BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jaredstrong/">JARED STRONG</a>&nbsp;

Federal health officials are encouraging farm workers who tend livestock and poultry to get vaccinated for seasonal influenza to help prevent a bird flu mutation that might spark a pandemic in people.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Tuesday it would devote up to $5 million to pay for the vaccinations, and that it will rely on states to implement the initiative.

There are 14 known human infections of highly pathogenic avian influenza that resulted from contact with infected dairy cattle and poultry in the United States, and all but one has happened in the past four months.

The virus has been circulated by wild birds for more than two years and has sporadically transmitted to domestic birds. A variation of the virus has been infecting U.S. dairy cattle since December, and four people who worked closely with infected cattle also became ill.

In recent weeks, nine people in Colorado who were tasked with culling infected poultry contracted the virus.

The CDC has maintained that the virus’ risk to humans is low — those who have been infected so far had minor symptoms of respiratory illness or pinkeye, or both.

It has not been shown to transmit between people, but the virus has the potential to rapidly gain that ability if it infects someone who also has a seasonal flu virus.

“Such dual infections, while rare, could potentially result in an exchange of genetic material between two different influenza viruses,” Dr. Nirav Shah, principal deputy director for the CDC, said in a call with reporters Tuesday.

Shah said that “reassortment” process could pose a “significant public health concern” if bird flu gains the ability to spread person-to-person the way seasonal flu does, potentially resulting in a virus that spreads easily and causes severe symptoms.

Shah said the CDC will devote up to $10 million for farm workers’ health related to avian flu. Half will be spent educating and training farm workers about how to avoid being infected.

The other half will pay for seasonal flu vaccines for an estimated 200,000 farm workers who tend livestock and poultry. The CDC hopes to vaccinate all of them but acknowledges that less than half of the general population typically gets a flu shot.

How the voluntary vaccination effort will proceed is unclear. State health officials are expected to implement them, most immediately in the 13 states that have confirmed infections among cows.

That includes Iowa, where 13 dairy herds have been infected. However, no new infections have been reported in the state in the past month.

A spokesperson for the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services — which presumably would coordinate with the CDC — did not immediately respond to a request to comment for this article.

The vaccine will not protect the workers from contracting bird flu, Shah said, nor will it guarantee they won’t be infected by seasonal flu. But he said it’s an important component of the public health response to the new virus’ threat.

“The risk here is a theoretical but important risk,” Shah said.

The confirmations of new bird flu infections among cattle have waned significantly in most states, except for in Colorado. In the past 30 days, two-thirds of the nation’s 32 newly infected herds were in that state, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture data.

Some of that might be due to Colorado’s&nbsp;<a href="https://coloradonewsline.com/briefs/colorado-requiring-dairy-products-to-be-regularly-tested-for-bird-flu-amid-outbreak/" target="_blank">robust testing protocols</a>, but it’s also “a quirk of history and geography,” said Eric Deeble, deputy under secretary for marketing and regulatory programs for the USDA.

The state has far fewer dairy farms than the leading milk-producing states, but most of them are concentrated in one county.

“They are all in very close proximity to one another, and so there is a lot of sharing of equipment, a lot of sharing of personnel and a lot of movement on and off farms to adjacent farms,” Deeble said.

The USDA has identified the movement of equipment and people between dairy farms as a primary vector for virus transmissions from herd to herd and from herd to flock.

The virus has been identified in 172 dairy herds in the United States this year. Fifty of them are in Colorado. In Texas, where the infections originated, the virus was confirmed in 22 herds, although there were many that went untested because they recovered before bird flu&nbsp;<a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2024/04/17/two-veterinarians-hundreds-of-miles-apart-solved-a-cow-sickness-whodunit/" target="_blank">was identified</a>&nbsp;as the culprit.

This story was originally published by the&nbsp;<a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2024/07/30/worried-about-bird-flu-mutation-feds-seek-livestock-worker-vaccinations/" target="_blank">Iowa Capital Dispatch</a>, a States Newsroom affiliate.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1722448527185.png" alt="Cow Photo courtesy of Iowa State Dairy Association)." />
 <figcaption>Cow Photo courtesy of Iowa State Dairy Association).</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jaredstrong/">JARED STRONG</a>&nbsp;Federal health officials are encouraging farm workers who tend livestock and poultry to get vaccinated for seasonal influenza to help prevent a bird flu mutation that might spark a pandemic in people.The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Tuesday it would devote up to $5 million to pay for the vaccinations, and that it will rely on states to implement the initiative.There are 14 known human infections of highly pathogenic avian influenza that resulted from contact with infected dairy cattle and poultry in the United States, and all but one has happened in the past four months.The virus has been circulated by wild birds for more than two years and has sporadically transmitted to domestic birds. A variation of the virus has been infecting U.S. dairy cattle since December, and four people who worked closely with infected cattle also became ill.In recent weeks, nine people in Colorado who were tasked with culling infected poultry contracted the virus.The CDC has maintained that the virus’ risk to humans is low — those who have been infected so far had minor symptoms of respiratory illness or pinkeye, or both.It has not been shown to transmit between people, but the virus has the potential to rapidly gain that ability if it infects someone who also has a seasonal flu virus.“Such dual infections, while rare, could potentially result in an exchange of genetic material between two different influenza viruses,” Dr. Nirav Shah, principal deputy director for the CDC, said in a call with reporters Tuesday.Shah said that “reassortment” process could pose a “significant public health concern” if bird flu gains the ability to spread person-to-person the way seasonal flu does, potentially resulting in a virus that spreads easily and causes severe symptoms.<h2>A new vaccination campaign</h2>Shah said the CDC will devote up to $10 million for farm workers’ health related to avian flu. Half will be spent educating and training farm workers about how to avoid being infected.The other half will pay for seasonal flu vaccines for an estimated 200,000 farm workers who tend livestock and poultry. The CDC hopes to vaccinate all of them but acknowledges that less than half of the general population typically gets a flu shot.How the voluntary vaccination effort will proceed is unclear. State health officials are expected to implement them, most immediately in the 13 states that have confirmed infections among cows.That includes Iowa, where 13 dairy herds have been infected. However, no new infections have been reported in the state in the past month.A spokesperson for the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services — which presumably would coordinate with the CDC — did not immediately respond to a request to comment for this article.The vaccine will not protect the workers from contracting bird flu, Shah said, nor will it guarantee they won’t be infected by seasonal flu. But he said it’s an important component of the public health response to the new virus’ threat.“The risk here is a theoretical but important risk,” Shah said.<h2>Colorado has most recent infections</h2>The confirmations of new bird flu infections among cattle have waned significantly in most states, except for in Colorado. In the past 30 days, two-thirds of the nation’s 32 newly infected herds were in that state, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture data.Some of that might be due to Colorado’s&nbsp;<a href="https://coloradonewsline.com/briefs/colorado-requiring-dairy-products-to-be-regularly-tested-for-bird-flu-amid-outbreak/" target="_blank">robust testing protocols</a>, but it’s also “a quirk of history and geography,” said Eric Deeble, deputy under secretary for marketing and regulatory programs for the USDA.The state has far fewer dairy farms than the leading milk-producing states, but most of them are concentrated in one county.“They are all in very close proximity to one another, and so there is a lot of sharing of equipment, a lot of sharing of personnel and a lot of movement on and off farms to adjacent farms,” Deeble said.The USDA has identified the movement of equipment and people between dairy farms as a primary vector for virus transmissions from herd to herd and from herd to flock.The virus has been identified in 172 dairy herds in the United States this year. Fifty of them are in Colorado. In Texas, where the infections originated, the virus was confirmed in 22 herds, although there were many that went untested because they recovered before bird flu&nbsp;<a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2024/04/17/two-veterinarians-hundreds-of-miles-apart-solved-a-cow-sickness-whodunit/" target="_blank">was identified</a>&nbsp;as the culprit.This story was originally published by the&nbsp;<a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2024/07/30/worried-about-bird-flu-mutation-feds-seek-livestock-worker-vaccinations/" target="_blank">Iowa Capital Dispatch</a>, a States Newsroom affiliate.&nbsp;

Worried about bird flu mutation, feds seek livestock worker vaccinations

An elderly woman from Alliance, aged 63, has been detained after a probe carried out by the WING Drug Task Force in June.

Vanadelle Buckingham, also known by the aliases Cynthia Hunziger and Cynthia Tschacher, is accused of selling hydrocodone pills to a confidential informant on several days in 2023. Investigators sent the pills to the NSP Crime lab, who confirmed the pills to be schedule 2 drugs, and a warrant for her arrest was issued last week.

She was booked into the Box Butte County Detention Center Monday, and is facing two Class 2 Felony charges of Distribution of an Exceptionally Hazardous Drug.

An elderly woman from Alliance, aged 63, has been detained after a probe carried out by the WING Drug Task Force in June.Vanadelle Buckingham, also known by the aliases Cynthia Hunziger and Cynthia Tschacher, is accused of selling hydrocodone pills to a confidential informant on several days in 2023. Investigators sent the pills to the NSP Crime lab, who confirmed the pills to be schedule 2 drugs, and a warrant for her arrest was issued last week.She was booked into the Box Butte County Detention Center Monday, and is facing two Class 2 Felony charges of Distribution of an Exceptionally Hazardous Drug.

Alliance Woman Detained In Drug Arrrest

WASHINGTON —NRRM, LLC, which does business as CarShield,&nbsp;along with American Auto Shield, LLC (AAS), the administrator of its&nbsp;vehicle service contracts (VSCs),&nbsp;will pay $10 million to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that its advertisements and telemarketing for VSC are deceptive and misleading, and that many purchasers found that many repairs were not “covered,” despite making payments of up to $120 per month. The FTC also alleges CarShield’s celebrity and consumer endorsers made false statements in its ads, according to a media release from the FTC.

The stipulated order settling the Commission’s complaint also bars&nbsp;CarShield and AAS from making deceptive and misleading statements in the future and requires them to ensure their endorsers’ testimonials are truthful, accurate, and not deceptive.

“For many consumers, a personal vehicle is one of their most valuable assets and a vital lifeline for getting to work, taking their kids to school, and obtaining medical care. Instead of delivering the ‘peace of mind’ promised by its advertisements, CarShield left many consumers with a financial headache,” said Samuel Levine, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “Worse still, CarShield used trusted personalities to deliver its empty promises. The FTC will hold advertisers accountable for using false or deceptive claims to exploit consumers’ financial anxieties.”

NRRM is a Missouri-based company that advertises VSCs to consumers throughout the United Sates. AAS, based in Lakewood, Colorado, designs and administers the VSCs.

<a href="https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/NRRM-dba-Carshield-Complaint.pdf">According to the FTC’s complaint</a>, CarShield advertises and sells VSCs costing approximately $80 to $120 a month. CarShield’s ads for VSCs often feature celebrities such as sports commentator Chris Berman and actor Ice-T. These endorsers try to assure consumers that buying a CarShield service plan will provide them with “peace of mind” and “protection” from the cost and inconvenience of vehicle breakdowns, which will inevitably occur.

The complaint alleges many ads claim that all repairs or repairs to “covered” systems, such as the engine and transmission, will be covered and use language that makes consumers believe CarShield will pay for all necessary repairs. For example, one ad that ran 18,000 times on television stated, “With CarShield’s administrators, they make sure you don’t get stuck with expensive car repair bills like this.” It also touts CarShield VSCs as “your best line of defense against expensive breakdowns.”

