DOCSLIB.ORG

2021 Budget Briefing

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text

Load more

2021 Budget Briefing State of Nebraska BUDGET PRIORITIES FY21-22 / FY22-23 FINANCIAL STATUS REVENUES Biennial Budget SPENDING GROWTH CASH RESERVE ● Sen John Stinner (C) PROPERTY TAXES ● Sen Anna Wishart (VC) PRISON OVERCROWDING ● Sen Robert Clements HEALTHCARE CASH FUND ● Sen Myron Dorn PROVIDERS ● Sen Steve Erdman BILLS IN COMMITTEE ● Sen Robert Hilkemann OTHER ITEMS ● Sen Mark Kolterman FLOOR DEBATE ● Sen Mike McDonnell BUDGET TIMELINE ● Sen Tony Vargas QUESTIONS / FEEDBACK Tax and Spending Proposals • $211 million available for the floor • Fiscal impact of Revenue Committee bills advanced: • $296 million in bills for upcoming biennium • $18.7m for military retirement accounted for in budget • $589 million in following biennium • Ongoing annual impact of $385 million • Fiscal impact of other priority bills advanced: • $177 million for upcoming biennium • $78 million following biennium • Ongoing annual impact of $22 million • Revenue Bill debate to begin after budget, likely starting April 20 Corporate Tax Cuts, etc. – LB 432 • Removes some corporate income from the state’s corporate tax base by decoupling from a tax-base broadening provision of the federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 intended to recapture domestic profits held in overseas tax havens • The state would forego a significant amount of revenue because of this longstanding method of tax avoidance • Lowers the top corporate rate from 7.81% to 6.84% • Benefits would primarily go to out-of-state corporations and shareholders Corporate Tax Cuts, etc. – LB 432 • Creates a new tax exemption for firefighters with cancer • Creates a tax credit for parents of stillborn children • Allows 529 plans to be used for apprenticeships • Will reduce revenue by over $148 million over the next two budget cycles Social Security Tax Exemption – LB 64 • Phases in a complete tax exemption of Social Security income over a span of nine years, with all social security income becoming exempt by 2030. • Retirees in the top 20% of incomes – receiving more than $114,000 – will receive two-thirds of the tax cut once fully implemented. • Threatens funding for health care and other services that Nebraska retirees rely upon. • Would reduce revenue by $139m upon implementation. Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit – LB 364 • Creates Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit • Dollar for dollar benefit for those who donate to an organization that provides private school scholarships. • AM 762 limits the annual cost of the tax credit to $5 million • Creates a separate tax credit for contributions to qualified early childhood education or childcare programs also capped at $5 million; sunsets end of 2026. Property Tax Relief – LBs 2 and 79 • Reduces the valuation of agricultural land to 50% of actual value for property taxes paid on principal and interest for school bonds issued after January 1, 2022 • AM 638 would have the state’s property tax credit program grow by 3% each year starting in 2024, regardless of Nebraska’s financial condition • Will have a growing annual impact School Property Tax Stabilization Act – LB 454 • With AM 789, provides an influx of state K-12 aid phased in over a four-year period to schools who are highly reliant on property taxes. • It will increase the disparity in levies between school districts. • There is language in the AM that tries to ensure that the new funding is used to reduce property taxes. • There is also language in the AM that says TEEOSA must be fully funded before funding the Property Tax Stabilization Act • Does not designate a new funding source for revenue; will cost about $83 million annually upon full implementation. Property Tax Caps – LB 408 • Would limit property taxes raised by local governments to 3% over the prior year • NOT a 3% spending cap or budget limitation • Could limit spending growth to well below 3% • Exceptions for improvements to real property and annexation • Excludes revenue needed to pay off bonds • Would allow an override of the cap with a vote of the people • AM to LB 408: can exceed cap no more than 2 consecutive years with vote of board but 3-year period can’t exceed 9% • Allows half of unused authority to carry forward • Sunsets in 2027 Source: LB 408 as amended by AM 371 and AM 521. Analysis of LB 408 Impact • 32 school districts analyzed from FY 17 to FY 18 • Disparate results • Ranged from a loss of $7.76 million in Millard to a gain of $0.9 million in Humboldt-Table