By PAUL HAMMEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/03/30/package-of-income-tax-cuts-advances-from-first-round-debate-on-resounding-41-0-vote/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — A package of state income tax cuts, designed to move 
Nebraska to among the lowest tax states in the country, advanced 
Thursday from first-round debate on a 41-0 vote.

The main sponsor of Legislative Bill 754, State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan 
of Elkhorn, said that if the package is ultimately passed, the state 
should rank among the lowest 15 states in the union in terms of 
taxation. Right now, the Tax Foundation ranks the state’s “business tax 
climate” as 29th nationally.

Under LB 754, the state’s top personal income tax rate, along with 
the state corporate income tax rate, would gradually decrease to 3.99% 
by tax year 2027. That proposal and a property tax relief proposal are 
projected to provide $3 billion in combined tax cuts over six years. 
That is billed as a record by Gov. Jim Pillen, who is backing the 
measures.

The current top individual rate is 6.27% and will trend downward to 5.84% under a tax-relief package passed last year. But Linehan and other supporters of the bill said those rates put Nebraska at a competitive disadvantage with neighboring states.

Iowa recently moved to lower its income tax rate to a flat 3.9%, and a <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/02/22/kansas-senate-flat-tax-would-cut-1-for-low-wage-earners-hand-windfall-to-top/">4.75% flat tax is moving through the Kansas</a> legislature, while two neighboring states, South Dakota and Wyoming, do not levy a state income tax.

“Bringing down our top income tax 
rate is critical for the future of the state of Nebraska,” Linehan told 
senators during debate Wednesday night. “We are overtaxed in Nebraska.”

Over two days of debate, <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/03/29/advocates-for-income-tax-cuts-dispute-critics-who-say-reductions-are-only-for-the-wealthy/">lawmakers amended several other tax-relief</a> measures into LB 754 (see infobox). Debate on the property tax bills could begin as soon as Friday.

Two attempts at making the income tax cuts more moderate were fended off <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/03/29/advocates-for-income-tax-cuts-dispute-critics-who-say-reductions-are-only-for-the-wealthy/">during debate Wednesday</a>.
 And supporters of LB 754 pushed back on criticism that the income tax 
cut package is aimed mostly at the wealthiest Nebraskans and offers 
relatively little to low-income residents.

The Lincoln-based OpenSky Policy Institute projected that Nebraskans 
with household incomes above $138,000 will see the bulk of the tax 
break. Households with taxable income under $32,950 would see no 
reduction because tax rates at that level are already under 3.99%.

“The tax cut provisions in LB 754 are a good deal for the wealthiest 
Nebraskans, but these proposed cuts could threaten education and health 
care and other things we value that would hurt our working families and 
small businesses,” said Rebecca Firestone, OpenSky’s executive director.

Lincoln Sen. Danielle Conrad said that in tough economic times, the Legislature doesn’t raise taxes, it cuts programs.

Sen. Jane Raybould of Lincoln, citing a report from Moody’s, said 
that cutting the corporate tax rates does not stimulate new hiring or 
increased production. That is driven by sales.

Bayard Sen. Steve Erdman said the bill doesn’t solve the state’s 
problem with high taxes. That, he said, is only accomplished by 
scrapping the state’s tax system entirely and shifting to a <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/01/05/backers-of-nebraska-consumption-tax-amend-proposal-launch-petition-drive-for-2024-ballot/">“consumption tax,”</a> which Erdman has advocated for years but has failed to advance in the Legislature.

Conrad and other critics expressed concern that foregoing so much 
state revenue, by cutting income taxes, would leave the state short of 
money in an economic downturn to finance other priorities, such as K-12 
school aid.

But opponents of LB 754 were unsuccessful in seeking to amend LB 754.
 One amendment, which failed on a 32-8 vote Wednesday, would have 
lowered the top rate to 4.99% rather than 3.99%.

Supporters of the bill said fiscal projections by Gov. Jim Pillen’s 
office show that Nebraska has plenty of excess funds to provide the tax 
breaks.

Lee Will, the governor’s top budget aide, has said the <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/02/02/pillen-tax-cut-ideas-win-support-of-business-groups-prompt-criticism-from-community-colleges/">state could weather three years of the state’s worst economic downturn</a> in history and still provide the tax cuts, due to the ballooning of the state’s cash reserve fund to a record $1.6 billion.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680202677674.png" alt="State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn, chair of the Revenue Committee, addresses an income tax package on the floor of the Legislature on Wednesday. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn, chair of the Revenue Committee, addresses an income tax package on the floor of the Legislature on Wednesday. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>By PAUL HAMMEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/03/30/package-of-income-tax-cuts-advances-from-first-round-debate-on-resounding-41-0-vote/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — A package of state income tax cuts, designed to move 
Nebraska to among the lowest tax states in the country, advanced 
Thursday from first-round debate on a 41-0 vote.The main sponsor of Legislative Bill 754, State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan 
of Elkhorn, said that if the package is ultimately passed, the state 
should rank among the lowest 15 states in the union in terms of 
taxation. Right now, the Tax Foundation ranks the state’s “business tax 
climate” as 29th nationally.Under LB 754, the state’s top personal income tax rate, along with 
the state corporate income tax rate, would gradually decrease to 3.99% 
by tax year 2027. That proposal and a property tax relief proposal are 
projected to provide $3 billion in combined tax cuts over six years. 
That is billed as a record by Gov. Jim Pillen, who is backing the 
measures.The current top individual rate is 6.27% and will trend downward to 5.84% under a tax-relief package passed last year. But Linehan and other supporters of the bill said those rates put Nebraska at a competitive disadvantage with neighboring states.<h2>Iowa, Kansas lowering rates</h2>Iowa recently moved to lower its income tax rate to a flat 3.9%, and a <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/02/22/kansas-senate-flat-tax-would-cut-1-for-low-wage-earners-hand-windfall-to-top/">4.75% flat tax is moving through the Kansas</a> legislature, while two neighboring states, South Dakota and Wyoming, do not levy a state income tax.“Bringing down our top income tax 
rate is critical for the future of the state of Nebraska,” Linehan told 
senators during debate Wednesday night. “We are overtaxed in Nebraska.”Over two days of debate, <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/03/29/advocates-for-income-tax-cuts-dispute-critics-who-say-reductions-are-only-for-the-wealthy/">lawmakers amended several other tax-relief</a> measures into LB 754 (see infobox). Debate on the property tax bills could begin as soon as Friday.<h2>Amendments defeated</h2>Two attempts at making the income tax cuts more moderate were fended off <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/03/29/advocates-for-income-tax-cuts-dispute-critics-who-say-reductions-are-only-for-the-wealthy/">during debate Wednesday</a>.
 And supporters of LB 754 pushed back on criticism that the income tax 
cut package is aimed mostly at the wealthiest Nebraskans and offers 
relatively little to low-income residents.The Lincoln-based OpenSky Policy Institute projected that Nebraskans 
with household incomes above $138,000 will see the bulk of the tax 
break. Households with taxable income under $32,950 would see no 
reduction because tax rates at that level are already under 3.99%.“The tax cut provisions in LB 754 are a good deal for the wealthiest 
Nebraskans, but these proposed cuts could threaten education and health 
care and other things we value that would hurt our working families and 
small businesses,” said Rebecca Firestone, OpenSky’s executive director.Lincoln Sen. Danielle Conrad said that in tough economic times, the Legislature doesn’t raise taxes, it cuts programs.Sen. Jane Raybould of Lincoln, citing a report from Moody’s, said 
that cutting the corporate tax rates does not stimulate new hiring or 
increased production. That is driven by sales.Bayard Sen. Steve Erdman said the bill doesn’t solve the state’s 
problem with high taxes. That, he said, is only accomplished by 
scrapping the state’s tax system entirely and shifting to a <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/01/05/backers-of-nebraska-consumption-tax-amend-proposal-launch-petition-drive-for-2024-ballot/">“consumption tax,”</a> which Erdman has advocated for years but has failed to advance in the Legislature.<h2>Could force cuts in state programs</h2>Conrad and other critics expressed concern that foregoing so much 
state revenue, by cutting income taxes, would leave the state short of 
money in an economic downturn to finance other priorities, such as K-12 
school aid.But opponents of LB 754 were unsuccessful in seeking to amend LB 754.
 One amendment, which failed on a 32-8 vote Wednesday, would have 
lowered the top rate to 4.99% rather than 3.99%.Supporters of the bill said fiscal projections by Gov. Jim Pillen’s 
office show that Nebraska has plenty of excess funds to provide the tax 
breaks.Lee Will, the governor’s top budget aide, has said the <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/02/02/pillen-tax-cut-ideas-win-support-of-business-groups-prompt-criticism-from-community-colleges/">state could weather three years of the state’s worst economic downturn</a> in history and still provide the tax cuts, due to the ballooning of the state’s cash reserve fund to a record $1.6 billion.<h2>Components of LB 754</h2><ul>
 <li>Reduces the state’s corporate tax rate and top individual
 income tax rates to 3.99% by 2027. Two lower income tax brackets would 
remain unchanged. Estimated to provide $700 million in tax breaks by 
2027.</li><li>Accelerates phasing out of income taxes on Social 
Security. By tax year 2024, Social Security checks would be 100% exempt 
from state taxes. About a $48 million a year tax break.</li><li>Provides an income tax exemption on federal pension 
benefits, thus mirroring the exemption for about 14,000 Nebraska 
retirees who don’t qualify for Social Security. About $2 million a year 
in tax relief.</li><li>&nbsp;Provides tax 
credits of between $1,000 and $2,000 for child care expenses and 
provides credits to those who contribute to child care programs, as well
 as to workers in such programs and employers who provide them. 
Taxpayers whose household income is below the federal poverty level 
would receive $2,000 per child, regardless of whether they have child 
care expenses. About a $35 million tax break.</li><li>Allows nonresidents who temporarily work in the state 15 
days or less to be exempted from filing a Nebraska income tax return. A 
tax break estimated at about $3 million a year.</li><li>Provides an income tax break for corporations on 
purchases of qualified business assets, research or experimental 
expenditures. About a $45 million a year cut.</li>
 </ul>

Nebraska tax cut package advances from first-round debate

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans on Thursday approved a sprawling energy package that seeks to undo virtually all of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-signs-climate-health-bill-9a7f349fa7b07387d20ad603f2ff4875">President Joe Biden's agenda to address climate change.</a>

<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?527072-1/house-republicans-speak-energy-bill-passage">Click here to watch the </a>House Speaker's press conference

The legislation would sharply increase domestic production of oil, natural gas and coal, and ease permitting restrictions that delay pipelines, refineries and other projects. It would boost production of critical minerals such as lithium, nickel and cobalt that are used in electric vehicles, computers, cellphones and other products.

