LINCOLN, NE&nbsp;-- Today, Governor Jim Pillen announced the resignation of Jason Jackson, director of the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) and chief human resources officer.&nbsp; Jackson, who has been with the state since 2016, is leaving to pursue an opportunity in the private sector. His last day is Sept. 27.

Gov. Pillen commended Jackson’s many commitments to state service, including his active military career in the Nebraska Army National Guard.

“Jason exemplifies what it means to be a dedicated public servant,” said Gov. Pillen. &nbsp;“Under his leadership at DAS, that agency improved its responsiveness, not only to other agencies, but also in how it interacts with public entities,” said Gov. Pillen. “That role is one of tremendous responsibility. Jason has much to be proud of when he reflects on his many accomplishments with the state.”

Lieutenant Governor Joe Kelly added: “I appreciate Jason’s service to Nebraska and our team. He is a proven leader who has made significant improvements in our state government. We wish him well.”

“Serving the State of Nebraska has been the honor of my career.&nbsp; I’m particularly proud of working with Governor Pillen to pass the State Procurement Act, reform the Historical Society, and earn recognition for excellence in state financial reporting,” said Jackson.&nbsp; “I greatly appreciate Governor Pillen’s leadership and wish his administration continued success as they work to improve services and provide tax relief to Nebraskans.”&nbsp;

A national search will commence immediately to identify a new director for DAS.

Office of Govenor Jim PillenLINCOLN, NE&nbsp;-- Today, Governor Jim Pillen announced the resignation of Jason Jackson, director of the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) and chief human resources officer.&nbsp; Jackson, who has been with the state since 2016, is leaving to pursue an opportunity in the private sector. His last day is Sept. 27.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1725481903470.jpeg" alt="DAS Director Jason Jackson&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>DAS Director Jason Jackson&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>Gov. Pillen commended Jackson’s many commitments to state service, including his active military career in the Nebraska Army National Guard.“Jason exemplifies what it means to be a dedicated public servant,” said Gov. Pillen. &nbsp;“Under his leadership at DAS, that agency improved its responsiveness, not only to other agencies, but also in how it interacts with public entities,” said Gov. Pillen. “That role is one of tremendous responsibility. Jason has much to be proud of when he reflects on his many accomplishments with the state.”Lieutenant Governor Joe Kelly added: “I appreciate Jason’s service to Nebraska and our team. He is a proven leader who has made significant improvements in our state government. We wish him well.”“Serving the State of Nebraska has been the honor of my career.&nbsp; I’m particularly proud of working with Governor Pillen to pass the State Procurement Act, reform the Historical Society, and earn recognition for excellence in state financial reporting,” said Jackson.&nbsp; “I greatly appreciate Governor Pillen’s leadership and wish his administration continued success as they work to improve services and provide tax relief to Nebraskans.”&nbsp;A national search will commence immediately to identify a new director for DAS.

 Gov. Pillen Announces Resignation of DAS Director

&nbsp; Scottsbluff, Neb. - On 9-3-24 at approximately 3:28 pm, Scottsbluff PD was dispatched to the intersection of Highway 26 and Avenue I in response to an injury accident. A preliminary investigation indicates that a small Nissan SUV was turning north onto Avenue I from Highway 26. A Mazda pickup was traveling west on Highway 26, and the two vehicles collided.

The driver and front seat passenger of the Nissan were transported to RWMC where they later succumbed to their injuries. The driver of the Mazda was extricated from the vehicle and transported to RWMC with non-life-threatening injuries. Seatbelts are believed to have been used by all involved in the accident.&nbsp;

The names of those involved will be released at a later time. Scottsbluff PD was assisted by the Nebraska State Patrol, the Scotts Bluff County Sheriff’s Office, Valley Ambulance Services, and Scottsbluff Fire Department. 

Scottsbluff Police Department&nbsp; Scottsbluff, Neb. - On 9-3-24 at approximately 3:28 pm, Scottsbluff PD was dispatched to the intersection of Highway 26 and Avenue I in response to an injury accident. A preliminary investigation indicates that a small Nissan SUV was turning north onto Avenue I from Highway 26. A Mazda pickup was traveling west on Highway 26, and the two vehicles collided.The driver and front seat passenger of the Nissan were transported to RWMC where they later succumbed to their injuries. The driver of the Mazda was extricated from the vehicle and transported to RWMC with non-life-threatening injuries. Seatbelts are believed to have been used by all involved in the accident.&nbsp;The names of those involved will be released at a later time. Scottsbluff PD was assisted by the Nebraska State Patrol, the Scotts Bluff County Sheriff’s Office, Valley Ambulance Services, and Scottsbluff Fire Department.

Two Killed in Tuesday Afternoon Accident in Scottsbluff

September 4, 2024 (Lincoln, Neb.)&nbsp;&nbsp;— Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol arrested 112 people for driving under the influence during the end of summer&nbsp;Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over&nbsp;campaign. The effort ran from August 14 through Labor Day Weekend.

“This has been a busy summer across Nebraska,” said Colonel John Bolduc, Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol. “But now that summer travel is in the rear view, it’s still important that we all do our part to keep roads safe. Always have a sober driver, watch your speed, put your phone down, and buckle up.”

In addition to the 112 arrests for DUI, troopers also issued citations for speeding (1,792), including 84 drivers who were cited for over 100 MPH, driving under suspension (127), open alcohol container (50), minor in possession of alcohol (36), no seat belt (38), and improper child restraint (24). Troopers performed 717 motorist assists during the campaign as well.

The&nbsp;Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over&nbsp;campaign included troopers throughout the state. The campaign was made possible thanks in part to grant funding from the Nebraska Department of Transportation – Highway Safety Office.

Labor Day Weekend also marked the traditional end of the summer travel season. Since Memorial Day Weekend, troopers across Nebraska have made 444 arrests for DUI. Troopers have also issued citations for speeding (7,882), including 376 for over 100 MPH, driving under suspension (608), open alcohol container (217), minor in possession of alcohol (153), no seat belt (217), and improper child restraint (121).

Throughout the summer, troopers also assisted more than the 3,600 motorists on Nebraska roadways. Any motorist in need of assistance can call the NSP Highway Helpline at *55.

Cody ThomasNebraska State PatrolSeptember 4, 2024 (Lincoln, Neb.)&nbsp;&nbsp;— Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol arrested 112 people for driving under the influence during the end of summer&nbsp;Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over&nbsp;campaign. The effort ran from August 14 through Labor Day Weekend.“This has been a busy summer across Nebraska,” said Colonel John Bolduc, Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol. “But now that summer travel is in the rear view, it’s still important that we all do our part to keep roads safe. Always have a sober driver, watch your speed, put your phone down, and buckle up.”In addition to the 112 arrests for DUI, troopers also issued citations for speeding (1,792), including 84 drivers who were cited for over 100 MPH, driving under suspension (127), open alcohol container (50), minor in possession of alcohol (36), no seat belt (38), and improper child restraint (24). Troopers performed 717 motorist assists during the campaign as well.The&nbsp;Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over&nbsp;campaign included troopers throughout the state. The campaign was made possible thanks in part to grant funding from the Nebraska Department of Transportation – Highway Safety Office.Labor Day Weekend also marked the traditional end of the summer travel season. Since Memorial Day Weekend, troopers across Nebraska have made 444 arrests for DUI. Troopers have also issued citations for speeding (7,882), including 376 for over 100 MPH, driving under suspension (608), open alcohol container (217), minor in possession of alcohol (153), no seat belt (217), and improper child restraint (121).Throughout the summer, troopers also assisted more than the 3,600 motorists on Nebraska roadways. Any motorist in need of assistance can call the NSP Highway Helpline at *55.

Troopers Arrest 112 Impaired Drivers in End-Of-Summer Campaign   

LINCOLN, NE&nbsp;– Governor Jim Pillen joined a slate of governors, education leaders, state and federal legislators and others in a letter to Congress voicing support for the expansion of educational freedom. That letter calls for expanding options to students and parents in all 50 states, though the implementation of a tax credit scholarship program.

The letter reads in part: “American education is in crisis. Many of our kids are in crisis. Academic achievement is at historic lows. School attendance at record lows. Disciplinary issues and violence in schools are on the rise. Lessons about American values have been displaced by political or cultural trends of the day. Education freedom is the answer to each of these challenges.”

This spring, Gov. Pillen signed LB1402 into law, which provides $10 million annually in state funding to scholarship-granting organizations, so students can cover costs associated with attending private or parochial K-12 schools. The program is administered by the state treasurer.

“Not every school is a perfect fit for a kid, no matter if they attend a public or private school,” said Gov. Pillen. “That is why I have supported and continue to support the need to bring options to our students and their families. It has taken Nebraska a long time to get here, and we need to expand on those opportunities, so it is even easier for families to make those decisions.”

Office of Governor Jim PillenLINCOLN, NE&nbsp;– Governor Jim Pillen joined a slate of governors, education leaders, state and federal legislators and others in a letter to Congress voicing support for the expansion of educational freedom. That letter calls for expanding options to students and parents in all 50 states, though the implementation of a tax credit scholarship program.The letter reads in part: “American education is in crisis. Many of our kids are in crisis. Academic achievement is at historic lows. School attendance at record lows. Disciplinary issues and violence in schools are on the rise. Lessons about American values have been displaced by political or cultural trends of the day. Education freedom is the answer to each of these challenges.”This spring, Gov. Pillen signed LB1402 into law, which provides $10 million annually in state funding to scholarship-granting organizations, so students can cover costs associated with attending private or parochial K-12 schools. The program is administered by the state treasurer.“Not every school is a perfect fit for a kid, no matter if they attend a public or private school,” said Gov. Pillen. “That is why I have supported and continue to support the need to bring options to our students and their families. It has taken Nebraska a long time to get here, and we need to expand on those opportunities, so it is even easier for families to make those decisions.”

 Gov. Pillen Joins in Letter to Congress Supporting Educational Freedom

LENEXA, KAN. (SEPT. 3, 2024) – Food producer Hiland Dairy Foods Company LLC of Norfolk, Nebraska, has agreed to pay a $93,107 civil penalty to resolve alleged violations of the federal Clean Air Act’s chemical risk prevention provisions.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the company stores over 10,000 pounds of anhydrous ammonia, a regulated toxic substance, and failed to comply with regulations intended to protect the surrounding community from accidental releases. The alleged violations included:

Anhydrous ammonia presents a significant health hazard because it is corrosive to the skin, eyes and lungs. High levels of exposure may lead to choking and death.

“It is critical that companies that handle dangerous chemicals comply with the safety requirements of the Clean Air Act,” said&nbsp;EPA Region 7 Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division Director David Cozad. “EPA is committed to protecting communities from potentially catastrophic releases, particularly those communities disproportionately affected by environmental harm.”

EPA also identified the community surrounding the Hiland Dairy facility as a potentially sensitive area, because of exposures to toxic air releases, ozone, and proximity to a Superfund site. EPA is strengthening enforcement in overburdened communities to&nbsp;address disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental effects of industrial operations on vulnerable populations.

The Clean Air Act’s Risk Management Plan Rule regulations require facilities that use regulated toxic and/or flammable substances to develop a Risk Management Plan, which identifies the potential effects of a chemical accident; identifies steps a facility is taking to prevent an accident; and spells out emergency response procedures should an accident occur. These plans provide valuable information to local fire, police, and emergency response personnel to prepare for and respond to chemical emergencies in their community.

EPA has found that many regulated facilities are not adequately managing the risks that they pose or ensuring the safety of their facilities in a way that is sufficient to protect surrounding communities. Approximately 150 catastrophic accidents occur per year among regulated facilities. These accidents result in fatalities, injuries, significant property damage, evacuations, sheltering in place, or environmental damage. Many more accidents with lesser effects also occur, demonstrating a clear risk posed by these facilities.

