Around the Rotunda: Senator will witness history

Newly elected senator Brenda Council will take a few days off next week to make a historic journey to Washington, D.C.

Gas tax proposal intended to eliminate politics

Gov. Dave Heineman said his plan to set the state’s gas tax firmly at 26 cents, no wiggling up and down, would take the politics out of the gas tax.

Bill focuses of needs of children, families

Gov. Dave Heineman made programs for children and families a funding priority in his State of the State address Thursday. He followed it with a requested bill that would create a triage hotline for families in c

Legislature roundup, 1/15: Two death penalty-related bills

Omaha Sen. Brenda Council introduced two bills on Thursday that would change sentencing for some murder cases. As promised, she is sponsoring a bill (LB306) that would repeal the Nebraska death pe

Bill would make booting elected officials harder

On Thursday, state Sen. Scott Lautenbaugh of Omaha introduced a bill (LB349) in the Legislature that would allow voters to recall only elected officials who had committed a wrong.

Senator’s plan would end tax on Social Security money

The taxation of Social Security benefits would be phased out over the next four years, under a plan presented by a Nebraska lawmaker.

Fingerprints could be required of drivers

Providing fingerprints and getting an extensive criminal background check could be a prerequisite for transporting kids and vulnerable adults under state care.

Lawmaker seeks to repeal death penalty

A proposal to replace the electric chair with lethal injection will compete with one that calls for repealing the death penalty altogether in Nebraska.

Legislature roundup, 1/14: Restrictions for sex offenders

Local communities would be able to make rules limiting where a registered sex predator could work under a bill (LB284) introduced by Lincoln Sen. Tony Fulton.

Bills address safe haven issues

Senators introduced several bills Wednesday relating to problems highlighted by Nebraska’s original safe haven law.

Omaha senator has bill to attract film production

Sen. Heath Mello of Omaha introduced a bill (LB282) Wednesday that would offer an income tax credit of up to 25 percent of production costs for films.

Omaha senators introduce graffiti bills

New state Sen. Heath Mello introduced the bill (LB277) Wednesday. Adults also couldn’t buy spray paint for a minor, although an exception would be made for parents buying supplies for their children.

Lawmaker proposes slots at racetracks

Casino-type gambling is back on the Legislature’s agenda after a two-year reprieve. A proposed constitutional amendment that would allow casino slot machines at Nebraska racetracks and earmark 40 percent of the proc

Scottsbluff lawmaker tries to require seat belts on buses

A Nebraska lawmaker is preparing to fight again for a requirement that all school buses in the state be equipped with seat belts.

Lawmaker wants trains to stop blocking roads

Sen. Annette Dubas of Fullerton introduced a bill (LB253) Wednesday that stiffens fines against railroads for blocking highways, streets or alleys for more than 10 minutes.

Bruning says cities can’t ban concealed weapons

Nebraska cities aren’t allowed to trump state law and ban the carrying of concealed weapons.
That’s the legal opinion of Attorney General Jon Bruning’s office in response to questions from Sen. Mar

Bill would address waiting list for developmentally disabled services

When the state took over county services to people with developmental disabilities 20 years ago, 12 people in Southeast Nebraska were waiting for services.

Legislature roundup, 1/13: Keeping dollars in the classroom

School districts across Nebraska could be forced to spend more tax dollars in the classroom under a bill sponsored by state Sen. Rich Pahls of Omaha, a retired elementary school principal.

Bill would change state 'age of majority' to 18

Eighteen-year-olds would no longer be minors in Nebraska for certain purposes, under a bill proposed by Sen. Kent Rogert of Tekamah.

Senator sets up battle over club sports

The approach may be different but the desired result is similar for those who support LB228, which was introduced Tuesday in the Nebraska Legislature.

Coash wants to add restrictions on 2 drugs

Sen. Colby Coash of Lincoln introduced a bill (LB244) to make Carisoprodol and Tramadol controlled substances. In studies, both have shown a risk of human dependence and abuse.

State may join compact to track juvenile offenders

Nebraska could join 35 other states in a compact meant to track juveniles who run away from home or move to another state while on probation or parole.

Omaha senator wants term limits set at 3 in a row

A Nebraska state senator wants to tinker with the state’s term limits law, letting lawmakers serve three consecutive terms instead of two.

State could force dollars into classrooms

School districts across Nebraska could be forced to spend more tax dollars in the classroom.

International custody battle is before senators again

In 2007, the Nebraska Legislature helped out a mother and daughter in an international custody battle in which the Lincoln mother claimed the daughter was being sexually abused by the Canadian father.