By a 225-204 vote, the House sent the measure to the Senate, where Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., called it “dead on arrival.”

Biden has threatened to veto the bill, saying it would replace “pro-consumer policies” adopted in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-science-congress-climate-and-environment-f084d23d61ebb068068d4aa92c82fdbb">the landmark climate law approved last year</a>&nbsp;“with a thinly veiled license to pollute.'' The bill would roll back Democratic investments in clean energy and ”pad oil and gas company profits,'' the White House said.

Republicans call the bill the&nbsp;<a href="https://scalise.house.gov/press-releases/Scalise%3A-Unleashing-American-Energy-Lowers-Costs-for-Families">“Lower Energy Costs Act”</a>&nbsp;and gave it the symbolic label H.R. 1 — the top legislative priority of the new GOP majority, which took control of the House in January.

The measure combines dozens of separate proposals and represents more than two years of work by Republicans who have chafed at Biden's environmental agenda. They say Biden's efforts have thwarted U.S. energy production and increased costs at the gas pump and grocery store.

“Families are struggling because of President Biden's war on American energy,'' said House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., one of the bill's main authors.

The GOP bill will “unleash" abundant U.S. natural resources "so we can produce energy in America,'' Scalise said. “We don't have to be addicted to foreign countries that don't like us.''

Democrats called the bill a giveaway to big oil companies.

"Republicans refuse to hold polluters accountable for the damage they cause to our air, our water, our communities and our climate,'' said New Jersey Rep. Frank Pallone, the top Democrat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

“While Democrats delivered historic wins for the American people by passing historic climate legislation, Republicans are actively working to undermine that progress and do the bidding of their polluter friends,″ Pallone said.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., said the bill “restores American energy leadership by repealing unnecessary taxes and overregulation on American energy producers,'' and "makes it easier to build things in America'' by placing a two-year time limit on environmental reviews that now take an average of seven years.

“Every time we need a pipeline, a road or a dam, it gets held up five to seven years and adds millions of dollars in costs for the project to comply with Washington’s permitting process,'' McCarthy said in speech on the House floor. “It’s too long, it’s unaffordable, it’s not based on science and it’s holding us back.''

He pointed to a project to modify and improve Lake Isabella Dam in his central California district that has lasted 18 years and still is not completed.

“Permitting reform isn’t for everyone,'' McCarthy added. “If you like paying more at the pump, you don’t want to make it faster for American workers to build more pipelines. If you’re China, you’d rather America sit back and let others lead. And if you’re a bureaucrat, maybe you really do enjoy reading the 600-page environmental impact studies.''

Most Americans want lower prices and more U.S. energy production, McCarthy said — results he said the bill will deliver.

Democrats called that misleading and said the GOP plan was a thinly disguised effort to reward oil companies and other energy producers that have contributed millions of dollars to GOP campaigns.

Arizona Rep. Raul Grijalva, the top Democrat on the House Natural Resources Committee, derided the bill as the “Polluters Over People Act'' and “a nearly 200-page love letter to polluting industries.''

Instead of reining in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-exxon-mobil-corp-business-0de95b8421a658f020717a148a63c9c5">“Big Oil” companies that have reported record profits</a>&nbsp;while “hoarding thousands of unused leases'' on public lands and waters, the GOP bill lowers royalty rates paid by energy producers and reinstates noncompetitive leasing of public lands, Grijalva said.

The bill also gives mining companies “a veritable free-for-all on our public lands” and “makes mockery of tribal consultation'' required under federal law, he said.

Under the GOP plan, mining companies will “destroy sacred and special places" throughout the West, "ruin the landscape and leave behind a toxic mess that pollutes our water and hurts our health — all without paying a cent to the American people,'' Grijalva said.

Schumer called the measure “a giveaway to Big Oil pretending to be an energy package.”

The House energy package “would gut important environmental safeguards on fossil fuel projects,'' locking America "into expensive, erratic and dirty energy sources while setting us back more than a decade on our transition to clean energy,'' Schumer said.

Schumer said he supports streamlining the nation's cumbersome permitting process for energy projects, especially those that will deliver “clean energy” such as wind, solar and geothermal power. “But the Republican plan falls woefully short on this front as well,'' he said, calling on Republicans to back reforms that would help ease the transition to renewable energy and accelerate construction of transmission lines to bolster the nation's aging power grid.

Schumer and other Democrats said the Republican bill would repeal a new $27 billion&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/climate-and-environment-financial-services-us-environmental-protection-agency-business-664750a30b238523bc025663f4a1f002">Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund</a>&nbsp;and other parts of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-science-congress-climate-and-environment-f084d23d61ebb068068d4aa92c82fdbb">the climate and health care law passed by Democrats last year</a>. The bill also would eliminate a new tax on methane pollution.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/8/1567081192406.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans on Thursday approved a sprawling energy package that seeks to undo virtually all of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-signs-climate-health-bill-9a7f349fa7b07387d20ad603f2ff4875">President Joe Biden's agenda to address climate change.</a><a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?527072-1/house-republicans-speak-energy-bill-passage">Click here to watch the </a>House Speaker's press conferenceThe legislation would sharply increase domestic production of oil, natural gas and coal, and ease permitting restrictions that delay pipelines, refineries and other projects. It would boost production of critical minerals such as lithium, nickel and cobalt that are used in electric vehicles, computers, cellphones and other products.By a 225-204 vote, the House sent the measure to the Senate, where Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., called it “dead on arrival.”Biden has threatened to veto the bill, saying it would replace “pro-consumer policies” adopted in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-science-congress-climate-and-environment-f084d23d61ebb068068d4aa92c82fdbb">the landmark climate law approved last year</a>&nbsp;“with a thinly veiled license to pollute.'' The bill would roll back Democratic investments in clean energy and ”pad oil and gas company profits,'' the White House said.Republicans call the bill the&nbsp;<a href="https://scalise.house.gov/press-releases/Scalise%3A-Unleashing-American-Energy-Lowers-Costs-for-Families">“Lower Energy Costs Act”</a>&nbsp;and gave it the symbolic label H.R. 1 — the top legislative priority of the new GOP majority, which took control of the House in January.The measure combines dozens of separate proposals and represents more than two years of work by Republicans who have chafed at Biden's environmental agenda. They say Biden's efforts have thwarted U.S. energy production and increased costs at the gas pump and grocery store.“Families are struggling because of President Biden's war on American energy,'' said House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., one of the bill's main authors.The GOP bill will “unleash" abundant U.S. natural resources "so we can produce energy in America,'' Scalise said. “We don't have to be addicted to foreign countries that don't like us.''Democrats called the bill a giveaway to big oil companies."Republicans refuse to hold polluters accountable for the damage they cause to our air, our water, our communities and our climate,'' said New Jersey Rep. Frank Pallone, the top Democrat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee.“While Democrats delivered historic wins for the American people by passing historic climate legislation, Republicans are actively working to undermine that progress and do the bidding of their polluter friends,″ Pallone said.House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., said the bill “restores American energy leadership by repealing unnecessary taxes and overregulation on American energy producers,'' and "makes it easier to build things in America'' by placing a two-year time limit on environmental reviews that now take an average of seven years.“Every time we need a pipeline, a road or a dam, it gets held up five to seven years and adds millions of dollars in costs for the project to comply with Washington’s permitting process,'' McCarthy said in speech on the House floor. “It’s too long, it’s unaffordable, it’s not based on science and it’s holding us back.''He pointed to a project to modify and improve Lake Isabella Dam in his central California district that has lasted 18 years and still is not completed.“Permitting reform isn’t for everyone,'' McCarthy added. “If you like paying more at the pump, you don’t want to make it faster for American workers to build more pipelines. If you’re China, you’d rather America sit back and let others lead. And if you’re a bureaucrat, maybe you really do enjoy reading the 600-page environmental impact studies.''Most Americans want lower prices and more U.S. energy production, McCarthy said — results he said the bill will deliver.Democrats called that misleading and said the GOP plan was a thinly disguised effort to reward oil companies and other energy producers that have contributed millions of dollars to GOP campaigns.Arizona Rep. Raul Grijalva, the top Democrat on the House Natural Resources Committee, derided the bill as the “Polluters Over People Act'' and “a nearly 200-page love letter to polluting industries.''Instead of reining in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-exxon-mobil-corp-business-0de95b8421a658f020717a148a63c9c5">“Big Oil” companies that have reported record profits</a>&nbsp;while “hoarding thousands of unused leases'' on public lands and waters, the GOP bill lowers royalty rates paid by energy producers and reinstates noncompetitive leasing of public lands, Grijalva said.The bill also gives mining companies “a veritable free-for-all on our public lands” and “makes mockery of tribal consultation'' required under federal law, he said.Under the GOP plan, mining companies will “destroy sacred and special places" throughout the West, "ruin the landscape and leave behind a toxic mess that pollutes our water and hurts our health — all without paying a cent to the American people,'' Grijalva said.Schumer called the measure “a giveaway to Big Oil pretending to be an energy package.”The House energy package “would gut important environmental safeguards on fossil fuel projects,'' locking America "into expensive, erratic and dirty energy sources while setting us back more than a decade on our transition to clean energy,'' Schumer said.Schumer said he supports streamlining the nation's cumbersome permitting process for energy projects, especially those that will deliver “clean energy” such as wind, solar and geothermal power. “But the Republican plan falls woefully short on this front as well,'' he said, calling on Republicans to back reforms that would help ease the transition to renewable energy and accelerate construction of transmission lines to bolster the nation's aging power grid.Schumer and other Democrats said the Republican bill would repeal a new $27 billion&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/climate-and-environment-financial-services-us-environmental-protection-agency-business-664750a30b238523bc025663f4a1f002">Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund</a>&nbsp;and other parts of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-science-congress-climate-and-environment-f084d23d61ebb068068d4aa92c82fdbb">the climate and health care law passed by Democrats last year</a>. The bill also would eliminate a new tax on methane pollution.