Reducing risks from accidental releases of hazardous substances at industrial and chemical facilities is a top priority for EPA, which identified this goal as one of its&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.gqh-2BaxUzlo7XKIuSly0rC2W6lOt8TGWn0uwc1dqR4o3Hda73-2BV-2BfM-2BmDqmD5mlrv-2FRS1Ge2lkaguC5mWxY-2FYd-2FSvXYxS1i7D6BYDpm4EPD-2BKU6hyM2I5Z0bc1R06dw-2BblHPlnyQz6j9tn7GvPv256a6-2FapMdPIGrb4VpXhS9pr0b1CbPRGRRyFx81hK8RHwsTuIs348Rz5wT-2F-2FbOkiEgfiMKj1PHy-2FsrdoqZHFWMMiwtAp6ws1BgegOdIk8-2BQAkw0YOedE0EIr96wJCZMYjnb1ox0y7LF-2BtkJ-2Fbk0wpobVgYKgzeb8mQK5y6mSB8xhsDo2lG_zEOLHw6mHPpUboszb4lxzn-2FWfgiGZZljUWwyilPPfcrXXfmVBzHnavjtNkTOYjqEx5eOh2mcWHIGY492PIfsWgaL7xv-2BSeMlTvejblPyHuOGv09Vox3aesWje5w3Zw8sWhl44WOxzmRkiIIXw5QLRP4-2B7IYx7GF4li7MvgT5n6-2B-2FumIM967A2nlkXdxOgQwOLghnpFzEacMrqXz-2FwO51MTBF-2BHQopaKpDlZp-2FkVvkIh6My2dCDPPN01fGs-2BCqRjqCB1dvEkHXEDzfnzW7GhBDAxgkofojttDppCvlxGfPNGXEtCrQ4asKkN1VWpPL-2FW8MxkwspgFGcjOVecpxvO23ui51KJzx1G7gRHzmhcto-2Fw-3D">National Enforcement and Compliance Initiatives</a>&nbsp;in 2024.

<a target="_blank" href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.gqh-2BaxUzlo7XKIuSly0rC1nEO5hZFil90pVWQtzGCKpjaLuBsW093i0prKyyyOLhIVZ9FZLbmAhuVNY0SBzXDwXxhmtoSctRjJVMOIC7aIeZrt3ZF-2FBrGeSxGpvfvJBYFmU9mMq-2F8JbKkO4mS9cEmLViwpUP904eKtwtu82cdRzSw2K5mWAC6b1O9ySLET8DuFpCkmzh7u5HHdCnAxnwGOTXt6C3lPf4EDF501U0TWU-3Dz5zO_zEOLHw6mHPpUboszb4lxzn-2FWfgiGZZljUWwyilPPfcrXXfmVBzHnavjtNkTOYjqEx5eOh2mcWHIGY492PIfsWgaL7xv-2BSeMlTvejblPyHuOGv09Vox3aesWje5w3Zw8sWhl44WOxzmRkiIIXw5QLRP4-2B7IYx7GF4li7MvgT5n6-2B-2FumIM967A2nlkXdxOgQwOLghnpFzEacMrqXz-2FwO51MT-2FZt9IOH0ZCpJw-2BUWbFHfmrSqFZWDSPf7H153-2BXcaYI3xro9mMC-2F8c6dj-2BG9WI7j8Ay9VW3ph-2FmKyWUdWITWpljXxkxjRTtuUJ1H7eBtE0Ccp-2BdCv2CcOa8rU7CqSfXmzGaiQqsOTx2YpFyl7xJHVE-3D">Learn more</a>&nbsp;about EPA’s Risk Management Plan Rule.

EPA Region 7LENEXA, KAN. (SEPT. 3, 2024) – Food producer Hiland Dairy Foods Company LLC of Norfolk, Nebraska, has agreed to pay a $93,107 civil penalty to resolve alleged violations of the federal Clean Air Act’s chemical risk prevention provisions.According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the company stores over 10,000 pounds of anhydrous ammonia, a regulated toxic substance, and failed to comply with regulations intended to protect the surrounding community from accidental releases. The alleged violations included:<ul>
 <li>Failure to conduct compliance audits at least every three years.</li><li>Failure to update emergency contacts.</li><li>Failure to conduct and document emergency response coordination activities.</li>
 </ul>Anhydrous ammonia presents a significant health hazard because it is corrosive to the skin, eyes and lungs. High levels of exposure may lead to choking and death.“It is critical that companies that handle dangerous chemicals comply with the safety requirements of the Clean Air Act,” said&nbsp;EPA Region 7 Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division Director David Cozad. “EPA is committed to protecting communities from potentially catastrophic releases, particularly those communities disproportionately affected by environmental harm.”EPA also identified the community surrounding the Hiland Dairy facility as a potentially sensitive area, because of exposures to toxic air releases, ozone, and proximity to a Superfund site. EPA is strengthening enforcement in overburdened communities to&nbsp;address disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental effects of industrial operations on vulnerable populations.The Clean Air Act’s Risk Management Plan Rule regulations require facilities that use regulated toxic and/or flammable substances to develop a Risk Management Plan, which identifies the potential effects of a chemical accident; identifies steps a facility is taking to prevent an accident; and spells out emergency response procedures should an accident occur. These plans provide valuable information to local fire, police, and emergency response personnel to prepare for and respond to chemical emergencies in their community.EPA has found that many regulated facilities are not adequately managing the risks that they pose or ensuring the safety of their facilities in a way that is sufficient to protect surrounding communities. Approximately 150 catastrophic accidents occur per year among regulated facilities. These accidents result in fatalities, injuries, significant property damage, evacuations, sheltering in place, or environmental damage. Many more accidents with lesser effects also occur, demonstrating a clear risk posed by these facilities.Reducing risks from accidental releases of hazardous substances at industrial and chemical facilities is a top priority for EPA, which identified this goal as one of its&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.gqh-2BaxUzlo7XKIuSly0rC2W6lOt8TGWn0uwc1dqR4o3Hda73-2BV-2BfM-2BmDqmD5mlrv-2FRS1Ge2lkaguC5mWxY-2FYd-2FSvXYxS1i7D6BYDpm4EPD-2BKU6hyM2I5Z0bc1R06dw-2BblHPlnyQz6j9tn7GvPv256a6-2FapMdPIGrb4VpXhS9pr0b1CbPRGRRyFx81hK8RHwsTuIs348Rz5wT-2F-2FbOkiEgfiMKj1PHy-2FsrdoqZHFWMMiwtAp6ws1BgegOdIk8-2BQAkw0YOedE0EIr96wJCZMYjnb1ox0y7LF-2BtkJ-2Fbk0wpobVgYKgzeb8mQK5y6mSB8xhsDo2lG_zEOLHw6mHPpUboszb4lxzn-2FWfgiGZZljUWwyilPPfcrXXfmVBzHnavjtNkTOYjqEx5eOh2mcWHIGY492PIfsWgaL7xv-2BSeMlTvejblPyHuOGv09Vox3aesWje5w3Zw8sWhl44WOxzmRkiIIXw5QLRP4-2B7IYx7GF4li7MvgT5n6-2B-2FumIM967A2nlkXdxOgQwOLghnpFzEacMrqXz-2FwO51MTBF-2BHQopaKpDlZp-2FkVvkIh6My2dCDPPN01fGs-2BCqRjqCB1dvEkHXEDzfnzW7GhBDAxgkofojttDppCvlxGfPNGXEtCrQ4asKkN1VWpPL-2FW8MxkwspgFGcjOVecpxvO23ui51KJzx1G7gRHzmhcto-2Fw-3D">National Enforcement and Compliance Initiatives</a>&nbsp;in 2024.<a target="_blank" href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.gqh-2BaxUzlo7XKIuSly0rC1nEO5hZFil90pVWQtzGCKpjaLuBsW093i0prKyyyOLhIVZ9FZLbmAhuVNY0SBzXDwXxhmtoSctRjJVMOIC7aIeZrt3ZF-2FBrGeSxGpvfvJBYFmU9mMq-2F8JbKkO4mS9cEmLViwpUP904eKtwtu82cdRzSw2K5mWAC6b1O9ySLET8DuFpCkmzh7u5HHdCnAxnwGOTXt6C3lPf4EDF501U0TWU-3Dz5zO_zEOLHw6mHPpUboszb4lxzn-2FWfgiGZZljUWwyilPPfcrXXfmVBzHnavjtNkTOYjqEx5eOh2mcWHIGY492PIfsWgaL7xv-2BSeMlTvejblPyHuOGv09Vox3aesWje5w3Zw8sWhl44WOxzmRkiIIXw5QLRP4-2B7IYx7GF4li7MvgT5n6-2B-2FumIM967A2nlkXdxOgQwOLghnpFzEacMrqXz-2FwO51MT-2FZt9IOH0ZCpJw-2BUWbFHfmrSqFZWDSPf7H153-2BXcaYI3xro9mMC-2F8c6dj-2BG9WI7j8Ay9VW3ph-2FmKyWUdWITWpljXxkxjRTtuUJ1H7eBtE0Ccp-2BdCv2CcOa8rU7CqSfXmzGaiQqsOTx2YpFyl7xJHVE-3D">Learn more</a>&nbsp;about EPA’s Risk Management Plan Rule.

EPA Fines Norfolk Company for Alleged Chemical Risk Prevention Violations 

Drug Enforcement Administration - Omaha Field Division

<a>OMAHA, Neb&nbsp;–</a>&nbsp;Five members of a Houston-based organization known for targeting rural pharmacies in Western Iowa and Western Nebraska face federal charges after breaking in and stealing pharmaceuticals in May and June of 2022 and 2023. These five people are part of a larger conspiracy being prosecuted out of the Eastern District of Arkansas in which 42 individuals hailing from Houston’s Fifth Ward are charged with breaking into more than 200 pharmacies across 31 states and stealing an estimated $12 million worth of controlled substances.&nbsp;

Investigators with the five state Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Omaha Division worked alongside local and state law enforcement partners to identify and arrest those individuals responsible for breaking into and stealing from pharmacies in Iowa and Nebraska. Pharmaceuticals including hydrocodone, oxycodone, morphine, Adderall ® and Xanax ®, were among the most common drugs stolen. The stolen pharmaceuticals were transported to Houston and sold illegally.

“These five individuals mistakenly thought that targeting rural communities would provide an opportunity to commit a crime and fade into the wind unrecognized and unaffected,” DEA Omaha Division Special Agent in Charge Steven T. Bell said. “What they failed to realize is that the DEA goes to great lengths to ensure justice is served for those impacted by this senseless act, no matter how rural or remote the location may be. Pharmacy theft is not a victimless crime.”

In 2023, 900 pharmacy burglaries were reported nationwide, with an estimated loss of 3.8 million doses of controlled substances. Across the DEA Omaha Division, which encompasses Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota, 34 pharmacy break-ins have been reported dating back to 2022. Nebraska has the most reported break-ins with 17, while Iowa has 11.

Drug Enforcement Administration - Omaha Field Division<a>OMAHA, Neb&nbsp;–</a>&nbsp;Five members of a Houston-based organization known for targeting rural pharmacies in Western Iowa and Western Nebraska face federal charges after breaking in and stealing pharmaceuticals in May and June of 2022 and 2023. These five people are part of a larger conspiracy being prosecuted out of the Eastern District of Arkansas in which 42 individuals hailing from Houston’s Fifth Ward are charged with breaking into more than 200 pharmacies across 31 states and stealing an estimated $12 million worth of controlled substances.&nbsp;Investigators with the five state Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Omaha Division worked alongside local and state law enforcement partners to identify and arrest those individuals responsible for breaking into and stealing from pharmacies in Iowa and Nebraska. Pharmaceuticals including hydrocodone, oxycodone, morphine, Adderall ® and Xanax ®, were among the most common drugs stolen. The stolen pharmaceuticals were transported to Houston and sold illegally.“These five individuals mistakenly thought that targeting rural communities would provide an opportunity to commit a crime and fade into the wind unrecognized and unaffected,” DEA Omaha Division Special Agent in Charge Steven T. Bell said. “What they failed to realize is that the DEA goes to great lengths to ensure justice is served for those impacted by this senseless act, no matter how rural or remote the location may be. Pharmacy theft is not a victimless crime.”In 2023, 900 pharmacy burglaries were reported nationwide, with an estimated loss of 3.8 million doses of controlled substances. Across the DEA Omaha Division, which encompasses Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota, 34 pharmacy break-ins have been reported dating back to 2022. Nebraska has the most reported break-ins with 17, while Iowa has 11.

