Opinion

This week LB 626, The Heartbeat Act, fell short by one vote on its second round of debate. This would limit abortions in Nebraska to about six weeks, or after a human heartbeat is detected. I was very disappointed to see this happen. I read the Governor’s press release on this subject and I agree with him one hundred percent.

WashingtOn d.C . by U.S.

eWs by Senator Tom Brewer Thursday, April 20, 2023, my priority bill (LB 77) passed final reading with exactly 33 votes. It will be signed by the Governor Tuesday, May 2, at 2:00 p.m.

The Legislature’s Appropriations Committee has signed off on providing the funds to build a $366 million prison in the Lincoln-Omaha area just as the Department of Corrections brings on a new director who appears to favor programming and investing in the humanity of the incarcerated.

WashingtOn d.C . by U.S.

WashingtOn d.C . This week, President Biden’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced burdensome new emissions requirements on American- made vehicles.

WashingtOn d.C . One of the hallmarks of America is our all-volunteer military.

If you listen carefully, you can hear the strains of that favorite carol “O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree” echoing through the George W. Norris Legislative Chambers.

As of this writing, 62 legislative days of our 90 legislative session have elapsed. The Unicameral has not passed a single bill. This appears to be the first session in the history of the Nebraska Legislature that has gone this long without passing legislation. This situation is caused by the on-going filibuster led by Senator Machaela Cavanaugh of Omaha. She has stated that until LB 574 is killed, she will filibuster every single bill before the body. No other state legislature I am aware of allows one member to shut it down. In spite of this, we are continuing to slowly move bills the people of Nebraska have been waiting on.

W Americans everywhere are still struggling under record inflation. The March Consumer Price Index, a key inflation indicator, showed a five percent inflation rate, with overall food prices up 8.5 percent over March of last year.