Legislative Newsletter



Senator Tom Carlson - District 38

The last day of the 102nd Legislature, Second Session, was delayed a week. While it is unusual, it is not unprecedented that the 60 days were not consecutive in order to have the opportunity to override bills that were passed on the later days of the session and then vetoed by the Governor.
There were three major bills to consider over-riding. LB 806, to allow betting on historical horse races was viewed by opponents, including myself, as expanding gambling in our state. Proponents claimed the bill was a jobs bill, not a gambling bill. The override was defeated on a vote of 28-20. Senator Lauhtenbaugh moved to reconsider the vote, which is a procedural move to extend the debate. That motion failed, also on a vote of 29-20, and the veto held.
LB 357 was the second bill reconsidered for override. Introduced by Senator Brad Ashford of Omaha, the bill would allow local sales tax to be increased by 1/2 percent with 70% approval of the municipality’s governing body before the proposed increase can appear on the ballot for approval by voters in primary or general elections. Such sales tax increases in District 38 would be earmarked for public infra-structure projects. I view this issue as a matter of local control. Local governmental entities and the local voters should decide this matter, not the Legislature.
There are also sunsets in the bill so increases can not last indefinitely. Cities can presently add up to1.5 cents to each dollar spent. The Nebraska League of Municipalities reported that 86 of the 194 Nebraska cities that impose a sales tax have reached the 1.5 percent maximum. The override motion was successful on a vote of 30-17.
LB 599, to restore prenatal care benefits to pregnant women, including some not legally in the United States, was the last bill considered. I toured the state last week with Speaker Flood and other pro-life senators to meet with health officials in Scottsbluff, Kearney, and Grand Island.
All agreed that lack of prenatal care for low income pregnant women can lead to many health issues for newborns, including increased risk of birth defects, low birth weight, and slowed mental development. The medical community believes that each dollar spent on prenatal care prevents four dollars from being spent on babies with serious health issues. As I have written in previous news, I believe this bill is a pro life bill and an economic bill. I voted in favor of bringing healthy babies into this world, who will be Nebraskans and U.S. citizens.
The session ended with farewell comments from nine retiring Senators. The legislature will miss their experience and leadership. I will be spending much of the interim working on informing Nebraska citizens about LR358CA, the Constitutional Amendment to extend term limits to three consecutive four year terms. You will decide this issue on the November ballot. I introduced this legislation and will be working hard for its passage.
Margo and I look forward to visiting the 38th District communities, as we have in the past. In the meantime, my Lincoln office staff will be available to assist you with any Nebraska state issues.