NHA offers testimony at recent bill hearings
Neb. lawmakers give first-round OK to smoking ban
(AP) — A statewide smoking ban similar to the one in Lincoln is closer to going statewide. The Legislature has given first-round approval to a bill (LB395) that would prohibit smoking in all workplaces, including bars and restaurants, with few exceptions. Lawmakers OK'd the bill Tuesday morning after senators reached a compromise that would allow cities and counties to opt out of a statewide ban. Significant differences, however, must be resolved if the bill is to get final approval. The bill, as it now stands, would allow local governments to change or nix a ban imposed by the state.
— Nebraska Chamber update, March 7, 2007.
Why Not an Opt-Out
to a smoking ban in Nebraska?
Here are Nine Reasons
An “opt-out” provision grants local governing bodies in Nebraska permission to choose to disregard the state law or to pass a law that’s weaker than the state law. Opt-out provisions are not intended to protect health or protect local control: opt-outs are intended to undermine the effectiveness of statewide smoke free protections.
Click here to view the
Smoking Ban Coalition handout on reasons why an “opt-out” provision is unacceptable public health policy.
Smoking ban should apply to entire state
The watered-down smoking ban that won first-round approval from state senators Tuesday is not worth passing. Senators concerned for their constituents’ health should insist on a genuine statewide ban on smoking that applies uniformly throughout the state.
In its original version, the bill proposed by Sen. Joel Johnson of Kearney would prohibit smoking in virtually all workplaces, including restaurants and bars.
As amended on Tuesday, cities and counties could opt out either by a public vote or by the vote of a city council or county board.
— Read the complete Lincoln Journal Star article online.
Legislature's debate looks at fairness of 'fair-share' union fees
(Omaha World-Herald) — State lawmakers debated freedom and "freeloading" Wednesday without reaching a resolution. At issue was the so-called "fair share" bill, which would allow labor unions to collect fees from non-union workers they represent. Under LB57, introduced by State Sen. Don Preister of Omaha, fair-share fees would cover non-union employees' share of the costs for collective bargaining and contract enforcement.
Unions could collect the fees only if authorized under their contract agreement with an employer. But non-union workers could be subject to legal action if they refused to pay the fees. Sen. Steve Lathrop of Omaha said to opponents of the bill: "I'd like you to tell me why the freeloader shouldn't pay."
But Sen. John Harms of Scottsbluff said the issue is about workers being free to decide whether to join labor unions. "That's what democracy's about," he said. "It's about freedom. They don't want to belong to the union. Period."
Sen. Tim Gay of Papillion said the provision would diminish Nebraska's status as a "right-to-work" state, and that could hurt efforts to recruit business. Twenty-two states, including most of Nebraska's neighbors, have constitutions or laws saying that people cannot be denied employment based on whether they are union members. In Nebraska, the provision is part of the state constitution.
Although LB57 would not require union membership, non-union workers would have to pay the fees. In other states, such fees average about 85 percent of union dues. Opponents cited a 1993 opinion by then-Attorney General Don Stenberg questioning the constitutionality of a similar fair-share bill. The opinion said workers could escape paying the fees only by quitting their jobs. Sen. Gwen Howard of Omaha and other supporters talked of the benefits that non-union workers have gained from working under a union contract. The bill is at the first stage of debate, which will resume today.
— Nebraska Chamber update, March 8, 2007.
Nebraska coalition opposing union fee bill grows as vote nears
(State Chamber release) — Six decades ago, Nebraska voters made their state a right-to-work state. As a result, state law bans forced unionism and ensures that no employee in Nebraska can be forced to join a union or pay union fees in order to keep a job. But that right-to-work guarantee – and the economic opportunity it brings – could be jeopardized by legislation before the Nebraska Legislature. LB57 would require all non-union employees to pay service fees to the union organized at their workplace. A first-round vote on LB57 is expected soon, but a growing coalition of more than 25 of Nebraska's most-recognized business organizations is working to stop the bill from advancing. By endangering Nebraska's status as a right-to-work state, LB57 could put Nebraska at a disadvantage when it competes against other states for new employers and investment. Currently, none of the 22 right-to-work states allows the forced fees proposed in LB57.
