bill will not increase income tax, but will direct 20% of income taxes collected to state aid for education. Between these two bills, we can provide a fiscally responsible way of paying taxes that is more proportionate.

We especially want to thank the following volunteer pastors from District 16 who served as Chaplain of the Day and offered prayer at the Legislature this week: Pastor Hale from Bancroft and Pastor High from Tekamah.

Please contact me, my administrative aide, Katie Wattermann, or my legislative aide, Tom Venzor, with questions or thoughts at (402) 471-2728 or by email at lbrasch@leg.ne.gov; or stop by Room 1016 if you are at the Capitol.  If you would like to follow the Legislature online you can visit http://www.netnebraska.org/basic-page/television/live-demand-state-government.  Live broadcasting is available on NET2 as well.

Keeping the Good Life growing in Nebraska,
Senator Lydia Brasch, District 16