Rock-Steinauer • School districts ranged from losing 40.2% of total receipts in Springfield-Platteview to gaining 12.7% of total receipts in Humboldt- Table Rock-Steinauer • Some districts gained because we assumed they would increase their property tax ask at 3% over FY 2017, even if their actual ask was less than 3% or negative* *Increased districts with FY 2018 ask of less than 3% to 3% if levy was below $0.95. Sources: Nebraska Department of Education; Nebraska Legislature LB 408. Small District – Wakefield Public Schools Actual, FY 2013 to FY 2018 Property Tax, Cumulative 62.0% State Aid, Cumulative -62.3% Total Revenue, Cumulative 14.8% LB 408, FY 2013 to FY 2018 Property Tax, Cumulative 15.9%*** State Aid, Cumulative -62.3% Total Revenue, Cumulative -7.8% ***Property tax revenue growth assumed to be 3% year over year due to proposals Note: Cumulative calculations in the table compare FY 2018 to FY 2013. • Under LB 408: • Wakefield Public Schools would have lost $5.24 million in property tax revenue from FY 2013 to FY 2018. • The average property tax lost per average daily membership from FY 2013 to FY 2018 would have been $12,713. Sources: Nebraska Department of Education; Nebraska Legislature LB 408. Large District – Kearney Public Schools Actual, FY 2013 to FY 2018 Property Tax, Cumulative 45.4% State Aid, Cumulative -36.4% Total Revenue, Cumulative 18.9% LB 408, FY 2012/13 to FY 2017/18 Property Tax, Cumulative 15.9%*** State Aid, Cumulative -36.4% Total Revenue, Cumulative 4.6% ***Property tax revenue growth assumed to be 3% year over year due to proposals Note: Cumulative calculations in the table compare FY 2018 to FY 2013. • Under LB 408: • Kearney Public Schools would have lost $19.8 million in property tax revenue from FY 2013 to FY 2018. • The property tax lost per average daily membership from FY 2013 to FY 2018 would have been $3,776. Sources: Nebraska Department of Education; Nebraska Legislature LB 408. City Example – Grand Island Actual, FY 2013 to FY 2018 Property Tax, Cumulative 39.0% Other Revenue, Cumulative 14.7% Total Revenue, Cumulative 18.7% LB 408, FY 2013 to FY 2018 Property Tax, Cumulative 15.9%*** Other Revenue, Cumulative 14.7% Total Revenue, Cumulative 14.9% ***Property tax revenue growth assumed to be 3% year over year due to proposals Note: Cumulative calculations in the table compare FY 2018 to FY 2013. • Under LB 408: • City of Grand Island would have lost $2.2 million in property tax revenue from FY 2013 to FY 2018. Sources: Nebraska Auditor of Public Accounts; Nebraska Legislature LB 408. County Example – Douglas Actual, FY 2013 to FY 2018 Property Tax, Cumulative 23.1% Other Revenue, Cumulative 12.9% Total Revenue, Cumulative 16.6% LB 408, FY 2013 to FY 2018 Property Tax, Cumulative 15.9%*** Other Revenue, Cumulative 12.9% Total Revenue, Cumulative 14.0% ***Property tax revenue growth assumed to be 3% year over year due to proposals Note: Cumulative calculations in the table compare FY 2018 to FY 2013. • Under LB 408: • Douglas County would have lost $24.3 million in property tax revenue from FY 2013 to FY 2018. Sources: Nebraska Auditor of Public Accounts; Nebraska Legislature LB 408. Consumption Tax – LR 11CA • Would put a resolution on the 2022 ballot asking voters whether the state should prohibit all forms of taxation except a consumption tax (sales tax on all new goods and services sold in Nebraska) • Companion proposal to LB 133 which calls for all other forms of taxation in Nebraska to be replaced by a 10.64% consumption tax; has a fiscal note of $4B American Rescue Plan More aid to state and local governments & education funding • $976 million to NE; $128m for state capital projects; $667m to localities (Total of $1.771B) • Chairwoman Maloney Announces Markup of Coronavirus Relief Measures | House Committee on Oversight and Reform Allowable uses: • Respond to COVID or negative economic effects • Provide services up to amount of revenue loss due to pandemic • Water, sewer, broadband investments State capital project funding: For capital projects directly enabling work, education and health monitoring (including remote health) Can’t use: • Offset net tax cut • Pension funds Funding must be spent by Dec. 31, 2024. • States (and other govts) will need to send a certification letter. Once that’s received Treasury has 60 days to disburse the funds. • They are expected to move the state $ quickly, assuming they retain a straightforward method of disbursement. Source: Department of Administrative Services.
Recommended publications
  • Unicam Kids!: a Visit to Your Nebraska Legislature

