Brasch Busy Campaigning!

May 13, 2014 Leave a comment


“I have been very busy since session closed the middle of April,” said Senator Lydia Brasch. She has been spending much of her time campaigning, going from town to town, visiting with her constituents and handing out signs for voters to place in their yards. “I also had students visit with me for three days in Lincoln,” Senator Brasch stated.

She thoroughly enjoyed visiting with the children. “They were such fun. I enjoyed visiting with them,” Senator Brasch said.

Scott Japp, a board member for the NRD is challenging Senator Brasch for her seat.

Remember to vote today. It is your right!

Senator Lydia Brasch and Kat Country Hub Editor and Chief Denise Gilliland take a selfie! Photo Credit Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.

Senator Lydia Brasch and Kat Country Hub Editor and Chief Denise Gilliland take a selfie! Photo Credit Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.

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Lyons-Decatur Northeast Seniors Meet Senator Brasch

April 8, 2014 Leave a comment


April Fools’ Day marked the 51st Legislative Day of the 103rd Legislature, Second Session. There are five legislative days remaining until we adjourn Sine Die on April 17. Thank you to Pastor Shawn Linnell of Trinity Lutheran Church in Blair for joining us as Chaplain of the Day on Tuesday, April 1 and to Pastor Coral Parmenter of United Methodist Church of Christ in Wisner for joining us as Chaplain on April 2. We always appreciate the clergy from District 16 who volunteer to travel to Lincoln and offer their prayers.

After the passage of LBs 130, 905, and 906 (budget appropriation bills), Governor Heineman returned them to the Legislature with line-item vetoes. On Tuesday, we carefully examined these bills and fully debated the potential outcomes. The Governor stated his line-item vetoes returns $65 million dollars to taxpayers for the property tax relief they requested. Among some of the vetoed items were:

  • $14.5 million from the Cash Reserve to the Nebraska Capitol Construction fund for the erection of fountains in the Capitol courtyards and renovation of the building’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system;
  • various new Salary Limits for state agencies, new state agency positions, and a transfer from the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Contingency Fund Program to the Behavioral Health Aid Program (in order to offset costs to the state due to implementation of the Affordable Care Act);
  • $12.5 million transfer from the Department of Motor Vehicles Cash Fund to the Vehicle Title and Registration System Replacement and Maintenance Cash Fund and $5 million of the $15 million to the Game and Parks Commission for maintenance and improvement projects.

 

All vetoes were overridden Tuesday by the Legislature. I supported the Governor’s vetoes and not the override of the Legislature, as I believe more extensive tax relief is possible for our taxpayers. However, I appreciated the privilege of attending the bill signing press conference with the Governor in support of valuable tax relief efforts for Nebraskans.

Senator Chambers introduced a motion Wednesday to override Governor Heineman’s veto of his mountain lion hunting bill, LB671. The motion failed on a 24-21-4 vote. Senator Chambers has taken a firm stand that it will be a “rough rest of the session” for those of us who voted for the override.

We enjoyed welcoming Lyons-Decatur Northeast High School seniors and two of their teachers Wednesday. Unfortunately, I was unable to meet the Lyons-Decatur 4th graders who visited the next day, as they were pressed for time. We also had student visitors from the Federation of Women’s Club of Nebraska. I was able to sit down for lunch at the Governor’s Residence with a Cuming County student and his Dodge County friends, and we enjoyed a refreshing trip together to the top of the tower and looked out across a brisk, extremely breezy capital city.

Our session is winding down as the issues continue heating up. As always, I encourage you to share your thoughts on pending legislation before we adjourn sine die. Please continue to contact me, my administrative aide, Katie Wattermann, or my legislative aide, Joe Neuhaus, 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.

Keeping the Good Life growing in Nebraska,

Senator Lydia Brasch, District 16

 

Senator Lydia Brasch

Senator Lydia Brasch

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Livestock Brand Act Not to Impact Locally

April 1, 2014 Leave a comment


Thursday, March 20 was the Fifty-First Day of this One Hundred Third Legislature, Second Session. Only nine  legislative days remain of our sixty day session.  On our daily agenda we now regularly have numerous bills in Consent Calendar and on Final Reading, which means many bills are moving through the legislative process quickly.  We are moving forward to make our limited time in session count.  The 17 senators who are term limited after eight years of service continue using every tool in their toolbox and their floor experience with spirited zest in an attempt to bring  their long awaited legislation to fruition before this session ends.

Not only do we consider and debate legislation on the floor each day, but we also do our best to respond to numerous constituent emails, letters, and phone calls. The number of meetings and receptions being held in and around the Capitol are also winding down, where focus is primarily on pending legislation at hand.