Members of a Houston-Based Organization Responsible for Breaking Into Pharmacies in Rural Iowa and Nebraska Indicted

LINCOLN, NE&nbsp;–Gov. Jim Pillen renewed his opposition to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) proposed Pandemic Agreement in a joint statement with 25 other governors.

The joint statement says: “The World Health Organization is attempting one world control over health policy with their new Pandemic Agreement. Twenty-four Republican Governors expressed concern over this development in a joint letter in May 2024. Put simply, Republican Governors will not comply.”

Three months ago, Gov. Pillen joined governors in 23 other states in opposition to the Biden Administration’s expected commitment to support the WHO’s intentions. The letter to the President warns that the proposals would empower the WHO with “the authority to restrict the rights of U.S. citizens, including freedoms such as speech, privacy, travel, choice of medical care, and informed consent.”

Originally, a document was supposed to be voted on by the WHO in early May. So far, a consensus has not been reached. A 10th&nbsp;round of negotiations occurred last month on July 16 and 17.

Office of Governor Jim PillenLINCOLN, NE&nbsp;–Gov. Jim Pillen renewed his opposition to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) proposed Pandemic Agreement in a joint statement with 25 other governors.The joint statement says: “The World Health Organization is attempting one world control over health policy with their new Pandemic Agreement. Twenty-four Republican Governors expressed concern over this development in a joint letter in May 2024. Put simply, Republican Governors will not comply.”Three months ago, Gov. Pillen joined governors in 23 other states in opposition to the Biden Administration’s expected commitment to support the WHO’s intentions. The letter to the President warns that the proposals would empower the WHO with “the authority to restrict the rights of U.S. citizens, including freedoms such as speech, privacy, travel, choice of medical care, and informed consent.”Originally, a document was supposed to be voted on by the WHO in early May. So far, a consensus has not been reached. A 10th&nbsp;round of negotiations occurred last month on July 16 and 17.

Gov. Pillen Renews Opposition to WHO Pandemic Agreement in Joint Statement

Nebraska Department of Transportation

Sept. 3, 2024 (Gering, Neb.) — Weather permitting, work will begin Sept. 16 on N-27, from reference post 90.00 to reference post 110.00, according to the Nebraska Department of Transportation.

Paulsen, Inc. of Cozad is the contractor for this project. Work includes asphalt milling and overlay and permanent pavement marking. Traffic will be maintained with lane restrictions and a pilot car and flaggers. An 11-foot width restriction will be in effect. Anticipated completion is Oct. 2024.

Motorists are reminded to drive cautiously in and near work zones, to buckle up, and to put phones down.

Nebraska Department of TransportationSept. 3, 2024 (Gering, Neb.) — Weather permitting, work will begin Sept. 16 on N-27, from reference post 90.00 to reference post 110.00, according to the Nebraska Department of Transportation.Paulsen, Inc. of Cozad is the contractor for this project. Work includes asphalt milling and overlay and permanent pavement marking. Traffic will be maintained with lane restrictions and a pilot car and flaggers. An 11-foot width restriction will be in effect. Anticipated completion is Oct. 2024.Motorists are reminded to drive cautiously in and near work zones, to buckle up, and to put phones down.

Work will begin on N-27 in Deuel County

Lincoln, Neb- With harvest season soon to get underway, the Nebraska Public Service Commission (PSC) reminds producers of the need to familiarize themselves with Nebraska Grain Laws.

“Understanding the law and how it affects producers/sellers is key to protecting assets,” said Terri Fritz, PSC Grain Department Director.

Under the&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=75-905" target="_blank">Grain Dealer Act</a>&nbsp;if a producer/seller wants to ensure their transactions with a licensed grain dealer are covered by the grain dealer’s security posted with the PSC, they must demand payment within 15 days of completion of their contract with the dealer. Producers/sellers who choose not to demand payment withing 15 days after completion of their contract will be unsecured creditors of that dealer and forfeit any protection from the grain dealer’s security.

Director Fritz said, “It the responsibility of the producer/seller to demand payment within a settimeframe to ensure they are covered.”

Grain Warehouse operators are also reminded by the PSC of the Emergency Storage Policy. In order to store grain on the ground, an Emergency Storage application form, must be filed with, and approved by the PSC.

A list of&nbsp;<a href="https://psc.nebraska.gov/sites/default/files/doc/2024-07-25%20Grain%20Dealer%20List.pdf" target="_blank">licensed Grain Dealers</a>, along with the&nbsp;<a href="https://psc.nebraska.gov/sites/default/files/doc/2024-08-09%20EMS%20Cover%20Letter.pdf" target="_blank">PSC Emergency Storage 2024 memo</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://psc.nebraska.gov/sites/default/files/doc/NPSC%20EMS%20Application.pdf" target="_blank">Emergency Storage application form</a>&nbsp;can be found on the&nbsp;<a href="https://psc.nebraska.gov/grain" target="_blank">Grain Department page</a>&nbsp;of the<a href="https://psc.nebraska.gov/" target="_blank">PSC website</a>.

Deb CollinsPublic Service CommissionLincoln, Neb- With harvest season soon to get underway, the Nebraska Public Service Commission (PSC) reminds producers of the need to familiarize themselves with Nebraska Grain Laws.“Understanding the law and how it affects producers/sellers is key to protecting assets,” said Terri Fritz, PSC Grain Department Director.Under the&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=75-905" target="_blank">Grain Dealer Act</a>&nbsp;if a producer/seller wants to ensure their transactions with a licensed grain dealer are covered by the grain dealer’s security posted with the PSC, they must demand payment within 15 days of completion of their contract with the dealer. Producers/sellers who choose not to demand payment withing 15 days after completion of their contract will be unsecured creditors of that dealer and forfeit any protection from the grain dealer’s security.Director Fritz said, “It the responsibility of the producer/seller to demand payment within a settimeframe to ensure they are covered.”Grain Warehouse operators are also reminded by the PSC of the Emergency Storage Policy. In order to store grain on the ground, an Emergency Storage application form, must be filed with, and approved by the PSC.A list of&nbsp;<a href="https://psc.nebraska.gov/sites/default/files/doc/2024-07-25%20Grain%20Dealer%20List.pdf" target="_blank">licensed Grain Dealers</a>, along with the&nbsp;<a href="https://psc.nebraska.gov/sites/default/files/doc/2024-08-09%20EMS%20Cover%20Letter.pdf" target="_blank">PSC Emergency Storage 2024 memo</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://psc.nebraska.gov/sites/default/files/doc/NPSC%20EMS%20Application.pdf" target="_blank">Emergency Storage application form</a>&nbsp;can be found on the&nbsp;<a href="https://psc.nebraska.gov/grain" target="_blank">Grain Department page</a>&nbsp;of the<a href="https://psc.nebraska.gov/" target="_blank">PSC website</a>.

PSC Issues Harvest Reminders

Sept. 3, 2024 (Gering, Neb.) — Weather permitting, work will begin Sept. 16 on US-385, from reference post 71+00 to reference post 71+75, according to the Nebraska Department of Transportation.

Simon Contractors of Cheyenne, Wyo. is the contractor for this project. Work includes grading, culverts, subgrade stabilization and asphalt concrete paving. Traffic will be maintained with a pilot car and flaggers with the possible aid of automated flagger assisted devices (AFAD). A 12-foot width restriction will be in effect. Anticipated completion is Nov. 2024.

Nebraska Department of TransportationSept. 3, 2024 (Gering, Neb.) — Weather permitting, work will begin Sept. 16 on US-385, from reference post 71+00 to reference post 71+75, according to the Nebraska Department of Transportation.Simon Contractors of Cheyenne, Wyo. is the contractor for this project. Work includes grading, culverts, subgrade stabilization and asphalt concrete paving. Traffic will be maintained with a pilot car and flaggers with the possible aid of automated flagger assisted devices (AFAD). A 12-foot width restriction will be in effect. Anticipated completion is Nov. 2024.Motorists are reminded to drive cautiously in and near work zones, to buckle up, and to put phones down.

Work Will Begin on US-385, south of Bridgeport

Alliance, NE – On September 1, 2024, at approximately 0900 hours, an alarm was triggered at the ATM located outside Nebraska Bank at 1320 W 3rd St. Responding officers, who were aware of similar incidents at ATMs in the Panhandle, quickly reviewed the surveillance footage from the scene. The suspect can be seen trying to forcibly open the ATM. They were driving a dark navy 2013-2015 Honda Civic. 

At 0940 hours, officers located the suspect vehicle traveling on Kansas Street near Highway 385. There were two individuals inside the vehicle when it was spotted. The vehicle was located in the J&amp;C RV Park abandoned shortly after. There were no suspects in the vehicle or the immediate area.

  In response, officers established a perimeter around the area and called for additional support. Deputies from the Box Butte County Sheriff’s Office, Troopers from the Nebraska State Patrol, Game Wardens with the Nebraska Game and Parks, Special Agents with BNSF and Deputies from Scottsbluff County assisted in the search. A tracker dog, drones, and four-wheelers were deployed to search the surrounding fields near Kansas and Highway 385. 

 Despite extensive efforts, the suspect remains at large. Officers are actively engaging with local businesses to gather any security footage that may provide additional leads. The investigation is ongoing, and we urge anyone with information regarding this incident to contact the Alliance Police Department at 308-762-4955&nbsp;&nbsp;

Alliance Police DepartmentAlliance, NE – On September 1, 2024, at approximately 0900 hours, an alarm was triggered at the ATM located outside Nebraska Bank at 1320 W 3rd St. Responding officers, who were aware of similar incidents at ATMs in the Panhandle, quickly reviewed the surveillance footage from the scene. The suspect can be seen trying to forcibly open the ATM. They were driving a dark navy 2013-2015 Honda Civic. At 0940 hours, officers located the suspect vehicle traveling on Kansas Street near Highway 385. There were two individuals inside the vehicle when it was spotted. The vehicle was located in the J&amp;C RV Park abandoned shortly after. There were no suspects in the vehicle or the immediate area.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1725380897692.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure> In response, officers established a perimeter around the area and called for additional support. Deputies from the Box Butte County Sheriff’s Office, Troopers from the Nebraska State Patrol, Game Wardens with the Nebraska Game and Parks, Special Agents with BNSF and Deputies from Scottsbluff County assisted in the search. A tracker dog, drones, and four-wheelers were deployed to search the surrounding fields near Kansas and Highway 385. Despite extensive efforts, the suspect remains at large. Officers are actively engaging with local businesses to gather any security footage that may provide additional leads. The investigation is ongoing, and we urge anyone with information regarding this incident to contact the Alliance Police Department at 308-762-4955&nbsp;&nbsp;

Alliance Police Department Investigates ATM Alarm  

LINCOLN, NE&nbsp;– Today, Governor Jim Pillen announced three initiatives that he, along with the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) would be undertaking now and in the future, to protect the state’s agriculture industry, as well as consumers, from lab-grown meat. Standing before a group of producers at Oak Barn Beef in West Point, the Governor signed an executive order creating strict guidelines when it comes to state agencies and its contractors from obtaining lab-grown meat.

“Nebraska farmers and ranchers, like those here today, are committed to producing the best food products anywhere,” said Gov. Pillen “We feed the world and we save the planet more effectively and more efficiently than anybody else and I will defend those practices with my last breath.”

Additionally, the Governor has directed the Nebraska Department of Agriculture to initiate a rulemaking process to make sure that any lab-grown meat products sold in stores are properly labeled and are not marketed next to natural meat on the same shelves.

