Spectators fill the seats on the balcony as they observe the first day of the Nebraska Legislature on Jan. 3 at the Capitol. Lawmakers sent more than a dozen bills to Gov. Jim Pillen's desk Thursday.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star file photo
Lawmakers gave final approval Thursday morning to bills expanding Medicaid reimbursements for prenatal care and inflating the governor's influence over Nebraska's Racing and Gaming Commission, both among more than a dozen bills the Legislature sent to Gov. Jim Pillen's desk for his consideration.
The body voted 45-0 to give third-round approval to Lincoln Sen. George Dungan's bill (LB857) establishing the Nebraska Prenatal Plus Program, which will expand reimbursements for prenatal care to include nutrition counseling and targeted case management for at-risk mothers if Pillen approves the measure.
The program established by the bill is meant to reduce instances in Nebraska of low birth weights, preventable pre-term births and other "adverse birth outcomes" by connecting at-risk mothers with health care not currently covered by Medicaid.
The Legislature also gave unanimous approval — with four senators absent Thursday morning — to legislation (LB839) introduced by Sen. John Lowe of Kearney that calls for the governor to approve the hiring of the Racing and Gaming Commission executive director, a position not previously subject to the governor's approval.
As he advocated for his bill on the legislative floor earlier this month, Lowe pointed to recent "questionable decisions" made by the once-obscure commission that saw its budget and reach grow substantially in 2020 when Nebraska voters approved casino gambling and lawmakers subsequently charged the commission with regulating the new industry.
The commission has come under fire this year after it spent more than $30,000 on 10 semi-automatic rifles last year for agency investigators whose primary task is enforcing state gambling regulations and laws.
The bill also bars Racing and Gaming Commission members from "holding any other office or position under the laws of this state, any other state, or the United States" — less than three years after former Gov. Pete Ricketts appointed the state's sitting tax commissioner to the board.
The appointment of Tony Fulton, a longtime opponent of expanded gambling, raised questions over his qualifications to serve on the commission and ties to the anti-gambling movement. Fulton still serves on the body but resigned as tax commissioner in December 2022.
Both bills head to Pillen's desk along with more than a dozen other pieces of legislation that lawmakers gave final approval Thursday morning, including one bill that would declare Oct. 17 as Nebraska Missing Persons Day and another that will make it easier for motorcyclists to ride without a helmet in the state.
Thursday marked Day 52 of this year's 60-day legislative session — with the clock winding down on lawmaking as the Legislature has barely begun long-awaited debate over Pillen’s controversial plan to cut property taxes by raising state sales taxes, among other priority bills the body has scant time to take up.
Nebraska's Legislature meets annually, but convenes for 90 days in odd-numbered years.
"For those of you who are experiencing your first 60-day session, this is a 60-day session," Sen. John Arch of La Vista, the speaker of the Legislature, said Thursday morning.
"So, how can we do this? What do we have to do?" Arch said. "Well, the short answer is we all have to do our part in order for this to happen. So I would say please expect late nights for the remainder of the session."
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Top Journal Star photos for March 2024
Lincoln Southwest's Charley Kort (center) dances with her team after winning the game against Lincoln East on Thursday, March 27, 2024, at Seacrest Activities Complex. Lincoln Southwest won 3-0.
KATY COWELL Journal Star
Sens. George Dungan of Lincoln (from left), John Cavanaugh of Omaha, Wendy DeBoer of Bennington, and Lynne Walz of Fremont listen to testimony from Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh of Omaha (not pictured) during a public hearing before the Legislature's Executive Board on Thursday. The hearing was to hear testimony on whether to send a resolution to censure Sen. Steve Halloran of Hastings to the legislative floor.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Lincoln East's Kai Burkey picks up a fly ball against Creighton Prep, Wednesday, March 27, 2024, at Den Hartog Field.
JUSTIN WAN Journal Star
Monty Stoakes, Open Harvest's meat and cheese coordinator, has put together a Cheese Madness 16-cheese bracket that will crown the store's top cheese.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Troy Dannen speaks to the media at a news conference where he is announced as the athletic director for the University of Nebraska on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, at Hawks Championship Center.