    Unicam Kids!: a Visit to Your Nebraska Legislature

    UNICAM KIDS! A Visit to Your Nebraska Legislature guided by George W. Norris, “the father of the Unicameral” Unicam Kids i! I’m George Norris. I represented Nebraska in Congress from 1913 to 1943. Many people call me Hthe father of Nebraska’s Unicameral Legislature. A unicameral is a legislature with just one group of people to make laws. Nebraska has the nation’s only unicameral, which meets here at the Capitol in Lincoln to make laws for the state. I believed this one-house system would serve Nebraskans better than a bicameral, or two-house system, found in every other state. Nebraskans voted to change to a unicameral in 1934, and the first unicameral met in 1937. Let’s go inside. I’ll show you around! Nebraska is unique for its unicameral and also its unusual Capitol building. Architect Bertram Goodhue wanted the Capitol’s design to reflect the spirit of Nebraska’s people. The words and pictures on the outside of the building show Nebraska’s place in the history of law and democracy. The Capitol took 10 years to build and was finished in 1932. The tower rises almost 400 feet and is topped by a 19-foot bronze statue of a man tossing seeds, called “The Sower.” — 1 — A Visit to Your Nebraska Legislature y experience as a lawmaker made me wish for a smoother processM to make laws. I encour- aged Nebraskans to vote for a new, smaller legislature so the process would be simpler and allow for more public input. Some Nebraskans worried about becoming the only unicameral.
  • Senators & Committees

    Senators & Committees

    Select Committees Hearing Rooms Committee on Committees Note: The ongoing replacement of Capitol heating, ventilation and Chair: Sen. Robert Hilkemann; V. Chair: Sen. Adam Morfeld air conditioning equipment requires temporary relocation of certain Senators & 1st District: Sens. Bostelman, Kolterman, Moser legislative offices and hearing rooms. Please contact the Clerk of the 2nd District: Sens. Hunt, Lathrop, Lindstrom, Vargas Legislature’sN Office (402-471-2271) if you have difficulty locating a 3rd District: Sens. Albrecht, Erdman, Groene, Murman particular office or hearing1st room. Floor Enrollment and Review First Floor Committees Chair: Sen. Terrell McKinney Account- ing 1008 1004 1000 1010 Reference 1010-1000 1326-1315 Chair: Sen. Dan Hughes; V. Chair: Sen. Tony Vargas M Fiscal Analyst H M 1012 W 1007 1003 W Members: Sens. Geist, Hilgers, Lathrop, Lowe, McCollister, 1015 Pansing Brooks, Slama, Stinner (nonvoting ex officio) 1402 1401 1016 Rules 1017 1308 1404 1403 1401-1406 1019 1301-1314 1023-1012 Chair: Sen. Robert Clements; V. Chair: Sen. Wendy DeBoer 1305 1018 Security Research 1306 Members: Sens. J. Cavanaugh, Erdman, M. Hansen, Hilgers (ex officio) 1405 1021 1406 Pictures of Governors 1022 Research H H Gift 1302 1023 15281524 1522 E E 1510 Shop Pictures of Legislators Info. 1529-1522 Desk 1512-1502 H E E H Special Committees* 1529 1525 1523 1507 1101 Redistricting 1104 Members: Sens. Blood, Briese, Brewer, Geist, Lathrop, Linehan, Lowe, W Bill Room Morfeld, Wayne 1103 Cafeteria Mail-Copy 1114-1101 1207-1224 Building Maintenance Center 1417-1424 1110 Self- 1107 Service Chair: Sen. Steve Erdman Copies Members: Sens. Brandt, Dorn, Lowe, McDonnell, Stinner W H W M 1113 1115 1117 1423 M 1114 Education Commission of the States 1113-1126 1200-1210 1212 N Members: Sens.
  • Nebraska Legislature: How They Voted for the Early Advantage of Children in the 104Th Legislative Session 2015 – 2016