“Nebraska consumers want to know and deserve to know that what they are purchasing is safe, wholesome meat and not a lab grown product,” said NDA Director Sherry Vinton. A public hearing has been scheduled Oct. 8, on those draft regulations.

Hannah Klitz owns Oak Barn Beef with her husband Eric. She said as a producer and retailer, she knows how important it is to educate consumers about where their food comes from. &nbsp;

“We are 5th generation cattle producers and business owners with customers across Nebraska and in 49 other states, so transparency is something we value,” said Klitz. “Shoppers want to know that they are getting the best, naturally raised product available. That transparency is essential to maintaining our reputation in the marketplace and meeting consumer expectations.”

Cattle producer Jeanne Reigle said no one works harder to ensure the best treatment of their livestock and their food products than Nebraska’s farm families.

"Nebraska ranchers engage in best practices when it comes to raising their animals. Our focus is on providing top quality products that are favored by consumers here and around the world,” said Reigle. “We need to support our state's top economic driver – agriculture. The uncertainties surrounding lab-grown meat need to be examined more closely and now is the time to put some guardrails in place, so people know what they are buying and consuming."&nbsp;

In addition to the Governor’s signed executive order and the drafting of rules and regulations through NDA, Governor Pillen announced that in the upcoming legislative session he would be working with senators to draft legislation banning lab-grown meat in Nebraska.

This year, Iowa became the third state to sign legislation aimed at regulating the sale of lab-grown meat. Florida and Alabama have already moved to outright ban the products.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1725380700714.jpeg" alt="Pictured (left to right): Hannah Klitz, Jeanne Reigle, Gov. Pillen, Sherry Vinton. (Courtesy of Governor Jim Pillen's office)" />
 <figcaption>Pictured (left to right): Hannah Klitz, Jeanne Reigle, Gov. Pillen, Sherry Vinton. (Courtesy of Governor Jim Pillen's office)</figcaption>
 </figure>LINCOLN, NE&nbsp;– Today, Governor Jim Pillen announced three initiatives that he, along with the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) would be undertaking now and in the future, to protect the state’s agriculture industry, as well as consumers, from lab-grown meat. Standing before a group of producers at Oak Barn Beef in West Point, the Governor signed an executive order creating strict guidelines when it comes to state agencies and its contractors from obtaining lab-grown meat.“Nebraska farmers and ranchers, like those here today, are committed to producing the best food products anywhere,” said Gov. Pillen “We feed the world and we save the planet more effectively and more efficiently than anybody else and I will defend those practices with my last breath.”Additionally, the Governor has directed the Nebraska Department of Agriculture to initiate a rulemaking process to make sure that any lab-grown meat products sold in stores are properly labeled and are not marketed next to natural meat on the same shelves.“Nebraska consumers want to know and deserve to know that what they are purchasing is safe, wholesome meat and not a lab grown product,” said NDA Director Sherry Vinton. A public hearing has been scheduled Oct. 8, on those draft regulations.Hannah Klitz owns Oak Barn Beef with her husband Eric. She said as a producer and retailer, she knows how important it is to educate consumers about where their food comes from. &nbsp;“We are 5th generation cattle producers and business owners with customers across Nebraska and in 49 other states, so transparency is something we value,” said Klitz. “Shoppers want to know that they are getting the best, naturally raised product available. That transparency is essential to maintaining our reputation in the marketplace and meeting consumer expectations.”Cattle producer Jeanne Reigle said no one works harder to ensure the best treatment of their livestock and their food products than Nebraska’s farm families."Nebraska ranchers engage in best practices when it comes to raising their animals. Our focus is on providing top quality products that are favored by consumers here and around the world,” said Reigle. “We need to support our state's top economic driver – agriculture. The uncertainties surrounding lab-grown meat need to be examined more closely and now is the time to put some guardrails in place, so people know what they are buying and consuming."&nbsp;In addition to the Governor’s signed executive order and the drafting of rules and regulations through NDA, Governor Pillen announced that in the upcoming legislative session he would be working with senators to draft legislation banning lab-grown meat in Nebraska.This year, Iowa became the third state to sign legislation aimed at regulating the sale of lab-grown meat. Florida and Alabama have already moved to outright ban the products..

Gov. Pillen and Dept. of Ag Take Action to Address Lab-Grown Meat Sales

Robert Messbarger, MD, of Kearney, has been named the inaugural associate dean for the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s College of Medicine’s regional medical school campus in Kearney.

Dr. Messbarger, a UNMC graduate, will officially step into the new role on Oct. 1, 2024. He currently is the college of medicine’s&nbsp;<a>associate program director for the Kearney-based family medicine residency program</a>.

Bradley Britigan, MD, dean of the UNMC College of Medicine, said Dr. Messbarger is the right leader for this new, important role.

“Rob Messbarger has been part of the Kearney community for decades,” Dr. Britigan said. “As a committed medical educator with strong community ties, he is in the perfect position to ensure that our first class of Kearney medical students, who will begin in Fall 2026, are well positioned to succeed.”

Dr. Messbarger returned to Kearney, his hometown, in 1993, after graduating from medical school and completing his residency in family medicine in Lincoln. (He received his undergraduate degree from then-Kearney State College before attending UNMC.) He began working with the UNMC residency program almost immediately.

“When I came out of residency, I was interested in teaching, and the rural residency training track had just been started. So, I had the opportunity to participate in educating those residents. Education was a big part of what I wanted to do.”

As he prepares to take over as the medical college’s top leader at the University of Nebraska at Kearney, he said the Kearney community is excited about the medical students, as well as UNMC’s other expanding programs at the UNK campus.

"This is not just about the medical school, this is also about the allied health professions, the nursing school, and the opportunities this provides to fill the voids that exist with health care providers throughout rural Nebraska."

The greatest resource for the new medical school campus, he added, will be "without question" the physicians living and practicing in Greater Nebraska.&nbsp;The support of the rural Nebraska medical communities will be integral to providing the students based in Kearney with rural preceptor opportunities.

"Without the support of these physicians, this program could not exist.&nbsp; They are a highly valued resource and one of my top priorities will be to demonstrate our appreciation for their service.&nbsp; One of the key roles of this position will be to go out into these communities and build meaningful&nbsp;relationships."

William Vosik, MD, a retired cardiologist in the Kearney area who served on the search committee, said Dr. Messbarger stood out among several impressive applicants.

“Dr. Robert Messbarger is an outstanding clinician-educator who has nurtured a number of family practice physicians in his leadership role with the residency program. He’s related well not only to his patients, but also to fellow MDs, nurse practitioners and physician assistants, and his colleagues in central Nebraska. He will be an ideal inaugural associate dean and develop relationships with our present and potential proctors for our future central Nebraska medical school.

“We are excited about this in central Nebraska,” Dr. Vosik said.

Dele Davies, MD, interim chancellor of UNMC, called Dr. Messbarger a strong leader.

“Dr. Messbarger is a clinician and medical educator with deep ties to Greater Nebraska, as well as to UNMC,” Dr. Davies said. “With a commitment to his community and a love for medical education, he is ideally suited to guide this new effort to success, and we will be ready to support him in his efforts.”

Plans for the identification of Dr. Messbarger’s successor as associate program director for the Kearney-based family medicine residency program, as well as other leadership positions at the Kearney medical school program, will be announced soon.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1725378992356.jpeg" alt=" Robert Messbarger, MD" />
 <figcaption> Robert Messbarger, MD</figcaption>
 </figure>UNMCRobert Messbarger, MD, of Kearney, has been named the inaugural associate dean for the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s College of Medicine’s regional medical school campus in Kearney.Dr. Messbarger, a UNMC graduate, will officially step into the new role on Oct. 1, 2024. He currently is the college of medicine’s&nbsp;<a>associate program director for the Kearney-based family medicine residency program</a>.Bradley Britigan, MD, dean of the UNMC College of Medicine, said Dr. Messbarger is the right leader for this new, important role.“Rob Messbarger has been part of the Kearney community for decades,” Dr. Britigan said. “As a committed medical educator with strong community ties, he is in the perfect position to ensure that our first class of Kearney medical students, who will begin in Fall 2026, are well positioned to succeed.”Dr. Messbarger returned to Kearney, his hometown, in 1993, after graduating from medical school and completing his residency in family medicine in Lincoln. (He received his undergraduate degree from then-Kearney State College before attending UNMC.) He began working with the UNMC residency program almost immediately.“When I came out of residency, I was interested in teaching, and the rural residency training track had just been started. So, I had the opportunity to participate in educating those residents. Education was a big part of what I wanted to do.”As he prepares to take over as the medical college’s top leader at the University of Nebraska at Kearney, he said the Kearney community is excited about the medical students, as well as UNMC’s other expanding programs at the UNK campus."This is not just about the medical school, this is also about the allied health professions, the nursing school, and the opportunities this provides to fill the voids that exist with health care providers throughout rural Nebraska."The greatest resource for the new medical school campus, he added, will be "without question" the physicians living and practicing in Greater Nebraska.&nbsp;The support of the rural Nebraska medical communities will be integral to providing the students based in Kearney with rural preceptor opportunities."Without the support of these physicians, this program could not exist.&nbsp; They are a highly valued resource and one of my top priorities will be to demonstrate our appreciation for their service.&nbsp; One of the key roles of this position will be to go out into these communities and build meaningful&nbsp;relationships."William Vosik, MD, a retired cardiologist in the Kearney area who served on the search committee, said Dr. Messbarger stood out among several impressive applicants.“Dr. Robert Messbarger is an outstanding clinician-educator who has nurtured a number of family practice physicians in his leadership role with the residency program. He’s related well not only to his patients, but also to fellow MDs, nurse practitioners and physician assistants, and his colleagues in central Nebraska. He will be an ideal inaugural associate dean and develop relationships with our present and potential proctors for our future central Nebraska medical school.“We are excited about this in central Nebraska,” Dr. Vosik said.Dele Davies, MD, interim chancellor of UNMC, called Dr. Messbarger a strong leader.“Dr. Messbarger is a clinician and medical educator with deep ties to Greater Nebraska, as well as to UNMC,” Dr. Davies said. “With a commitment to his community and a love for medical education, he is ideally suited to guide this new effort to success, and we will be ready to support him in his efforts.”Plans for the identification of Dr. Messbarger’s successor as associate program director for the Kearney-based family medicine residency program, as well as other leadership positions at the Kearney medical school program, will be announced soon.

UNMC College of Medicine names inaugural regional associate dean for Kearney campus

LINCOLN, NE&nbsp;– Governor Jim Pillen announced the promotion of Thad Fineran to the rank of brigadier general in the U.S. Army. The advancement will require him to withdraw from state service, to accept a new posting outside of Nebraska in accordance with his promotion.

Currently, Fineran is serving as the interim director for the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE), to which he was appointed by Gov. Pillen in April. He has also served as chief of staff to Major General Craig Strong, adjutant general for the Nebraska Army National Guard.

“I appreciate the leadership that Director Fineran has provided to our National Guard and DEE in particular, while he has been in that role,” said Gov. Pillen. “He has helped bring several projects to fruition, most notably, a grant for $307 million from the EPA that will allow Nebraska to invest in innovative and sustainable agricultural practices, while protecting our environment. Thad also brought renewed focus and measurable expected outcomes to the AltEn remediation project near Mead that will bring the end of that effort into sight.”

“I have sincerely appreciated the trust and camaraderie of Governor Pillen’s administration and cabinet,” said Interim DEE Director Fineran. “The agency directors and the governor’s staff work tirelessly every day to make good decisions on behalf of our state while fostering a culture of stewardship, responsibility, efficiency, and commitment to Nebraska. Thank you for trusting me to lead Nebraska’s most valuable resource – its people.”

Fineran’s last day will be Sept. 30.&nbsp; The search is ongoing to identify a permanent director for DEE.