House approves broad bill to 'unleash' American energy

Washington –&nbsp;On Wednesday evening, a&nbsp;resolution championed by&nbsp;U.S. Senator Roger Marshall to terminate the COVID-19 National Emergency Declaration passed the Senate for the third time. The resolution passed 68-23, with 21 Democrats joining Republicans in support of the bill. In February, the measure passed the House in a 229-197 vote.&nbsp;

 The measure now heads to President Joe Biden’s desk for his signature.

(Click below to watch Senator Marshall's speech on the bill)

Senator Marshall’s resolution to end the COVID-19 National State of Emergency previously passed the U.S. Senate twice.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.marshall.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senate-passes-marshalls-resolution-to-end-covid-state-of-emergency/" target="_blank">Once</a>&nbsp;by a vote of 48-47 on March 3, 2022, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.marshall.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senator-marshalls-resolution-to-end-covid-national-emergency-declaration-overwhelmingly-passes-senate/" target="_blank">once</a>&nbsp;by a vote of 62-36 on November 15, 2022. Senator Marshall&nbsp;addressed the Senate Floor Wednesday ahead of the vote and called on this Administration to immediately terminate their authoritarian emergency declaration.&nbsp;

As per law it expires on May 11, 2023, and can't be extended.&nbsp;

Washington –&nbsp;On Wednesday evening, a&nbsp;resolution championed by&nbsp;U.S. Senator Roger Marshall to terminate the COVID-19 National Emergency Declaration passed the Senate for the third time. The resolution passed 68-23, with 21 Democrats joining Republicans in support of the bill. In February, the measure passed the House in a 229-197 vote.&nbsp; The measure now heads to President Joe Biden’s desk for his signature.(Click below to watch Senator Marshall's speech on the bill)<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zECSvB4ukqM" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>Senator Marshall’s resolution to end the COVID-19 National State of Emergency previously passed the U.S. Senate twice.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.marshall.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senate-passes-marshalls-resolution-to-end-covid-state-of-emergency/" target="_blank">Once</a>&nbsp;by a vote of 48-47 on March 3, 2022, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.marshall.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senator-marshalls-resolution-to-end-covid-national-emergency-declaration-overwhelmingly-passes-senate/" target="_blank">once</a>&nbsp;by a vote of 62-36 on November 15, 2022. Senator Marshall&nbsp;addressed the Senate Floor Wednesday ahead of the vote and called on this Administration to immediately terminate their authoritarian emergency declaration.&nbsp;As per law it expires on May 11, 2023, and can't be extended.&nbsp;

🎥Senate votes to end COVID-19 emergency for 3rd time

By ZACH WENDLING <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/03/29/nebraska-lawmakers-advance-school-safety-package-to-full-legislature/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — A Nebraska legislative committee advanced a package Wednesday designed to improve school safety, coming just days after another school shooting, this time in Nashville, Tennessee.

The Education Committee voted 7-0 to send <a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=50447">Legislative Bill 516</a>,
 proposed by State Sen. Lynne Walz of Fremont, to the full Legislature. 
State Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha was not present for the vote.

LB 516 includes four <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/03/13/nebraska-lawmaker-presents-task-force-recommendations-to-improve-school-safety/">legislative recommendations</a> from Nebraska’s School Safety Task Force, which <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/05/26/texas-school-shooting-prompts-creation-of-nebraska-task-force-to-review-practices-seek-improvements/">formed</a> shortly after last year’s school shooting in <a target="_blank" href="https://www.texastribune.org/2022/05/25/uvalde-school-shooting-victims/">Uvalde, Texas</a>. Walz, who was chair of the Education Committee at the time, and then-Education Commissioner Matt Blomstedt led the group.

The task force’s legislative recommendations are:

Walz introduced an <a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/108/PDF/AM/AM803.pdf">amendment</a> to clarify that regional specialists and grants would be available to approved or accredited public and nonpublic schools.

“I think that it will show that 
Nebraska is putting its best foot forward when it comes to protecting 
kids and trying to secure our schools,” Walz said.

State Sen. Dave Murman of Glenvil, 
current chair of the Education Committee, said schools across the state 
have done as best they can for years regarding school safety.&nbsp;

Walz’s bill, he said, will provide additional state support to go further.

“My heart goes out to the families 
that have been affected nationwide,” Murman said, noting Monday’s 
shooting at a private elementary school in <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/03/27/3-kids-3-adults-killed-in-shooting-at-nashville-private-elementary-school/">Nashville</a>.

That incident marked the 89th shooting on K-12 school grounds this year, according to the <a target="_blank" href="https://k12ssdb.org/all-shootings">K-12 School Shooting Database</a>. That’s more shootings than days in the year so far.

The United States recorded 303 shootings at K-12 schools in 2022, the most in any one year since data collection began in 1970.

Walz prioritized LB 516, which in a year not affected by <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/03/28/rules-changes-fail-to-curb-partisan-rancor-in-nebraska-legislature/">endless filibusters</a> would bring a greater chance of being scheduled for debate.

Both Walz and Murman said filibusters could be a challenge in getting LB 516 to floor debate.

However, Murman said school safety is
 “right up there” with&nbsp; tax relief packages, the budget and abortion in 
terms of being discussed this session. Walz said it has “just as much 
weight.”

“It’s very important, of course, to protect our young children as best we can,” Murman said.&nbsp;

Walz said it’s critical that State 
Sen. John Arch of La Vista, the speaker of the Legislature, who sets the
 daily agenda, brings LB 516 to the floor.

The bill should be well received on 
the floor of the Legislature, considering it has already garnered seven 
“key” votes from state senators to advance the bill, she said.

“This is about keeping our communities safe,” Walz said. “To me, that is the No. 1 priority above everything else.”

Another member of the Education 
Committee, State Sen. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln, said there is 
consensus that a problem exists with school safety.

While people disagree on the best 
solution, Conrad said providing support and addressing mental health can
 be among the greatest approaches.

Conrad applauded Walz and the task 
force for investments in mental health, which Conrad said “has to be a 
big part of the puzzle.”

In 2021, the Legislature <a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=44216">approved</a> statewide funding for Safe2HelpNE, following a pilot program in Douglas County. However, federal funds run out in 2024.&nbsp;

The committee voted 7-0 to provide funding for the program “in perpetuity,” on an annual basis, rather than for just one year.&nbsp;

The tip line has helped more than 
2,000 students since it’s been implemented, Walz said, adding that 
mental health aspects of the bill will be critical for violence 
prevention.

Conrad said that while carpooling 
some of her daughter’s friends after a movie last week, the children 
discussed “little bits and pieces of information” regarding school 
shootings.

“The chatter happened in a way that 
almost seemed nonchalant, that it was just part and parcel with their 
daily mindset,” Conrad said. “That was so heart-wrenching and so 
striking to me and a clarion call and good reminder that we as adults 
shouldn’t let that be the norm.”

Conrad said this furthers the need 
for lawmakers to “get our act together” and move ahead with solutions 
driven by evidence and common sense.

Doing so can keep kids safe, Conrad 
said, “so that they can focus on being kids and not have to be scared 
about school shootings.”