KATY COWELL Journal Star
Park Middle School band director, T.J. McLaughlin (center) conducts the band during rehearsal for the 75th annual Lincoln Public Schools All-City Music Festival performance on Tuesday at Lincoln Northeast High School.
KATY COWELL, Journal Star
Easton Bailey, 4, counts how many eggs are in his basket during an Easter egg hunt on Monday, March 25, 2024, at the Copple Family YMCA.
KATY COWELL Journal Star
From left, founder and director of Theatre Arts for Kids Leah Arlington, Aubree Lawrey, 16, Andy Brockmeier, 12, and Ellyson Stolcpart, 17, sing a song from The Little Mermaid on Monday, March 25, 2024.
KATY COWELL Journal Star
Nebraska fan Seth Backhuss reacts to the score in the last three minutes of the second half during of an NCAA Tournament first-round game on Friday at FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tenn.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Nebraska's Josiah Allick (53) hugs head coach Fred Hoiberg at the end of the NCAA Tournament first-round loss to Texas A&M on Friday in Memphis, Tenn.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Nebraska's Keisei Tominaga (30) holds back tears as he holds a towel to his eyes in the final three minutes of the second half during of an NCAA Tournament first-round game on Friday, March 22, 2024, at FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tenn.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Nebraska's Keisei Tominaga signs the jersey of Brix Behrens, 10, after an open practice Thursday at FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tenn. Nebraska, a No. 8 seed, will be looking for the program's first NCAA Tournament victory when the Huskers play No. 9 seed Texas A&M on Friday. The game is scheduled to start at 5:50 p.m. on TNT.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Nebraska's Case Sanderson is out by Omaha's Henry Zipay in second base, Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at Haymarket Park.
JUSTIN WAN Journal Star
A trio of sandhill cranes match speeds as they take off along the Platte River on March 17, 2024, near Kearney.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Senators of the 2024 legislative body convene for a roll call vote on Tuesday at the Capitol.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Owner of Cause for Paws, Sue Sturgis, holds her rescue dachshund Inkadoo in her arms on Monday, March 18, 2024. Cause for Paws donates their proceeds to help pay veterinary bills and buy pet food for people in need. The Lincoln Thrift Crawl event encourages customers to visit eight different locally owned thrift stores, including Cause for Paws, from March 17th- March 23rd.
KATY COWELL Journal Star
Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule speaks during a news conference on Monday at Hawks Championship Center.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Nebraska's Mckinley Malecha (00) high-fives her teammates during the lineup announcements before the game against Creighton on Saturday at Bowlin Stadium.
KATY COWELL, Journal Star
(From left) Kelly Harrington, Tami Westmoreland and Alana Casas-Castillo lead the 2024 Lincoln Women's March to the state Capitol on Saturday.
KATY COWELL, Journal Star
Rainbow Trout spew forth from a holding tank as Nebraska Game and Parks officials restock Holmes Lake with fish at Holmes Lake Park, on Saturday, March 16, 2024. Nebraska Game and Parks officials stocked Holmes Lake with approximately 4,000 Rainbow Trout. The bi-annual process is used to enhance fishing opportunities in areas that have a high amount of fishermen as well as maintain fish populations in bodies of water across the state.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Lincoln East's Kate Eggett does a handstand to throw-in the ball during the game against Lincoln Pius X on Friday, March 15, 2024, at Lincoln Pius X.
KATY COWELL Journal Star
Easton Aldridge (left) of Denton, 6, plays a knight and "defends" his seat on a giant lawn chair next to his sister, Jess Aldridge, 11, at the Husker Lawn & Leisure Show on Friday at Sandhills Global Event Center. The show features various exhibitors showing items such as RVs, lawnmowers, plants and garden arts. Nebraska Extension Master Gardener volunteers are on-site to answer questions. The last day of the show is Sunday.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Wilber-Clatonia students (from left) Emmalyn Klaassen, 11, Aubrey Bridges, 11, and Jace Polite, 10, react as their robot is unable to complete a task during a practice run of the Nebraska FIRST LEGO League Challenge Championship held at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Cook Pavilion on Friday. Around 600 students between the ages of 9-14 participated in the First LEGO League (FLL) Challenge on Friday.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Bradley Opperman holds a box of food to give out on March 15 at the Lincoln Food Bank.