Office of Governor Jim PillenLINCOLN, NE&nbsp;– Governor Jim Pillen announced the promotion of Thad Fineran to the rank of brigadier general in the U.S. Army. The advancement will require him to withdraw from state service, to accept a new posting outside of Nebraska in accordance with his promotion.Currently, Fineran is serving as the interim director for the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE), to which he was appointed by Gov. Pillen in April. He has also served as chief of staff to Major General Craig Strong, adjutant general for the Nebraska Army National Guard.“I appreciate the leadership that Director Fineran has provided to our National Guard and DEE in particular, while he has been in that role,” said Gov. Pillen. “He has helped bring several projects to fruition, most notably, a grant for $307 million from the EPA that will allow Nebraska to invest in innovative and sustainable agricultural practices, while protecting our environment. Thad also brought renewed focus and measurable expected outcomes to the AltEn remediation project near Mead that will bring the end of that effort into sight.”“I have sincerely appreciated the trust and camaraderie of Governor Pillen’s administration and cabinet,” said Interim DEE Director Fineran. “The agency directors and the governor’s staff work tirelessly every day to make good decisions on behalf of our state while fostering a culture of stewardship, responsibility, efficiency, and commitment to Nebraska. Thank you for trusting me to lead Nebraska’s most valuable resource – its people.”Fineran’s last day will be Sept. 30.&nbsp; The search is ongoing to identify a permanent director for DEE.

Gov. Pillen Announces Promotion of Fineran; Withdrawal from State Service

LINCOLN, NE - Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana (NMM), the ballot committee leading the effort to put the legalization of medical cannabis before voters this November, is reporting that the Secretary of State has unofficially announced that they have met the signature and county requirements on both of their ballot initiatives.

Crista Eggers, Campaign Manager for NMM, released the following statement:

“After years of hard work, we are beyond excited that Nebraskans will finally have the opportunity to have their voices heard on this issue in November. Our fight has been long, it has been hard, but we have never given up. Today we celebrate that very soon, patients in this state will have access to medical cannabis treatment.&nbsp; We want to thank all of the Nebraskans who dedicated countless hours and days of their lives to make this possible, and we look forward to the final certification by the Secretary of State in the coming days.”

On July 3rd, 2024, Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana turned in almost 115,000 signatures on each of their initiatives. 86,499 valid signatures were needed to qualify.&nbsp;

Crista EggersLINCOLN, NE - Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana (NMM), the ballot committee leading the effort to put the legalization of medical cannabis before voters this November, is reporting that the Secretary of State has unofficially announced that they have met the signature and county requirements on both of their ballot initiatives.Crista Eggers, Campaign Manager for NMM, released the following statement:“After years of hard work, we are beyond excited that Nebraskans will finally have the opportunity to have their voices heard on this issue in November. Our fight has been long, it has been hard, but we have never given up. Today we celebrate that very soon, patients in this state will have access to medical cannabis treatment.&nbsp; We want to thank all of the Nebraskans who dedicated countless hours and days of their lives to make this possible, and we look forward to the final certification by the Secretary of State in the coming days.”On July 3rd, 2024, Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana turned in almost 115,000 signatures on each of their initiatives. 86,499 valid signatures were needed to qualify.&nbsp;

Medical Marijuana to be Certified for Ballot

Two U.S. Service members in Turkey were attacked by a group of Turkis Youth Nationalists on Monday, according to a statement from the U.S. Navy’s Sixth Fleet

The Marines were on Liberty during a Regularly Scheduled and Routine Port Visit by the USS Wasp (LHD-1) in the City of Izmir in Western Turkey.

The Two Marines were aided by several other Marines who were in the Area at the time of the Attack, and were then taken to a nearby Hospital for Evaluation where it was determined they had suffered No Injuries, with them then returning to the USS Wasp.

 The Incident is being Investigated by Izmir Police, alongside the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS).

&nbsp;Members of an anti-American youth organization have been detained in connection with the assault, according to authorities in Turkey.

Two U.S. Service members in Turkey were attacked by a group of Turkis Youth Nationalists on Monday, according to a statement from the U.S. Navy’s Sixth Fleet<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fusdos.turkey%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0zpiVr1spf3bUChTKpjj8Qg7Za7WTD7AvX6mGfXbAwLs31wBVsoxDunNGps9UTcCVl&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="317" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div>The Marines were on Liberty during a Regularly Scheduled and Routine Port Visit by the USS Wasp (LHD-1) in the City of Izmir in Western Turkey.The Two Marines were aided by several other Marines who were in the Area at the time of the Attack, and were then taken to a nearby Hospital for Evaluation where it was determined they had suffered No Injuries, with them then returning to the USS Wasp. The Incident is being Investigated by Izmir Police, alongside the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS).&nbsp;Members of an anti-American youth organization have been detained in connection with the assault, according to authorities in Turkey.

15 detained after 2 US servicemen assaulted in Turkey

DAMASCUS —U.S. forces, partnered with Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and captured an ISIS leader, who was assessed as helping ISIS fighters after escape from a Raqqah Detention Facility in Syria, according to statement from the U.S. Central Command.

During the early morning hours of Sept. 1, U.S. forces and SDF captured Khaled Ahmed al-Dandal, an ISIS facilitator assessed to be aiding efforts of detained ISIS fighters to include recently escaped fighters.

Previously, on Aug. 29, five ISIS Foreign Terrorist Fighter detainees (Two Russians, two Afghans, and one Libyan) escaped from the Raqqah Detention Facility. SDF recaptured two escapees: Imam Abdulwahed Akhwan (Russian) and Muhammad Noh Muhammad (Libyan). The search continues for the three who remain at large: Timor Talbrken Abdash (Russian) and Shuab Muhammad Al-Abdli and Atal Khaled Zar (both Afghans).

A primary objective of ISIS remains to free their fighters currently held in detention and subsequently fuel an ISIS revival. CENTCOM forces, in coordination with SDF, will continue to mitigate threats of future escapes and to ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS.

“Over 9,000 ISIS detainees remain in over 20 SDF detention facilities in Syria, a literal and figurative ‘ISIS Army’ in detention. If a large number of these ISIS fighters escaped, it would pose an extreme danger to the region and beyond. We will continue to work with the international community to repatriate these ISIS fighters to their countries of origin for final adjudication,” said Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, Commander, U.S. Central Command.

CENTCOM remains committed to supporting our SDF partners to ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS and to promote regional stability.

DAMASCUS —U.S. forces, partnered with Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and captured an ISIS leader, who was assessed as helping ISIS fighters after escape from a Raqqah Detention Facility in Syria, according to statement from the U.S. Central Command.During the early morning hours of Sept. 1, U.S. forces and SDF captured Khaled Ahmed al-Dandal, an ISIS facilitator assessed to be aiding efforts of detained ISIS fighters to include recently escaped fighters.Previously, on Aug. 29, five ISIS Foreign Terrorist Fighter detainees (Two Russians, two Afghans, and one Libyan) escaped from the Raqqah Detention Facility. SDF recaptured two escapees: Imam Abdulwahed Akhwan (Russian) and Muhammad Noh Muhammad (Libyan). The search continues for the three who remain at large: Timor Talbrken Abdash (Russian) and Shuab Muhammad Al-Abdli and Atal Khaled Zar (both Afghans).<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1725315215033.png" alt="-On Monday, President Biden and VP Harris met in the Situation Room with the U.S. hostage deal negotiation team following the murder of American&nbsp; Hersh Goldberg-Polin and five other hostages by Hamas. -White House photo" />
 <figcaption>-On Monday, President Biden and VP Harris met in the Situation Room with the U.S. hostage deal negotiation team following the murder of American&nbsp; Hersh Goldberg-Polin and five other hostages by Hamas. -White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>A primary objective of ISIS remains to free their fighters currently held in detention and subsequently fuel an ISIS revival. CENTCOM forces, in coordination with SDF, will continue to mitigate threats of future escapes and to ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS.“Over 9,000 ISIS detainees remain in over 20 SDF detention facilities in Syria, a literal and figurative ‘ISIS Army’ in detention. If a large number of these ISIS fighters escaped, it would pose an extreme danger to the region and beyond. We will continue to work with the international community to repatriate these ISIS fighters to their countries of origin for final adjudication,” said Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, Commander, U.S. Central Command.CENTCOM remains committed to supporting our SDF partners to ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS and to promote regional stability.

US troops capture ISIS leader in Syria linked to prison break

(Omaha, Neb.)&nbsp;&nbsp;— At approximately 8:14 p.m. Saturday, a trooper attempted a traffic stop on a motorcycle for speeding and no license plate on southbound Interstate 680 near Pacific Street in Omaha. As soon as the trooper activated emergency lights, the motorcycle rider accelerated and refused to stop. The trooper initiated a pursuit.

The motorcycle entered I-80 westbound and began traveling at over 110 miles per hour. NSP contacted OPD’s Able 1, which was already airborne. The motorcycle exited I-80 at Giles and reentered I-80 eastbound. The motorcycle then exited I-80 and began traveling westbound on L Street. Able 1 was able to gain a visual as the motorcycle turned northbound onto 120th&nbsp;Street.

Moments later, the rider ran a red light at 120th&nbsp;and I Streets and crashed in a westbound van. Paramedics were dispatched immediately, but the rider was pronounced deceased at the scene. The two occupants of the van were transported to Bergan Mercy Hospital with what are believed to be minor injuries.&nbsp;

NSP has requested the Omaha Police Department to conduct the crash investigation. The entire pursuit lasted five minutes.

Nebraska State Patrol(Omaha, Neb.)&nbsp;&nbsp;— At approximately 8:14 p.m. Saturday, a trooper attempted a traffic stop on a motorcycle for speeding and no license plate on southbound Interstate 680 near Pacific Street in Omaha. As soon as the trooper activated emergency lights, the motorcycle rider accelerated and refused to stop. The trooper initiated a pursuit.The motorcycle entered I-80 westbound and began traveling at over 110 miles per hour. NSP contacted OPD’s Able 1, which was already airborne. The motorcycle exited I-80 at Giles and reentered I-80 eastbound. The motorcycle then exited I-80 and began traveling westbound on L Street. Able 1 was able to gain a visual as the motorcycle turned northbound onto 120th&nbsp;Street.Moments later, the rider ran a red light at 120th&nbsp;and I Streets and crashed in a westbound van. Paramedics were dispatched immediately, but the rider was pronounced deceased at the scene. The two occupants of the van were transported to Bergan Mercy Hospital with what are believed to be minor injuries.&nbsp;NSP has requested the Omaha Police Department to conduct the crash investigation. The entire pursuit lasted five minutes.

Motorcycle Crashes, Rider Deceased After Fleeing Omaha Traffic Stop

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/09/02/a-timeline-of-the-nebraska-legislatures-summer-property-tax-debate-april-18-to-aug-21/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN —&nbsp;Over the span of the last four months, Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen lobbied energetically for significant property tax relief, with a stated goal of attaining&nbsp;<a href="https://governor.nebraska.gov/press/governor-pillen-calls-40-reduction-state-property-taxes" target="_blank">40% total property tax relief</a>&nbsp;by the end of his second year in office.

He made clear his intentions in April to&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/04/18/nebraska-lawmakers-adjourn-but-break-will-be-short-lived-as-special-session-looms-this-summer/">call a special session</a>&nbsp;after his previous backed package,&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=49980" target="_blank">Legislative Bill 388</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/04/18/stunning-last-minute-defeat-for-pillen-tax-shift-bill-likely-ensures-special-session/">fell short</a>. Pillen hoped for a different outcome later in the year and by the end of 2024.

“We’re behind at the end of the first half, but we still got a second half to go,” he told state senators as the regular session ended. “Enjoy halftime. We’ll see you again here soon.”

But when the Legislature completed its special session on Aug. 20, the result was an&nbsp;expanded and revamped program providing only about&nbsp;3% to 4% more property tax relief, with total relief roughly around 20%, according to Pillen.