By ZACH WENDLING <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/03/29/nebraska-lawmakers-advance-school-safety-package-to-full-legislature/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — A Nebraska legislative committee advanced a package Wednesday designed to improve school safety, coming just days after another school shooting, this time in Nashville, Tennessee.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680187645646.jpeg" alt="State Sen. Lynne Walz of Fremont. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska News Service)" />
 <figcaption>State Sen. Lynne Walz of Fremont. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska News Service)</figcaption>
 </figure>The Education Committee voted 7-0 to send <a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=50447">Legislative Bill 516</a>,
 proposed by State Sen. Lynne Walz of Fremont, to the full Legislature. 
State Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha was not present for the vote.LB 516 includes four <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/03/13/nebraska-lawmaker-presents-task-force-recommendations-to-improve-school-safety/">legislative recommendations</a> from Nebraska’s School Safety Task Force, which <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/05/26/texas-school-shooting-prompts-creation-of-nebraska-task-force-to-review-practices-seek-improvements/">formed</a> shortly after last year’s school shooting in <a target="_blank" href="https://www.texastribune.org/2022/05/25/uvalde-school-shooting-victims/">Uvalde, Texas</a>. Walz, who was chair of the Education Committee at the time, and then-Education Commissioner Matt Blomstedt led the group.The task force’s legislative recommendations are:<ul>
 <li>Hiring
 regional specialists across four regions of the state (western, 
central, northeastern and southeastern) to provide tailored support and 
increased safety training to K-12 schools.</li><li>Appropriating general funds (about $870,000 annually) to continue the Safe2HelpNE anonymous reporting hotline.</li><li>Creating
 a $15 million grant program related to security infrastructure, such as
 surveillance equipment, door-locking systems or double-entry doors.&nbsp;</li><li>Establishing
 a $5 million grant program so local health departments or educational 
service units could hire mental health practitioners or school 
psychologists.</li>
 </ul>Walz introduced an <a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/108/PDF/AM/AM803.pdf">amendment</a> to clarify that regional specialists and grants would be available to approved or accredited public and nonpublic schools.“I think that it will show that 
Nebraska is putting its best foot forward when it comes to protecting 
kids and trying to secure our schools,” Walz said.<h2>‘Heart goes out’ to Nashville</h2>State Sen. Dave Murman of Glenvil, 
current chair of the Education Committee, said schools across the state 
have done as best they can for years regarding school safety.&nbsp;Walz’s bill, he said, will provide additional state support to go further.“My heart goes out to the families 
that have been affected nationwide,” Murman said, noting Monday’s 
shooting at a private elementary school in <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/03/27/3-kids-3-adults-killed-in-shooting-at-nashville-private-elementary-school/">Nashville</a>.That incident marked the 89th shooting on K-12 school grounds this year, according to the <a target="_blank" href="https://k12ssdb.org/all-shootings">K-12 School Shooting Database</a>. That’s more shootings than days in the year so far.The United States recorded 303 shootings at K-12 schools in 2022, the most in any one year since data collection began in 1970.<h2>‘No. 1 priority’</h2>Walz prioritized LB 516, which in a year not affected by <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/03/28/rules-changes-fail-to-curb-partisan-rancor-in-nebraska-legislature/">endless filibusters</a> would bring a greater chance of being scheduled for debate.Both Walz and Murman said filibusters could be a challenge in getting LB 516 to floor debate.However, Murman said school safety is
 “right up there” with&nbsp; tax relief packages, the budget and abortion in 
terms of being discussed this session. Walz said it has “just as much 
weight.”“It’s very important, of course, to protect our young children as best we can,” Murman said.&nbsp;Walz said it’s critical that State 
Sen. John Arch of La Vista, the speaker of the Legislature, who sets the
 daily agenda, brings LB 516 to the floor.The bill should be well received on 
the floor of the Legislature, considering it has already garnered seven 
“key” votes from state senators to advance the bill, she said.“This is about keeping our communities safe,” Walz said. “To me, that is the No. 1 priority above everything else.”<h2>Mental health support</h2>Another member of the Education 
Committee, State Sen. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln, said there is 
consensus that a problem exists with school safety.While people disagree on the best 
solution, Conrad said providing support and addressing mental health can
 be among the greatest approaches.Conrad applauded Walz and the task 
force for investments in mental health, which Conrad said “has to be a 
big part of the puzzle.”In 2021, the Legislature <a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=44216">approved</a> statewide funding for Safe2HelpNE, following a pilot program in Douglas County. However, federal funds run out in 2024.&nbsp;The committee voted 7-0 to provide funding for the program “in perpetuity,” on an annual basis, rather than for just one year.&nbsp;The tip line has helped more than 
2,000 students since it’s been implemented, Walz said, adding that 
mental health aspects of the bill will be critical for violence 
prevention.<h2>‘Focus on being kids’</h2>Conrad said that while carpooling 
some of her daughter’s friends after a movie last week, the children 
discussed “little bits and pieces of information” regarding school 
shootings.“The chatter happened in a way that 
almost seemed nonchalant, that it was just part and parcel with their 
daily mindset,” Conrad said. “That was so heart-wrenching and so 
striking to me and a clarion call and good reminder that we as adults 
shouldn’t let that be the norm.”Conrad said this furthers the need 
for lawmakers to “get our act together” and move ahead with solutions 
driven by evidence and common sense.Doing so can keep kids safe, Conrad 
said, “so that they can focus on being kids and not have to be scared 
about school shootings.”

Neb. lawmakers advance school safety package to full Legislature

WASHINGTON (AP) — Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley tried to force a Senate vote Wednesday on legislation that would ban TikTok from operating in the United States, but he was blocked by a fellow Republican as lawmakers in both chambers are still trying to figure out what action, if any, is appropriate against the social media app.

In trying to force a vote — a move that rarely works in the Senate, since one senator’s objection can block it — Hawley called TikTok “digital fentanyl” and argued it could give the Chinese government access to data from 150 million American users. His bill would block and prohibit U.S. transactions with TikTok’s parent company, Beijing-based ByteDance Ltd., within 30 days.

The bill “sends the message to Communist China that you cannot buy us,” Hawley said.

Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky objected to Hawley’s motion, arguing that trying to ban an app would violate the Constitution and anger&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-ban-congress-hearing-bytedance-china-biden-ceo-a92f048762d6657f291affb7a0ce6386">the millions of voters</a>&nbsp;who use it. “Speech is protected whether you like it or not,” Paul said.

Hawley’s effort to bring attention to the issue comes a week after a combative House hearing in which&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-ban-ceo-congressional-hearing-bytedance-china-44d948c5b0ba18e2a714e0fa62d52779">lawmakers from both parties grilled TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew</a>&nbsp;over his company's ties to China’s communist government, data security and harmful content on the app. Chew attempted to assure lawmakers that the hugely popular video-sharing app prioritizes user safety and should not be banned due to its Chinese connections. But the tense standoff gave new momentum to Hawley and other lawmakers who say it should be banned or limited.

The Missouri senator said Congress “should act decisively to ban TikTok directly.” Other lawmakers have considered broader approaches, though there is no widespread consensus on any piece of legislation.

There is broad Senate support for bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Mark Warner, D-Va., and South Dakota Sen. John Thune, the No. 2 Senate Republican, that does not specifically call out TikTok but would give the Commerce Department power to review and potentially restrict foreign threats to technology platforms. The White House has backed that bill, but it is unclear if it will be brought up in the Senate or if it could gather much support among House Republicans.

Another bill sponsored by Republican Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida would, like Hawley’s bill, ban U.S. economic transactions with TikTok, but would also create a new framework for the executive branch to block any foreign apps deemed hostile. His bill is cosponsored by Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill., and Mike Gallagher, R-Wis.

Those pushing new legislation point to agreement on a bill passed in December&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-politics-d33e58c76bb3c13297c72816ef4e6231">that banned TikTok from most government devices</a>. But despite the bipartisan desires, the varying proposals underscore how difficult it could be to find agreement on an unprecedented effort to ban or scale back an app that is used by millions of Americans.

Paul said trying to ban an app like TikTok is a slippery slope. He’s had videos censored by YouTube, he said, but he still believes the company has a right to exist.

“I despise these people, but I’m not going to vote to ban them,” he said. “We don’t ban things that are unpopular in the United States.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680136101874.png" alt="Image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley tried to force a Senate vote Wednesday on legislation that would ban TikTok from operating in the United States, but he was blocked by a fellow Republican as lawmakers in both chambers are still trying to figure out what action, if any, is appropriate against the social media app.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The problem with TikTok is not the videos on the app. The problem with TikTok is, it&#39;s a backdoor to the Chinese Communist Party into the most intimate details of every American’s life. <a href="https://t.co/oBQRhee1G4">pic.twitter.com/oBQRhee1G4</a>&mdash; Senator Hawley Press Office (@SenHawleyPress) <a href="https://twitter.com/SenHawleyPress/status/1641212930816454664?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 29, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>In trying to force a vote — a move that rarely works in the Senate, since one senator’s objection can block it — Hawley called TikTok “digital fentanyl” and argued it could give the Chinese government access to data from 150 million American users. His bill would block and prohibit U.S. transactions with TikTok’s parent company, Beijing-based ByteDance Ltd., within 30 days.The bill “sends the message to Communist China that you cannot buy us,” Hawley said.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Again I say: Ban TikTok. This is the disturbing content the CCP algorithm feeds to American youth. <a href="https://t.co/jvkkAqf2aI">https://t.co/jvkkAqf2aI</a>&mdash; Dr. Roger Marshall (@RogerMarshallMD) <a href="https://twitter.com/RogerMarshallMD/status/1639283964568301571?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 24, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky objected to Hawley’s motion, arguing that trying to ban an app would violate the Constitution and anger&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-ban-congress-hearing-bytedance-china-biden-ceo-a92f048762d6657f291affb7a0ce6386">the millions of voters</a>&nbsp;who use it. “Speech is protected whether you like it or not,” Paul said.Hawley’s effort to bring attention to the issue comes a week after a combative House hearing in which&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-ban-ceo-congressional-hearing-bytedance-china-44d948c5b0ba18e2a714e0fa62d52779">lawmakers from both parties grilled TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew</a>&nbsp;over his company's ties to China’s communist government, data security and harmful content on the app. Chew attempted to assure lawmakers that the hugely popular video-sharing app prioritizes user safety and should not be banned due to its Chinese connections. But the tense standoff gave new momentum to Hawley and other lawmakers who say it should be banned or limited.The Missouri senator said Congress “should act decisively to ban TikTok directly.” Other lawmakers have considered broader approaches, though there is no widespread consensus on any piece of legislation.There is broad Senate support for bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Mark Warner, D-Va., and South Dakota Sen. John Thune, the No. 2 Senate Republican, that does not specifically call out TikTok but would give the Commerce Department power to review and potentially restrict foreign threats to technology platforms. The White House has backed that bill, but it is unclear if it will be brought up in the Senate or if it could gather much support among House Republicans.Another bill sponsored by Republican Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida would, like Hawley’s bill, ban U.S. economic transactions with TikTok, but would also create a new framework for the executive branch to block any foreign apps deemed hostile. His bill is cosponsored by Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill., and Mike Gallagher, R-Wis.Those pushing new legislation point to agreement on a bill passed in December&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-politics-d33e58c76bb3c13297c72816ef4e6231">that banned TikTok from most government devices</a>. But despite the bipartisan desires, the varying proposals underscore how difficult it could be to find agreement on an unprecedented effort to ban or scale back an app that is used by millions of Americans.Paul said trying to ban an app like TikTok is a slippery slope. He’s had videos censored by YouTube, he said, but he still believes the company has a right to exist.“I despise these people, but I’m not going to vote to ban them,” he said. “We don’t ban things that are unpopular in the United States.”

🎥Effort on vote to ban TikTok blocked in U.S. Senate

United States Attorney 
Steven Russell announced that Karen Barba-Franco, 23, of Omaha was sentenced Wednesday in federal court in Omaha for Conspiracy 
to Distribute and Possession with Intent to Distribute
 Methamphetamine. United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher 
sentenced Barba-Franco to 135 months’ imprisonment. After completing her
 term of imprisonment, Barba-Franco will be required to serve a 
three-year term of supervised release as there is
 no parole in the federal system. 

