Privacy concerns raised over wage bill

McCOOK, Nebraska -- McCook Area Chamber of Commerce members raised concerns to Sen. Mark Christensen this morning that a bill recently introduced by Sen. Tanya Cook would be an invasion of privacy. Larry Eisenmenger of McCook said LB 1085 intends to require Nebraska employers of 50 or more employees to publicly list all of their employees' salaries on an annual basis.

The introduced copy of the bill states the listing would be made "without any name or other information that would make an employee readily identifiable," however, it would require employers list salaries, job title, gender, age and years of service.

Eisenmenger said he believed the bill would be a morale-killer and cause undue arguments over wages for employers.

Sen. Christensen said he agreed with the privacy concerns and hoped the bill failed to make it out of committee.

The senator was reluctant to pledge his support towards legislation introduced which includes the expansion of medicaid at the state level though. Community Hospital representatives asked Sen. Christensen to take another look at the legislation and said it was far different than what was introduced last session.

Jim Ulrich, Chief Executive Officer of Community Hospital said there were several differences for the bill this time around.

"Sunsetting if the federal government doesn't come through and also teeth for misuse of the ER," said Ulrich, adding it was not just an expansion of medicaid as it was often mislabeled.

Ulrich said the proposal that was presented this time was a result of really listening to concerns raised by senators and looking at what other states are doing.

"It is quite different from last year's expansion," said Ulrich, adding it also tied into the idea of increasing home medical care.

Sen. Christensen said he had concerns, including whether the numbers presented with the legislation could be trusted.

Ulrich said it was still an unknown as far as how the free market would receive such a model and added that sometimes trying new ways was required in order o pave the way for future changes in the medical field.

McCook Economic Development Director Rex Nelson said legislators needed to take into consideration that businesses in states that did not establish their own healthcare exchange, like Nebraska, could face significant penalties if their program doesn't meet federal requirements. Nelson estimated the fine between $2,000 and $4,000 per employee for businesses with more than 50 employees.

Changes to how the McCook Work Ethic Camp operates have been put on hold until after a pair of prison surveys is completed. Sen. Christensen said he killed a bill related to the WEC on Monday and would likely revisit the topic after the studies were completed, which would assess overcrowding and other issues within the state prison system. The senator estimated both studies to be completed within the next year.

Sen. Christensen said legislators discussed issues with mountain lions Wednesday and debated whether a problem existed. The conversation stemmed from a hearing on a bill introduced by Sen, Ernie Chambers, LB 671, which intends to eliminate the Nebraska Game and Parks ability to establish hunting seasons for the cats.

"It was interesting listening to what areas are having problems with them," said Sen. Christensen. Jerda Vickers said most people didn't report mountain lion sightings to game and parks but she knew the animals had been seen in various local areas. Sen. Christensen agreed and said "we're not doing what we need to do."

Sen. Chambers bill states Commission Deputy Director Tom McCoy noted that "there have been no confirmed reports of mountain lions preying on livestock or pets in Nebraska" and "no one has been attacked," crediting a Jan. 19, 2014, Omaha World-Herald article.