The company sells its plans using telemarketers who answer inbound calls and make outbound calls responding to consumers, including those who made web inquiries. Using scripted statements written by CarShield and cleared by AAS, the telemarketers pitch the VSCs and tell consumers that, whether they use a dealer or local mechanic for the repair work, “there is just a $100 deductible for any covered repair.”&nbsp;

However, consumers do not always get what they think they bought when signing up for the VSCs. Instead, the complaint alleges that CarShield’s ads deceptively represent that: 1) all repairs or repairs to “covered” vehicle systems will be paid for under the plans; 2) consumers will receive a rental car at no cost when their car breaks down; and 3)&nbsp;consumers can use the repair facility of their choice for repairs.

Specifically, many consumers could not use the repair facility of their choice, as many do not accept the VSCs. Many consumers also find that repairs they thought were covered are not. In fact, none of CarShield’s VSCs covers all repairs or even repairs to “covered” vehicle systems. Instead, the plans contain myriad exclusions.&nbsp;Consumers with denied claims receive no rental car, while many consumers with “approved” claims must pay a portion of their rental car costs.

In addition, while CarShield’s celebrity endorsers said they had signed up and used the company’s VSCs, in many cases this was not true.&nbsp;They were not “real” customers and had never saved money&nbsp;by using an AAS VSC. Finally, many CarShield ads deceptively feature consumer endorsers who claim to have saved a specific amount of money using their plans but have not in fact saved that amount.

<a href="https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/NRRM-dba-Carshield-MotiontoApprovedStipulatedOrder.pdf">The proposed order</a>&nbsp;settling the complaint addresses the defendants’ alleged violations of the FTC Act. First, it prohibits CarShield from making the misrepresentations described in the complaint, along with any other misrepresentations related to any good or service. It also prohibits&nbsp;CarShield and AAS&nbsp;from failing to make required disclosures and from violating the FTC’s Telemarketing Sales Rule.

Next, the order bars CarShield from misrepresenting any endorser’s ownership, use of, or experience with any product or service and requires AAS to inform third-party marketers of the order and to review and monitor their advertising and marketing. The order also imposes standard reporting and compliance provision that will remain in place for up to 10 years.

Finally, the order imposes a $10 million monetary judgment against&nbsp;CarShield and AAS,&nbsp;which will be used to provide refunds to defrauded consumers. The full amount of the judgment must be paid to the FTC within seven days of when the court enters the order.

The Commission vote authorizing the staff to file the complaint and proposed order was 5-0. FTC staff filed the complaint and proposed order in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri.&nbsp;The case was brought by the agency’s East Central Region. The FTC thanks the Missouri Attorney General’s Office for its help in bringing this case.

WASHINGTON —NRRM, LLC, which does business as CarShield,&nbsp;along with American Auto Shield, LLC (AAS), the administrator of its&nbsp;vehicle service contracts (VSCs),&nbsp;will pay $10 million to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that its advertisements and telemarketing for VSC are deceptive and misleading, and that many purchasers found that many repairs were not “covered,” despite making payments of up to $120 per month. The FTC also alleges CarShield’s celebrity and consumer endorsers made false statements in its ads, according to a media release from the FTC.The stipulated order settling the Commission’s complaint also bars&nbsp;CarShield and AAS from making deceptive and misleading statements in the future and requires them to ensure their endorsers’ testimonials are truthful, accurate, and not deceptive.“For many consumers, a personal vehicle is one of their most valuable assets and a vital lifeline for getting to work, taking their kids to school, and obtaining medical care. Instead of delivering the ‘peace of mind’ promised by its advertisements, CarShield left many consumers with a financial headache,” said Samuel Levine, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “Worse still, CarShield used trusted personalities to deliver its empty promises. The FTC will hold advertisers accountable for using false or deceptive claims to exploit consumers’ financial anxieties.”NRRM is a Missouri-based company that advertises VSCs to consumers throughout the United Sates. AAS, based in Lakewood, Colorado, designs and administers the VSCs.<a href="https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/NRRM-dba-Carshield-Complaint.pdf">According to the FTC’s complaint</a>, CarShield advertises and sells VSCs costing approximately $80 to $120 a month. CarShield’s ads for VSCs often feature celebrities such as sports commentator Chris Berman and actor Ice-T. These endorsers try to assure consumers that buying a CarShield service plan will provide them with “peace of mind” and “protection” from the cost and inconvenience of vehicle breakdowns, which will inevitably occur.The complaint alleges many ads claim that all repairs or repairs to “covered” systems, such as the engine and transmission, will be covered and use language that makes consumers believe CarShield will pay for all necessary repairs. For example, one ad that ran 18,000 times on television stated, “With CarShield’s administrators, they make sure you don’t get stuck with expensive car repair bills like this.” It also touts CarShield VSCs as “your best line of defense against expensive breakdowns.”The company sells its plans using telemarketers who answer inbound calls and make outbound calls responding to consumers, including those who made web inquiries. Using scripted statements written by CarShield and cleared by AAS, the telemarketers pitch the VSCs and tell consumers that, whether they use a dealer or local mechanic for the repair work, “there is just a $100 deductible for any covered repair.”&nbsp;However, consumers do not always get what they think they bought when signing up for the VSCs. Instead, the complaint alleges that CarShield’s ads deceptively represent that: 1) all repairs or repairs to “covered” vehicle systems will be paid for under the plans; 2) consumers will receive a rental car at no cost when their car breaks down; and 3)&nbsp;consumers can use the repair facility of their choice for repairs.Specifically, many consumers could not use the repair facility of their choice, as many do not accept the VSCs. Many consumers also find that repairs they thought were covered are not. In fact, none of CarShield’s VSCs covers all repairs or even repairs to “covered” vehicle systems. Instead, the plans contain myriad exclusions.&nbsp;Consumers with denied claims receive no rental car, while many consumers with “approved” claims must pay a portion of their rental car costs.In addition, while CarShield’s celebrity endorsers said they had signed up and used the company’s VSCs, in many cases this was not true.&nbsp;They were not “real” customers and had never saved money&nbsp;by using an AAS VSC. Finally, many CarShield ads deceptively feature consumer endorsers who claim to have saved a specific amount of money using their plans but have not in fact saved that amount.<a href="https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/NRRM-dba-Carshield-MotiontoApprovedStipulatedOrder.pdf">The proposed order</a>&nbsp;settling the complaint addresses the defendants’ alleged violations of the FTC Act. First, it prohibits CarShield from making the misrepresentations described in the complaint, along with any other misrepresentations related to any good or service. It also prohibits&nbsp;CarShield and AAS&nbsp;from failing to make required disclosures and from violating the FTC’s Telemarketing Sales Rule.Next, the order bars CarShield from misrepresenting any endorser’s ownership, use of, or experience with any product or service and requires AAS to inform third-party marketers of the order and to review and monitor their advertising and marketing. The order also imposes standard reporting and compliance provision that will remain in place for up to 10 years.Finally, the order imposes a $10 million monetary judgment against&nbsp;CarShield and AAS,&nbsp;which will be used to provide refunds to defrauded consumers. The full amount of the judgment must be paid to the FTC within seven days of when the court enters the order.The Commission vote authorizing the staff to file the complaint and proposed order was 5-0. FTC staff filed the complaint and proposed order in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri.&nbsp;The case was brought by the agency’s East Central Region. The FTC thanks the Missouri Attorney General’s Office for its help in bringing this case.

CarShield to pay $10M to settle deceptive advertising charges

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/07/30/business-local-officials-line-up-to-oppose-nebraska-gov-pillens-property-tax-plan/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — Dozens of statewide business, municipal and county leaders lined up Tuesday to testify against Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen’s core property tax proposal.

For more than 10 hours, the Legislature’s Revenue Committee listened to varying perspectives about&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=58119" target="_blank">Legislative Bill 1</a>, which Pillen says would reduce the average Nebraskan’s property tax bill by up to 50%. State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn, the committee chair, introduced the bill&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/07/25/lawmakers-introduce-gov-pillens-property-tax-plan-which-would-require-legislation-in-2025/">on Pillen’s behalf</a>&nbsp;and presided over the committee hearing.

“There’s not just one key to solving this problem,” Pillen told the committee. “I think it has to be addressed from a multitude of different perspectives.”

Over the summer, Pillen had suggested the state should take over about 80% of the property tax portion of local K-12 school districts’ budgets.

However, as introduced, LB 1 doesn’t include that plan. It instead seeks to carve out more than $2 billion in tax credits targeted to replace school taxes. Those credits would be returned to counties and distributed to taxpayers, based on their portion of property valuations.

Funding sources include new sales taxes on more than 100 currently tax-exempt goods and services and increased or new taxes on seven “sin” items: soft drinks and candy, cigarettes, vapes, spirits, consumable hemp, keno and games of skill.

LB 1 would also restrict municipal and county governments from increasing their annual property tax collections by the greater of 0% (in deflationary times) or the consumer price index. They could skirt those limits if approved by a public vote or in cases of, emergencies, local growth or if needed to fill&nbsp; vacant law enforcement, firefighting or correctional officer positions.

Kirk Anderson, president of the Nebraska Beverage Association, focused his criticism at Pillen for labeling soft drinks and candy as a “sin” and passing judgment on the people who buy them.

Anderson noted that Pillen has said “food” would not be taxed, yet soft drinks or candy could open the door to a standard in choosing what foods can be taxed in a complicated tax code.

“Using similar logic, if our governor was really concerned about the health of Nebraskans, it would be more appropriate to consider limiting through taxation the consumption of all processed meats, like bacon, ham and salami, that are classified as a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/cancer-carcinogenicity-of-the-consumption-of-red-meat-and-processed-meat" target="_blank">Group 1 carcinogen</a>,” Anderson said.

Pillen’s family owns a major hog operation in Nebraska and stands to benefit from LB 1, Anderson said, yet it is “one of the few select industries that won’t be targeted by his taxes.”

Cody Schmick, owner-operator of Kinkaider Brewing in Lincoln, said an increased “sin” tax on spirits, increasing from $3.75 to $14.50 per gallon, would kill off the industry “before we get started.”

Todd Roe, founder of Lazy RW Distillery in Moorefield, said the proposed 287% increase would “drown us” and the distillery “will be done” within three years if LB 1 is passed. He said that his distillery prepares about 250 gallons of spirits each month but that customers may shop in a different state if the tax is added on.

“No matter how loyal they say they are,” Roe said of his customers, “everybody’s loyal when you’re sitting in Hy-Vee giving out free shots.”

Opponents raised concerns about nearly every one of more than 100 goods and services that would be newly taxed under LB 1, in addition to the “sin” taxes.

The statewide sales tax rate is 5.5 cents per dollar purchase plus local sales taxes, which can be between 0.5 cents and 2 cents.

All goods and services would be taxed under that system, except for four items: agricultural and manufacturing machinery and equipment, which would be taxed at 2 cents, and carpentry services and electricians’ services, at 4 cents. These items would be exempt from local sales taxes.

Pillen’s staff has told the Nebraska Examiner that machinery and equipment are still intended to be taxed at a 4-cent rate, as previously planned, although that would require an amendment to the bill.

Mark McHargue of the Nebraska Farm Bureau and Heath Mello of the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce said even at those lower rates, taxing business or agricultural “inputs” would be bad tax policy. Mello is a former state senator.

Multiple testifiers described the proposed changes as a “tax pyramid scheme” that would decrease transparency as taxes are passed on after multiple taxed stages of production.

Linehan asked McHargue and Mello for their definition of “inputs.” McHargue described inputs as raw materials used to produce an end product, which is taxed. Mello’s definition also included legal and accounting services, which Linehan said might be more broadly tax write-offs.