On July 19, 2021, Omaha
 police officers conducted a traffic stop in South Omaha of a vehicle 
containing Barba-Franco and two co-defendants, Mauricio Canales-Santiago
 and Antonia Lopez-Tiznado. Consent to search
 the vehicle was granted and officers located approximately 2 pounds of 
methamphetamine. A subsequent search warrant was executed on their Omaha
 residence revealing an additional 19 pounds of methamphetamine. All 
three gave post-arrest statements admitting
 their involvement in distributing methamphetamine with one another 
during the prior two weeks.

Canales-Santiago has a 
trial date pending. Lopez-Tiznado pled guilty and was sentenced on 
Feb. 8 to 135 months’ imprisonment.


This case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

U.S. Attorney's OfficeUnited States Attorney 
Steven Russell announced that Karen Barba-Franco, 23, of Omaha was sentenced Wednesday in federal court in Omaha for Conspiracy 
to Distribute and Possession with Intent to Distribute
 Methamphetamine. United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher 
sentenced Barba-Franco to 135 months’ imprisonment. After completing her
 term of imprisonment, Barba-Franco will be required to serve a 
three-year term of supervised release as there is
 no parole in the federal system. On July 19, 2021, Omaha
 police officers conducted a traffic stop in South Omaha of a vehicle 
containing Barba-Franco and two co-defendants, Mauricio Canales-Santiago
 and Antonia Lopez-Tiznado. Consent to search
 the vehicle was granted and officers located approximately 2 pounds of 
methamphetamine. A subsequent search warrant was executed on their Omaha
 residence revealing an additional 19 pounds of methamphetamine. All 
three gave post-arrest statements admitting
 their involvement in distributing methamphetamine with one another 
during the prior two weeks.Canales-Santiago has a 
trial date pending. Lopez-Tiznado pled guilty and was sentenced on 
Feb. 8 to 135 months’ imprisonment.
This case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Meth charge earns Nebraska woman 11+ years in prison

WASHINGTON (AP) —The Senate voted Wednesday to repeal the resolution that gave a green light for the 2003&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iraq-invasion-war-timeline-saddam-hussein-50828061c98e410063753045179bdcfb">invasion of Iraq</a>, an effort to return a basic war power to Congress from the White House 20 years after an authorization many now say was a mistake.

Iraqi deaths are estimated in the hundreds of thousands, and nearly 5,000 U.S. troops were killed in the war after President George W. Bush’s administration&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iraq-war-wmds-us-intelligence-f9e21ac59d3a0470d9bfcc83544d706e">falsely claimed</a>&nbsp;that Saddam Hussein was stockpiling weapons of mass destruction.

“This body rushed into a war,” said Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine, a Democrat who has pushed for years to repeal the powers. The war has had “massive consequences,” Kaine said.

Senators voted 66-30 to repeal the 2002 measure and also the 1991 authorization that sanctioned the U.S.-led Gulf War. Nebraska Senators Deb Fisher and Pete Rickets voted against the measure.

Kansas Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall joined 16 other Republicans to vote for the measure including Missouri Senators Josh Hawley and Eric Schmitt.

If passed by the House, the repeal would not be expected to affect any current military deployments. But lawmakers in both parties are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-joe-biden-middle-east-iraq-government-and-politics-184f804c1202c0808f986425fd75341f">increasingly seeking</a>&nbsp;to claw back congressional powers over U.S. military strikes and deployments, and some lawmakers who voted for the Iraq War two decades ago&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2002-iraq-war-vote-senate-authorization-reflection-60989b19ca76a2d9c2e2ff1bad97dc5a">now say</a>&nbsp;that was a mistake.

“Americans want to see an end to endless Middle East wars,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, adding that passing the repeal “is a necessary step to putting these bitter conflicts squarely behind us.”

Supporters, including almost 20 Republican senators, say the repeal is crucial to prevent future abuses and to reinforce that Iraq is now a strategic partner of the United States.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mcconnell-iraq-war-repeal-senate-64270ec9085831c4f0be423702a7561e">Opponents</a>&nbsp;say the repeal could project weakness as the U.S. still faces conflict in the Middle East.

“Our terrorist enemies aren’t sunsetting their war against us,” said Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, who is at home&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mitch-mcconnell-fall-concussion-therapy-f7af2c851b96e5fdccb7d2829e869f6a">recovering from a fall</a>&nbsp;earlier this month and missed the vote. “When we deploy our servicemembers in harm’s way, we need to supply them with all the support and legal authorities that we can.”

The repeal’s future is less certain in the House, where 49 Republicans joined with Democrats in supporting a similar bill two years ago. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., has suggested he is open to supporting a repeal even though he previously opposed it, but Rep. Michael McCaul of Texas, the Republican chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, has indicated he would like to instead replace it with something else. But it is unclear what that would be.

Kaine and Todd Young, R-Ind., who led the effort together, have said they believe a strong bipartisan vote sends a powerful message to Americans who believe their voices should be heard on matters of war and peace.

President Donald Trump’s administration cited the 2002 Iraq war resolution as part of its legal justification for a 2020 U.S. drone strike that killed Iranian Gen. Qassim Soleimani, but the two war powers resolutions have otherwise rarely been used as the basis for any presidential action. About 2,500 U.S. troops&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iraq-war-anniversary-troops-military-d1d9a7e6e83925dec22fce4d2e2c831e">remain in Iraq</a>&nbsp;at the invitation of the Iraqi government and assist and advise local forces.

A separate 2001 authorization for the global war on terror would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/senate-vote-war-powers-iraq-afghanistan-a174a1b97644f2f64994f13b1ff41a20">remain in place</a>&nbsp;under the bill, which President Joe Biden has said he will support.

The October 2002 votes to give Bush broad authority for the Iraq invasion were a defining moment for many members of Congress as the country debated whether a military strike was warranted. The U.S. was already at war then in Afghanistan, the country that hosted the al-Qaida plotters responsible for the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, something Iraq played no part in.

The Bush administration had drummed up support among members of Congress and the American public for invading Iraq by promoting what turned out to be false intelligence alleging Saddam had weapons of mass destruction. After the initial March 2003 invasion, American ground forces quickly discovered that the allegations of nuclear or chemical weapons programs were baseless.

The U.S. overthrow of Iraq’s security forces precipitated a brutal sectarian fight and violent campaigns by Islamic extremist groups in Iraq. Car bombings, assassinations, torture and kidnapping became a part of daily life for years.

Some GOP senators opposing the repeal, including McConnell, have raised concerns about recent attacks against U.S. troops in Syria. A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-military-syria-iran-db9ac72843a0a71c995d6ea04392cdbf">drone strike</a>&nbsp;last week killed an American contractor and wounded five troops and another contractor, then a rocket attack wounded another service member. Iranian-backed militants are believed responsible for the attacks.

Biden and his administration have argued that the repeal would not affect any response to Iran. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Army Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, both said at a Senate hearing last week that American troops are authorized to protect themselves and respond to attacks, including under Article 2 of the Constitution, which gives the president the authority to protect troops.

The pushback from McConnell comes amid a growing rift in the Republican Party on the U.S. role in the Middle East, with some echoing Trump’s “America First” message to argue against military intervention abroad. Other Republicans are concerned Congress is giving too much leeway to the president in matters of war.