Lydia Brasch

Lydia Brasch

Thank you to Pastor Pastor Russ Foust of Grace United Methodist Church in Kennard for serving as volunteer Chaplain leading us in prayer on Wednesday, March 26.  It is uplifting to have our district’s clergy join us during session in prayer before we convene.

Here are some updates on legislation from this week:

  • LR41CA allows pari-mutuel wagering on live, delayed, and replayed (or “historic”) horse races at licensed racetracks.  This bill advanced to Final Reading March 25, and if passed, will be on voters’ ballots in November;
  • LB768 (Livestock Brand Act bill)  In conversation with Senator Schilz, the livestock producers in Cuming, Burt, and Washington counties will not necessarily be impacted by this legislation.  Rather, they still have the option to have an inspection performed by the Nebraska Brand Committee, but if one is performed, there is now a method for the Committee to recover a fee equal to that of inspections performed in the mandatory brand area, as well as expenses incurred in performing the inspection;
  • LB1001 permits the growth and cultivation of industrial hemp by postsecondary institutions for research purposes as an agricultural product.  During all three stages of debate there was no opposition or support from the Nebraska Department of Agriculture or law enforcement agencies, and I was opposed to the bill moving forward without their support.  However, the pending research will hopefully provide valuable information for Nebraskans to learn about hemp;
  • LB983, which updates Nebraska statutes to comply with federal regulations regarding commercial drivers’ licenses (CDLs), passed March 24 with an emergency clause and was presented to the Governor the same day;
  • LB671, the mountain lion hunting bill, narrowly passed Monday with a 28-13-8 vote.  Governor Heineman vetoed the bill four days later, citing potential constitutional issues and conflict with a bill passed in 2012 that allowed for mountain lion hunting.

The annual Nebraska Agricultural Youth Institute is July 7-11, 2014, at UNL’s East Campus.  “NAYI is a five-day conference for high school juniors and seniors to learn about career opportunities within agriculture.  This includes:  engaging speakers, workshops and panels, agriculture education, professional development, leadership experience, fun and new friends, networking with peers and industry leaders.  All of these experiences come free of charge, thanks to generous sponsors.”  Apply online at www.nda.nebraska.gov.  Applications are due April 15.

We have heard from constituents on numerous issues, and I am always happy to hear from you!  Please continue to contact me, my administrative aide, Katie Wattermann, or my legislative aide, Joe Neuhaus, 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.

Keeping the Good Life growing in Nebraska,

Senator Lydia Brasch, District 16

 

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Senator Lydia Brasch

March 26, 2014 Leave a comment


Legislative debate and the temperature outside heated up during the second week of March, Legislative Days 40-43.  We have started to gain momentum as we prepare for the last 17 days of the 103rd Legislature. While a majority of the 1,105 bills have failed to advance from committee, we saw a fair amount advance this past week, and the first bills of the year were signed into law by Governor Heineman. Here are some signed bills of interest:

  • LB76e – Adopt the Health Care Transparency Act;
  • LB403 – Prohibit retail sale of novelty lighters;
  • LB446 – Define salvage to include flood damage under the Motor Vehicle Certificate of Title Act;
  • LB470e – Adopt the Superintendent Pay Transparency Act;
  • LB513 – Change notice provisions under the Nebraska Ground Water Management and Protection Act; and
  • LB588 – Change veteran employment preference provisions.

Senator Scheer bracketed his bill, LB682, which addresses statewide allied school systems, until April 17 after facing opposition from various school representatives.

Constituents asked questions and addressed issues at the town hall meetings across the district this past weekend.  Here are some of the items we discussed by general topic:

TAXES/REVENUE

  • LB145 – Change valuation of agricultural land and horticultural land (my 2014 Priority Bill)

○      Status:  Killed in committee.  Similar bills: LBs 670, 101, 813, 721, and 618

  • LB987 – Adjust individual income tax brackets for inflation and exempt social security benefits from income taxation

○      Status:  Revenue priority bill, on E&R Initial (passed from General File)

  • LB1092 – Authorize issuance of highway construction bonds

○      Status: Dubas priority bill on General File with AM2067

○      Note:  Department of Roads Director, Randy Peters opposed LB1092, stating the “traditional ‘pay-as-we-go’ practices of our state have served us well.”

HEALTH CARE

  • LB887 – Adopt the Wellness in Nebraska Act

○      Status:  Pending debate Tuesday, March 18, 1:30 p.m.