More than&nbsp;200&nbsp;goods or services are exempt from sales taxes in Nebraska, with many of those added over time after the tax was created in 1967. Gov. Jim Pillen eyed eliminating some exemptions to pay for property tax relief, yet none were removed in an ever-evolving special session. Here’s how the ground shifted:

All sales tax exemptions&nbsp;are on the table for&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/06/10/everybodys-got-to-play-breaking-down-nebraskas-more-than-100-sales-tax-exemptions/">potential removal</a>, except food and medicine, Pillen states. By comparison,&nbsp;six exemptions&nbsp;were included in&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=49980" target="_blank">Legislative Bill 388</a>, which failed in spring 2024: lottery tickets, pet veterinary services, animal grooming (except livestock), soft drinks, candy and dry cleaning.

124 exemptions&nbsp;selected for removal:&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/07/14/gov-pillens-property-tax-plan-would-add-new-taxes-on-120-goods-and-services-draft-indicates/">Draft closed-door materials</a>&nbsp;shared among Pillen and 17 lawmakers.

Number of exemptions set for removal drops to&nbsp;108: Part of a formal tax plan that&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/07/18/gov-pillen-releases-nebraskas-plan-for-property-tax-relief-with-few-new-concrete-details/">Pillen and lawmakers unveil</a>.

Still&nbsp;108 exemptions: Introduced as part of LB 1 in the&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/07/29/drafting-errors-could-leave-gov-pillens-property-tax-relief-plan-up-to-139-million-short/">special session</a>.

68 exemptions&nbsp;now identified for removal, along with&nbsp;one additional exemption&nbsp;proposed (residential electricity): LB 34, advanced 6-1 from the Revenue Committee&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/08/12/latest-ne-property-tax-plan-would-add-sales-tax-to-another-70-plus-goods-and-services/">for floor debate</a>.

Removal list down to&nbsp;12 exemptions: State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn in&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/property-tax-debate-to-pick-up-friday-as-nebraska-lawmakers-continue-to-seek-broader-relief/">various amendments to LB 34</a>. She pulled all of them before any got to a vote.

Zero exemptions&nbsp;removed: LB 34 as&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/08/20/legislature-passes-slimmed-down-property-tax-relief-package-ends-nebraskas-special-session/">passed</a>.

Behind the scenes, plans were changing so quickly it was hard to keep up as the summer progressed. Multiple lawmakers working with Pillen said they kept up through reading various news reports.

It’s been almost two weeks since the special session ended and the new laws passed during the 17-day session took effect. Now that the dust has settled, here is a look back at what the governor wanted to achieve and how it evolved — up to the session’s final days.

Lawmakers&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/08/20/legislature-passes-slimmed-down-property-tax-relief-package-ends-nebraskas-special-session/">approved</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=58075" target="_blank">LB 34</a>&nbsp;on Aug. 20 in a special session, more than four months after they went home for the first time. It added $185 million in new school tax relief, the majority of which would be paid through budget cuts. LB 34 also tied yearly property tax increases by municipal or county governments to no more than the greater of inflation or 0% in times of deflation, with a few exceptions.

Lawmakers and State Treasurer Tom Briese have celebrated a third part of LB 34 that revamps the income tax credits for property taxes paid in a program established through LB 1107 in 2020.&nbsp;

Instead of taxpayers needing to request a refund later, the credit will now appear on annual tax statements, beginning this winter.

“This is a big deal,” Pillen said after signing the legislation. “We’re making sure that 45% of Nebraskans who have not been getting that credit will now receive a 20% property tax cut.”

Many of the twists and turns of the special session came at Pillen’s instigation, including&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/07/13/gov-pillens-property-tax-tour-across-nebraska-didnt-lead-to-feedback-for-many-lawmakers/">26 town halls</a>&nbsp;he held as a pressure campaign on state lawmakers,&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/nebraska-senator-says-governor-misused-public-resources-to-promote-his-campaign-and-tax-plan/">campaign texts to constituents</a>&nbsp;and a&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/07/18/gov-pillen-releases-nebraskas-plan-for-property-tax-relief-with-few-new-concrete-details/">self-paid brochure</a>&nbsp;to promote his ideas.&nbsp;

He had closed-door meetings with 17 lawmakers, who were told to not talk about them. Pillen publicly shared the conversations, though, and multiple senators said the group didn’t reach consensus before the session began.

Pillen talked extensively about broadening the state’s sales tax base, which includes&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/06/10/everybodys-got-to-play-breaking-down-nebraskas-more-than-100-sales-tax-exemptions/">dozens of exemptions</a>&nbsp;on various goods and services. In Nebraska, goods are taxed by default unless the Legislature rules them exempt, while services are exempt unless specifically taxed.

Upward of $7 billion worth of sales taxes are annually exempt, according to estimates from the Department of Revenue and Pillen’s staff.

Any time a senator suggested taxing a currently exempt product or service, unlikely legislative allies from across the political aisle lined up to criticize the move as one coming from Pillen.&nbsp;

This included State Sens. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln and Julie Slama of Dunbar, who called Pillen’s&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=58119" target="_blank">LB 1</a>&nbsp;and similar proposals as “<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/07/14/gov-pillens-property-tax-plan-would-add-new-taxes-on-120-goods-and-services-draft-indicates/">a reverse Robin Hood scheme</a>” that “<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/07/18/gov-pillen-releases-nebraskas-plan-for-property-tax-relief-with-few-new-concrete-details/">robs Peter to pay Pillen</a>.”

“I love Nebraska. I’ve been blessed more than I deserve in 100 lifetimes,” Pillen told the Nebraska Examiner the day before the special session began. “But I’m not going to apologize for it. We’ve worked our tails off, we took risks, still do. And the thought that I’m doing this for personal gain, it’s kind of beyond belief.”

Pillen blamed “special interests” for why LB 388 failed and said Nebraskans needed to get involved. He used that same argument for why LB 34 was a “step forward” but not far enough.

In preparation for 2025, Pillen is employing a similar strategy as before the special session:&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/07/13/gov-pillens-property-tax-tour-across-nebraska-didnt-lead-to-feedback-for-many-lawmakers/">Get more Nebraskans involved</a>.&nbsp;

Pillen said Nebraskans need to be informed “so there’s no wiggle room, there’s no misleading with innuendos and all the silly things that go on out in that [Capitol] Rotunda,” where lobbyists often talk to senators.&nbsp;

“We’ve got a heck of a lot of rain in Nebraska,” Pillen said just before he signed the special session proposals. “I did not think we could get a swamp inside the Rotunda.”

At least&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/04/11/tributes-paid-to-15-departing-state-senators-as-session-nears-end-13-leaving-due-to-term-limits/">15 senators are term-limited or otherwise not returning to the Legislature</a>&nbsp;next year, meaning about one-third of senators in the 49-member Legislature will be learning the ropes as more tax proposals are considered.

View a timeline below created by the Nebraska Examiner on the trajectory of the 2024 summer special session and debate on property taxes.&nbsp;<a href="https://cdn.knightlab.com/libs/timeline3/latest/embed/index.html?source=1Pmtb5eOuvxvudvt54B55NRKaH4pMM6cyRKTul7zCfps&amp;font=Default&amp;lang=en&amp;initial_zoom=2&amp;height=700" target="_blank">Or visit the timeline in a new tab online</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1725281433497.jpeg" alt="Gov. Jim Pillen is joined by two dozen lawmakers for a news conference at the end of the Legislature’s special session to address property taxes that begin almost one month prior. Aug. 20, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>Gov. Jim Pillen is joined by two dozen lawmakers for a news conference at the end of the Legislature’s special session to address property taxes that begin almost one month prior. Aug. 20, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Zach Wendling<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/09/02/a-timeline-of-the-nebraska-legislatures-summer-property-tax-debate-april-18-to-aug-21/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN —&nbsp;Over the span of the last four months, Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen lobbied energetically for significant property tax relief, with a stated goal of attaining&nbsp;<a href="https://governor.nebraska.gov/press/governor-pillen-calls-40-reduction-state-property-taxes" target="_blank">40% total property tax relief</a>&nbsp;by the end of his second year in office.He made clear his intentions in April to&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/04/18/nebraska-lawmakers-adjourn-but-break-will-be-short-lived-as-special-session-looms-this-summer/">call a special session</a>&nbsp;after his previous backed package,&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=49980" target="_blank">Legislative Bill 388</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/04/18/stunning-last-minute-defeat-for-pillen-tax-shift-bill-likely-ensures-special-session/">fell short</a>. Pillen hoped for a different outcome later in the year and by the end of 2024.“We’re behind at the end of the first half, but we still got a second half to go,” he told state senators as the regular session ended. “Enjoy halftime. We’ll see you again here soon.”But when the Legislature completed its special session on Aug. 20, the result was an&nbsp;expanded and revamped program providing only about&nbsp;3% to 4% more property tax relief, with total relief roughly around 20%, according to Pillen.<h2>Evolving sales tax debate</h2>More than&nbsp;200&nbsp;goods or services are exempt from sales taxes in Nebraska, with many of those added over time after the tax was created in 1967. Gov. Jim Pillen eyed eliminating some exemptions to pay for property tax relief, yet none were removed in an ever-evolving special session. Here’s how the ground shifted:May and June:All sales tax exemptions&nbsp;are on the table for&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/06/10/everybodys-got-to-play-breaking-down-nebraskas-more-than-100-sales-tax-exemptions/">potential removal</a>, except food and medicine, Pillen states. By comparison,&nbsp;six exemptions&nbsp;were included in&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=49980" target="_blank">Legislative Bill 388</a>, which failed in spring 2024: lottery tickets, pet veterinary services, animal grooming (except livestock), soft drinks, candy and dry cleaning.July 14:124 exemptions&nbsp;selected for removal:&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/07/14/gov-pillens-property-tax-plan-would-add-new-taxes-on-120-goods-and-services-draft-indicates/">Draft closed-door materials</a>&nbsp;shared among Pillen and 17 lawmakers.July 18:Number of exemptions set for removal drops to&nbsp;108: Part of a formal tax plan that&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/07/18/gov-pillen-releases-nebraskas-plan-for-property-tax-relief-with-few-new-concrete-details/">Pillen and lawmakers unveil</a>.July 25:&nbsp;Still&nbsp;108 exemptions: Introduced as part of LB 1 in the&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/07/29/drafting-errors-could-leave-gov-pillens-property-tax-relief-plan-up-to-139-million-short/">special session</a>.Aug. 12:&nbsp;68 exemptions&nbsp;now identified for removal, along with&nbsp;one additional exemption&nbsp;proposed (residential electricity): LB 34, advanced 6-1 from the Revenue Committee&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/08/12/latest-ne-property-tax-plan-would-add-sales-tax-to-another-70-plus-goods-and-services/">for floor debate</a>.Aug. 16:&nbsp;Removal list down to&nbsp;12 exemptions: State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn in&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/property-tax-debate-to-pick-up-friday-as-nebraska-lawmakers-continue-to-seek-broader-relief/">various amendments to LB 34</a>. She pulled all of them before any got to a vote.Aug. 20:&nbsp;Zero exemptions&nbsp;removed: LB 34 as&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/08/20/legislature-passes-slimmed-down-property-tax-relief-package-ends-nebraskas-special-session/">passed</a>.Behind the scenes, plans were changing so quickly it was hard to keep up as the summer progressed. Multiple lawmakers working with Pillen said they kept up through reading various news reports.It’s been almost two weeks since the special session ended and the new laws passed during the 17-day session took effect. Now that the dust has settled, here is a look back at what the governor wanted to achieve and how it evolved — up to the session’s final days.<h2>Automatic tax credit</h2>Lawmakers&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/08/20/legislature-passes-slimmed-down-property-tax-relief-package-ends-nebraskas-special-session/">approved</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=58075" target="_blank">LB 34</a>&nbsp;on Aug. 20 in a special session, more than four months after they went home for the first time. It added $185 million in new school tax relief, the majority of which would be paid through budget cuts. LB 34 also tied yearly property tax increases by municipal or county governments to no more than the greater of inflation or 0% in times of deflation, with a few exceptions.Lawmakers and State Treasurer Tom Briese have celebrated a third part of LB 34 that revamps the income tax credits for property taxes paid in a program established through LB 1107 in 2020.&nbsp;Instead of taxpayers needing to request a refund later, the credit will now appear on annual tax statements, beginning this winter.“This is a big deal,” Pillen said after signing the legislation. “We’re making sure that 45% of Nebraskans who have not been getting that credit will now receive a 20% property tax cut.”<h2>A pressure campaign and sales taxes</h2>Many of the twists and turns of the special session came at Pillen’s instigation, including&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/07/13/gov-pillens-property-tax-tour-across-nebraska-didnt-lead-to-feedback-for-many-lawmakers/">26 town halls</a>&nbsp;he held as a pressure campaign on state lawmakers,&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/nebraska-senator-says-governor-misused-public-resources-to-promote-his-campaign-and-tax-plan/">campaign texts to constituents</a>&nbsp;and a&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/07/18/gov-pillen-releases-nebraskas-plan-for-property-tax-relief-with-few-new-concrete-details/">self-paid brochure</a>&nbsp;to promote his ideas.&nbsp;He had closed-door meetings with 17 lawmakers, who were told to not talk about them. Pillen publicly shared the conversations, though, and multiple senators said the group didn’t reach consensus before the session began.Pillen talked extensively about broadening the state’s sales tax base, which includes&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/06/10/everybodys-got-to-play-breaking-down-nebraskas-more-than-100-sales-tax-exemptions/">dozens of exemptions</a>&nbsp;on various goods and services. In Nebraska, goods are taxed by default unless the Legislature rules them exempt, while services are exempt unless specifically taxed.Upward of $7 billion worth of sales taxes are annually exempt, according to estimates from the Department of Revenue and Pillen’s staff.Any time a senator suggested taxing a currently exempt product or service, unlikely legislative allies from across the political aisle lined up to criticize the move as one coming from Pillen.&nbsp;This included State Sens. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln and Julie Slama of Dunbar, who called Pillen’s&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=58119" target="_blank">LB 1</a>&nbsp;and similar proposals as “<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/07/14/gov-pillens-property-tax-plan-would-add-new-taxes-on-120-goods-and-services-draft-indicates/">a reverse Robin Hood scheme</a>” that “<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/07/18/gov-pillen-releases-nebraskas-plan-for-property-tax-relief-with-few-new-concrete-details/">robs Peter to pay Pillen</a>.”“I love Nebraska. I’ve been blessed more than I deserve in 100 lifetimes,” Pillen told the Nebraska Examiner the day before the special session began. “But I’m not going to apologize for it. We’ve worked our tails off, we took risks, still do. And the thought that I’m doing this for personal gain, it’s kind of beyond belief.”<h2>‘A swamp inside the Rotunda’</h2>Pillen blamed “special interests” for why LB 388 failed and said Nebraskans needed to get involved. He used that same argument for why LB 34 was a “step forward” but not far enough.In preparation for 2025, Pillen is employing a similar strategy as before the special session:&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/07/13/gov-pillens-property-tax-tour-across-nebraska-didnt-lead-to-feedback-for-many-lawmakers/">Get more Nebraskans involved</a>.&nbsp;Pillen said Nebraskans need to be informed “so there’s no wiggle room, there’s no misleading with innuendos and all the silly things that go on out in that [Capitol] Rotunda,” where lobbyists often talk to senators.&nbsp;“We’ve got a heck of a lot of rain in Nebraska,” Pillen said just before he signed the special session proposals. “I did not think we could get a swamp inside the Rotunda.”At least&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/04/11/tributes-paid-to-15-departing-state-senators-as-session-nears-end-13-leaving-due-to-term-limits/">15 senators are term-limited or otherwise not returning to the Legislature</a>&nbsp;next year, meaning about one-third of senators in the 49-member Legislature will be learning the ropes as more tax proposals are considered.View a timeline below created by the Nebraska Examiner on the trajectory of the 2024 summer special session and debate on property taxes.&nbsp;<a href="https://cdn.knightlab.com/libs/timeline3/latest/embed/index.html?source=1Pmtb5eOuvxvudvt54B55NRKaH4pMM6cyRKTul7zCfps&amp;font=Default&amp;lang=en&amp;initial_zoom=2&amp;height=700" target="_blank">Or visit the timeline in a new tab online</a>.

