Legislative Issues

By Pete McClymont

 

The second session of the 100^th Legislature offers interesting if not unique issues in the Unicameral’s history. 2008 will be the last year for 15 term-limited senators while 20 freshman senators graced the halls of the state Capitol building in 2007. Three previous ballot measures to enact term limits were passed by Nebraskans, but were struck down by the courts for various reasons. Many suggest the impetus for the institution of term limits was District 11 State Senator Ernie Chambers’ 38-year term. Whether or not he was the motivating factor for voters in 2000 is uncertain, but Senator Chambers’ many years of service will come to an end this year.

One of Senator Chambers’ passionate issues throughout the years has been to abolish the death penalty, and this year will be no different. This issue will be one of at least four key issues that will more than likely take up a large portion of the short, 60-day session tentatively scheduled to conclude April 17.

Senators are also expected to debate whether or not to move the State Fair Park. The Legislature employed a private consulting firm specializing in fairgrounds assessment. They concluded that the cost to renovate the State Fair Park would cost roughly $31 million. To move and construct a new State Fair Park would cost nearly $167 million. University of Nebraska-Lincoln Chancellor Harvey Perlman has expressed interest in acquiring the State Fair Park for research efforts that, in his opinion, would benefit the university and have substantial economic impact on the future of Nebraska. This complex issue could gain some finality in this session.

Governor Dave Heineman stated late in 2007 that the state education funding program needs an overhaul. The Governor has been a strong supporter of education but feels a potential $53 million increase in state aid for next fiscal year could be a “financial bombshell” to the state’s budget and would be unsustainable. Education has been and will continue to be a contentious topic of debate for Nebraskans. Remember the debate and actions in the recent past regarding Class I schools and the Elkhorn takeover by the city of Omaha?

The Legislature is also expected to debate the maintenance and new construction of roads. Transportation and Telecommunications Committee Chairwoman Deb Fischer of Valentine has and will continue the fight for better roads for Nebraskans, specifically those in rural areas. Nebraska’s funding for roads is approximately 58 percent state, 40 percent federal and 2 percent community. The state’s share of funds comes from the gas tax, sales tax collected from the sale and lease of motor vehicles, and motor vehicle registration fees. At 27.9¢, Nebraska is currently 18^th in the nation for state gas tax. The funding problem arises with declining revenues coupled with increasing inflation and growing needs, which leads to smaller programs and fewer projects throughout the state.

Unless the federal government changes the current structure for funding the Highway Trust Fund, federal dollars will be down substantially. State program funding needs for roads were $390 million in 2006, $340 in 2007 and are predicted to be year $270 million. With rising construction costs, Nebraska alone needs $170 million just to maintain the current road system

The food animal veterinarian bill will be of particular interest to livestock producers. Nebraska, like most agricultural states, is experiencing a shortage of food animal veterinarians. Some neighboring states have implemented measures to entice recent veterinary school graduates to practice in rural areas. Senator Cap Dierks has introduced a bill to give debt reduction to veterinarians who practice in Nebraska.

The Nebraska Department of Agriculture is planning to introduce updates to the state’s anthrax statutes. The last changes were made in 1933.

Other issues in the 100^th legislature will be relevant to resolutions established at the 2007 Nebraska Cattlemen convention. Ag land valuation, tax increment financing and involvement in post I-300 legislation will be just some of the issues facing NC leadership and staff.

If you have any concerns or thoughts with the legislative process, please call the NC office or leadership to express your point of view. Your involvement is critical to NC’s representation in the Unicameral. Y Pete McClymont is NC’s vice president of legislative affairs.