Getting back to normal

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.

Two of the major issues last week were LB 570 that would give the Department of Motor Vehicles the authority to issue Gold Star license plates to family members of fallen soldiers, and LB 658 that would provide a procedure for Class I school districts to reorganize.

First, LB 570 had extended debate on Select File where a couple of amendments were adopted for clarification and narrowing of the bill. One clarified which relatives could apply for a plate, while another disqualified soldiers who were not in good standing when they died while on active duty. This bill also provides for a portion of the plate fees to be directed to the Nebraska Veteran Cemetery System Operation Fund. The bill advanced to Final reading, passed the Legislature with a 45-1 vote, and was signed by the Governor into law. I was glad to see this bill pass providing another opportunity to honor the sacrifice of our fallen soldiers. The operative date of the bill is January 1, 2010.

Second, LB 658 was a bill to provide a process for the reorganization of Class I school districts after Nebraska voters decided to repeal LB 126 (2005) in the 2006 November elections. Opponents of the bill felt there were too many hurdles to get over for Class I's to reorganize making it, in effect, impossible for the majority of Class I's to come back. Because of this, they felt the bill was not in the spirit of the repeal. An attempt to return the bill to Select File for an amendment by the opponents failed last Tuesday, and the bill passed the Legislature on a 36-12 vote. The Governor did not decide until Thursday if he was going to sign it or veto it. He decided to veto the bill with an agreement from the Class I folks that they would file no more law suits and agree to work with the legislature to come to a reasonable agreement next session. A motion to override the bill came up short after gathering only 24 votes of the 30 needed to override the Governor's veto. I voted against the override to give another chance at a better bill next session.

Another issue was LR 1 CA that would put salaries for Legislators back on the ballot for the voters to consider. The increase to a $22,000 salary saw a shift in support after an amendment postponing the date it would be on the ballot and the date a new salary would take effect was offered and adopted. The new language states that the subject would be put on the primary ballot in 2010. If approved it would not take effect until 2011. The Legislative Resolution passed the Legislature and was sent to the Secretary of State. I have consistently argued that we need to pay senators more so we can get a better representation of the middle-class in the Unicameral. Currently, many of the senators are the well-to-do and the retired, or those with very flexible occupations. I feel an increase is the right thing to do.

As always, please contact me with any questions or concerns.