“I think a lot of lessons have been learned over the last 20 years,” said Young, the Indiana senator who is the lead Republican sponsor of the repeal. He said that those supporting the legislation “want to ensure that the American people can hold us accountable, rather than delegating those important authorities to an executive branch and then lamenting the unwitting wisdom of the executive branch if things don’t go well.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680116747835.png" alt="Opponents&nbsp;say the repeal could project weakness as the U.S. still faces conflict in the Middle East-photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Opponents&nbsp;say the repeal could project weakness as the U.S. still faces conflict in the Middle East-photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —The Senate voted Wednesday to repeal the resolution that gave a green light for the 2003&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iraq-invasion-war-timeline-saddam-hussein-50828061c98e410063753045179bdcfb">invasion of Iraq</a>, an effort to return a basic war power to Congress from the White House 20 years after an authorization many now say was a mistake.Iraqi deaths are estimated in the hundreds of thousands, and nearly 5,000 U.S. troops were killed in the war after President George W. Bush’s administration&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iraq-war-wmds-us-intelligence-f9e21ac59d3a0470d9bfcc83544d706e">falsely claimed</a>&nbsp;that Saddam Hussein was stockpiling weapons of mass destruction.“This body rushed into a war,” said Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine, a Democrat who has pushed for years to repeal the powers. The war has had “massive consequences,” Kaine said.Senators voted 66-30 to repeal the 2002 measure and also the 1991 authorization that sanctioned the U.S.-led Gulf War. Nebraska Senators Deb Fisher and Pete Rickets voted against the measure.Kansas Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall joined 16 other Republicans to vote for the measure including Missouri Senators Josh Hawley and Eric Schmitt. If passed by the House, the repeal would not be expected to affect any current military deployments. But lawmakers in both parties are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-joe-biden-middle-east-iraq-government-and-politics-184f804c1202c0808f986425fd75341f">increasingly seeking</a>&nbsp;to claw back congressional powers over U.S. military strikes and deployments, and some lawmakers who voted for the Iraq War two decades ago&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2002-iraq-war-vote-senate-authorization-reflection-60989b19ca76a2d9c2e2ff1bad97dc5a">now say</a>&nbsp;that was a mistake.“Americans want to see an end to endless Middle East wars,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, adding that passing the repeal “is a necessary step to putting these bitter conflicts squarely behind us.”Supporters, including almost 20 Republican senators, say the repeal is crucial to prevent future abuses and to reinforce that Iraq is now a strategic partner of the United States.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mcconnell-iraq-war-repeal-senate-64270ec9085831c4f0be423702a7561e">Opponents</a>&nbsp;say the repeal could project weakness as the U.S. still faces conflict in the Middle East.“Our terrorist enemies aren’t sunsetting their war against us,” said Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, who is at home&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mitch-mcconnell-fall-concussion-therapy-f7af2c851b96e5fdccb7d2829e869f6a">recovering from a fall</a>&nbsp;earlier this month and missed the vote. “When we deploy our servicemembers in harm’s way, we need to supply them with all the support and legal authorities that we can.”The repeal’s future is less certain in the House, where 49 Republicans joined with Democrats in supporting a similar bill two years ago. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., has suggested he is open to supporting a repeal even though he previously opposed it, but Rep. Michael McCaul of Texas, the Republican chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, has indicated he would like to instead replace it with something else. But it is unclear what that would be.Kaine and Todd Young, R-Ind., who led the effort together, have said they believe a strong bipartisan vote sends a powerful message to Americans who believe their voices should be heard on matters of war and peace.President Donald Trump’s administration cited the 2002 Iraq war resolution as part of its legal justification for a 2020 U.S. drone strike that killed Iranian Gen. Qassim Soleimani, but the two war powers resolutions have otherwise rarely been used as the basis for any presidential action. About 2,500 U.S. troops&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iraq-war-anniversary-troops-military-d1d9a7e6e83925dec22fce4d2e2c831e">remain in Iraq</a>&nbsp;at the invitation of the Iraqi government and assist and advise local forces.A separate 2001 authorization for the global war on terror would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/senate-vote-war-powers-iraq-afghanistan-a174a1b97644f2f64994f13b1ff41a20">remain in place</a>&nbsp;under the bill, which President Joe Biden has said he will support.The October 2002 votes to give Bush broad authority for the Iraq invasion were a defining moment for many members of Congress as the country debated whether a military strike was warranted. The U.S. was already at war then in Afghanistan, the country that hosted the al-Qaida plotters responsible for the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, something Iraq played no part in.The Bush administration had drummed up support among members of Congress and the American public for invading Iraq by promoting what turned out to be false intelligence alleging Saddam had weapons of mass destruction. After the initial March 2003 invasion, American ground forces quickly discovered that the allegations of nuclear or chemical weapons programs were baseless.The U.S. overthrow of Iraq’s security forces precipitated a brutal sectarian fight and violent campaigns by Islamic extremist groups in Iraq. Car bombings, assassinations, torture and kidnapping became a part of daily life for years.Some GOP senators opposing the repeal, including McConnell, have raised concerns about recent attacks against U.S. troops in Syria. A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-military-syria-iran-db9ac72843a0a71c995d6ea04392cdbf">drone strike</a>&nbsp;last week killed an American contractor and wounded five troops and another contractor, then a rocket attack wounded another service member. Iranian-backed militants are believed responsible for the attacks.Biden and his administration have argued that the repeal would not affect any response to Iran. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Army Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, both said at a Senate hearing last week that American troops are authorized to protect themselves and respond to attacks, including under Article 2 of the Constitution, which gives the president the authority to protect troops.The pushback from McConnell comes amid a growing rift in the Republican Party on the U.S. role in the Middle East, with some echoing Trump’s “America First” message to argue against military intervention abroad. Other Republicans are concerned Congress is giving too much leeway to the president in matters of war.“I think a lot of lessons have been learned over the last 20 years,” said Young, the Indiana senator who is the lead Republican sponsor of the repeal. He said that those supporting the legislation “want to ensure that the American people can hold us accountable, rather than delegating those important authorities to an executive branch and then lamenting the unwitting wisdom of the executive branch if things don’t go well.”

Neb. Senators vote no on repeal of measure that approved Iraq war

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis was hospitalized with a lung infection Wednesday after experiencing difficulty breathing in recent days and will remain in the hospital for several days of treatment, the Vatican said.

The 86-year-old pope doesn't have COVID-19, spokesman Matteo Bruni said in a statement late Wednesday.

The hospitalization was the first since Francis spent 10 days at the Gemelli in July 2021 to have 33 centimeters (13 inches) of his colon removed.

It immediately raised questions about Francis' overall health, and his ability to celebrate the busy Holy Week events that are due to begin this weekend with Palm Sunday.

Bruni said Francis had been suffering breathing troubles in recent days and went to the Gemelli hospital for tests.

“The tests showed a respiratory infection (COVID-19 infection excluded) that will require some days of medical therapy,” Bruni's statement said.

Francis appeared in relatively good form during his regularly scheduled general audience earlier Wednesday, though he grimaced strongly while getting in and out of the “popemobile.”

Francis had part of one lung removed when he was a young man due to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-vatican-city-religion-covid-0f2885637be70eece6cee369c420f573">a respiratory infection</a>, and he often speaks in a whisper. But he got through the worst phases of the COVID-19 pandemic without at least any public word of ever testing positive.

Francis had been due to celebrate Palm Sunday this weekend, kicking off the Vatican's Holy Week observances: Holy Thursday, Good Friday, the Easter Vigil and finally Easter Sunday on April 9. He has canceled all audiences through Friday, but it wasn't clear whether he could keep the Holy Week plans.

Francis has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-south-sudan-government-juba-religion-7d055409715f46d5a507c476d64af3ea">used a wheelchair</a>&nbsp;for over a year due to strained ligaments in his right knee and a small knee fracture. He has said the injury was healing and been walking more with a cane of late.

Francis also has said he resisted having surgery for the knee problems because he didn't respond well to general anesthesia during the 2021 intestinal surgery.

He said soon after the surgery that he had recovered fully and could eat normally. But in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-retirement-papacy-dcca464e7c1fd910568d07d6bf4d9994">a Jan. 24 interview</a>&nbsp;with The Associated Press, Francis said his diverticulosis, or bulges in the intestinal wall, had “returned."

VATICAN CITY (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-vatican-anniversary-abuse-lgbt-dd062a31ede3e5a4e0aa2a39ad75c20e">Pope Francis</a>&nbsp;went to a Rome hospital on Wednesday and canceled his audiences for the next two days to undergo previously scheduled tests, the Vatican said.

The Vatican provided no details, including how long the 86-year-old pope would remain at Gemelli University Hospital, where he underwent surgery in 2021. But his audiences through Friday were canceled, raising questions about Francis' participation during the Vatican's Holy Week activities starting Sunday.

“The Holy Father has been at Gemelli since this afternoon for some previously scheduled checkups,” the Vatican said in a one-line statement from spokesman Matteo Bruni.

Francis appeared in relatively good form during his regularly scheduled general audience Wednesday, though he grimaced strongly while getting into and out of the “popemobile.”

The purpose of the medical tests wasn't immediately clear. Francis had part of one lung removed when he was a young man due to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-vatican-city-religion-covid-0f2885637be70eece6cee369c420f573">a respiratory infection</a>, and he often speaks in a whisper.

He spent 10 days at the Gemelli hospital following the 2021 surgery for an intestinal narrowing, which included the removal of 33 centimeters (13 inches) of his colon.

Francis is due to celebrate Palm Sunday this weekend, kicking off the Vatican's Holy Week observances: Holy Thursday, Good Friday, the Easter Vigil and finally Easter Sunday on April 9.

He has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-south-sudan-government-juba-religion-7d055409715f46d5a507c476d64af3ea">used a wheelchair</a>&nbsp;for over a year due to strained ligaments in his right knee and a small knee fracture. He has said the injury was healing and been walking more with a cane of late.

He said soon after the surgery that he had recovered fully and could eat normally. But in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-retirement-papacy-dcca464e7c1fd910568d07d6bf4d9994">a Jan. 24 interview</a>&nbsp;with The Associated Press, Francis said his diverticulosis, or bulges in the intestinal wall, had “returned.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615845367722.png" alt="Pope Francis-photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Pope Francis-photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis was hospitalized with a lung infection Wednesday after experiencing difficulty breathing in recent days and will remain in the hospital for several days of treatment, the Vatican said.The 86-year-old pope doesn't have COVID-19, spokesman Matteo Bruni said in a statement late Wednesday.The hospitalization was the first since Francis spent 10 days at the Gemelli in July 2021 to have 33 centimeters (13 inches) of his colon removed.It immediately raised questions about Francis' overall health, and his ability to celebrate the busy Holy Week events that are due to begin this weekend with Palm Sunday.Bruni said Francis had been suffering breathing troubles in recent days and went to the Gemelli hospital for tests.“The tests showed a respiratory infection (COVID-19 infection excluded) that will require some days of medical therapy,” Bruni's statement said.Francis appeared in relatively good form during his regularly scheduled general audience earlier Wednesday, though he grimaced strongly while getting in and out of the “popemobile.”Francis had part of one lung removed when he was a young man due to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-vatican-city-religion-covid-0f2885637be70eece6cee369c420f573">a respiratory infection</a>, and he often speaks in a whisper. But he got through the worst phases of the COVID-19 pandemic without at least any public word of ever testing positive.Francis had been due to celebrate Palm Sunday this weekend, kicking off the Vatican's Holy Week observances: Holy Thursday, Good Friday, the Easter Vigil and finally Easter Sunday on April 9. He has canceled all audiences through Friday, but it wasn't clear whether he could keep the Holy Week plans.Francis has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-south-sudan-government-juba-religion-7d055409715f46d5a507c476d64af3ea">used a wheelchair</a>&nbsp;for over a year due to strained ligaments in his right knee and a small knee fracture. He has said the injury was healing and been walking more with a cane of late.Francis also has said he resisted having surgery for the knee problems because he didn't respond well to general anesthesia during the 2021 intestinal surgery.He said soon after the surgery that he had recovered fully and could eat normally. But in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-retirement-papacy-dcca464e7c1fd910568d07d6bf4d9994">a Jan. 24 interview</a>&nbsp;with The Associated Press, Francis said his diverticulosis, or bulges in the intestinal wall, had “returned."-----------VATICAN CITY (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-vatican-anniversary-abuse-lgbt-dd062a31ede3e5a4e0aa2a39ad75c20e">Pope Francis</a>&nbsp;went to a Rome hospital on Wednesday and canceled his audiences for the next two days to undergo previously scheduled tests, the Vatican said.The Vatican provided no details, including how long the 86-year-old pope would remain at Gemelli University Hospital, where he underwent surgery in 2021. But his audiences through Friday were canceled, raising questions about Francis' participation during the Vatican's Holy Week activities starting Sunday.“The Holy Father has been at Gemelli since this afternoon for some previously scheduled checkups,” the Vatican said in a one-line statement from spokesman Matteo Bruni.Francis appeared in relatively good form during his regularly scheduled general audience Wednesday, though he grimaced strongly while getting into and out of the “popemobile.”The purpose of the medical tests wasn't immediately clear. Francis had part of one lung removed when he was a young man due to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-vatican-city-religion-covid-0f2885637be70eece6cee369c420f573">a respiratory infection</a>, and he often speaks in a whisper.He spent 10 days at the Gemelli hospital following the 2021 surgery for an intestinal narrowing, which included the removal of 33 centimeters (13 inches) of his colon.Francis is due to celebrate Palm Sunday this weekend, kicking off the Vatican's Holy Week observances: Holy Thursday, Good Friday, the Easter Vigil and finally Easter Sunday on April 9.He has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-south-sudan-government-juba-religion-7d055409715f46d5a507c476d64af3ea">used a wheelchair</a>&nbsp;for over a year due to strained ligaments in his right knee and a small knee fracture. He has said the injury was healing and been walking more with a cane of late.Francis also has said he resisted having surgery for the knee problems because he didn't respond well to general anesthesia during the 2021 intestinal surgery.He said soon after the surgery that he had recovered fully and could eat normally. But in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-retirement-papacy-dcca464e7c1fd910568d07d6bf4d9994">a Jan. 24 interview</a>&nbsp;with The Associated Press, Francis said his diverticulosis, or bulges in the intestinal wall, had “returned.”