KATY COWELL, Journal Star
Nebraska's Katelyn Caneda (66) attempts to tag out Northern Colorado's Alison Steinker (4) during the first inning of the game on Thursday, March 14, 2024, at Haymarket Park.
KATY COWELL Journal Star
Shane Walsh of Studio Trouvaille assembles wood and stained glass shadowboxes, Wednesday, March 13, 2024, at Union Bank Place.
JUSTIN WAN Journal Star
A rain droplet strikes a puddle where a nearby street light is reflected in the water, in central Lincoln on Thursday, March 14, 2024.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
The Killigans' Greg Butcher (from left), Brad Hoffman and Bob Okamoto rehearse on Monday, March 11, 2024, in Lincoln.
JUSTIN WAN Journal Star
Restore a Muscle Car Owner Dave Hall poses for a portrait next to a 1973 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am he purchased with a little over 3,000 miles on the odometer at his auto shop in Lincoln.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Aja, a Belgian Shepherd, leaps over a jump during a training exercise at Tierra Park. Aja participates in competition obedience training.
KATY COWELL, Journal Star
Millard North's Neal Mosser (13) crashes into the scorers table during the Class A boys state tournament championship game against Bellevue West on Saturday, March 9, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KATY COWELL Journal Star
Norris' Evan Greenfield (22) shoots a layup while defended by Omaha Skutt's Gideon Linderman (30) in the second half during the Class B boys state tournament championship game, Saturday, March 9, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Wahoo's Marcus Glock (0) swings the net after the Warriors defeated Auburn in the Class C-1 state championship game Saturday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Johnson-Brock celebrates their win as Ainsworth's Trey Appelt (24) hugs his teammate Traegan McNally (5) after the Class D-1 boys state tournament championship game, Saturday, March 9, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Ashland-Greenwood's Dane Jacobsen (0) pulls his jersey over his head following the Bluejay's loss to Auburn in the Class C-1 boys state tournament semifinal game Friday, March 8, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Wahoo's Cody Hesser (5) tumbles over Omaha Concordia's Jackson Thrasher (11) as he attempts to block a shot in the first half during a Class C-1 boys state tournament semifinal game Friday, March 8, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Norris celebrates a 3-pointer during a Class B first-round boys state tournament game against Bennington on Thursday, March 7, 2024 Wednesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KATY COWELL Journal Star
Wahoo's Cody Hesser (left) goes up for a shot as he is fouled by Ogallala's Jayden Curtis (center) during a Class C-1 first-round boys state tournament game Wednesday at the Devaney Sports Center.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Dundy County Stratton's Lane Brown (from left), competes for a rebound with Ainsworth's Jacob Held and Logan Schroedl and DCS's Jackson Kerchal during a Class D-1 first-round boys state tournament game on Thursday, March 7, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.Ainsworth's Dundy County Stratton's during a Class D-1 first-round boys state tournament game on Thursday, March 7, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
JUSTIN WAN Journal Star
Wahoo's Dylan Simmons (11) is fouled by Ogallala's Jayden Curtis (5) in the first half during a Class C-1 first-round boys state tournament game on Wednesday, March 7, 2024 Wednesday at the Devaney Sports Center
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Omaha Concordia and Malcolm play the first half of a Class C-1 first-round boys state tournament basketball game on Wednesday, March 7, 2024 Wednesday at the Devaney Sports Center
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Lincoln Southeast's Kendall Hinton (44) and Lincoln Southeast's Deng Giet (33) celebrate a 3-pointer by Hinton during a Class A first-round boys state tournament game against Omaha Westside on Wednesday, March 6, 2024 Wednesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KATY COWELL Journal Star
Midwest Diggers' Ashley and Nathan Schwenke pose for a portrait in front of an area in their store where customers can pan for actual gold and silver.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Northwest High School seniors Feryal Akpo-Idrissou (left) and Madeline Smith register to vote on Monday.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Nebraska's C.J. Wilcher (0) waits for the team lineups to be announced before the game against Rutgers on Sunday, March 3, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KATY COWELL Journal Star
Overton celebrates after defeating Wynot in the Class D-2 state championship game Saturday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Overton coach Janessa Bergman (left) reacts with the Eagles' bench during the Class D-2 state championship game against Wynot on Saturday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Millard West's Taylor Hansen (21) and Kylee Paben (42) guard Bellevue West's Ahnica Russell Brown (0) as she attempts to score in the paint in the second half during the Class A girls state tournament championship game, Saturday, March 2, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Millard West players dogpile at center court after defeating Bellevue West to win the Class A girls state tournament championship game, Saturday, March 2, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Tyson McCall, 7, (right) is lifted up by his father Keenan as they cheer on Yutan in the Class C-2 girls state tournament championship game, Saturday, March 2, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Yutan's Jade Lewis (4) celebrates during the Class C-2 girls state tournament championship game against Crofton, Saturday, March 2, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KATY COWELL Journal Star
Crofton's Ellie Tramps drives the ball down court on a breakaway in the first half during the Class C-2 girls state tournament championship game, Saturday, March 2, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Lincoln Christian celebrates winning the Class C-1 state championship against Sidney on Saturday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KATY COWELL, Journal Star
Pender celebrates winning the Class D-1 girls state tournament championship game over Southern Valley, Saturday, March 2, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Pender won 39-25.
