The threat of severe winter weather has prompted the legislature to cancel legislative hearings this afternoon.

Speaker of the Legislature, Mike Flood, announced that hearings scheduled to begin this afternoon at 1:30 will be cancelled so legislators can return home ahead of the storm and the public won’t be caught in it traveling to and from the Capitol in Lincoln.

The hearings scheduled for this afternoon have been rescheduled for Monday, February 13th, beginning at 9:30am.

“Bill hearings are an integral part of the legislative process, and it is important for both senators and citizens to be able to attend public hearings,” Speaker Flood said in a written statement. “This change in schedule will help keep folks off the roads during potentially unsafe conditions.”

For the legislative agenda, click here for the Nebraska Unicameral website.

Sen. Steve Lathrop/Unicameral Information Office photo

A bill increasing the penalties against those who assault doctors and nurses has advanced in the Unicameral.

Omaha Sen. Steve Lathrop sponsors LB 677 that would crack down on those who attack a health care provider. Lathrop told colleagues Bureau of Labor Statistics data indicates health care workers are twice as likely as others to experience violence in the workplace.

“And there are two reasons. One is, as you suggest, they can’t turn people down in the emergency room. They have to take these people in,” Lathrop responded to a question posed during flood debate. “And a lot of these assaults are happening on emergency room physicians, doctors, nurses.”

Some senators expressed sympathy for the situations outlined by Lathrop, but questioned whether the state should designate certain classes of workers for enhanced protection.

Sen. Brenda Council of Omaha opposed the measure, stating she’s concerned about carving out classes of workers for extra protection.

“I think the better public policy approach to dealing with this is to deal with workplace violence and assaults in the workplace,” according to Council.

Despite the reservations, the Unicameral has advanced the bill easily, sending it to the next round of debate.

AUDIO: Unicameral debate on LB 677 [1 hour]

Sen. Nelson speaks at the Nebraska Breakfast in Washington. (From Left to Right: Sen. Johanns, Congressmen Smith and Fortenberry. Congressman Terry could not attend.

If you get to Washington, you might want to schedule to have breakfast with your Congressional delegation.

The Nebraska Congressional delegation has announced its schedule for the Nebraska Breakfast, held each Wednesday in Washington, D. C. when Congress is in session.

“We’re pleased to kick off another year of this great tradition and look forward to the give-and-take these breakfasts offer,” The delegation said in a joint-written statement. “Nebraskans have a chance to introduce themselves, tell us why they are in Washington, and what issues are of particular concern to them. All five members of the delegation are able to respond to their issues, tell them what we’re working on that particular week and offer some insight as to what they might expect.”

It is too late for the first breakfast, hosted this morning by Sen. Ben Nelson. Nelson will host all the 2012 Nebraska Breakfasts. They are scheduled for:

February: 1, 8, 15, 29

March: 7, 21, 28

April: 18, 25

May: 9, 16

June: 6, 20, 27

July: 11, 18, 25

August: 1

September: 12

Congressman Smith speaks at Nebraska Breakfast (Photos courtesy of Congressman Smith's office)

Sen. Hugh Butler originated the Nebraska Breakfast in 1943. Butler wanted to meet informally each week to discuss federal legislation with other members of the Nebraska delegation. Members began invited guests. Soon, a tradition was born.

Now in its sixth decade, the Nebraska Breakfast is the oldest and only ongoing state gathering for constituents on Capitol Hill. Every Wednesday when the House and Senate are both in session, Nebraskans can meet and visit with their delegation.

Breakfast begins at 8am, usually held in the Dirksen Senate Buffet on the “B” level of the Dirksen Senate Office Building.

To make a reservation, contact one of the members of the delegation, either by phone or through their websites:

Senator Nelson: 202-224-6551; Bennelson.senate.gov

Senator Johanns: 202-224-4224; Johanns.senate.gov

Rep. Terry: 202-225-4155; Leeterry.house.gov

Rep. Fortenberry 202-225-4806; Fortenberry.house.gov

Rep. Smith: 202-225-6435; Adriansmith.house.gov