Bryan Slone, president of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce, said the state can’t tax its way out of its decades-long property tax problem and that it must grow its economy.

“This bill will fall specifically on young people who don’t own property yet,” Slone said. “I will be a benefactor, and a lot of my age group will be benefactors, so we need to be very careful in how we tax people.”

Andy Marsh of Keystone Properties in the Grand Island and Hastings areas pushed back on criticism that renters wouldn’t benefit from the property tax savings. He said the “writing is on the wall” for how tenants would benefit.

However, Lynn Fisher and Arla Meyer, both of the Nebraska Realtors Association, said the increased taxes on various goods or services could result in net tax increases for property owners, which would be passed on to particularly low-income renters in less expensive housing.

“Now is not the time to make buying or homeownership more expensive or difficult,” Meyer said.

Dave Nabity of Omaha said something needed to be done to fix property taxes and said people would have to be “financially nuts” to want to retire in Nebraska, rather than in other states.

“Our national reputation stinks, folks,” Nabity said. “We don’t have the Ozarks. We don’t have the lakes. We don’t have the beaches. We don’t have the mountains.… We don’t have the warm weather.”

Craig Bolz of Palmyra asked for significant tax relief and spending controls. He urged taxing all sales so the consumer can decide what to purchase, adding: “How much fairer can you get than sales taxes?”

“We all know that at the end of the day, taxes are all smoke and mirrors,” Bolz said.

Rachel Gibson of Omaha said a shift to sales tax from property taxes needs to be “equitable.”

With property taxes, Gibson said, she would know what’s coming and be able to plan accordingly, compared to dealing with unexpected sales taxes on purchases, such as home maintenance, car repairs or veterinary visits.

“We have wiggle room, and we love it here and we’re happy to pay in taxes,” Gibson said. “I’m worried about the people who don’t have the wiggle room and don’t have insurance.”

‘Solving’ vs. ‘prolonging’ a crisis

State Treasurer Tom Briese, who worked on various tax relief proposals in his seven years as a state senator, spoke in favor of the proposal. He described it as a “game changer” and “a different animal.”

“LB 1 creates a stark choice here between solving the crisis vs. prolonging the crisis,” Briese told the committee. He served in the Legislature from 2017 until last Oct. 31.

Briese said he calls “baloney” on critics who said the bill’s impact on Nebraskans would increase or shift taxes. He sees LB 1 as “much-needed, revenue-neutral, textbook tax reform.”

Ernie Goss, an economist from Creighton University, said he did an analysis of LB 1 and projects the broadening of Nebraska’s sales tax base will stimulate growth. He said property taxes are a greater detriment to growing Nebraska.

Rebecca Firestone, executive director of the Lincoln-based think tank OpenSky Policy Institute, said her organization’s analysis highlights the regressive nature of sales taxes on low-income Nebraskans.&nbsp;

Under that analysis, household incomes for Nebraskans making less than $30,000 would see about 11.24% of their budgets going to taxes, and a 0.27% increase in taxes overall. Nebraskans in the top 20% bracket, above $141,700, would pay about 8.84% of their income on taxes, and 0.04% less in overall taxes if LB 1 passed.

Jon Cannon, executive director for the Nebraska Association of County Officials, and Lynn Rex, executive director of the League of Nebraska Municipalities, expressed caution about the property tax collection caps included in the bill.&nbsp;

Cannon said they could become a “floor” instead of a “ceiling” as county spending is largely focused on roads, bridges, law enforcement, jails, courts, elections and administration of the state’s tax system. He quipped that officials aren’t using “gold plates” on roads or “mixing diamond dust” with gravel to raise costs.

Rex and Cannon said inflation isn’t accurate when considering “basket of goods” counties and municipalities are purchasing.

“We don’t get fire trucks at Wal-Mart,” Rex said. “We don’t buy police cars at Target.”

Douglas County Attorney Don Klein and Douglas County Public Defender Tom Riley encouraged the committee to include their offices’ spending as a broader exemption of public health and safety.

LB 1 allows local governments to ask voters to approve bonds or other increases above the built-in restrictions. Such votes could only be considered during regularly scheduled elections.&nbsp;

Cannon said elections would be too soon in May and too late in November for his members, who start budgeting in the summer.

The committee took no immediate action on LB 1.

Revenue Committee hearings will continue through Saturday before members work through the 67 bills and constitutional amendments introduced by senators. In total, 105 bills and constitutional amendments were introduced, which Speaker John Arch said was a record number for a special session.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1722443035681.jpeg" alt="State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn, chair of the Legislature’s Revenue Committee, presides over a committee hearing on her Legislative Bill 1 on Tuesday, July 30, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn, chair of the Legislature’s Revenue Committee, presides over a committee hearing on her Legislative Bill 1 on Tuesday, July 30, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Zach Wendling<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/07/30/business-local-officials-line-up-to-oppose-nebraska-gov-pillens-property-tax-plan/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — Dozens of statewide business, municipal and county leaders lined up Tuesday to testify against Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen’s core property tax proposal.For more than 10 hours, the Legislature’s Revenue Committee listened to varying perspectives about&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=58119" target="_blank">Legislative Bill 1</a>, which Pillen says would reduce the average Nebraskan’s property tax bill by up to 50%. State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn, the committee chair, introduced the bill&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/07/25/lawmakers-introduce-gov-pillens-property-tax-plan-which-would-require-legislation-in-2025/">on Pillen’s behalf</a>&nbsp;and presided over the committee hearing.“There’s not just one key to solving this problem,” Pillen told the committee. “I think it has to be addressed from a multitude of different perspectives.”Over the summer, Pillen had suggested the state should take over about 80% of the property tax portion of local K-12 school districts’ budgets.However, as introduced, LB 1 doesn’t include that plan. It instead seeks to carve out more than $2 billion in tax credits targeted to replace school taxes. Those credits would be returned to counties and distributed to taxpayers, based on their portion of property valuations.Funding sources include new sales taxes on more than 100 currently tax-exempt goods and services and increased or new taxes on seven “sin” items: soft drinks and candy, cigarettes, vapes, spirits, consumable hemp, keno and games of skill.LB 1 would also restrict municipal and county governments from increasing their annual property tax collections by the greater of 0% (in deflationary times) or the consumer price index. They could skirt those limits if approved by a public vote or in cases of, emergencies, local growth or if needed to fill&nbsp; vacant law enforcement, firefighting or correctional officer positions.<h2>What is a ‘sin’?</h2>Kirk Anderson, president of the Nebraska Beverage Association, focused his criticism at Pillen for labeling soft drinks and candy as a “sin” and passing judgment on the people who buy them.Anderson noted that Pillen has said “food” would not be taxed, yet soft drinks or candy could open the door to a standard in choosing what foods can be taxed in a complicated tax code.“Using similar logic, if our governor was really concerned about the health of Nebraskans, it would be more appropriate to consider limiting through taxation the consumption of all processed meats, like bacon, ham and salami, that are classified as a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/cancer-carcinogenicity-of-the-consumption-of-red-meat-and-processed-meat" target="_blank">Group 1 carcinogen</a>,” Anderson said.Pillen’s family owns a major hog operation in Nebraska and stands to benefit from LB 1, Anderson said, yet it is “one of the few select industries that won’t be targeted by his taxes.”Cody Schmick, owner-operator of Kinkaider Brewing in Lincoln, said an increased “sin” tax on spirits, increasing from $3.75 to $14.50 per gallon, would kill off the industry “before we get started.”Todd Roe, founder of Lazy RW Distillery in Moorefield, said the proposed 287% increase would “drown us” and the distillery “will be done” within three years if LB 1 is passed. He said that his distillery prepares about 250 gallons of spirits each month but that customers may shop in a different state if the tax is added on.“No matter how loyal they say they are,” Roe said of his customers, “everybody’s loyal when you’re sitting in Hy-Vee giving out free shots.”Opponents raised concerns about nearly every one of more than 100 goods and services that would be newly taxed under LB 1, in addition to the “sin” taxes.<h2>Business ‘inputs’</h2>The statewide sales tax rate is 5.5 cents per dollar purchase plus local sales taxes, which can be between 0.5 cents and 2 cents.All goods and services would be taxed under that system, except for four items: agricultural and manufacturing machinery and equipment, which would be taxed at 2 cents, and carpentry services and electricians’ services, at 4 cents. These items would be exempt from local sales taxes.Pillen’s staff has told the Nebraska Examiner that machinery and equipment are still intended to be taxed at a 4-cent rate, as previously planned, although that would require an amendment to the bill.Mark McHargue of the Nebraska Farm Bureau and Heath Mello of the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce said even at those lower rates, taxing business or agricultural “inputs” would be bad tax policy. Mello is a former state senator.Multiple testifiers described the proposed changes as a “tax pyramid scheme” that would decrease transparency as taxes are passed on after multiple taxed stages of production.Linehan asked McHargue and Mello for their definition of “inputs.” McHargue described inputs as raw materials used to produce an end product, which is taxed. Mello’s definition also included legal and accounting services, which Linehan said might be more broadly tax write-offs.Bryan Slone, president of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce, said the state can’t tax its way out of its decades-long property tax problem and that it must grow its economy.“This bill will fall specifically on young people who don’t own property yet,” Slone said. “I will be a benefactor, and a lot of my age group will be benefactors, so we need to be very careful in how we tax people.”<h2>Passing on savings to tenants</h2>Andy Marsh of Keystone Properties in the Grand Island and Hastings areas pushed back on criticism that renters wouldn’t benefit from the property tax savings. He said the “writing is on the wall” for how tenants would benefit.However, Lynn Fisher and Arla Meyer, both of the Nebraska Realtors Association, said the increased taxes on various goods or services could result in net tax increases for property owners, which would be passed on to particularly low-income renters in less expensive housing.“Now is not the time to make buying or homeownership more expensive or difficult,” Meyer said.Dave Nabity of Omaha said something needed to be done to fix property taxes and said people would have to be “financially nuts” to want to retire in Nebraska, rather than in other states.“Our national reputation stinks, folks,” Nabity said. “We don’t have the Ozarks. We don’t have the lakes. We don’t have the beaches. We don’t have the mountains.… We don’t have the warm weather.”<h2>‘We have wiggle room’</h2>Craig Bolz of Palmyra asked for significant tax relief and spending controls. He urged taxing all sales so the consumer can decide what to purchase, adding: “How much fairer can you get than sales taxes?”“We all know that at the end of the day, taxes are all smoke and mirrors,” Bolz said.Rachel Gibson of Omaha said a shift to sales tax from property taxes needs to be “equitable.”With property taxes, Gibson said, she would know what’s coming and be able to plan accordingly, compared to dealing with unexpected sales taxes on purchases, such as home maintenance, car repairs or veterinary visits.“We have wiggle room, and we love it here and we’re happy to pay in taxes,” Gibson said. “I’m worried about the people who don’t have the wiggle room and don’t have insurance.”<h2>‘Solving’ vs. ‘prolonging’ a crisis</h2>State Treasurer Tom Briese, who worked on various tax relief proposals in his seven years as a state senator, spoke in favor of the proposal. He described it as a “game changer” and “a different animal.”“LB 1 creates a stark choice here between solving the crisis vs. prolonging the crisis,” Briese told the committee. He served in the Legislature from 2017 until last Oct. 31.Briese said he calls “baloney” on critics who said the bill’s impact on Nebraskans would increase or shift taxes. He sees LB 1 as “much-needed, revenue-neutral, textbook tax reform.”Ernie Goss, an economist from Creighton University, said he did an analysis of LB 1 and projects the broadening of Nebraska’s sales tax base will stimulate growth. He said property taxes are a greater detriment to growing Nebraska.Rebecca Firestone, executive director of the Lincoln-based think tank OpenSky Policy Institute, said her organization’s analysis highlights the regressive nature of sales taxes on low-income Nebraskans.&nbsp;Under that analysis, household incomes for Nebraskans making less than $30,000 would see about 11.24% of their budgets going to taxes, and a 0.27% increase in taxes overall. Nebraskans in the top 20% bracket, above $141,700, would pay about 8.84% of their income on taxes, and 0.04% less in overall taxes if LB 1 passed.<h2>County and municipal governments</h2>Jon Cannon, executive director for the Nebraska Association of County Officials, and Lynn Rex, executive director of the League of Nebraska Municipalities, expressed caution about the property tax collection caps included in the bill.&nbsp;Cannon said they could become a “floor” instead of a “ceiling” as county spending is largely focused on roads, bridges, law enforcement, jails, courts, elections and administration of the state’s tax system. He quipped that officials aren’t using “gold plates” on roads or “mixing diamond dust” with gravel to raise costs.Rex and Cannon said inflation isn’t accurate when considering “basket of goods” counties and municipalities are purchasing.“We don’t get fire trucks at Wal-Mart,” Rex said. “We don’t buy police cars at Target.”Douglas County Attorney Don Klein and Douglas County Public Defender Tom Riley encouraged the committee to include their offices’ spending as a broader exemption of public health and safety.LB 1 allows local governments to ask voters to approve bonds or other increases above the built-in restrictions. Such votes could only be considered during regularly scheduled elections.&nbsp;Cannon said elections would be too soon in May and too late in November for his members, who start budgeting in the summer.The committee took no immediate action on LB 1.Revenue Committee hearings will continue through Saturday before members work through the 67 bills and constitutional amendments introduced by senators. In total, 105 bills and constitutional amendments were introduced, which Speaker John Arch said was a record number for a special session.

