Rotunda Archive

May 30, 2007

Email Your State Senator

Other Advocacy Resources

Where to get current legislative news

The NHA Web site Advocacy page has valuable information resources for your advocacy efforts, including:

  If you have questions or concerns about any state legislation, please contact Bruce Rieker, vice president, advocacy, at 402/742-8146 or brieker@nhanet.org; or Carly Runestad, director of health policy, at 402/742-8153 or crunestad@nhanet.org. 

• LB 265 – Change provisions of the Employment Security Law to conform to federal mandates.
  Sponsor: Sen. Abbie Cornett – Status: Advanced to Final Reading
  NHA position: Neutral
• LB 304 – Change tax credit qualifications for long-term care insurance.
  Sponsor: Sen. Tim Gay– Status: Passed by the Legislature
  NHA position: Support
• LB 373 – Inadmissibility of apologies regarding medical care as evidence.
  Sponsor: Sen. DiAnna Schimek – Status: Signed into law
  NHA position: Support
• LB 395 – Adopt a statewide smoking ban 
  Sponsor: Sen. Joel Johnson – Status: Held over until 2008 legislative session
  NHA position: Support
• LB 463 – Adopt the Uniform Credentialing Act.
  Sponsor: Sen. Joel Johnson – Status: Signed into law
  NHA position: Support
• LB 481 – Change requirements relating to criminal background checks for certain health care providers.
  Sponsor: Sen. Joel Johnson – Status: Passed by the Legislature
  NHA position: Monitor
• LB 482 – Provide for the coverage of qualifying autism services under the Medical Assistance Act.
  Sponsor: Sen. Joel Johnson – Status: Signed into law
  NHA position: Monitor
• LB 542 – Appropriate funds to the Department of Health and Human Services. Sponsor: Sen. John Synowiecki – Status: Signed into law
  NHA position: Support
• LB 588 – Change the workers’ compensation fee schedule and payment of providers. 
  Sponsor: Sen. Abbie Cornett – Status: Signed into law
  NHA position: Previously opposed but now support with recent amendments
• LB 674 – Prohibits use of social security numbers by employers as prescribed and provides a penalty. 
  Sponsor: Sen. Steve Lathrop – Status: Signed into law
  NHA position: Monitor

Lawmakers pass over smoking ban

Bars and restaurants across the state won’t have to put up “no smoking” signs anytime soon. Lawmakers had been faced with a final-round vote on a statewide ban on smoking in workplaces, similar to a restrictive ban in Lincoln. But the senator who introduced the measure decided to pull it off the agenda with just two days left in the session; because he is concerned it could lead to a patchwork of local smoking laws.

Sen. Joel Johnson of Kearney originally proposed an all-out ban statewide in workplaces. But after compromising with senators concerned that the proposal was too harsh, the bill changed to allow cities and counties to opt out of the proposed ban. Johnson said he changed his mind and decided the opt-out provisions of the bill were not acceptable.
The bill will come up for debate next year when lawmakers convene for the 2008 session.

— Associated Press, May 29, 2007.

State minimum wage will increase

Nebraska’s minimum wage will mirror the federal law, rising to $7.25 per hour over the next two years from its current $5.15. Senators Tuesday agreed to change the state’s minimum wage to eliminate confusion over which businesses would be affected by the higher federal minimum wage.

The federal minimum wage laws apply to a great majority of Nebraska employers, said Ron Sedlacek, lobbyist for the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which supports having a consistent state and federal minimum wage. Companies affected by the federal minimum wage include those with revenues of at least $500,000 a year, all firms engaged in interstate commerce or producing goods for interstate commerce, and governmental agencies, schools and hospitals.

Having state law mirror the federal laws makes it easier for businesses to comply, said Lincoln Sen. Danielle Nantkes who offered the minimum wage amendment, which was attached to a bill headed for final passage this year.

— Lincoln Journal Star, May 29, 2007.


Legislature sends 33 bills costing $38 million to Governor on Thursday

(Omaha World-Herald) -- One day after finishing work on the state budget, Nebraska lawmakers last Thursday passed spending and tax cut bills that would cost an extra $38.4 million in the two years beginning July 1. Bills boosting community college aid, raising judges' salaries, helping entrepreneurs find venture capital and other spending measures would add $34 million to the previous spending total of $6.75 billion. In all, lawmakers sent 33 bills to the governor's desk Thursday. Gov. Dave Heineman has until Wednesday to decide whether to sign them into law. If Heineman signs all the bills, the average annual growth in state spending would increase from 4.3 percent (the new budget with the Governor's vetoes) to 4.6 percent. The measures with the biggest price tags deal with education.

— Nebraska Chamber Daily Update, May 25, 2007.


Taking aim at lobbyists

(Lincoln Journal Star) -- Earlier this year the Oregon House adopted ethics rules that prohibited members from accepting gifts worth more than a T-shirt or coffee mug. In Nebraska, which would be considered by some to have fairly restrictive rules, said Frank Daley, accountability and disclosure executive director, senators can take no gifts worth more than $50 in a calendar year from lobbyists, principles or anyone acting on their behalf. 

Exceptions would be made for food and drink for immediate consumption, such as lunches, drinks, or dinners for the entire Legislature and staff members when they work into the night. Also exempted from the $50 rule would be occasional travel to places in the state or “gifts of admission,” such as single or season tickets to events sponsored by agencies, political subdivisions or colleges or universities, including tickets to Husker games and other sporting events.

— Nebraska Chamber Daily Update, May 22, 2007.

Gay discrimination ban again fails to become Nebraska law

LINCOLN - Lawmakers decided Tuesday that Nebraska should not join Iowa and other states in prohibiting job discrimination against gays and lesbians.

A 24-15 vote killed Legislative Bill 475, which was introduced by State Sen. Ernie Chambers of Omaha. He sponsored the measure because of what he said was a need for its protections. LB 475 would have given homosexuals "what all of us take for granted: the right to earn an honest living," Chambers said. "We're not talking about anything other than the right to get a job."

Sen. Bill Avery of Lincoln said the bill had limited scope. It would have applied only to hiring, firing and promotions in the workplace, and it covered people based only on sexual orientation. Opposing the measure were Sen. Tony Fulton of Lincoln and others, who argued against giving special protections to gays and lesbians in state law. Fulton questioned whether the bill's protections would extend to pedophiles or transvestites wanting to be teachers. He said studies showing that gay households have higher average incomes and that job discrimination is not a problem. Sen. Tom Carlson of Holdrege said the bill is not needed as long as people keep private what goes on in their bedrooms. Read the full article.

— Martha Stoddard, Omaha World Herald, May 23, 2007.

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. Christy Rasmussen, editor, at 402/742-8151, or email, crasmussen@nhanet.org.

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