Bill to rate child care and raise subsidy moves toward passage
Licensed child care centers would be rated and more families would be eligible for child care subsidies under a bill moving into position for passage in the legislature. Sen. John Harms of Scottsbluff tells colleagues as many as 60,000 young children are at risk, not prepared to enter school. “We can not any longer turn ourselves away from these children,” Harms says during floor debate on LB 507. “They’re our future. They’re our hope. They will run this country and for every child that drops out that’s one child … [Read More...]
Gov. Heineman close to decision on Senate run
Gov. Dave Heineman says he hasn't yet decided if he is going to run for the United States Senate. Heineman, a Republican, says he is currently talking with senators, particularly those who previously served as governors, to get their input on lifestyle changes and other adjustments. Governor Heineman says he had another conversation with his wife, Sally Ganem Tuesday night about the possibility of running for the Senate and he says they are getting very close to a decision. He says they will keep "working through it" as this isn't a … [Read More...]
Sioux City riverboat owners try to block Hard Rock Casino plan
The company that runs the Argosy Riverboat Casino in Sioux City has filed a court action asking a judge to overturn the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission's decision to grant a license for a land-based casino to a group that plans to build Hard Rock Casino. Penn Gaming states in their petition for judicial review that the Racing and Gaming Commission over the past year has engaged in a series of actions that has destroyed the economic value of the license and the company's investment in the riverboat casino and in the Sioux City … [Read More...]
Sen. Chambers succeeds in repeal of local option sales tax, for Omaha (AUDIO)
State Sen. Ernie Chambers has succeeded in repealing the local option sales tax; for Omaha. At least, Chambers has succeeded in getting the votes needed for an amendment to repeal the local option sales tax for the Omaha metropolitan area. Chambers failed earlier this week in his attempt at a total repeal, so he tells colleagues he will take a different route. “The effect of that is to remove Omaha from that local option sales tax authority that would remain in place for the rest of the state,” Chambers says during legislative … [Read More...]
Incentives to develop wind energy moves forward in legislature (AUDIO)
Tax breaks meant to lure a Kansas company to build a wind farm in northeast Nebraska have advanced in the legislature. The incentives included in LB 104, sponsored by Sen. Steve Lathrop of Omaha, would refund the sales tax paid on inputs used to build wind farms. Specifically, the bill would provide a total of $16 million in tax breaks to Trade Winds of Lenexa, Kansas. Trade Winds plans to build a wind farm in Dixon County capable of generating 200 megawatts of electricity which would be exported to other states. Sen. Jim Smith of … [Read More...]
Politics
Gov. Heineman close to decision on Senate run
Gov. Dave Heineman says he hasn’t yet decided if he is going to run for the United States Senate. Heineman, a Republican, says he is currently talking with senators, particularly those who previously served as governors, to get their input on lifestyle changes and other adjustments. Governor Heineman says he had another conversation with his wife, [...]
Pipeline Controversy
- State Dept. schedules Keystone XL hearing in Grand Island April 18th
- Senate Keystone XL vote seen as symbolic, significant (AUDIO)
- TransCanada: “You would have to be insane to build a sub-standard pipeline.” (AUDIO)
- State Department draft report sees little environmental threat from Keystone XL
- Nomination gets caught in Keystone XL crossfire, but survives (AUDIO)