A timeline of the Nebraska Legislature’s summer property tax debate: April 18 to Aug. 21

WASHINGTON –&nbsp;Two foreign nationals are charged by indictment, unsealed this week, with being part of a years-long conspiracy to perpetrate “swatting” attacks and bomb threats against U.S. victims that included senior government officials, according to a media release from the U.S. Secret Service.

Thomasz Szabo, 26, of Romania, and Nemanja Radovanovic, 21, of Serbia, are each charged with one count of conspiracy, 29 counts of threats and false information regarding explosives, and four counts of transmitting threats in interstate and foreign commerce.

The charges were announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, U.S. Secret Service Special Agent in Charge Matt McCool of the Washington Field Office, FBI Assistant Director in Charge David Sundberg of the Washington Field Office, U.S. Capitol Police Chief J. Thomas Manger, and FBI Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston, Sr., of the Minneapolis Field Office.

According to the indictment, Szabo, Radovanovic, and others, were part of a conspiracy that began no later than December of 2020 and continued through January of 2024. The conspirators obtained personal identifying information, including home addresses, for their intended victims, and then carried out “swatting” attacks by falsely reporting emergencies for the purpose of provoking a police response at the victim’s home.

Szabo was allegedly the organizer and moderator of chat groups where the conspirators communicated with one another. They used monikers to communicate including, for Szabo, “Jonah,” “Jonah Goldberg,” “Plank,” “Rambler,” “War Lord,” “Shovel,” “Cypher,” “Kollectivist,” “Mortenberg Shekelstorms,” and “NotThuggin2”; and for Radovanovic, “XBD31,” “XDR,” “Angus,” “Thuggin,” “Thug Hunter,” “NotThuggin,” “DCL,” and “AOD.”

The indictment alleges that, in furtherance of the conspiracy, the defendants committed swatting attempts against 40 private victims and 61 official victims, including members of Congress, cabinet-level executive branch officials, senior official of federal law enforcement agencies, and state officials. The indictment also alleges that the defendants committed bomb threats against four victim businesses, four victim religious institutions, and one victim university.

“Swatting is not a victimless prank—it endangers real people, wastes precious police resources, and inflicts significant emotional trauma,” said U.S. Attorney Graves. “We will use every tool at our disposal to find the perpetrators and hold them accountable, no matter where they might be.”

“I am proud of the extraordinary investigative work done by Secret Service agents at the Washington Field Office in this case,” said Special Agent in Charge McCool. “The perpetrators of these crimes left a trail of victims across the United States, abusing critical law enforcement resources to terrorize elected officials, public figures, and private citizens. We will never waver in our commitment to bring individuals like this to justice.”

"The charges demonstrate how seriously the FBI takes the crime of swatting, which can prevent law enforcement resources from getting to people who actually need them, as well as put lives in danger,” said Assistant Director in Charge Sundberg. “The FBI and our law enforcement partners will continue to pursue and bring to justice those who commit this dangerous crime, no matter where they reside.”

WASHINGTON –&nbsp;Two foreign nationals are charged by indictment, unsealed this week, with being part of a years-long conspiracy to perpetrate “swatting” attacks and bomb threats against U.S. victims that included senior government officials, according to a media release from the U.S. Secret Service.Thomasz Szabo, 26, of Romania, and Nemanja Radovanovic, 21, of Serbia, are each charged with one count of conspiracy, 29 counts of threats and false information regarding explosives, and four counts of transmitting threats in interstate and foreign commerce.The charges were announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, U.S. Secret Service Special Agent in Charge Matt McCool of the Washington Field Office, FBI Assistant Director in Charge David Sundberg of the Washington Field Office, U.S. Capitol Police Chief J. Thomas Manger, and FBI Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston, Sr., of the Minneapolis Field Office.According to the indictment, Szabo, Radovanovic, and others, were part of a conspiracy that began no later than December of 2020 and continued through January of 2024. The conspirators obtained personal identifying information, including home addresses, for their intended victims, and then carried out “swatting” attacks by falsely reporting emergencies for the purpose of provoking a police response at the victim’s home.Szabo was allegedly the organizer and moderator of chat groups where the conspirators communicated with one another. They used monikers to communicate including, for Szabo, “Jonah,” “Jonah Goldberg,” “Plank,” “Rambler,” “War Lord,” “Shovel,” “Cypher,” “Kollectivist,” “Mortenberg Shekelstorms,” and “NotThuggin2”; and for Radovanovic, “XBD31,” “XDR,” “Angus,” “Thuggin,” “Thug Hunter,” “NotThuggin,” “DCL,” and “AOD.”The indictment alleges that, in furtherance of the conspiracy, the defendants committed swatting attempts against 40 private victims and 61 official victims, including members of Congress, cabinet-level executive branch officials, senior official of federal law enforcement agencies, and state officials. The indictment also alleges that the defendants committed bomb threats against four victim businesses, four victim religious institutions, and one victim university.“Swatting is not a victimless prank—it endangers real people, wastes precious police resources, and inflicts significant emotional trauma,” said U.S. Attorney Graves. “We will use every tool at our disposal to find the perpetrators and hold them accountable, no matter where they might be.”“I am proud of the extraordinary investigative work done by Secret Service agents at the Washington Field Office in this case,” said Special Agent in Charge McCool. “The perpetrators of these crimes left a trail of victims across the United States, abusing critical law enforcement resources to terrorize elected officials, public figures, and private citizens. We will never waver in our commitment to bring individuals like this to justice.”"The charges demonstrate how seriously the FBI takes the crime of swatting, which can prevent law enforcement resources from getting to people who actually need them, as well as put lives in danger,” said Assistant Director in Charge Sundberg. “The FBI and our law enforcement partners will continue to pursue and bring to justice those who commit this dangerous crime, no matter where they reside.”

2 charged in swatting conspiracy targeting lawmakers, houses of worship 

With eviction filings leaving a lasting mark on renters’ records, many states are reconsidering how much information landlords really need.

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://stateline.org/author/rsequeira/">ROBBIE SEQUEIRA</a> <a href="https://stateline.org/">Stateline</a>

When&nbsp;pandemic-era tenant protections expired, rents immediately soared, and eviction filings surged last year more than 50% over pre-pandemic levels in some U.S. cities.

These filings can cast long shadows. Simply being named in an eviction complaint, regardless of the outcome, can severely limit future housing options and prolong housing insecurity,&nbsp;<a href="https://poverty.umich.edu/2024/07/16/research-shows-far-reaching-costs-of-eviction-filings-to-tenants-regardless-of-the-outcome-in-court/" target="_blank">according to a recent University of Michigan study</a>.

The situation underscores a growing debate across the country: Should&nbsp;<a href="https://americanprogress.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/09/Eviction-Record-Expungement-Can-Remove-Barriers.pdf" target="_blank">eviction records</a>&nbsp;be shielded from public access to offer tenants a cleaner shot at finding another home?

In recent years, more states are saying, “yes — at least in some cases.”

Eviction filings are public court records. Landlords and property owners can buy databases of the records to screen potential tenants.

Property owners argue that sealing data on eviction filings — most of which are for nonpayment of rent — eliminates crucial insights into rental history. Housing advocates, however, warn that any filing can unfairly block renters from future housing because the outcome may not be an eviction.

An eviction filing doesn’t provide enough information to determine a tenant’s ability to honor their next lease, said Katie Fallon, a principal policy associate with the Urban Institute, a research and advocacy think tank focusing on urban policies.

“Given the low quality of this eviction filing data and the lack of outcomes in the filings themselves, it is a very open question of how accurate these filings are and what information they really provide to landlords,” she said.