  • LB916 – Eliminate integrated practice agreements and change provisions regarding nurse practitioners

○      Status:  Watermeier priority bill pending AM1916 on General File

 

AGRICULTURE

  • LB768 – Change provisions of the Livestock Brand Act and estray provisions

○      Status:  ER163 pending, Agriculture priority

  • LB597 – Change provisions relating to county agricultural societies

○      Status:  Signed by the Governor, February 13, 2014

 

VETERANS AFFAIRS AND ELECTIONS

  • LB805 – Change application requirements to Nebraska veterans homes

○      Status:  Killed in committee

  • LB383 – Provide for Nebraska Armed Forces Pride Plates

○      Status:  Janssen priority bill on General File

  • LB588 – Change veteran employment preference provisions

○      Status:  Signed by Governor, February 18, 2014

  • LB740 – Provide residency requirements for postsecondary education purposes for veterans and their family members

○      Status:  Final reading, March 10, 2014

  • LB75 – Exempt military retirement benefits from taxation as prescribed

○      Status:  On General File with AM2392 pending

Thank you to Chaplain Rebecca Hjelle from Blair First United Methodist Church in Blair for coming to Lincoln to lead the Wednesday morning prayer.

The Unicameral Youth Legislature will be held at the Capitol June 8-11. I encourage all high school students interested in public office, government, politics, law, public policy, debate, or public speaking to attend.  Please contact Ami Johnson at (402) 471-0764 or ajohnson@leg.ne.gov for more details.

Please contact me, my administrative aide, Katie Wattermann, or my legislative aide, Joe Neuhaus, 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.

Keeping the Good Life growing in Nebraska,

Senator Lydia Brasch, District 16

 

Senator Lydia Brasch

Senator Lydia Brasch

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Senator Lydia Brasch

February 20, 2014 Leave a comment


Senator Lydia Brasch

Senator Lydia Brasch

Looking back on last week, Legislative days 18 through 22, multiple ongoing discussions continue to grow regarding legislation pending and in progress. The conversations happen not only at the State Capitol, but also with constituents and others across the state. Of my bills introduced this session the first one to be heard in committee was LB964. The Judiciary Committee hearing on Friday, the 7th was brief but effective. There were two bankruptcy attorneys who spoke in support of LB964. No one spoke in opposition or in a neutral capacity. This bill allows the bankruptcy homestead exemption to be extended to everyone, including single individuals under 65 years old. Current law applies only to single individuals 65 and older and heads of a family (single persons with dependents living in the same home). This bill allows all single people who file for bankruptcy to claim up to $60,000 of the equity they have on their home as an exemption. The committee members had only a few questions about the bill, including one from Chairperson Brad Ashford about why the law had not been amended a long time ago to include single individuals under 65. Please note LB964 has no effect on taxation and should not be confused with the similarly named homestead tax exemption.

Another of my bills from this session, LB1082, which allows all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and utility-type vehicles (UTVs) to be used as authorized emergency vehicles, was heard in the Transportation and Telecommunications Committee hearing on Monday, the 10th. Presently, ATVs and UTVs are restricted from crossing highways with more than two lanes unless they are used for electric utility purposes, but must be properly licensed and insured, must only be operated under 30 miles per hour, and must have the proper lighting and safety equipment, including a bright orange bicycle safety flag. LB1082 allows fire and police departments and volunteer rescue teams to outfit ATVs and UTVs for emergency response use on and around large highways during day and evening hours. This will be especially valuable to rural communities when their standard emergency vehicles cannot easily reach areas far off the beaten path.

Tuesday, February 4 marked the third day of debate on LB399, allowing amber lights on any public safety volunteer vehicle. After eight hours of debate and a bracket motion that failed 16-24, a vote for cloture (an action to cease debate on a bill and immediately vote for its advancement) failed by one vote (32-12). After a failed cloture vote, debate on that particular bill is prevented for the rest of the day. LB399 remains in Select File.

The Revenue Committee heard it’s first two 2014 ag property tax reduction bills this year with LBs 670 and 813. Currently at 75 percent of the land’s actual value, LB670 would gradually phase-in a 65 percent valuation by tax year 2017. The bill was heard by the Revenue Committee on Friday, the 7th, and committee action is pending. LB813 would drop the valuation from 75 to 65 percent immediately after 2015. Last year I introduced LB145, a bill I was asked to carry in 2013 on the behalf of the Farm Bureau, which offers an immediate 10 percent reduction similar to those that former State Senators Fischer and Heidemann introduced during their terms. LB145 is still being held in the Revenue Committee.

Please contact me, my administrative aide, Katie Wattermann, or my leglisative aide, Joe Neuhaus, with questions or thoughts at (402) 471-2728 or by email at lbrasch@leg.ne.gov.
If you are in Lincoln, please stop by Room 1016. We would love to welcome you. Otherwise, please catch the NETV coverage on your local station or at

http://www.netnebraska.org/basic­page/television/live­demand­state­government.

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

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