Business, local officials line up to oppose Nebraska Gov. Pillen’s property tax plan

Lincoln, Neb. —Whenever the topic of biosecurity comes up, it's no surprise that many people might find their attention waning due to the complexity of the issue or because they don’t feel they have experienced a biosecurity problem. The reality is that every producer has encountered some sort of biosecurity risk or event at one point or another and may not have been fully aware or didn’t consider the “biosecurity” aspect of the matter.

In recent months, our friends in the dairy industry have been facing a major biosecurity issue with an H5N1 bird flu outbreak. This outbreak is zoonotic, meaning the disease can spread between species. To date, no cases have been reported in the national beef cattle herd, but that doesn’t mean it can’t happen. This event should prompt many producers to think about biosecurity and the biosecurity risks related to their operations.

The overall goal of biosecurity is to protect animals from disease by minimizing the movement of biologic organisms (such as viruses, bacteria, or parasites) within and/or onto an operation. The key principles to achieve this are physical separation of sick or suspected sick animals, cleaning to remove any contamination, and disinfecting to kill any remaining pathogens.

Producers should practice these basic biosecurity guidelines by developing and implementing a daily biosecurity protocol to protect their operations from outbreaks of sickness and disease. The Beef Quality Assurance program has developed a simple template for producers to use in creating this basic daily biosecurity plan. This plan can be found under the templates section at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bqa.org/">www.bqa.org</a>.

At the end of the day, a disease outbreak can financially cripple an operation if animal performance is greatly reduced or, worse, if the outbreak results in the death of animals.

Beyond basic biosecurity, the National BQA program has recently been discussing enhanced biosecurity plans. Enhanced biosecurity plans go several steps beyond basic biosecurity measures. They are intended for use in the event of a foreign animal disease outbreak.

The beef industry’s main foreign animal disease concern is foot and mouth disease. Foot and mouth disease was eradicated from the U.S. in 1929. However, it is still active in other countries and is easily spread. It is considered the most contagious animal disease known.

It's important to note that foot and mouth disease is not a food safety risk or public health concern. Beef products remain safe to eat. However, public perception would be detrimental. Additionally, one case of foot and mouth disease found in the U.S. would shut down the U.S. beef export market and cut profits for all cattle producers, crippling the U.S. beef industry. To put real financial numbers to that, the U.S. exported over $10 billion of beef and beef products in 2023. Exports add about $425 of value per fed steer or heifer (including meat cuts and offal), which is nearly 20% of the value for every fed carcass.

Because of the financial implications of a foreign animal disease, producers should strongly consider developing an enhanced biosecurity plan or a Secure Beef Supply plan. Developing this plan does not necessarily mean you have to begin implementing it immediately. It only needs to be implemented for the continuity of business in the event of a foreign animal disease outbreak. Some beef packers may also require the implementation of a Secure Beef Supply plan to ensure consumers that they are procuring a supply of safe, wholesome, and healthy cattle. Additionally, the Nebraska Department of Agriculture will require the implementation of a Secure Beef Supply plan during an outbreak of a foreign animal disease to receive a livestock movement permit. This permit will be required by the State for all operations within a containment zone during a foreign animal disease outbreak.

If you would like to know more about developing a Secure Beef Supply plan, visit Secure Beef Supply. You can also contact Nebraska BQA at nebraskabqa@unl.edu or call 308.633.0158 for help developing a plan.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1722437360031.png" alt="Practicing biosecurity takes a few extra minutes, but is important for protecting U.S. agriculture. Photo courtesy of National BQA Program..png" />
 <figcaption>Practicing biosecurity takes a few extra minutes, but is important for protecting U.S. agriculture. Photo courtesy of National BQA Program..png</figcaption>
 </figure>Jesse FultonLincoln, Neb. —Whenever the topic of biosecurity comes up, it's no surprise that many people might find their attention waning due to the complexity of the issue or because they don’t feel they have experienced a biosecurity problem. The reality is that every producer has encountered some sort of biosecurity risk or event at one point or another and may not have been fully aware or didn’t consider the “biosecurity” aspect of the matter.In recent months, our friends in the dairy industry have been facing a major biosecurity issue with an H5N1 bird flu outbreak. This outbreak is zoonotic, meaning the disease can spread between species. To date, no cases have been reported in the national beef cattle herd, but that doesn’t mean it can’t happen. This event should prompt many producers to think about biosecurity and the biosecurity risks related to their operations.The overall goal of biosecurity is to protect animals from disease by minimizing the movement of biologic organisms (such as viruses, bacteria, or parasites) within and/or onto an operation. The key principles to achieve this are physical separation of sick or suspected sick animals, cleaning to remove any contamination, and disinfecting to kill any remaining pathogens.Producers should practice these basic biosecurity guidelines by developing and implementing a daily biosecurity protocol to protect their operations from outbreaks of sickness and disease. The Beef Quality Assurance program has developed a simple template for producers to use in creating this basic daily biosecurity plan. This plan can be found under the templates section at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bqa.org/">www.bqa.org</a>.At the end of the day, a disease outbreak can financially cripple an operation if animal performance is greatly reduced or, worse, if the outbreak results in the death of animals.Beyond basic biosecurity, the National BQA program has recently been discussing enhanced biosecurity plans. Enhanced biosecurity plans go several steps beyond basic biosecurity measures. They are intended for use in the event of a foreign animal disease outbreak.The beef industry’s main foreign animal disease concern is foot and mouth disease. Foot and mouth disease was eradicated from the U.S. in 1929. However, it is still active in other countries and is easily spread. It is considered the most contagious animal disease known.It's important to note that foot and mouth disease is not a food safety risk or public health concern. Beef products remain safe to eat. However, public perception would be detrimental. Additionally, one case of foot and mouth disease found in the U.S. would shut down the U.S. beef export market and cut profits for all cattle producers, crippling the U.S. beef industry. To put real financial numbers to that, the U.S. exported over $10 billion of beef and beef products in 2023. Exports add about $425 of value per fed steer or heifer (including meat cuts and offal), which is nearly 20% of the value for every fed carcass.Because of the financial implications of a foreign animal disease, producers should strongly consider developing an enhanced biosecurity plan or a Secure Beef Supply plan. Developing this plan does not necessarily mean you have to begin implementing it immediately. It only needs to be implemented for the continuity of business in the event of a foreign animal disease outbreak. Some beef packers may also require the implementation of a Secure Beef Supply plan to ensure consumers that they are procuring a supply of safe, wholesome, and healthy cattle. Additionally, the Nebraska Department of Agriculture will require the implementation of a Secure Beef Supply plan during an outbreak of a foreign animal disease to receive a livestock movement permit. This permit will be required by the State for all operations within a containment zone during a foreign animal disease outbreak.If you would like to know more about developing a Secure Beef Supply plan, visit Secure Beef Supply. You can also contact Nebraska BQA at nebraskabqa@unl.edu or call 308.633.0158 for help developing a plan.

Biosecurity Basics and Beyond: Ensuring Your Operation's Future

LINCOLN, NE&nbsp;– Governor Jim Pillen testified before the Legislature’s Revenue Committee on LB1, the property tax reduction bill introduced on his behalf by Sen. Lou Ann Linehan, chair of the committee. In three years, this bill aims to slash property taxes by an average of 50 percent for Nebraskans, based on the comprehensive proposal dubbed&nbsp;<a href="https://governor.nebraska.gov/nebraska-property-tax-plan" target="_blank">The&nbsp;</a><a href="https://governor.nebraska.gov/nebraska-property-tax-plan" target="_blank">Nebraska Plan</a>.

“Since the last legislative session, I have toured the state and held 26 townhalls to hear directly from Nebraskans. The message is clear, Nebraskans are struggling to balance a check book and continue to afford these tax increases,” said Gov. Pillen. “LB 1 represents transformational tax reform for all Nebraskans.”

The plan outlines five components necessary for achieving significant and sustainable property tax relief:

Gov. Pillen encouraged skeptics and opponents of the legislation to focus on the facts, rather than listening to paid lobbyists and special interest groups.