    Nebraska Legislature: How They Voted for the Early Advantage of Children in the 104Th Legislative Session 2015 – 2016

    Nebraska Legislature: How they Voted for the Early Advantage of Children in the 104th Legislative Session 2015 – 2016 Dear Nebraska Friends and Colleagues, July 2016 We have pulled together the following information to indicate how Nebraska’s State Senators voted for children on select occasions during the 104th Legislative Session. These selected votes were based on legislative proposals critical to impacting working families and their children. These proposals were priorities of the Holland Children’s Movement related to issues of health, education and economic stability. We have included a percentage of each senator’s support of these priorities based on their votes on specific legislative measures throughout 2015-16. These voting records do not indicate other legislative activities of interest to Nebraska’s children, such as committee votes or bills introduced. We are pleased to report that more than half of all senators voted in support of the position of the Holland Children’s Movement 80% or more of the time. We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to all of our senators for their dedication to public service and our gratitude for the actions taken to make Nebraska a national leader in opportunities for all children. We hope you will continue to support efforts to tackle the root causes of family poverty and assure that every child in Nebraska will have the support and opportunities they need to reach their full potential. Sincerely, John J. Cavanaugh Chief Operating Officer 1700 Farnam St, Ste 1090 Omaha, NE 68102 2016
  • Session Review 2017 Volume XL, No

    Session Review 2017 Volume XL, No

    THE 105TH NEBRASKA LEGISLATURE FIRST SESSION Unicameral Update Session Review 2017 Volume XL, No. 21 2017 Session Review Contents Agriculture .......................................................................................... 1 Appropriations .................................................................................... 2 Banking, Commerce and Insurance .................................................. 4 Business and Labor ........................................................................... 6 Education ............................................................................................ 8 Executive Board ............................................................................... 11 General Affairs .................................................................................. 12 Government, Military and Veterans Affairs ...................................... 13 Health and Human Services ............................................................ 16 Judiciary ........................................................................................... 20 Natural Resources ............................................................................ 24 Retirement Systems ......................................................................... 26 Revenue ............................................................................................ 27 Transportation and Telecommunications ........................................ 30 Urban Affairs ....................................................................................
  • 2021 Nebraska Legislative Districts & Senators

    2021 Nebraska Legislative Districts & Senators

    Keya Paha Boyd Dawes Knox 40 Cedar Sheridan Cherry Dixon Sioux Holt Brown Rock . Dakota 43 Pierce 17 Box Butte Antelope Wayne 051020304050 Thurston Miles 19 Scotts Bluff Grant Hooker Thomas Blaine Loup Garfield Wheeler Stanton Cuming Madison May By Tim Erickson 48 Burt 12/21/2020 16 Sources: ESRI, Morrill 41 Boone US Census Bureau Garden 22 Dodge Legislative Research Office McPherson Logan Colfax Banner 47 Arthur Valley Greeley Platte 15 Washington Custer Nance 13 23 Douglas 10 391811 Cheyenne Sherman Howard Butler Saunders 4209 Kimball Keith 36 Polk 57 Merrick 4914 Deuel Lincoln 34 Sarpy345 24 25 42 21 2 35 Cass 2021 Nebraska Legislative Perkins Dawson Buffalo Hall Hamilton York Seward 46 2726 Districts & Senators 37 29 33 Lancaster Otoe Districts & Senators 25 - Suzanne Geist Chase Hayes Frontier Gosper Phelps Adams Clay Fillmore Saline 1 - Julie Slama 26 - Matt Hansen Kearney 2 - Robert Clements 27 - Anna Wishart 44 30 Johnson Nemaha 3 - Carol Blood 28 - Patty Pansing Brooks 38 32 4 - Robert Hilkemann 29 - Eliot Bostar Gage 1 5 - Mike McDonnell 30 - Myron Dorn Dundy Hitchcock Red Willow Furnas Harlan Franklin Webster Nuckolls Thayer Jefferson 6 - Machaela Cavanaugh 31 - Rich Pahls Pawnee Richardson 7 - Tony Vargas 32 - Tom Brandt 8 - Megan Hunt 33 - Steve Halloran 9 - John Cavanaugh 34 - Curt Friesen 15Dodge Washington 16 10 - Wendy DeBoer 35 - Ray Aguilar Lincoln Area 41Howard 11 - Terrell McKinney 36 - Matt Williams Omaha Area 10 13 12 - Steve Lathrop 37 - John Lowe 21 Cass Grand Island Merrick 13 - Justin Wayne 38 - Dave Murman
  • Holland Children's Movement