This year,&nbsp;<a href="https://legislature.idaho.gov/sessioninfo/2024/legislation/S1327/" target="_blank">Idaho</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/sb0019" target="_blank">Maryland</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mass.gov/info-details/the-affordable-homes-act-smart-housing-livable-communities" target="_blank">Massachusetts</a>&nbsp;enacted laws to seal certain eviction records from public scrutiny and from tenant screening companies.

Last year,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cga.ct.gov/2023/ACT/PA/PDF/2023PA-00207-R00SB-00998-PA.PDF" target="_blank">Connecticut</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText23/SenateText23/S0912Aaa.pdf" target="_blank">Rhode Island</a>&nbsp;also enacted laws that allow for the sealing of certain eviction cases. Arizona, meanwhile,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.azleg.gov/legtext/55leg/2R/bills/HB2485H.pdf" target="_blank">enacted a law</a>&nbsp;in 2022 requiring courts to seal eviction records if cases are dismissed, dropped or adjudicated in the tenant’s favor.

In total, 17 states and Washington, D.C., have measures&nbsp;<a href="https://www.policylink.org/mapping-the-growth-of-eviction-record" target="_blank">sealing</a>&nbsp;at least some eviction records, according to PolicyLink, a national research and advocacy group with a focus on housing.

Zafar Shah, assistant director of advocacy for Maryland Legal Aid, said lawmakers are starting to understand how&nbsp;eviction records can prevent tenants from finding another home.

“We have clients that know they will lose their eviction case, but they want us to shield the information so that the next potential housing provider is not going to use it against them,” said Shah.

“That has really been the impetus for shielding and sealing across the country. These filings don’t tell us a lot, but they carry so much weight in the search for housing.”

An eviction filing could be resolved in a number of ways: A case might be dismissed if the landlord and tenant reach an agreement. The judge might rule in favor of the tenant, allowing them to stay in their home. Or the judge could side with the landlord, evicting the tenant.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1641238301184.png" alt="Google image" />
 <figcaption>Google image</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>With eviction filings leaving a lasting mark on renters’ records, many states are reconsidering how much information landlords really need.</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://stateline.org/author/rsequeira/">ROBBIE SEQUEIRA</a> <a href="https://stateline.org/">Stateline</a>When&nbsp;pandemic-era tenant protections expired, rents immediately soared, and eviction filings surged last year more than 50% over pre-pandemic levels in some U.S. cities.These filings can cast long shadows. Simply being named in an eviction complaint, regardless of the outcome, can severely limit future housing options and prolong housing insecurity,&nbsp;<a href="https://poverty.umich.edu/2024/07/16/research-shows-far-reaching-costs-of-eviction-filings-to-tenants-regardless-of-the-outcome-in-court/" target="_blank">according to a recent University of Michigan study</a>.The situation underscores a growing debate across the country: Should&nbsp;<a href="https://americanprogress.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/09/Eviction-Record-Expungement-Can-Remove-Barriers.pdf" target="_blank">eviction records</a>&nbsp;be shielded from public access to offer tenants a cleaner shot at finding another home?In recent years, more states are saying, “yes — at least in some cases.”Eviction filings are public court records. Landlords and property owners can buy databases of the records to screen potential tenants.Property owners argue that sealing data on eviction filings — most of which are for nonpayment of rent — eliminates crucial insights into rental history. Housing advocates, however, warn that any filing can unfairly block renters from future housing because the outcome may not be an eviction.An eviction filing doesn’t provide enough information to determine a tenant’s ability to honor their next lease, said Katie Fallon, a principal policy associate with the Urban Institute, a research and advocacy think tank focusing on urban policies.“Given the low quality of this eviction filing data and the lack of outcomes in the filings themselves, it is a very open question of how accurate these filings are and what information they really provide to landlords,” she said.This year,&nbsp;<a href="https://legislature.idaho.gov/sessioninfo/2024/legislation/S1327/" target="_blank">Idaho</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/sb0019" target="_blank">Maryland</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mass.gov/info-details/the-affordable-homes-act-smart-housing-livable-communities" target="_blank">Massachusetts</a>&nbsp;enacted laws to seal certain eviction records from public scrutiny and from tenant screening companies.Last year,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cga.ct.gov/2023/ACT/PA/PDF/2023PA-00207-R00SB-00998-PA.PDF" target="_blank">Connecticut</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText23/SenateText23/S0912Aaa.pdf" target="_blank">Rhode Island</a>&nbsp;also enacted laws that allow for the sealing of certain eviction cases. Arizona, meanwhile,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.azleg.gov/legtext/55leg/2R/bills/HB2485H.pdf" target="_blank">enacted a law</a>&nbsp;in 2022 requiring courts to seal eviction records if cases are dismissed, dropped or adjudicated in the tenant’s favor.In total, 17 states and Washington, D.C., have measures&nbsp;<a href="https://www.policylink.org/mapping-the-growth-of-eviction-record" target="_blank">sealing</a>&nbsp;at least some eviction records, according to PolicyLink, a national research and advocacy group with a focus on housing.Zafar Shah, assistant director of advocacy for Maryland Legal Aid, said lawmakers are starting to understand how&nbsp;eviction records can prevent tenants from finding another home.“We have clients that know they will lose their eviction case, but they want us to shield the information so that the next potential housing provider is not going to use it against them,” said Shah.“That has really been the impetus for shielding and sealing across the country. These filings don’t tell us a lot, but they carry so much weight in the search for housing.”An eviction filing could be resolved in a number of ways: A case might be dismissed if the landlord and tenant reach an agreement. The judge might rule in favor of the tenant, allowing them to stay in their home. Or the judge could side with the landlord, evicting the tenant.Regardless of the outcome, the records live on in online court databases.Third-party tenant screening companies scan court records for eviction cases, then sell the data to landlords to use in their leasing decisions.Housing advocates say the data is often inaccurate and misleading. In one state — Illinois — less than half of eviction filings led to actual evictions, according to a 2019&nbsp;<a href="https://housingactionil.org/downloads/EvictionBrief_February2019.pdf" target="_blank">review</a>&nbsp;by Housing Action Illinois, an advocacy group.Alexandra Alvarado, director of education and marketing at the American Apartment Owners Association, a tenant screening provider, told Stateline that the group’s database only displays eviction records with a completed judgment that were filed within the past seven years, which is the time limit set by the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act.“It can be a monetary or non-monetary judgment, but there must be a judgment. So, if an eviction case is filed, but the parties settled outside of court or the tenant won, then it wouldn’t show up in our reports, even though technically it is public record,” Alvarado said. “Our members are getting evictions that have merit and weren’t erroneously filed.”<h2>A Scarlet ‘E’</h2>According to researchers at the Eviction Lab at Princeton University, of the 3.6 million eviction court records in the 12 states they tracked from 2011 to 2015, more than 1 in 5 eviction cases contained little information on the resolution of a case. Ambiguous data can also&nbsp;<a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20201029055456id_/https:/www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/10511482.2020.1748084?needAccess=true" target="_blank">falsely represent</a>&nbsp;a tenant’s eviction history, affecting both renters and scholarly researchers, according to a 2020 study by the group.“While many people think an eviction filing is evidence of late rent payment, nonpayment of rent or a violation of the lease terms, this is not necessarily true,” said Fallon, of the Urban Institute. “Filings can include inaccurate data, such as the parties named in the eviction filing and inaccurate name spellings.”Alvarado, of the American Apartment Owners Association, said landlords have mixed views about laws that allow courts to seal cases that have been dismissed or ruled in a tenant’s favor. What’s more important to landlords, she said, is that their screening process can look back the full seven years for problem evictions.Laws that limit the lookback period — such as in&nbsp;<a href="https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2019R1/Downloads/MeasureDocument/SB873/Enrolled" target="_blank">Oregon</a>, where tenants can request an expungement after five years — affect the tenant screening process more, she said.The system is problematic, Eviction Lab found in a&nbsp;<a href="https://evictionlab.org/demographics-of-eviction/" target="_blank">2020 study</a>&nbsp;of eviction cases filed between 2012 and 2016 in 39 states. In addition to inaccurate information, Black households are overrepresented in eviction filings,&nbsp;Eviction Lab found, as are women — especially Black and Latina women.“When landlords say they need to use eviction filings, which we know aren’t the most reliable information, to make housing decisions, we need to push back on that,” said Jasmine Rangel, senior housing associate for PolicyLink.She and other advocates want eviction court records to be sealed as soon as a landlord files an eviction notice. Otherwise, she said, “third-party services can still scrape that eviction record from online databases and into their tenant screening algorithms.”Advocates point out that eviction records could be made public later if a judge rules in the landlord’s favor.But Shuntera Brown, who lost her home in Phoenix in 2021, said in an interview that any eviction record hurts single moms like herself.Brown, who has three children, has struggled to pay rent even with a full-time job. In December 2020, a bout of COVID-19 caused her to miss work shifts, a paycheck disruption that eventually put her over the edge months later.“It’s a Scarlet ‘E.’ You have this record, you have this thing on your file of an eviction, but there’s no understanding of the context or circumstances behind it,” Brown said. “I remember pleading with the judge that I’ve usually paid on time and that my kids need a home, but he sided with the landlord in, like, seven minutes, and the eviction immediately was on my credit.”<h2>Sealing the records</h2>State by state, the laws differ on the details: Many states allow for eviction records to be sealed almost immediately if the case was dismissed or dropped, or if the tenant won the case. Other states have a waiting period, often several years, during which the tenant must demonstrate good behavior before a record is sealed.Under Maryland’s new law, which takes effect in October, courts must shield records within 60 days of a resolution that doesn’t end in a tenant losing possession of their home. The state also will increase the eviction&nbsp;<a href="https://www.marylandbusinesslitigationlawyerblog.com/renters-rights-stabilization-act-2024/" target="_blank">filing fee</a>&nbsp;from $8 to $43.Maryland landlords filed roughly 400,000 “failure to pay rent” cases in the state’s 2023 fiscal year, according to housing advocates who testified in favor of the new law. In some cases, landlords would file monthly failure to pay rent cases against tenants prematurely and tack on illegal fees on top of the back rent,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.publicjustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/PJC-AR_2023_FINAL_web.pdf" target="_blank">according to a report</a>&nbsp;from the Maryland-based advocacy group Public Justice Center.“The low cost and low barrier to entry have driven the massive quantity of filings, with many cases simply being leveraged to get rent money out of tenants quickly,” said Shah, of Maryland Legal Aid. “I think that the court overall has become more receptive to shielding these cases, recognizing that if a case was dismissed or settled, there’s no reason to hold it against the renter.“This attitude has shifted significantly over the past decade,” he said.In&nbsp;<a href="http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/15-16/bill/asm/ab_2801-2850/ab_2819_cfa_20160620_154723_sen_comm.html" target="_blank">California</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb20-1009" target="_blank">Colorado</a>, as in Maryland, an eviction lawsuit can be automatically sealed as soon as it’s been filed unless the landlord wins the case within 60 days.&nbsp;<a href="https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2022/bills/house/1214/details" target="_blank">Indiana</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/484.014" target="_blank">Minnesota</a>&nbsp;require a tenant to formally petition for sealing once a court reaches judgment.Idaho’s new law shields dismissed eviction cases after three years. And in Massachusetts, tenants can request their case be sealed for a variety of reasons, no matter the outcome, after a period of time ranging from a few months to several years.In Rhode Island, a tenant can only make a request once every five years.Researchers at Eviction Lab told Stateline that state laws should still allow data access for scientists. The 2022&nbsp;<a href="https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/laws/24-115" target="_blank">eviction-sealing law</a>&nbsp;in Washington, D.C., for example, specifies that records can be unsealed for scholarly, educational, journalistic or governmental purposes.“There is an important public right to know what is going on in the housing market, and this is one of our data points into the eviction crisis,” said Carl Gershenson, lab director at Eviction Lab. “There is a balance that can be achieved that is in the best interest of tenants and how these filings can be used as datapoints to understand the housing crisis.”