“They have called this plan a tax increase, which is simply not true,” said Gov. Pillen. “LB1 will reduce the total amount of tax collected by nearly $1 billion. It will get Nebraska in the game and make us competitive with other states. Otherwise, we face the prospect of chasing people out of the state and discouraging others from moving here in the first place. Our future depends on Nebraska’s continued growth.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1722431465077.jpeg" alt="(Courtesy of Governor Jim Pillen's office)" />
 <figcaption>(Courtesy of Governor Jim Pillen's office)</figcaption>
 </figure>Office of Governor Jim PillenLINCOLN, NE&nbsp;– Governor Jim Pillen testified before the Legislature’s Revenue Committee on LB1, the property tax reduction bill introduced on his behalf by Sen. Lou Ann Linehan, chair of the committee. In three years, this bill aims to slash property taxes by an average of 50 percent for Nebraskans, based on the comprehensive proposal dubbed&nbsp;<a href="https://governor.nebraska.gov/nebraska-property-tax-plan" target="_blank">The&nbsp;</a><a href="https://governor.nebraska.gov/nebraska-property-tax-plan" target="_blank">Nebraska Plan</a>.“Since the last legislative session, I have toured the state and held 26 townhalls to hear directly from Nebraskans. The message is clear, Nebraskans are struggling to balance a check book and continue to afford these tax increases,” said Gov. Pillen. “LB 1 represents transformational tax reform for all Nebraskans.”The plan outlines five components necessary for achieving significant and sustainable property tax relief:<ul>
 <li>Controls on local spending through a hard cap of 0% or CPI, whichever is greater. Exceptions are in place to protect investments in public safety and criminal justice. It also allows flexibility to accommodate new growth and permit an override of the cap by the approval of 60% of voters.</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Implements a new tax credit fund that will be applied against school taxes paid. When fully enacted, it will eliminate general fund taxing authority for school districts from the current $1.05 down to $0.0 in 2026. This proposal also allows for local controls, including leaving education decisions to superintendents and school boards and provides allowances for collecting property taxes to support school infrastructure.</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Repurposes existing property tax programs to provide direct relief to homeowners and property owners by front loading credits instead of forcing taxpayers to claim them during the filing process.</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Broadens the sales tax base through the elimination of over 100 sales tax exemptions currently in place. Many of these changes will bring Nebraska better in line with what is assessed by other states. A series of ’<a href="https://governor.nebraska.gov/press/governor-jim-pillen-issues-%E2%80%98statement-principles%E2%80%99-ahead-special-legislative-session" target="_blank">principles</a>’ previously outlined by Gov. Pillen would place limits on what is taxed and ensures there is no double taxing of any product or service.</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Cuts waste in state government and diverts those savings to the property tax plan. To date, $400 million in savings has been identified, and the state will continue to tap into federal funding where appropriate, to further ease the burden on state funding.</li>
 </ul>Gov. Pillen encouraged skeptics and opponents of the legislation to focus on the facts, rather than listening to paid lobbyists and special interest groups.“They have called this plan a tax increase, which is simply not true,” said Gov. Pillen. “LB1 will reduce the total amount of tax collected by nearly $1 billion. It will get Nebraska in the game and make us competitive with other states. Otherwise, we face the prospect of chasing people out of the state and discouraging others from moving here in the first place. Our future depends on Nebraska’s continued growth.”

Gov. Pillen Testifies Before Revenue Committee on Nebraska Plan for Property Tax Reform

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/07/29/longtime-nebraska-homeowners-would-get-targeted-relief-under-new-legislative-bills/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN —&nbsp;Three legislative bills introduced Monday would extend significant property tax relief to Nebraska homeowners based on how long they have owned a home in the state.

<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=58245" target="_blank">Legislative Bill 75</a>, from State Sen. Mike McDonnell of Omaha, would exempt qualified Nebraska homeowners from paying any property taxes after 40 years of ownership in the state.&nbsp;

“I think you should be able to sit on your porch one day of your life and say, ‘I truly own my home, and I’m no longer a partner in paying rent to the government in the form of property tax,’” McDonnell told the Nebraska Examiner on Monday.

Another McDonnell bill,&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=58244" target="_blank">LB 77</a>, would offer property tax relief for the portion of property taxes paid to the local school district, which is&nbsp;about 60% of annual property tax bills. Homeowners who have lived in the same house at least 10 years would be eligible.

McDonnell said that in 1965, voters decided to stop funding the government with state-level property taxes. Now, he said, Gov. Jim Pillen has tasked lawmakers to look at getting rid of most or all local K-12 school district taxes.

“Is that an overnight deal? No,” McDonnell said. “Is it a two-year, four-year, six-year [plan] — I don’t know — but that’s why we’re here now in this special session to try and figure it out.”

The state would replace the loss in local political subdivisions’ revenue, similar to the current system for homestead exemptions.&nbsp; Qualified owners would need to refile for the relief in years divisible by five.

<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=58147" target="_blank">Legislative Bill 79</a>, from State Sen. Jane Raybould of Lincoln, would similarly extend homestead exemptions. Based on household income, Nebraska residents could get a greater percentage of relief if they have lived in their home for two decades or more.

After 20 years, they could claim an additional 2.5% in relief from their qualifying bracket. After 25 years, it would be an additional 5% in relief. Relief couldn’t exceed 100%.

State Sen. Julie Slama of Dunbar dropped a package of 16 constitutional amendments Monday, which voters could consider this November together or individually.&nbsp;

Eight amendments would limit the taxing and spending authority of local governments as well as the state. The other eight allow private lawsuits to be filed to enforce the respective provisions.

“You need to have teeth because, otherwise, what’s the remediation for taxpayers?” Slama said.

Slama said the package of legislation is based on the&nbsp;<a href="https://tax.colorado.gov/TABOR" target="_blank">Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights</a>&nbsp;in Colorado, passed decades ago to lock in controls for tax growth.

She said she preferred “one bill, one hearing and one message to give to taxpayers” but decided to “play it safe” given the Nebraska Constitution’s&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/articles.php?article=III-14" target="_blank">single-subject requirement</a>&nbsp;for ballot measures.&nbsp;

The Nebraska Supreme Court has taken a stricter view of what constitutes a “single subject” for proposed laws or amendments&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/articles.php?article=III-2" target="_blank">on the ballot</a>&nbsp;compared to laws&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/07/26/nebraska-supreme-court-upholds-legislation-combining-abortion-and-trans-health-care-for-minors/">passed by the Legislature</a>.

Slama has pushed for hard spending controls. She said the hard caps proposed by the governor on&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/07/25/lawmakers-introduce-gov-pillens-property-tax-plan-which-would-require-legislation-in-2025/">limiting annual property tax collection growth</a>&nbsp;“can be easily worked around” and could get in the way of union negotiations for local law enforcement, firefighters and corrections officers.

“I think the only way to really put it in stone to get long-term relief is to put it in our state constitution, very clearly defined principles that need to be adhered to,” Slama said.

She said Colorado has sustained “pretty explosive growth” during the decades since it passed its bill of rights.

Under Slama’s proposals, the following limits would require voter approval during a statewide general election to:

Two other major proposals, from State Sens. Justin Wayne and Terrell McKinney, both of Omaha, would legalize, regulate and tax cannabis for adults ages 21 and older.

<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=58095" target="_blank">LB 52</a>, by Wayne, would set a regulatory framework for how cannabis could be grown, refined, manufactured, distributed, tested and sold, overseen by a commission the tax commissioner appoints.&nbsp;

The bill would earmark 20% of licenses for people in areas “disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition.” It would tax growers 25% when they sell it to a distributor or retailer and impose a 25% tax on retail sales. It would establish procedures to let people have previous cannabis-related convictions expunged or cleared from their records.

McKinney introduced similar provisions in 2023, through&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=50704" target="_blank">LB 634</a>.

<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=58065" target="_blank">LB 71</a>, by McKinney, would create a regulatory regime for cannabis in Nebraska.&nbsp;

It would impose a 16% tax on grown cannabis to a manufacturer or store and a 16% sales tax on cannabis sales to customers. It shares essentially the same fee structure as Wayne’s LB 52.&nbsp;

It also offers similar incentives for applicants from areas disproportionately impacted by cannabis enforcement.

Political subdivision measure reintroduced

As promised, Wayne also&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/04/24/pillen-vetoes-nebraska-child-sexual-assault-and-abuse-proposal/">reintroduced</a>&nbsp;a version of legislation that Pillen vetoed this spring that would allow lawsuits against political subdivisions for alleged negligence in certain cases of&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/04/25/we-were-so-close-nebraska-mother-responds-to-veto-of-child-sexual-assault-and-abuse-bill/">child sexual assault and child abuse</a>.

Wayne’s&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=58098" target="_blank">LB 57</a>&nbsp;includes broader reforms. That includes punitive damages and allowing other lawsuits if&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/N00007360PUB.pdf">alleged governmental negligence</a>&nbsp;was the proximate cause of someone’s death, such as state prisoners.

Another Wayne bill,&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=58110" target="_blank">LB 67</a>, would eliminate local tax rate authority for natural resources districts and have the state take over funding for the NRDs. It is modeled after the way the state took over responsibility to fund community colleges in 2023 and what the governor has said his three-year plan is for K-12 school districts.

In total,&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/search_by_date.php?SessionDay=2024&amp;special=1" target="_blank">81 bills and 24 constitutional amendments</a>&nbsp;were introduced for the special session, the most proposed during any special session since the Unicameral formed in 1937.

Wayne led the way with 24 bills, followed by Slama with 16 pieces of legislation; State Sens. Carol Blood of Bellevue and McDonnell, at eight each; and State Sens. Eliot Bostar of Lincoln and Kathleen Kauth of Omaha, at five each.

Among other bills introduced Monday, the third and final day of bill introductions for the Legislature’s special session on property tax relief:

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1722354367926.jpeg" alt=" State Sen. Mike McDonnell of Omaha. Feb. 27, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption> State Sen. Mike McDonnell of Omaha. Feb. 27, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Zach Wendling<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/07/29/longtime-nebraska-homeowners-would-get-targeted-relief-under-new-legislative-bills/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN —&nbsp;Three legislative bills introduced Monday would extend significant property tax relief to Nebraska homeowners based on how long they have owned a home in the state.<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=58245" target="_blank">Legislative Bill 75</a>, from State Sen. Mike McDonnell of Omaha, would exempt qualified Nebraska homeowners from paying any property taxes after 40 years of ownership in the state.&nbsp;“I think you should be able to sit on your porch one day of your life and say, ‘I truly own my home, and I’m no longer a partner in paying rent to the government in the form of property tax,’” McDonnell told the Nebraska Examiner on Monday.Another McDonnell bill,&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=58244" target="_blank">LB 77</a>, would offer property tax relief for the portion of property taxes paid to the local school district, which is&nbsp;about 60% of annual property tax bills. Homeowners who have lived in the same house at least 10 years would be eligible.McDonnell said that in 1965, voters decided to stop funding the government with state-level property taxes. Now, he said, Gov. Jim Pillen has tasked lawmakers to look at getting rid of most or all local K-12 school district taxes.“Is that an overnight deal? No,” McDonnell said. “Is it a two-year, four-year, six-year [plan] — I don’t know — but that’s why we’re here now in this special session to try and figure it out.”The state would replace the loss in local political subdivisions’ revenue, similar to the current system for homestead exemptions.&nbsp; Qualified owners would need to refile for the relief in years divisible by five.<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=58147" target="_blank">Legislative Bill 79</a>, from State Sen. Jane Raybould of Lincoln, would similarly extend homestead exemptions. Based on household income, Nebraska residents could get a greater percentage of relief if they have lived in their home for two decades or more.After 20 years, they could claim an additional 2.5% in relief from their qualifying bracket. After 25 years, it would be an additional 5% in relief. Relief couldn’t exceed 100%.<h2>‘Taxpayer Bill of Rights’</h2>State Sen. Julie Slama of Dunbar dropped a package of 16 constitutional amendments Monday, which voters could consider this November together or individually.&nbsp;Eight amendments would limit the taxing and spending authority of local governments as well as the state. The other eight allow private lawsuits to be filed to enforce the respective provisions.“You need to have teeth because, otherwise, what’s the remediation for taxpayers?” Slama said.Slama said the package of legislation is based on the&nbsp;<a href="https://tax.colorado.gov/TABOR" target="_blank">Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights</a>&nbsp;in Colorado, passed decades ago to lock in controls for tax growth.She said she preferred “one bill, one hearing and one message to give to taxpayers” but decided to “play it safe” given the Nebraska Constitution’s&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/articles.php?article=III-14" target="_blank">single-subject requirement</a>&nbsp;for ballot measures.&nbsp;The Nebraska Supreme Court has taken a stricter view of what constitutes a “single subject” for proposed laws or amendments&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/articles.php?article=III-2" target="_blank">on the ballot</a>&nbsp;compared to laws&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/07/26/nebraska-supreme-court-upholds-legislation-combining-abortion-and-trans-health-care-for-minors/">passed by the Legislature</a>.Slama has pushed for hard spending controls. She said the hard caps proposed by the governor on&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/07/25/lawmakers-introduce-gov-pillens-property-tax-plan-which-would-require-legislation-in-2025/">limiting annual property tax collection growth</a>&nbsp;“can be easily worked around” and could get in the way of union negotiations for local law enforcement, firefighters and corrections officers.“I think the only way to really put it in stone to get long-term relief is to put it in our state constitution, very clearly defined principles that need to be adhered to,” Slama said.She said Colorado has sustained “pretty explosive growth” during the decades since it passed its bill of rights.Under Slama’s proposals, the following limits would require voter approval during a statewide general election to:<ul>
 <li>Levy any new tax (<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/108/PDF/Intro/LR12CA_S1.pdf" target="_blank">Legislative Resolution 12CA</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/108/PDF/Intro/LR7CA_S1.pdf" target="_blank">LR 7CA</a>).</li><li>Increase any tax rate (<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=58192" target="_blank">LR 13CA</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=58187" target="_blank">LR 8CA</a>).</li><li>Extend any expiring tax (<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=58193" target="_blank">LR 14CA</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=58188" target="_blank">LR 9CA</a>).</li><li>Implement a change to tax policy that results in net tax revenue (<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=58194" target="_blank">LR 15CA</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=58189" target="_blank">LR 10CA</a>).</li><li>Create a multiple fiscal-year direct or indirect debt, or other financial obligation, if the political subdivision didn’t have adequate cash reserves to cover those future payments in all future fiscal years (<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=58200" target="_blank">LR 16CA</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=58190" target="_blank">LR 11CA</a>).</li><li>Maintain a reserve of at least 3% of fiscal year spending, excluding bonded debt service, to use for declared emergencies only (<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=58201" target="_blank">LR 17CA</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=58202" target="_blank">LR18CA</a>).</li><li>Set a maximum annual percentage increase in state spending each fiscal year to the rate of inflation plus the percentage change in the state’s population from the prior fiscal year (<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=58204" target="_blank">LR 20 CA</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=58203" target="_blank">LR 19CA</a>).</li><li>Set a maximum annual percentage increase in local political subdivision’s spending each fiscal year to the rate of inflation plus the percentage change from the political subdivision’s population in the prior fiscal year (<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=58206" target="_blank">LR 22CA</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=58205" target="_blank">LR 21CA</a>).</li>
 </ul><h2>Cannabis regulation and taxation</h2>Two other major proposals, from State Sens. Justin Wayne and Terrell McKinney, both of Omaha, would legalize, regulate and tax cannabis for adults ages 21 and older.<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=58095" target="_blank">LB 52</a>, by Wayne, would set a regulatory framework for how cannabis could be grown, refined, manufactured, distributed, tested and sold, overseen by a commission the tax commissioner appoints.&nbsp;The bill would earmark 20% of licenses for people in areas “disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition.” It would tax growers 25% when they sell it to a distributor or retailer and impose a 25% tax on retail sales. It would establish procedures to let people have previous cannabis-related convictions expunged or cleared from their records.McKinney introduced similar provisions in 2023, through&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=50704" target="_blank">LB 634</a>.<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=58065" target="_blank">LB 71</a>, by McKinney, would create a regulatory regime for cannabis in Nebraska.&nbsp;It would impose a 16% tax on grown cannabis to a manufacturer or store and a 16% sales tax on cannabis sales to customers. It shares essentially the same fee structure as Wayne’s LB 52.&nbsp;It also offers similar incentives for applicants from areas disproportionately impacted by cannabis enforcement.<h2>Political subdivision measure reintroduced</h2>As promised, Wayne also&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/04/24/pillen-vetoes-nebraska-child-sexual-assault-and-abuse-proposal/">reintroduced</a>&nbsp;a version of legislation that Pillen vetoed this spring that would allow lawsuits against political subdivisions for alleged negligence in certain cases of&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/04/25/we-were-so-close-nebraska-mother-responds-to-veto-of-child-sexual-assault-and-abuse-bill/">child sexual assault and child abuse</a>.Wayne’s&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=58098" target="_blank">LB 57</a>&nbsp;includes broader reforms. That includes punitive damages and allowing other lawsuits if&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/N00007360PUB.pdf">alleged governmental negligence</a>&nbsp;was the proximate cause of someone’s death, such as state prisoners.Another Wayne bill,&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=58110" target="_blank">LB 67</a>, would eliminate local tax rate authority for natural resources districts and have the state take over funding for the NRDs. It is modeled after the way the state took over responsibility to fund community colleges in 2023 and what the governor has said his three-year plan is for K-12 school districts.In total,&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/search_by_date.php?SessionDay=2024&amp;special=1" target="_blank">81 bills and 24 constitutional amendments</a>&nbsp;were introduced for the special session, the most proposed during any special session since the Unicameral formed in 1937.Wayne led the way with 24 bills, followed by Slama with 16 pieces of legislation; State Sens. Carol Blood of Bellevue and McDonnell, at eight each; and State Sens. Eliot Bostar of Lincoln and Kathleen Kauth of Omaha, at five each.<h2>Among other bills introduced</h2>Among other bills introduced Monday, the third and final day of bill introductions for the Legislature’s special session on property tax relief:<ul>
 <li><a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=58150" target="_blank">LB 36</a>, from State Sen. Carol Blood of Bellevue, proposes a minimum 1.25% tax on the sale or transfer of mansions valued at more than $800,000, with a higher tax on mansions worth more than $2.5 million. If the transferee or purchaser resides in Nebraska for three subsequent tax years, the tax would be returned to them through an income tax credit.</li><li><a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=58048" target="_blank">LB 40</a>, from State Sen. Jana Hughes of Seward, would require multinational corporations to declare all global profits on Nebraska tax returns. However, they would continue to pay the Nebraska portion of taxes.</li><li><a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=58265" target="_blank">LB 49</a>, from Wayne, would reestablish aid to municipalities, and his LB 53 would reimburse local costs for county jails.</li><li><a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=58266" target="_blank">LB 56</a>, also from Wayne, would limit legislative salaries for local legislative bodies, like boards, commissions or councils. Part-time officials could receive no more than twice a lawmaker’s salary (up to $24,000). Full-time officials could receive up to three times that amount (up to $36,000).</li>
 </ul>

Longtime Nebraska homeowners would get targeted relief under new legislative bills

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/07/29/drafting-errors-could-leave-gov-pillens-property-tax-relief-plan-up-to-139-million-short/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — As introduced, Gov. Jim Pillen’s core property tax relief proposal could fall short by $139 million in annual estimated revenue needed.

Pillen’s main proposal, introduced through&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=58119" target="_blank">Legislative Bill 1</a>&nbsp;in the special session, includes placing a sales tax on more than 100 currently tax-exempt goods and services. It would also raise seven “sin” taxes, on&nbsp;candy and soft drinks, vapes, cigarettes, keno gambling, spirits, consumable hemp and games of skill.

In total, the new or increased taxes would raise an estimated $1.15 billion in the first full fiscal year on state tax rolls. If passed, Pillen’s office is targeting an Oct. 1 effective date, which is not yet included in LB 1.

Those values rely upon estimates provided to lawmakers last Wednesday, one day before State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan introduced LB 1 on Pillen’s behalf.&nbsp;

However, the tax rates as introduced varied from the ones provided to reporters and lawmakers in the days leading up to the session, which a spokesperson said was likely the result of bill drafting errors.

For example, four currently exempt goods and services were suggested to be taxed at higher rates than were ultimately included in the bill:

The statewide sales tax rate is 5.5 cents per dollar purchase, plus any municipal or county sales tax rates, which range from an additional 0.5 cents to 2 cents.

According to an analysis from the Nebraska Examiner, the Pillen-led proposal would fall short of his revenue goal by $139 million, largely because the projected machinery and equipment revenue was half of what was projected earlier.

That would complicate the governor’s main tax relief pursuit: the state taking on 80% of local K-12 funding paid for through property taxes.

A spokesperson for Pillen said the intention is to tax machinery and equipment at 4 cents and the change “was just a drafter’s situation.” No amendments have yet been introduced to fix that drafting error. She said she was unaware of what happened with carpentry services and electricians’ services, which make up a much smaller portion of the revenue that could be lost.

LB 1 as introduced would also more broadly end some sales tax exemptions that multiple lawmakers who had been working with Pillen said were off the table:

LB 1 is first up in a Revenue Committee hearing at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday. Two lawmakers on the Executive Board&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/07/26/legislative-maneuvering-could-complicate-the-path-for-gov-pillens-tax-proposal/">switched their votes</a>&nbsp;Monday to send the bill there instead of the Government Committee.

The Revenue Committee, which Linehan chairs, is usually the designation for bills addressing taxation. Members could be more open to Pillen’s proposal than those on the Government Committee, where only&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_votes.php?KeyID=10906" target="_blank">one of eight members</a>&nbsp;supported a previous Pillen-backed proposal in the spring. In contrast, seven of eight Revenue Committee members supported the previous bill.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1722354494848.jpeg" alt=" Gov. Jim Pillen officially unveils his property tax plan as a summer-long attempt to find a path to reduce local property taxes. July 18, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption> Gov. Jim Pillen officially unveils his property tax plan as a summer-long attempt to find a path to reduce local property taxes. July 18, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Zach Wendling<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/07/29/drafting-errors-could-leave-gov-pillens-property-tax-relief-plan-up-to-139-million-short/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — As introduced, Gov. Jim Pillen’s core property tax relief proposal could fall short by $139 million in annual estimated revenue needed.Pillen’s main proposal, introduced through&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=58119" target="_blank">Legislative Bill 1</a>&nbsp;in the special session, includes placing a sales tax on more than 100 currently tax-exempt goods and services. It would also raise seven “sin” taxes, on&nbsp;candy and soft drinks, vapes, cigarettes, keno gambling, spirits, consumable hemp and games of skill.In total, the new or increased taxes would raise an estimated $1.15 billion in the first full fiscal year on state tax rolls. If passed, Pillen’s office is targeting an Oct. 1 effective date, which is not yet included in LB 1.Those values rely upon estimates provided to lawmakers last Wednesday, one day before State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan introduced LB 1 on Pillen’s behalf.&nbsp;However, the tax rates as introduced varied from the ones provided to reporters and lawmakers in the days leading up to the session, which a spokesperson said was likely the result of bill drafting errors.For example, four currently exempt goods and services were suggested to be taxed at higher rates than were ultimately included in the bill:<ul>
 <li>Agricultural machinery and equipment, at 2 cents per dollar purchase instead of 4 cents.</li><li>Manufacturing machinery and equipment, and repairs or labor, at 2 cents instead of 4 cents.</li><li>Home improvement or maintenance —&nbsp;carpentry services, at 4 cents instead of 5.5 cents.</li><li>Home improvement or maintenance —&nbsp;electricians, at 4 cents instead of 5.5 cents.</li>
 </ul>The statewide sales tax rate is 5.5 cents per dollar purchase, plus any municipal or county sales tax rates, which range from an additional 0.5 cents to 2 cents.According to an analysis from the Nebraska Examiner, the Pillen-led proposal would fall short of his revenue goal by $139 million, largely because the projected machinery and equipment revenue was half of what was projected earlier.That would complicate the governor’s main tax relief pursuit: the state taking on 80% of local K-12 funding paid for through property taxes.A spokesperson for Pillen said the intention is to tax machinery and equipment at 4 cents and the change “was just a drafter’s situation.” No amendments have yet been introduced to fix that drafting error. She said she was unaware of what happened with carpentry services and electricians’ services, which make up a much smaller portion of the revenue that could be lost.LB 1 as introduced would also more broadly end some sales tax exemptions that multiple lawmakers who had been working with Pillen said were off the table:<ul>
 <li><a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=77-2704.51" target="_blank">Leases or sales of dark fiber</a>.</li><li><a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=77-2704.36" target="_blank">Net wrap, bailing wire and twine</a>.</li><li><a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=77-2704.69" target="_blank">Catalysts, chemicals and materials used in producing ethanol</a>, not just natural gasoline used as a denaturant by a Nebraska ethanol facility.</li>
 </ul>LB 1 is first up in a Revenue Committee hearing at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday. Two lawmakers on the Executive Board&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/07/26/legislative-maneuvering-could-complicate-the-path-for-gov-pillens-tax-proposal/">switched their votes</a>&nbsp;Monday to send the bill there instead of the Government Committee.The Revenue Committee, which Linehan chairs, is usually the designation for bills addressing taxation. Members could be more open to Pillen’s proposal than those on the Government Committee, where only&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_votes.php?KeyID=10906" target="_blank">one of eight members</a>&nbsp;supported a previous Pillen-backed proposal in the spring. In contrast, seven of eight Revenue Committee members supported the previous bill.