    Holland Children's Movement

    Nebraska Legislature: How they Voted for the Early Advantage of Children in the 105th Legislature 1st Session 2017 Dear Nebraska Friends and Colleagues, July 2017 Holland Children’s Movement has put together a list of important legislative votes on proposals important to improving the lives of working families and their children. The selected votes in this issue are from the 2017 legislative session. These proposals were priorities of the Holland Children’s Movement as they relate to issues of access to quality health care, child care, education, and economic opportunity. We have included a percentage of each senator’s support of these priorities based on their votes on specific legislative measures for 2017 and cumulatively with their 2016 results. These voting records do not cover all legislative actions and proposals of interest to Nebraska children, such as committee votes or bills introduced. In that regard, we would like to commend Senators John Stinner and Jim Smith for removing language which would have suspended the School Readiness Tax Credits critical to raising quality standards. We also commend Senator Sue Crawford for introducing paid family and medical leave legislation and Senator Lynn Walz for introducing pre-K expansion legislation. We are pleased to report that nearly half of senators voted in support of the position of the Holland Children’s Movement 83% or more of the time. We extend our sincere appreciation to all our senators for their dedication to public service and our gratitude for the actions taken to protect Nebraska children and families in difficult financial times. The 2017 legislative session presented challenges, such as LB 461 which posed a direct threat to the future of quality health and education programs for years to come, and LB 335, which would have eliminated the use of a market rate survey to set child care subsidy rates.
  • Health Hearing March 15, 2019

    Health Hearing March 15, 2019

    Transcript Prepared by Clerk of the Legislature Transcribers Office Health and Human Services Committee March 15, 2019 HOWARD [00:00:02] [RECORDER MALFUNCTION] Committee. My name is Senator Sara ​ Howard and I represent the 9th Legislative District in Omaha and I serve as Chair of this committee. I'd like to invite the members of the committee to introduce themselves starting on my right with Senator Murman. MURMAN [00:00:14] I'm Senator-- hello. I'm Senator Dave Murman, District 38, from Glenville, ​ Clay, Webster, Nuckolls, Franklin, Kearney, Phelps, and southwest Buffalo County. ARCH [00:00:23] John Arch with District 14, Papillion, La Vista, and Sarpy County. ​ WILLIAMS [00:00:28] Matt Williams from Gothenburg, Legislative District 36, Dawson, Custer, ​ and the north portion of Buffalo Counties. B. HANSEN [00:00:34] Senator Ben Hansen, District 16, Washington, Burt, and the flooded ​ Cuming County. HOWARD [00:00:41] Also assisting the committee is our legal counsel, Jennifer Carter, our ​ committee clerk, Sherry Shaffer, and our committee pages, Maddy and Erika. A few notes about our policies and procedures. Please turn off or silence your cell phones. This afternoon we'll be hearing three bills-- well, two bills and an amendment, and we'll be taking them in the order listed on the agenda outside the room. On each of the tables near the doors to the hearing room you will find green testifier sheets. If you are planning to testify today, please fill one out and hand it to Sherry when you come up to testify. This will help us keep an accurate record of the hearing.
  • Lobbyist Spending: Nebraska’S Other Pandemic Thrives During COVID-19 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

