Session winding down (04/14/08)
LINCOLN -- The Nebraska Legislature is winding down the Second Regular Session of the 100th Legislature with only three legislative days left in the short 60-day session. Much has transpired this year in 2008, so next week I plan to do a session in review, hitting on the major issues of 2008. ...

Finalizing the state budget (04/01/08)
Last Friday, the budget adjustments for the second year of the biennium passed the Legislature and are awaiting the signature of the Governor. I would like to summarize several of the changes in Legislative Bills 959, 960, and 961 to the State's budget, and touch on couple other bills...

Compromise helped advance LB958 gun regulation (03/18/08)
Many of you contacted my office over the last several weeks to voice your opposition to Legislative Bill 958, which dealt with gun regulations in Nebraska. My staff and I conveyed my opposition to LB958 because it would put in place unnecessary regulations on law-abiding gun owners and do nothing to stop criminals from committing violent crimes. ...

Time running out for Legislature (03/11/08)
After last week, the Legislature only has 23 more legislative days to finish its work for the 2008 session. All-day debate started last week and much was discussed on the floor of the Unicameral. I would like to hit on a few of those discussions. Increased penalties for the possession of marijuana, was one of those issues that had extended discussions. ...

Motives behind LB233 CA (03/04/08)
Earlier this session I introduced Legislative Resolution 233 CA (Constitutional Amendment), which stated that "the state shall not discriminate against, or grant preferential treatment to, any individual or group on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin in the operation of public employment, public education, or public contracting."...

LB660 is good compromise on stem cells (02/25/08)
Over the last several years, there has been an on- going debate between the University of Nebraska Medical Center and pro-life, family, and ethical research groups regarding human cloning and the destruction of human embryos for research. Last week, we had a positive step forward with an amendment to which both sides have agreed...

Gunlocks another unnecessary burden (02/12/08)
This week I would like to address Legislative Bill 958 that would create additional regulations on firearms in Nebraska. I have received a considerable number of phone calls and emails from constituents in my district regarding LB958 concerned that it would only create additional burdens on law-abiding gun owners. I would agree with their analysis and oppose the advancement of LB958...

Repealing trapping restrictions (02/05/08)
The Nebraska Legislature is beginning its third week of public hearings on bills introduced this session, and we have just over 40 legislative days until the end of this short session. This week I would like to talk about the hearing on one of my bills, Legislative Bill 743, which would repeal the restrictions on trapping in the county road rights-of-way, put in place by an amendment last session...

Recognizing members of the armed forces (01/29/08)
This past week in the Nebraska Legislature consisted of mornings on the floor followed by afternoons of Committee Hearings. I had two bills heard by committees this past Friday and would like to share them and how the hearing went. The Judiciary Committee heard Legislative Bill 826, which would make non-resident military personnel eligible for a concealed handgun permit. ...

Senator outlines legislation for current session (01/16/08)
The 2008 Legislative Session has arrived and it is the second week of the second session. I would like to share with you what bills will be introduced in the upcoming weeks and what bills I have already been introduced this past week. The 2008 session will be a short one but I believe it can be a successful one...

Merry Christmas (12/19/07)
Merry Christmas! It is that time of year when the schedule gets overcrowded with parties and events, and the budget gets pressed to the limit, but do not miss the wonderful message of the season. Our current culture does not like offending anyone and so it seems like Christmas has become watered-down to a "Happy Holiday," or a "Seasons Greetings." To me, these watered-down slogans beg the question, why? Why is everyone so happy, and what "holy day" are we celebrating? And, why is everyone sending greetings on one of the coldest darkest days of the year?. ...

LB701: Look at the whole picture (11/29/07)
Are we really thinking through the economic consequences of the very real possibility of increased state or federal regulation if we do not have the right local funding mechanisms in place in LB701? We need to step back and look at the whole picture...

Lawsuit not very 'friendly' (11/20/07)
Actions by Friends of the River are not necessarily "friendly" to the people of the basin. Payments for irrigators in three irrigation districts were due to be paid at the beginning of this month, but were not paid because of uncertainty caused by a lawsuit filed to challenge the constitutionality of a property tax mechanism in LB701. ...

Implementing LB701 (07/24/07)
I wanted to touch on how we are doing on the implementation of Legislative Bill 701, which provided tools to address the water compliance issue with Kansas. This Wednesday will be the last of four meetings throughout the 44th District being held to enlist the cooperation of landowners along the Republican River west of Harlan with vegetation management put in motion by LB701...

Senators home for interimn studies (06/26/07)
The Nebraska Legislature has adjourned for the year and has entered the interim period. During this time when the senators head back to their districts, attention is turned to interim studies, preparations for the next session, and following the implementation of bills passed in the last session. I would like share with you what studies I introduced and other studies I will be involved with, or that are important to the district...

