On the North side of our state Capitol, it says, "The salvation of the state is watchfulness in the citizen." These bills either bring more transparency to our government or make it harder for citizens to participate. From expensive, unneessary voter ID to cleaning up the Public Serivice Commission, we need watchful citizens to help.
For a quick primer on how to use this guide and other issues we're working on, check out our 2012 Bill Roundup. If you can't make it to bill hearings, you can watch online by just clicking the hearing room number in the list next to the video.
LB 239--"Photo ID Required to Vote" OPPOSE
Sen. Janssen’s bill is back with a vengeance after it floundered in 2011. Janssen wants Nebraska to implement a voter ID system requiring citizens to show a government-issued, photo ID at the polls. The problem is that voter ID would only stop voter impersonation fraud, which even Sen. Janssen admits isn’t an issue in Nebraska, and it’s costly to implement.
Status: Senator Schilz has prioritized the bill. It will likely be debated on the floor sometime between February 21st-23rd.
Action: Join the League of Women Voters for lobby day at the Capitol on February 21st. Come to room 1023 at 8:30am to help protect our constitutional right to vote!
Other groups: Nebraskans for Civic Reform, League of Women Voters of Nebraska
LB 754--"Shine a Light on AFP" SUPPORT
Sen. Avery's sunshine bill closes a loophole that the Koch-funded group Americans for Prosperity has been exploiting to avoid disclosing the money they spend in Nebraska. It's time for AFP to be transparent with Nebraskans.
Status: Hearing was January 19th
Action: The bill's not been prioritized, so we don't expect it to move at all
Other Groups: Common Cause of Nebraska
LB 912--"Stop Equal Protection Ordinances" OPPOSE
Omaha and Lincoln are both making big strides to include LGBT people in their employment discrimination protections. Senator McCoy is trying to stop this progress with his bill that says discrimination policy can only be set by the state.
Status: Referred to Judiciary Committee, Hearing is February 22nd
Action: Contact the Judiciary Committee in advance and let them know you support cities and towns’ right to expand discrimination protections; Come to Captiol Room 1113 at 1:30pm on February 22nd to testify
Other groups: Equal Nebraska
LB 970--"Heineman's Tax Shift" OPPOSE
At a time when the state budget's tight and child welfare is a mess, Gov. Heineman's top priority is a tax shift that gives his golfing buddies a break and will increase your property taxes. Heineman wants to say that he cut taxes, but it will be on the backs of our cities and counties.
Status: Hearing was January 26th, Senator McCoy has prioritized it
Action: Contact the Revenue Committee and ask them to keep Heineman's tax shift in committee
Other Groups: Nebraska Appleseed, Open Sky Policy, Nebraska State Education Association
LB 1025--"Clean the PSC" SUPPORT
Sen. Avery’s bill would ban members of the Public Service Commission, which regulates utilities in Nebraska, from accepting campaign contributions from entities they regulate. Imagine, now that they regulate oil pipeline companies, if PSC members took campaign money from TransCananda. Avery's bill ensures that PSC members aren't beholden to the industries they are supposed to regulate and oversee.Status: Hearing was February 9th
Action: Contact the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee to let them know you support a PSC that isn't paid for by the industries they regulate
Other Groups: Common Cause of Nebraska
LR 373CA--"Pay State Senators Fairly" SUPPORT
Sen. Lautenbaugh probably thinks we’ve lost our marbles to agree with him, but we think his proposal to put a pay raise for the state senators on the 2012 ballot is a good idea. Right now, state senators only make $12,000 for their duties. The low pay makes is hard for Nebraskans who aren’t wealthy to serve.
Status: Has advanced to General File. The Executive Board has made it a priority resolution.
Action: Email your state senator and let them know you support putting a vote to increase state senators' salaries on the 2012 ballot.
Other Groups: Common Cause of Nebraska