    Lobbyist Spending: Nebraska’S Other Pandemic Thrives During COVID-19 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

    Lobbyist Spending: Nebraska’s Other Pandemic Thrives During COVID-19 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY In 2000, gross earnings for the Nebraska lobby were recorded as $3,002853. Since then, we have seen increases each year reaching an all-time high in 2019 of $19,405,061. The 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, however, brought the steady growth in total earnings to a halt. Gross earnings in 2020 dropped nearly a million dollars from $19,405,061 to $18,589,372, but the loss in revenue to the individual lobbying firms was not as dramatic as one might think. In fact, lobbyist com- pensation increased for more than half of our top-10 firms. It appears that the limits on entertainment and tickets to events reduced lobby expenses, making more funds available for lobbyist compensation. Issues at the capitol caused major educational entities to invest more heavily in lobbying. Eight of 15 school districts that employ their own lobbyists increased their spending. Most school districts without their own lobbyists had to hope their interests were protected. Although the University of Nebraska slightly increased its overall spending, it reduced spending on enter- tainment, gifts, and tickets by more than $33,000. The virus dramatically cut into athletic ticket distribution. The accountability and disclosure records indicate lobbyist entertainment expenses for our legislators as $74,576, but none of that money showed up on our senator’s gift report. Since food and beverages are exempt from reporting, we have to conclude that everyone is dining well at the capitol despite COVID-19. Common Cause Nebraska continues to be concerned about the influence of campaign contributions from lobbyists, political action committees (PACs), and principals (entities that hire lobbyists).
  • Jan. 6-8, 2021

    Jan. 6-8, 2021

    UNICAMERAL UPDATE News published daily at Update.Legislature.ne.gov Vol. 44, Issue 1 / Jan. 6 - 8, 2021 Lawmakersenators gath- convene, elect leadersas Education Com- ered at the mittee chairperson. SState Capitol As a former Jan. 6 to open the teacher, school first session of the board member 107th Nebraska and parent of Legislature. children who at- Twenty-five sen- tended Nebraska ators were sworn schools, Walz said, in. Nine are newly she would bring a elected members, valuable perspec- including three tive to the role. She who served previ- said senators could ously in the Legis- expect her to listen lature but left office to their views and due to term limits. Sens. Terrell McKinney (left) and Eliot Bostar took the oath of office on opening day. New include all voices Lawmakers also and returning senators were sworn in at their desks this year as a public health precaution. in education policy elected a new speaker and chairpersons of the Legislature’s discussions. 14 standing committees. “Education touches on each and every aspect of our Senators elected Lincoln Sen. Mike Hilgers to serve a lives,” Walz said. “It is the key to strengthening our econ- two-year term as speaker of the Legislature. Among other omy and providing opportunities for people who make duties, the speaker prepares the Legislature’s daily agenda Nebraska their home.” and serves as its presiding officer in the absence of the Blair Sen. Ben Hansen defeated incumbent Sen. Matt Lieutenant Governor. Hansen of Lincoln to serve as Hilgers said he would work chairperson of the Business to strengthen the Unicam- and Labor Committee.
  • March 3-6, 2020

    March 3-6, 2020

    UNICAMERAL UPDATE News published daily at Update.Legislature.ne.gov Vol. 43, Issue 9 / March 3 - 6, 2020 Injury leave for Sexual assault survivor school employees protections advanced clears first round chool employees who are injured by another person while at work Swould receive injury leave under a bill advanced by lawmakers March 5. Lincoln Sen. Mike Hilgers, sponsor of LB1186, said teachers who cannot work after being assaulted while on the job currently may receive workers’ compensation benefits after seven days. If they are absent for seven or fewer days, however, they must use personal or sick leave, he said. Some school districts offer formal or informal assault leave to teachers, Hilgers said, but that policy is not common across the state. Sens. Kate Bolz and Bruce Bostelman discuss LB43 during general file debate. “If you are assaulted on the job ... you should not have to come out of he Legislature advanced a bill ment replaced the bill. As amended, your own pocket for your own sick March 3 that would create a the bill would allow a survivor of leave or personal leave to take care of T sexual assault survivor’s bill sexual assault to have an advocate pres- that,” he said. of rights. ent during any physical examination Under the bill, a school district Under LB43, as introduced by Lin- or interview, but the advocate could employee who is physically injured by coln Sen. Kate Bolz, a survivor of sexual not consult with or provide legal ad- another person who “intentionally, assault would be guaranteed the right vice to the survivor.
  • Legislative Committees 7 Nebraska State Capitol Map