Pope Francis hospitalized for lung infection

By CINDY GONZALEZ <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/google-gift-aimed-at-curbing-food-insecurity-in-nebraska-and-western-iowa/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

OMAHA
 — The Food Bank for the Heartland says it is seeing the most “sustained
 hunger crisis” in its 40-year history, and a donation announced Tuesday
 from Google is to provide up to 600,000 meals.

The $150,000 donation from the tech 
giant was announced during an event attended also by the mayors of 
Council Bluffs, Papillon and Omaha.

Across the Omaha-based food bank’s 
Nebraska and western Iowa service area, one out of every 10 people is 
facing food insecurity, including one in seven children, according to a 
statement.

The nonprofit food bank served more 
than 1.6 million individuals through its 544 partners last year, a 25% 
increase over the previous year.

Brian Barks, president and CEO of <a target="_blank" href="https://foodbankheartland.org/">Food Bank for the Heartland</a>, said the Google gift comes at the right time.

“It will make a lasting impact on 
neighbors making unthinkable decisions right now, as the cost of 
everyday essentials continues to rise,” he said.

Google planted roots in the Omaha 
metro area in 2009 with a Council Bluffs data center campus. The tech 
giant came to Papillion in 2019 and is expanding there, and now also is 
building a data center <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/01/03/google-seeks-to-stretch-farther-in-northwest-omaha/">in northwest Omaha</a>.

“Many local food pantries are 
partners of Food Bank for the Heartland, so this donation is a welcome 
boost to our Sarpy County organizations and neighbors in need of 
assistance,” said Papillion Mayor David Black.

By CINDY GONZALEZ <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/google-gift-aimed-at-curbing-food-insecurity-in-nebraska-and-western-iowa/">Nebraska Examiner</a>OMAHA
 — The Food Bank for the Heartland says it is seeing the most “sustained
 hunger crisis” in its 40-year history, and a donation announced Tuesday
 from Google is to provide up to 600,000 meals.The $150,000 donation from the tech 
giant was announced during an event attended also by the mayors of 
Council Bluffs, Papillon and Omaha.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680102313847.jpeg" alt="Bling provided at a previous event at Papillion’s Google data center site. (Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>Bling provided at a previous event at Papillion’s Google data center site. (Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Across the Omaha-based food bank’s 
Nebraska and western Iowa service area, one out of every 10 people is 
facing food insecurity, including one in seven children, according to a 
statement.The nonprofit food bank served more 
than 1.6 million individuals through its 544 partners last year, a 25% 
increase over the previous year.Brian Barks, president and CEO of <a target="_blank" href="https://foodbankheartland.org/">Food Bank for the Heartland</a>, said the Google gift comes at the right time.“It will make a lasting impact on 
neighbors making unthinkable decisions right now, as the cost of 
everyday essentials continues to rise,” he said.Google planted roots in the Omaha 
metro area in 2009 with a Council Bluffs data center campus. The tech 
giant came to Papillion in 2019 and is expanding there, and now also is 
building a data center <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/01/03/google-seeks-to-stretch-farther-in-northwest-omaha/">in northwest Omaha</a>.“Many local food pantries are 
partners of Food Bank for the Heartland, so this donation is a welcome 
boost to our Sarpy County organizations and neighbors in need of 
assistance,” said Papillion Mayor David Black.

Google gift aimed at curbing food insecurity in Nebraska, Iowa

By PAUL HAMMEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/03/28/permitless-concealed-carry-of-handguns-in-nebraska-advances-to-final-round-debate/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — A bill allowing Nebraskans to carry concealed handguns 
without training or a state permit moved forward Tuesday despite 
concerns that it would reduce the ability to ban dangerous weapons from 
public places and would endanger schoolchildren.

Legislative Bill 77, a so-called “constitutional carry” bill, 
advanced from second-round debate on a 31-10 vote during the first night
 session of the 2023 session.

Only one more round of debate, and a signature from Gov. Jim Pillen, a
 supporter, is now required to make Nebraska the 26th state that allows 
people to carry a concealed handgun without a state permit. In Nebraska,
 that currently requires purchase of a $100 state permit and passing a 
gun safety course, which can cost as much as $250.

The advancement came one day after the United States saw another mass shooting at a school, <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/03/27/3-kids-3-adults-killed-in-shooting-at-nashville-private-elementary-school/">this time in Nashville, Tennessee,</a> where three students and three staffers were gunned down by a 28-year-old former student.

“When is enough, enough?” asked State Sen. Jane Raybould of Lincoln, 
who argued that loosening state gun laws and rescinding local gun 
ordinances was exactly the opposite approach of what parents are now 
seeking.

“To dismiss and dismantle local 
safeguards that keep our communities safer is what we’re doing. It is 
completely illogical,” Raybould said.

Gordon Sen. Tom Brewer, who sponsored LB 77, said that to better 
protect schoolchildren, he plans to introduce a bill next year to 
provide resource officers in every school in the state. He added that he
 would also consider allowing trained teachers or school staff to carry 
guns.

“Right now they’re open targets,” Brewer said.

His voice rose as he said the bill wasn’t about matters such as 
preventing suicides, racism and school shootings, but about guaranteeing
 the right to bear arms in Nebraska.

He read from the State Constitution, which provides the right to bear
 arms for “security or defense” … “and for lawful common defense” 
without those rights being denied or infringed by government.

“Evil will do evil,” Brewer said. He cited a recent incident in 
Lincoln in which a female driver killed two men by ramming them with her
 vehicle.

Lincoln State Sen. George Dungan questioned whether LB 77 would 
eliminate that city’s ability to prohibit deadly weapons from city 
buses, parks and Pinnacle Bank Arena.

Bill would only ban ‘concealed handguns’

Currently, a Lincoln city ordinance prohibits “firearms” from certain
 city facilities. Dungan said LB 77 would eliminate that ordinance, and 
it only allows prohibitions on “concealed handguns” — a narrower group 
of deadly weapons — from certain areas.

Lincoln Police Chief Teresa Ewins, who was lobbying senators from the
 Rotunda, said LB 77 was “poorly written” and left too many gray areas, 
such as whether long guns, assault rifles and swords could continue to 
be banned from certain areas in the city.

Ewins, along with Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer, joined with 
their prospective city councils and mayors to oppose LB 77. They argued 
that Nebraska’s largest cities have different issues with guns than 
rural areas and that the Legislature should not rescind their local 
ordinances.

“It’s just not fair to our community, and it really risks the lives of my officers,” Ewins said.

Brewer, a trained and decorated military sniper, <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/01/05/nebraska-sen-tom-brewer-offers-a-cleaner-permitless-concealed-carry-bill/">has made passage of constitutional</a> carry the top goal of his seven years in the Legislature.

He said LB 77 doesn’t do away with a private business’s choice to ban
 weapons on the premise. It also doesn’t do away with the state 
requirement in Nebraska to obtain a state handgun buyer’s permit, a 
process that requires a criminal background check.

But Raybould touted New Jersey as a state that has reduced gun 
violence via tougher gun laws. It has the third lowest rate of firearm 
deaths in the nation in 2020, according to the U.S. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/sosmap/firearm_mortality/firearm.htm">Centers for Disease Control</a>. Nebraska is 10th lowest.

By contrast, Raybould said, states that allow permitless carry had 
the highest rates of gun deaths, as well as the highest rates of road 
rage shootings.

The gun control group&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://everytownresearch.org/reports-of-road-rage-shootings-are-on-the-rise/">Everytown for Gun Safety</a>
 recently reported that a surge in road rage shootings was linked to the
 increase in gun sales and the increased availability of firearms in 
vehicles.

But supporters of LB 77 said that criminals don’t care what gun laws 
there are and that the proposal was about removing barriers for 
law-abiding citizens to carry guns under a jacket without committing a 
crime.

“We’re not trying to arm everyone in the world. We’re just trying to take care of a problem,” said Kearney Sen. John Lowe.

Omaha Sen. John Cavanaugh offered a last-minute amendment to provide 
state concealed carry permits without a fee, saying it address the 
concern that people had to “pay” to exercise a constitutional right.

But Brewer rejected the offer, saying that too many times in the past
 he’d allowed amendments, but, in the end, they served to scuttle his 
proposals.

For instance, he said, he once offered a concealed carry proposal 
that would have excepted Omaha and Lincoln — allowing them to keep their
 local gun-control ordinances — but that bill was deemed 
unconstitutional.

The vote to invoke cloture passed with the minimum number of votes, 
33, though one supporter, Grand Island Sen. Ray Aguilar, was absent.