Getting back to normal (06/06/07)
We finished our last three days of the 2007 Legislative Session last week and I am glad to get back home to a somewhat normal schedule. Again, I want to thank everyone for your support and insight into many issues this session. I am grateful for the opportunity to represent the 44th District and look forward to the next several years...

Little chance for leftover bills to pass (05/30/07)
It is the last week of the First Regular Session of the 100th Legislature and any bill that has not made it onto the agenda by now has little chance to see debate this year. With only three legislative days left the bills that have not been indefinitely postponed (killed) and are sitting in committee or in the debate process at the end of this session, will be carried over to next year's session...

Bill promotes commmunity-based energy (05/23/07)
Hello, from the State Capitol! First, I would like to let everyone know how much I have enjoyed meeting many of you and your children as they have come to tour the Capitol and or the Governor's Mansion on field trips. It has been fun to talk to the kids and interact with them about the process down here. I hope they enjoyed it and have learned a little more about their state government...

Only days left in legislative session (05/17/07)
We are halfway through May with only 11 legislative days left after finishing the 79th day of a 90-day session last Thursday. Much was discussed last week including the budget, recreational liability (a response to the Nebraska Supreme Court's ruling in Bronsen vs. Dawes County), and the Metro schools issues just to name a few...

Burning the midnight oil (05/08/07)
Late nights began this last week at the Nebraska Legislature with senators debating into the evening. In fact, debate ran just short of midnight last Thursday as senators discussed LB367 (the tax package) and LB305, a bill that would direct sales and use tax collected on leased motor vehicles to the highway funds instead of the General Fund...

Legislative session passing quickly (05/01/07)
Last Thursday we completed the 71st day of the first regular session of the 100th Legislature. With only 19 legislative days left this year, it seems like the session has gone very quickly. I have appreciated this honor of representing you in the Nebraska Legislature and I will continue to due my best to represent the 44th District...

Taxes main topic of debate on legislative floor (04/24/07)
Another week has gone by and much was discussed on the floor of the Legislature. Taxes took up a large portion of time with Legislative Bill 367 being debated. In that bill, we considered the tax package put together by the Revenue Committee that proposed a reduction of more than $400 million in taxes over the next two years. In the proposal, the Revenue Committee recommended changes to property taxes, income taxes, sales taxes, and the estate tax...

The bottom line on the water bill (04/16/07)
It has been a long road, but the day has finally come; Legislative Bill 701, the "Water Bill," is finally being debated on the floor of the Legislature. LB701 has advanced from its first round of debate (General File) to the second round of debate (Select File), and will be debated again sometime this next week, the week of the 15th...

Senator's daughter 'doing great' (04/05/07)
Several of you have been asking about our daughter, Emilee, who was in a car accident in February. What a miracle this situation has been! It was a lonely, country road. There was snow on the ground on a cold evening. But, when she was thrown from the vehicle, she had her cell phone with her and she remained conscious, so she called for help herself. ...

Be assured, your voice is heard (03/22/07)
Your voice is heard. You may think that is just something we politicians say to you to make you feel good. At the end of these articles, I've asked for your input. Do I really want it? Yes. Do I pay any attention to it? Yes. Many of you have e-mailed, snail-mailed, and called in on a variety of bills, not just those I introduced. Some of you participate in the conference calls. Some of you have even made the trek to Lincoln to participate in hearings. I think all of this is great!...

Balancing urban, rural interests (03/17/07)
As a freshman senator, I've found there is a lot to learn, and I imagine I'll be learning more as the years go by. Participating in the legislative process is more interesting than I had realized it would be. I love being able to brainstorm with people in the District and with my colleagues here in order to find workable solutions that help both rural and urban Nebraska. ...

Senator 'blessed, humbled' over public response (03/06/07)
Last week was a busy and stressful week, but also one that solidified in our minds what great friends and support we have as well as what happens when the district turns out on important issues. Thank you so much to all of you who traveled so far to be here in Lincoln for the water bill hearing. Thank you to everyone who supports my efforts here, in both seen and unseen ways...

Three options on the water issue (02/27/07)
There are a lot of ideas regarding how to solve the water problems. It seems like everyone you talk to has an idea of what shouldn't be done. There are more ideas on what not to do than ideas on how to solve the problem. The way I look at it, there are three options that are formed well enough they can be implemented in the timeframe we have. ...

Natural Resources Committee seeking input (02/14/07)
The Natural Resources Committee of the Legislature is asking for your input in dealing with water issues in the Republican River Basin. The Committee asks that you give your input on Feb. 28, at 1:30 p.m. at the Capitol in Lincoln. There will be hearings for two different bills -- LB 458, introduced by Senator Tom Carlson, and LB 701, introduced by Senator Mark Christensen. You can review these bills online at http://nebraskalegislature.gov/. Click on the Bill Finder link. ...

Senator pens first 'Letter Back Home' (12/30/06)