Drafting errors could leave Gov. Pillen’s property tax relief plan up to $139 million short

Scottsbluff, NE - ALLO Fiber announced a fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) project offering up to a 10 Gigabit network in Mitchell, NE. Construction is anticipated to start this fall. This fiber connection will enable residents to access world-class internet, telephone, and video services. Businesses can take advantage of ALLO's managed service offerings and cybersecurity services.

Mitchell residents and businesses will soon be able to take advantage of award-winning customer service and internet speeds. Through this 100% fiber-optic network, students can improve their learning, and employees can work efficiently from the office or home.

The FTTP network will feature up to 10 Gigabit symmetrical speeds for residents and up to 100 Gigabit symmetrical speeds for businesses, providing equal upload and download speeds optimized by ALLO’s world-class Wi-Fi 6 routers. Additionally, Mitchell residents, businesses of all sizes, and governmental entities will be supported by ALLO’s fiber-rich network, delivering active and passive solutions without installation fees or restrictive contracts.

Internet, data transport, cloud connectivity, video, and voice are included in ALLO’s comprehensive communications, entertainment, and business products. Businesses can access ALLO’s managed services, next-generation firewalls, phone systems, and cybersecurity offerings before the fiber network is built. The community will also have access to a community-wide network providing ultra-reliable and extensive internet bandwidth.

ALLO Regional General Manager Clint Schleicher states, “ALLO is excited to expand our fiber network into Mitchell, NE. The community has consistently expressed interest in ALLO building there, and we look forward to providing Internet, TV, and phone service. We are thrilled to bring another community into the Gigabit future and remove the roadblock of bandwidth limitations.”

Mitchell’s population of over 1,500 residents are an important addition to ALLO's 34 fiber communities and two fiber counties across the state. ALLO is looking forward to serving Mitchell residents and being active members of the community. For more information about ALLO in Mitchell, please visit AlloFiber.com/Mitchell

Allo FiberScottsbluff, NE - ALLO Fiber announced a fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) project offering up to a 10 Gigabit network in Mitchell, NE. Construction is anticipated to start this fall. This fiber connection will enable residents to access world-class internet, telephone, and video services. Businesses can take advantage of ALLO's managed service offerings and cybersecurity services.Mitchell residents and businesses will soon be able to take advantage of award-winning customer service and internet speeds. Through this 100% fiber-optic network, students can improve their learning, and employees can work efficiently from the office or home.The FTTP network will feature up to 10 Gigabit symmetrical speeds for residents and up to 100 Gigabit symmetrical speeds for businesses, providing equal upload and download speeds optimized by ALLO’s world-class Wi-Fi 6 routers. Additionally, Mitchell residents, businesses of all sizes, and governmental entities will be supported by ALLO’s fiber-rich network, delivering active and passive solutions without installation fees or restrictive contracts.Internet, data transport, cloud connectivity, video, and voice are included in ALLO’s comprehensive communications, entertainment, and business products. Businesses can access ALLO’s managed services, next-generation firewalls, phone systems, and cybersecurity offerings before the fiber network is built. The community will also have access to a community-wide network providing ultra-reliable and extensive internet bandwidth.ALLO Regional General Manager Clint Schleicher states, “ALLO is excited to expand our fiber network into Mitchell, NE. The community has consistently expressed interest in ALLO building there, and we look forward to providing Internet, TV, and phone service. We are thrilled to bring another community into the Gigabit future and remove the roadblock of bandwidth limitations.”Mitchell’s population of over 1,500 residents are an important addition to ALLO's 34 fiber communities and two fiber counties across the state. ALLO is looking forward to serving Mitchell residents and being active members of the community. For more information about ALLO in Mitchell, please visit AlloFiber.com/Mitchell

The Power of Allo's All-Fiber Network Coming to Mitchell, Nebraska

Kearney, Neb. - On Thursday, July 25, 2024, two Kearney Police Officers were working an off-duty law enforcement assignment at the Buffalo County Fair in Kearney. At approximately 10:45 p.m.&nbsp; the Officers observed a physical fight in progress with one male subject throwing punches and another male subject bleeding from above his left eye. 

Kearney Police Officers along with private security officers contacted the male subject who was throwing punches and immediately detained him by placing him in handcuffs. In an effort to deescalate the situation and determine exactly what had occurred officers asked the detained male to have a seat. At this time, the male subject refused to take a seat, failed to follow officers’ instructions, resisted, and pulled away from officers. The Officers physically placed the subject on the ground.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Once on the ground, the subject continued to resist and spit saliva in the face of one of the&nbsp; officers. The officer immediately reacted and held the subject down by placing a hand on his&nbsp; right shoulder and his other hand on the side of the subject’s face preventing the subject from&nbsp; further spitting in the face of officers. The officer eventually placed both hands on the subject’s&nbsp; face, turning him toward the ground to avoid additional spitting.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The subject was later identified as 19-year-old Isaac Whiteface of Kearney. Whitface was&nbsp; placed under arrest and booked for Assault on a Police Officer with bodily fluid, 3rd Degree&nbsp; Assault, Resisting Arrest, Obstructing a Police Officer, and Disorderly Conduct.&nbsp;&nbsp;

As with all use of force encounters by members of the Kearney Police Department and in&nbsp; accordance with Kearney Police policy, this incident was accurately documented and reported&nbsp; by the officers involved. The officers involved are an 11-year veteran and 2 ½ year veteran.&nbsp; The report is routed through several layers of leadership and review starting with the immediate&nbsp; supervisor. Following the initial review, the report is routed to the Watch Commander, the Office&nbsp; of Professional Standards, the Division Commander, and the Chief of Police.&nbsp;&nbsp;

As of Friday July 26, 2024, the report for this incident had already been routed through several&nbsp; layers of this process. On Saturday, July 27, 2024, Kearney Police were made aware of a cell&nbsp; phone video circulating social media related to this case. We have observed the video and&nbsp; noticed it was filmed from an angle behind the involved officers. We have also observed the&nbsp; Body Worn Camera video from both involved KPD officers.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“Since the release of the cell phone video, there have been inaccurate and completely false comments on social media platforms related to this arrest and the lawful response to resistance&nbsp;by a Kearney Police Officer. At no time was a choke hold applied, at no time was the level of&nbsp; force greater than needed to accomplish a lawful objective, at no time did the officer punch the&nbsp; subject. With an open hand, the officer directed the subjects face and mouth toward the ground&nbsp; to avoid and defend himself from further spitting. The officers involved acted in a manner consistent&nbsp; with department training, policy and procedure, while deploying the minimum amount of force&nbsp; necessary responding to resistance and active spitting. I am thankful the officers involved and&nbsp; the subject were not more seriously injured and appreciate the concern from our community.&nbsp;

While it is our goal and hope to not use force during a lawful arrest, our officers are trained and&nbsp; expected to respond professionally and defend themselves and others. I appreciate the&nbsp; opportunity to complete a thorough internal review process which is completed for any call&nbsp; resulting in the delivery of force by members of the Kearney Police Department.” – Chief Bryan&nbsp; D. Waugh&nbsp;

Following the spitting, the second officer involved took over the situation and custody of the&nbsp; subject while the first officer cleared his face, eyes, and mouth of the saliva spit on him by the&nbsp; subject.&nbsp;

Prior to being booked no injuries were noted by officers and Whiteface reported no injuries and&nbsp; no medical treatment was requested related to this interaction.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721993190151.jpeg" alt="Isaac Whiteface&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Isaac Whiteface&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>Kearney Police DepartmentKearney, Neb. - On Thursday, July 25, 2024, two Kearney Police Officers were working an off-duty law enforcement assignment at the Buffalo County Fair in Kearney. At approximately 10:45 p.m.&nbsp; the Officers observed a physical fight in progress with one male subject throwing punches and another male subject bleeding from above his left eye. Kearney Police Officers along with private security officers contacted the male subject who was throwing punches and immediately detained him by placing him in handcuffs. In an effort to deescalate the situation and determine exactly what had occurred officers asked the detained male to have a seat. At this time, the male subject refused to take a seat, failed to follow officers’ instructions, resisted, and pulled away from officers. The Officers physically placed the subject on the ground.&nbsp;&nbsp;Once on the ground, the subject continued to resist and spit saliva in the face of one of the&nbsp; officers. The officer immediately reacted and held the subject down by placing a hand on his&nbsp; right shoulder and his other hand on the side of the subject’s face preventing the subject from&nbsp; further spitting in the face of officers. The officer eventually placed both hands on the subject’s&nbsp; face, turning him toward the ground to avoid additional spitting.&nbsp;&nbsp;The subject was later identified as 19-year-old Isaac Whiteface of Kearney. Whitface was&nbsp; placed under arrest and booked for Assault on a Police Officer with bodily fluid, 3rd Degree&nbsp; Assault, Resisting Arrest, Obstructing a Police Officer, and Disorderly Conduct.&nbsp;&nbsp;As with all use of force encounters by members of the Kearney Police Department and in&nbsp; accordance with Kearney Police policy, this incident was accurately documented and reported&nbsp; by the officers involved. The officers involved are an 11-year veteran and 2 ½ year veteran.&nbsp; The report is routed through several layers of leadership and review starting with the immediate&nbsp; supervisor. Following the initial review, the report is routed to the Watch Commander, the Office&nbsp; of Professional Standards, the Division Commander, and the Chief of Police.&nbsp;&nbsp;As of Friday July 26, 2024, the report for this incident had already been routed through several&nbsp; layers of this process. On Saturday, July 27, 2024, Kearney Police were made aware of a cell&nbsp; phone video circulating social media related to this case. We have observed the video and&nbsp; noticed it was filmed from an angle behind the involved officers. We have also observed the&nbsp; Body Worn Camera video from both involved KPD officers.&nbsp;&nbsp;“Since the release of the cell phone video, there have been inaccurate and completely false comments on social media platforms related to this arrest and the lawful response to resistance&nbsp;by a Kearney Police Officer. At no time was a choke hold applied, at no time was the level of&nbsp; force greater than needed to accomplish a lawful objective, at no time did the officer punch the&nbsp; subject. With an open hand, the officer directed the subjects face and mouth toward the ground&nbsp; to avoid and defend himself from further spitting. The officers involved acted in a manner consistent&nbsp; with department training, policy and procedure, while deploying the minimum amount of force&nbsp; necessary responding to resistance and active spitting. I am thankful the officers involved and&nbsp; the subject were not more seriously injured and appreciate the concern from our community.&nbsp;While it is our goal and hope to not use force during a lawful arrest, our officers are trained and&nbsp; expected to respond professionally and defend themselves and others. I appreciate the&nbsp; opportunity to complete a thorough internal review process which is completed for any call&nbsp; resulting in the delivery of force by members of the Kearney Police Department.” – Chief Bryan&nbsp; D. Waugh&nbsp;Following the spitting, the second officer involved took over the situation and custody of the&nbsp; subject while the first officer cleared his face, eyes, and mouth of the saliva spit on him by the&nbsp; subject.&nbsp;Prior to being booked no injuries were noted by officers and Whiteface reported no injuries and&nbsp; no medical treatment was requested related to this interaction.&nbsp;

Kearney man facing numerous charges including assault on an police officer

JULY 29, 2024 (YORK, NEB.)&nbsp;&nbsp;— Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol located 77 pounds of suspected methamphetamine and arrested two people during a traffic stop Saturday on Interstate 80 near York.