Four senators were present but did not vote on advancement of LB 77: 
Omaha Sens. Justin Wayne and Terrell McKinney, and Lincoln Sens. Anna 
Wishart and Suzanne Geist. Geist is running for mayor of Lincoln.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680102160491.png" alt="Gun rights advocates turned out in force a year ago to testify in support of a bill in the Nebraska Legislature that would allow ‘permit-less’ concealed carry of handguns. This year, the bill appears headed to approval. (Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>Gun rights advocates turned out in force a year ago to testify in support of a bill in the Nebraska Legislature that would allow ‘permit-less’ concealed carry of handguns. This year, the bill appears headed to approval. (Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>By PAUL HAMMEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/03/28/permitless-concealed-carry-of-handguns-in-nebraska-advances-to-final-round-debate/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — A bill allowing Nebraskans to carry concealed handguns 
without training or a state permit moved forward Tuesday despite 
concerns that it would reduce the ability to ban dangerous weapons from 
public places and would endanger schoolchildren.Legislative Bill 77, a so-called “constitutional carry” bill, 
advanced from second-round debate on a 31-10 vote during the first night
 session of the 2023 session.Only one more round of debate, and a signature from Gov. Jim Pillen, a
 supporter, is now required to make Nebraska the 26th state that allows 
people to carry a concealed handgun without a state permit. In Nebraska,
 that currently requires purchase of a $100 state permit and passing a 
gun safety course, which can cost as much as $250.<h2>One day after Nashville shooting</h2>The advancement came one day after the United States saw another mass shooting at a school, <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/03/27/3-kids-3-adults-killed-in-shooting-at-nashville-private-elementary-school/">this time in Nashville, Tennessee,</a> where three students and three staffers were gunned down by a 28-year-old former student.“When is enough, enough?” asked State Sen. Jane Raybould of Lincoln, 
who argued that loosening state gun laws and rescinding local gun 
ordinances was exactly the opposite approach of what parents are now 
seeking.“To dismiss and dismantle local 
safeguards that keep our communities safer is what we’re doing. It is 
completely illogical,” Raybould said.Gordon Sen. Tom Brewer, who sponsored LB 77, said that to better 
protect schoolchildren, he plans to introduce a bill next year to 
provide resource officers in every school in the state. He added that he
 would also consider allowing trained teachers or school staff to carry 
guns.“Right now they’re open targets,” Brewer said.His voice rose as he said the bill wasn’t about matters such as 
preventing suicides, racism and school shootings, but about guaranteeing
 the right to bear arms in Nebraska.He read from the State Constitution, which provides the right to bear
 arms for “security or defense” … “and for lawful common defense” 
without those rights being denied or infringed by government.“Evil will do evil,” Brewer said. He cited a recent incident in 
Lincoln in which a female driver killed two men by ramming them with her
 vehicle.Lincoln State Sen. George Dungan questioned whether LB 77 would 
eliminate that city’s ability to prohibit deadly weapons from city 
buses, parks and Pinnacle Bank Arena.<h2>Bill would only ban ‘concealed handguns’</h2>Currently, a Lincoln city ordinance prohibits “firearms” from certain
 city facilities. Dungan said LB 77 would eliminate that ordinance, and 
it only allows prohibitions on “concealed handguns” — a narrower group 
of deadly weapons — from certain areas.Lincoln Police Chief Teresa Ewins, who was lobbying senators from the
 Rotunda, said LB 77 was “poorly written” and left too many gray areas, 
such as whether long guns, assault rifles and swords could continue to 
be banned from certain areas in the city.Ewins, along with Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer, joined with 
their prospective city councils and mayors to oppose LB 77. They argued 
that Nebraska’s largest cities have different issues with guns than 
rural areas and that the Legislature should not rescind their local 
ordinances.“It’s just not fair to our community, and it really risks the lives of my officers,” Ewins said.Brewer, a trained and decorated military sniper, <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/01/05/nebraska-sen-tom-brewer-offers-a-cleaner-permitless-concealed-carry-bill/">has made passage of constitutional</a> carry the top goal of his seven years in the Legislature.He said LB 77 doesn’t do away with a private business’s choice to ban
 weapons on the premise. It also doesn’t do away with the state 
requirement in Nebraska to obtain a state handgun buyer’s permit, a 
process that requires a criminal background check.But Raybould touted New Jersey as a state that has reduced gun 
violence via tougher gun laws. It has the third lowest rate of firearm 
deaths in the nation in 2020, according to the U.S. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/sosmap/firearm_mortality/firearm.htm">Centers for Disease Control</a>. Nebraska is 10th lowest.By contrast, Raybould said, states that allow permitless carry had 
the highest rates of gun deaths, as well as the highest rates of road 
rage shootings.<h2>Surge in road rage shootings</h2>The gun control group&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://everytownresearch.org/reports-of-road-rage-shootings-are-on-the-rise/">Everytown for Gun Safety</a>
 recently reported that a surge in road rage shootings was linked to the
 increase in gun sales and the increased availability of firearms in 
vehicles.But supporters of LB 77 said that criminals don’t care what gun laws 
there are and that the proposal was about removing barriers for 
law-abiding citizens to carry guns under a jacket without committing a 
crime.“We’re not trying to arm everyone in the world. We’re just trying to take care of a problem,” said Kearney Sen. John Lowe.Omaha Sen. John Cavanaugh offered a last-minute amendment to provide 
state concealed carry permits without a fee, saying it address the 
concern that people had to “pay” to exercise a constitutional right.But Brewer rejected the offer, saying that too many times in the past
 he’d allowed amendments, but, in the end, they served to scuttle his 
proposals.For instance, he said, he once offered a concealed carry proposal 
that would have excepted Omaha and Lincoln — allowing them to keep their
 local gun-control ordinances — but that bill was deemed 
unconstitutional.The vote to invoke cloture passed with the minimum number of votes, 
33, though one supporter, Grand Island Sen. Ray Aguilar, was absent.Four senators were present but did not vote on advancement of LB 77: 
Omaha Sens. Justin Wayne and Terrell McKinney, and Lincoln Sens. Anna 
Wishart and Suzanne Geist. Geist is running for mayor of Lincoln.

‘Permitless’ concealed carry of handguns in Nebraska advances

LINCOLN — Time is running out to become a Nebraska State Trooper in 2023. Applications close Monday to join the next NSP recruit camp in July.

“As our current recruits pass the halfway point of camp at the NSP Training Academy, we’re building the next class ready to take on the mission to keep Nebraska safe,” said Colonel John Bolduc, Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol. “A career as a trooper is full of opportunity and we have positions open in every part of the state. There’s never been a better time to join our team and serve the people and visitors of Nebraska.”

Applications for Camp 68 close at 11:59 p.m., Monday, April 3. Camp 68 is scheduled to begin on July 5, with graduation scheduled for December 15, 2023. Apply at&nbsp;<a href="file://stnnspnas01.stone.ne.gov/Statewide$/Public%20Information/2023%20Press%20Releases/NebraskaTroopers.com">NebraskaTroopers.com.</a>

Troopers earn a starting salary of $30 per hour ($62,400 annually) upon graduating from the NSP Training Academy, with a built-in raise structure throughout their career. The current maximum base salary for troopers is $45.54 per hour ($94,723 annually).

The Nebraska State Patrol offers numerous career paths, including Criminal Investigator, K9 Handler, SWAT Team member, Drone Operator, Pilot, Crisis Negotiator, Training Instructor, Carrier Enforcement, Bomb Squad, patrolling Nebraska’s roadways, and many more. With dozens of specialty positions, a career as a Trooper is a career you get to define.

Troopers receive excellent benefits, including medical and life insurance, paid vacation, sick leave, and a great retirement program. Recruits are paid during training camp and receive state benefits, including medical and life insurance. Bilingual troopers are also eligible for a 2.5% pay increase upon graduation.

Applicants must be a United States citizen and at least 21 years of age by December 15, 2023, when they take the oath of office. Applicants must have a high school diploma or GED equivalence. Additional information about the hiring process, benefits, and career opportunities can be found at<a href="http://www.nebraskatroopers.com/">NebraskaTroopers.com.</a>

NSPLINCOLN — Time is running out to become a Nebraska State Trooper in 2023. Applications close Monday to join the next NSP recruit camp in July.“As our current recruits pass the halfway point of camp at the NSP Training Academy, we’re building the next class ready to take on the mission to keep Nebraska safe,” said Colonel John Bolduc, Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol. “A career as a trooper is full of opportunity and we have positions open in every part of the state. There’s never been a better time to join our team and serve the people and visitors of Nebraska.”Applications for Camp 68 close at 11:59 p.m., Monday, April 3. Camp 68 is scheduled to begin on July 5, with graduation scheduled for December 15, 2023. Apply at&nbsp;<a href="file://stnnspnas01.stone.ne.gov/Statewide$/Public%20Information/2023%20Press%20Releases/NebraskaTroopers.com">NebraskaTroopers.com.</a>Troopers earn a starting salary of $30 per hour ($62,400 annually) upon graduating from the NSP Training Academy, with a built-in raise structure throughout their career. The current maximum base salary for troopers is $45.54 per hour ($94,723 annually).The Nebraska State Patrol offers numerous career paths, including Criminal Investigator, K9 Handler, SWAT Team member, Drone Operator, Pilot, Crisis Negotiator, Training Instructor, Carrier Enforcement, Bomb Squad, patrolling Nebraska’s roadways, and many more. With dozens of specialty positions, a career as a Trooper is a career you get to define.<figure>
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 </figure>Troopers receive excellent benefits, including medical and life insurance, paid vacation, sick leave, and a great retirement program. Recruits are paid during training camp and receive state benefits, including medical and life insurance. Bilingual troopers are also eligible for a 2.5% pay increase upon graduation.Applicants must be a United States citizen and at least 21 years of age by December 15, 2023, when they take the oath of office. Applicants must have a high school diploma or GED equivalence. Additional information about the hiring process, benefits, and career opportunities can be found at<a href="http://www.nebraskatroopers.com/">NebraskaTroopers.com.</a>