    Legislative Committees 7 Nebraska State Capitol Map

    TABLE OF CONTENTS COUNTY FARM BUREAU DAY AT THE CAPITOL 1 Overview ABOUT THE UNICAMERAL 2 History of the Nebraska Unicameral 3 How Laws Are Made in the Unicameral 4 State Senators 5 Nebraska Legislative Districts 6 Legislative Committees 7 Nebraska State Capitol Map ADVOCATING FOR AGRICULTURE – THE FARM BUREAU WAY 8 Telling Your Story 9 Talking to an Elected Official 10 Writing a letter to a Senator or the Governor 11 Testifying at a Hearing 12 Engaging on Social Media 13 Writing a Letter to the Editor 14 Join Farm Bureau – ACT MY NOTES 15 Notes COUNTY FARM BUREAU DAY AT THE CAPITOL OVERVIEW “Successful advocacy is like boxing. You score points for landing blows. Generally, it’s the cumulative impact of those blows that result in a knockout. The point is, you have to make contact to win.” Q. Why am I here? A. State senators make decisions that impact your well-being. If senators don’t know you or understand your issues, how are they to know what actions help or harm you? You’re here to make your issues “real” to them by making personal contact and providing them information that can help influence their decisions. Q. What is the goal for today? A. Today we’re going to: • Learn how to effectively advocate. • Put what we learn into action. • Have a fun day at the Capitol while making a difference for agriculture. Q. What can I expect to have done once the day is finished? A. You most likely will have: • Observed the Legislature in session.
  • January 2021 Meeting Minutes

    January 2021 Meeting Minutes

    Nebraska Board of Engineers and Architects Board Meeting Minutes - January 22, 2021, 8:30 a.m. 5th Floor Large Conference Room, 215 Centennial Mall South, Lincoln, NE CALL TO ORDER The January 20, 2021, meeting of the Nebraska Board of Engineers and Architect was held in the 5th floor conference room, 215 Centennial Mall South, Lincoln, Nebraska. Chair Bostelman called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. and noted the location of the Open Meetings Act. Notice of the meeting was published in the Lincoln Journal Star in compliance with the Open Meetings Act. Member Roll Call: Jan Bostelman, Chair; Brett Foley, Vice-Chair; Lenora Isom; Bruce Dvorak, David Johnson, Brian Kelly. Absent: Jason Suelter, Daniel Thiele Staff Present: Jon Wilbeck, Executive Director (Ed}; Amy Habe, Compliance Officer (CO}; Jean Lais, Business Manager (BM}; Mia Azizah, Public Information Officer (PIO} Designation of Secretary In the absence of Thiele, Johnson was named Secretary for the January meeting. PUBLIC COMMENTS Tim Gay, Jim Grotrian, Catalyst Public Affairs - 9 a.m. The following were present, but did not make any public commit: Sara Kay-American Institute of Architects, Nebraska Chapter, Executive Director Jeanne McClure -American Council of Engineering Companies, Nebraska, Executive Director Jessica Doolittle - Interior Designer Richard Burton -Architect Foley left the meeting at 8:53 am. A. CONSENT AGENDA December 11, 2020 public rulemaking hearing minutes December 11, 2020 meeting minutes Motion by Isom, second by Dvorak to approve the consent agenda. Voting yes: Isom, Johnson, Kelly, Dvorak, IBostelman; Voting No: None; Not Present: Foley; Absent: Suelter, Thiele B. MEETING REPORTS Ad Hoc Committee Reports Catalyst Report Catalyst Public Affairs reported the following have been elected to Nebraska Legislative leadership: • Sen.