At approximately 9:15 a.m. Saturday, a trooper stopped a Hyundai Sonata for speeding on I-80, near mile marker 355. During the traffic stop, the trooper discovered that the vehicle was not insured.&nbsp;

Prior to towing the vehicle, troopers performed an inventory of the vehicle and discovered numerous container bags of suspected methamphetamine. The total weight of the bags was 77 pounds.

The driver, Rosita Vizcarra, 28, and passenger, Julio Garcia-Guerrero, 26, both of Omaha, were arrested for possession of methamphetamine and possession with intent to deliver. Both were lodged in York County Jail.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1722280995060.jpeg" alt="(Courtesy of Nebraska State Patrol)" />
 <figcaption>(Courtesy of Nebraska State Patrol)</figcaption>
 </figure>Cody ThomasNebraska State PatrolJULY 29, 2024 (YORK, NEB.)&nbsp;&nbsp;— Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol located 77 pounds of suspected methamphetamine and arrested two people during a traffic stop Saturday on Interstate 80 near York.At approximately 9:15 a.m. Saturday, a trooper stopped a Hyundai Sonata for speeding on I-80, near mile marker 355. During the traffic stop, the trooper discovered that the vehicle was not insured.&nbsp;Prior to towing the vehicle, troopers performed an inventory of the vehicle and discovered numerous container bags of suspected methamphetamine. The total weight of the bags was 77 pounds.The driver, Rosita Vizcarra, 28, and passenger, Julio Garcia-Guerrero, 26, both of Omaha, were arrested for possession of methamphetamine and possession with intent to deliver. Both were lodged in York County Jail.

Troopers Find 77 LBs of Meth in Traffic Stop Near York

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/07/29/nebraska-pitched-as-possible-destination-for-climate-migrants/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — For much of its history, Nebraska has been seen as a challenging place to set down roots.

From its early frontier description as “The Great American Desert” and a place only “bugeaters” could love, to now being lumped together with other “flyover” states of the Great Plains, the state has lacked the soaring mountains, sandy beaches and mild winters of other states.

The result? Many one-time Huskers have moved on, and it’s difficult to convince people from other states to move here.

But earlier this month, a group of 25 people gathered in a noisy corner of Morrill Hall to discuss what they see as an opportunity for revitalization and resettlement of the small towns and cities of Midwestern states including Nebraska.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1722282597358.jpeg" alt="Daniel Brooks, left, and Hillary Brown told an audience at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln that climate change will present an opportunity to repopulate and revive rural towns. (Paul Hammel for the Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>Daniel Brooks, left, and Hillary Brown told an audience at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln that climate change will present an opportunity to repopulate and revive rural towns. (Paul Hammel for the Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Paul Hammel<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/07/29/nebraska-pitched-as-possible-destination-for-climate-migrants/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — For much of its history, Nebraska has been seen as a challenging place to set down roots.From its early frontier description as “The Great American Desert” and a place only “bugeaters” could love, to now being lumped together with other “flyover” states of the Great Plains, the state has lacked the soaring mountains, sandy beaches and mild winters of other states.The result? Many one-time Huskers have moved on, and it’s difficult to convince people from other states to move here.But earlier this month, a group of 25 people gathered in a noisy corner of Morrill Hall to discuss what they see as an opportunity for revitalization and resettlement of the small towns and cities of Midwestern states including Nebraska.The impetus? A predicted wave of “climate migrants” seeking new homes away from flooded coastal cities impacted by climate change.“We need to be thinking ahead,” said Hillary Brown, a&nbsp;professor emeritus of architecture and former director of the Urban&nbsp;Sustainability&nbsp;Program at the City College of New York.<h2>‘Managed retreat’</h2>Brown and Daniel Brooks, a University of Nebraska-Lincoln graduate and now&nbsp;professor emeritus of ecology and evolutionary biology&nbsp;at the University of Toronto, were the featured speakers at the July 18 symposium.&nbsp;They co-authored an article in 2021 entitled, “How managed retreat from climate change could revitalize rural America.”&nbsp;<h2>Quality of life</h2>Brown and Brooks pointed to examples of Midwestern towns that have taken steps to enhance their quality of life and attract new residents.One was Ord, in central Nebraska, where Brooks said a strong commitment to economic development had increased a key demographic group — young people and families, ages 30-34 — by 54% between 2000 and 2010.Norfolk was also mentioned, where a major downtown renovation project includes a “whitewater park” several blocks long, for kayaks, canoes and float tubes.Clinton, Iowa, restoredits historic Main Street and enhanced its green infrastructure, such as bike trails,&nbsp; Brown said.One of the participants, Bruce Johnson, a professor emeritus of agriculture economics at UNL, said the event was an appropriate “conversation starter” about something that could be “a regeneration of homesteading.”&nbsp;“We have a very genuine opportunity to turn the corner on population decline in a majority of our counties,” said Johnson, who grew up in the northeast Nebraska farm town of Wausa.Climate change is real, Brooks and Brown said, and rising sea levels, increased wildfires, drought and other extreme weather will force a mass migration of people that Nebraska’s small towns and cities could capitalize on.<h2>A projected 1.2 billion displaced</h2>By 2050, the United Nations’ refugee agency is projecting that 1.2 billion people worldwide will have been displaced by climate-related changes and disasters.Brooks said a sudden collapse of the melting ice caps in Greenland and Antarctica could raise sea levels by as much as 10 feet, forcing a panicked wave of climate migrants, who may have lost everything and must seek emergency shelter.He and Brown, however, said that a more managed and orderly retreat from the coasts and climate-impacted areas — by rebuilding in safer areas before disaster hits — is much preferable. Nebraska communities, they said, should begin planning and preparing for a possible new wave of homesteaders by providing amenities they will need.Brown said between 4 million and 13 million people living in coastal cities will need to seek new homes in “climate havens” such as Nebraska.&nbsp;Climate-related migration is already happening in the U.S., and Brooks said the rate of climate-related problems is expected to accelerate in coming years, increasing the migration.Hurricane Katrina displaced 800,000 people from New Orleans in 2005 and 2006 who sought new homes elsewhere in the United States, Brown said.According to the U.S. Census Bureau, natural disasters in 2022 displaced 3.2 million people, of whom 500,000 had not returned to their homes by the end of 2023.Since most climate refugees find new homes within their own country, that provides a great opportunity for rural places, Brooks and Brown maintained, because they predict such refugees will want to live outside of “crowded and stressed urban areas.”<h2>Not all agree</h2>To be sure, not everyone agrees with their dire warnings of a mass migration.&nbsp;And a map that predicted the top “receiver” counties in the U.S. that Brown displayed during her presentation didn’t list any in Nebraska. Instead, it showed areas of North and South Dakota, northwest Iowa and Minnesota as top destinations, along with portions of northern Michigan and Wisconsin, the Appalachians, northern New England and the Pacific Northwest.Some authorities predict that while there will be climate migrants, they will more likely move within their own region — not across the country — so they can be near family members and continue to take advantage of the amenities and good jobs in coastal areas.Others maintain that the prediction of 1.2 billion climate migrants by 2050 is inaccurate. Still others point to surveys that indicate economic factors, rather than climate, as the main drivers of migration.&nbsp;The map that bypassed Nebraska as a top “receiver” area for climate migrants was developed as a project by the environmental group Proactive Leadership Advocating for Climate and Equity.The map was based on whether an area had a low risk of such factors as extreme heat, reduced crop yields, wildfires and economic damages.Nebraska had its second-worst wildfire season in recent history in 2022, and last month, 14 inches of rain caused devastating floods in northwest Iowa and along the Missouri River. By 2100, Brooks said, average temperatures in Nebraska are predicted to rise by 4 to 9 degrees, with up to 25 days with temperatures over 100, and heavy precipitation events increasing by 16%.Brooks and Brown downplayed the map, saying that it is only one opinion and is not “the last word” on where such migration might occur.Johnson, the UNL emeritus professor, also disputed the map. He said climate migrants fleeing drought and shortages of drinking water will be looking for places with abundant water resources such as Nebraska, which sits on top of two-thirds of the resources of the Ogallala Aquifer.&nbsp;“It’s unmatched,” he said of the state’s abundance of water.During the symposium, Chuck Hibberd, a board member at the Nebraska Community Foundation, asked those present to list what climate migrants might want in a new home and what might attract or deter them.He pointed out that Nebraska has an estimated 72,000 unfilled jobs, so employers are looking for new workers. Amenities listed by those attending included good housing, schools and medical facilities, affordable homes and safe communities.Brown said people also will be looking for places that have low risk for climate-related disasters, entrepreneurial opportunities and innovative leadership that has taken steps to address climate change. Migrants may also want access to cultural activities, such as an orchestra, ballet or music venue, she said.<h2>Towns urged to get ‘more interesting’</h2>Another participant, Chuck Hassebrook, the former longtime head of the Center for Rural Affairs, said it is important to make small towns “more interesting.” He mentioned development of historical and cultural assets, hike/bike and kayak trails and other local recreation opportunities.&nbsp;&nbsp;Brooks, who earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from UNL, said communities seeking to capitalize on climate migration need to decide what steps are needed to make their area more attractive to new settlers.“You need to make your town more interesting and with a quality of life that will help attract people,” he said.The first-ever symposium celebrated the 100th birthday of Mary Louise Hanson Pritchard, the founding curator of the H.W. Manter Laboratory, Division of Parasitology at the State Museum. Brooks was a student of Pritchard’s.<h2>Initiative creating ‘soil health hubs’</h2>During the symposium, Bruce Johnson, the UNL emeritus professor, pitched a local organization, the Nebraska Elder Climate Legacy Initiative, which lobbies and promotes steps to deal with climate change.One initiative already underway, he said, is to help create “soil health hubs” across the state to inform farmers about best practices to enhance soil health and protect water quality. The initiative is an outgrowth of Legislative Bill 925, a 2022 bill passed by the State Legislature to create a network of local producers/educators to spread and demonstrate best practices for soil health.Johnson said the group is also promoting passage of a state constitutional amendment, similar to one adopted in Montana, that requires state agencies to consider greenhouse gas emissions and climate impacts when reviewing proposed major projects.For more information, access the website&nbsp;<a href="http://elderclimatelegacy.org/" target="_blank">elderclimatelegacy.org</a>