KATY COWELL Journal Star
Lincoln Southwest senior Trent Buda dresses up as Where's Waldo during a Class A girls state tournament semifinal game against Bellevue West on Friday, March 1, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KATY COWELL Journal Star
Nebraska's Caitlin Olensky pitches against Wichita State, Friday, March 1, 2024, at Bowlin Stadium.
JUSTIN WAN Journal Star
Beatrice's Anna Gleason hugs Kiley Hatcliff while Callie Schwisow and Kiera Busboom (from left) embrace as they console one another following a close loss to Elkhorn North in a Class B girls state tournament semifinal game Friday, March 1, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Yutan's Emilia Tederman (bottom left) competes for the ball with Bishop Neumann's Caitlin McGuigan (top left) and Adalin Bosak during a Class C-2 girls state tournament semifinal game, Friday, March 1, 2024, at the Devaney Sports Center.
JUSTIN WAN Journal Star
Using an in camera double exposure Omaha Skutt players Peyton McCabe (10) and Kamryn Kasner (34) are framed by a cheerleaders pom pom as they block a shot by Gretna East's Karli Williams (5) in the first half during a Class B girls state tournament semifinal game Friday, March 1, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Sidney's Payton Schrotberger (3) leads the charge as she and her teammates Ryan Dillehay (21) and Karsyn Leeling (0) rush to celebrate with their team after their win over Grand Island Central Catholic in a Class C-1 girls state tournament semifinal game Friday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
The Sidney bench and head coach Tyler Shaw (center) celebrate after Ryan Dillehay (not pictured) scored a go-ahead basket against Grand Island CC in the second half during a Class C-1 girls state tournament semifinal game Friday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Lincoln Christian's Kenadee Ailes (30) swats away a layup attempt by Bridgeport's Tracey From (4) while her teammate Jessa Hueser (1) guards the lane in the first half during a Class C-1 girls state tournament semifinal game Friday, March 1, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Beatrice's Kiley Hatcliff (21) and Addison Hatcliff (10) celebrate winning a Class B first-round girls state tournament game over Norris on Thursday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KATY COWELL, Journal Star
Lincoln North Star's Sarah Gatwetch (right) celebrates with her teammates after placing their name on a bracket to advance to the semifinals following their win over Millard North in a Class A first-round girls state basketball tournament game Wednesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
The Omaha Central student section read their student newspaper while Millard West is introduced ahead of a Class A first-round girls state tournament game on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 Wednesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
An array of ciders from Saro Cider — Joy Harvest with Arbor Day Farm (from left), grapefruit, cranberry spice, and a non-alcoholic raspberry Bellini — is shown with a pesto parmesan flatbread.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Bishop Neumann junior Anthony Kavan (left) plays a card game with sophomore Dominic Benes as the basketball team palys Cross County during a Class C-2 first-round girls state tournament game, Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, at the Devaney Sports Center.
JUSTIN WAN Journal Star
Reach the writer at 402-473-7223 or awegley@journalstar.com . On Twitter @andrewwegley
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