Members of the Coalition Against LB57 include: the Associated Builders and Contractors; Associated General Contractors of Nebraska; Associated General Contractors-Nebraska Building Chapter; Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce; Grand Island Chamber of Commerce; Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce; Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce; Lincoln Chamber of Commerce; National Federation of Independent Business; Nebraska Agri-Business Association; Nebraska Bankers Association; Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry; Nebraska Economic Developers Association; Nebraska Grocery Industry Association; Nebraska Hospital Association; Nebraska Hotel & Motel Association; Nebraska Independent Automobile Dealers; Nebraska Independent Community Bankers; Nebraska Pharmacists Association; Nebraska Restaurant Association; Nebraska Retail Federation; Nebraska Telecommunications Association; Nebraska Trucking Association; Norfolk Area Chamber of Commerce; Ogallala/Keith County Chamber of Commerce; and the Scottsbluff/Gering United Chamber.
The State Chamber urges members to contact their state senators immediately to oppose LB57.
— Nebraska Chamber update, March 7, 2007.
Nebraska bill would shield food businesses from obesity lawsuits
(AP) — Restaurants and other food-related businesses could be shielded from lawsuits claiming they caused obesity-related health problems. Under a bill (LB625) that a legislative committee considered Wednesday, protection from civil-liability suits would extend to food manufacturers, packers, sellers, advertisers and others. The bill, by Sen. Pat Engel of South Sioux City, mirrors efforts in some other states, including Louisiana and Florida, which have passed laws shielding food-related businesses from such lawsuits.
— Nebraska Chamber update, March 8, 2007.
Supporters, critics testify about proposed cloning ban in
Nebraska
(AP) — A bill to ban all human cloning in Nebraska was heard Wednesday during a legislative committee hearing on the proposal (LB700). About 100 people, including doctors, clergy and people afflicted with life-threatening diseases, showed up to voice their opinions. The proposed Human Cloning Prohibition Act would ban reproductive cloning and the creation of embryos for stem cell research using a technique called somatic cell nuclear transfer – known as therapeutic cloning. Similar bills have been proposed by state lawmakers in the past, but none has made it to a final floor vote. The latest bill, introduced by Sen. Mark Christensen of Imperial, was co-signed by a majority of state senators, an indication that passage is likely. Lawmakers in 16 states have passed legislation regarding cloning, but only five states ban both reproductive and therapeutic cloning. Iowa, which passed similar legislation in 2002, last week eased restrictions on therapeutic cloning.
— Nebraska Chamber update, March 8, 2007.
Hearing schedule for March 12 – March 16
Monday, March 12
LB 393 (Education) Redefine award and eligible student for purposes of the Nebraska Scholarship Act
LB 509 (Education) Create the Scholarship Trust Fund
Friday, March 16 – RECESS DAY
NHA Advocacy Day
almost here!
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Cornhusker Marriott Hotel
Lincoln, NE
For the latest update on legislative issues, be sure to attend the Nebraska Hospital Association’s annual Advocacy Day event scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. next Wednesday, March 21, at the Cornhusker Marriott Hotel in Lincoln.
If you have not yet registered for this event, please contact Kris Claussen at 402/742-8145 or
kclaussen@nhanet.org at your earliest convenience. Several senators have registered for this event. Your participation is important so Register TODAY!
NHA testimony presented at the hearings can be found on the NHA Web site Advocacy Page-Bill
Status.
NHA Rotunda Review is published by the Nebraska Hospital Association, 3255 Salt
Creek Circle, Lincoln, NE 68504. Phone (402) 742-8140, Fax (402) 742-8191. Visit our Web site at
http://www.nhanet.org. Angela Barry, editor, at
402/742-8143, or email, abarry@nhanet.org.
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