LINCOLN — Nebraska’s teachers union will no longer oppose a governor-backed bill to tweak the state’s school retirement plan, partly due to an amendment that could also benefit teachers.

The Nebraska State Education Association formally shifted its stance this week, two months after&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/02/03/school-retirement-changes-to-play-role-in-nebraska-school-funding-budget-conversations/">urging caution and encouraging teachers statewide</a>&nbsp;to speak out against&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=59645&amp;docnum=LB645&amp;leg=109" target="_blank">Legislative Bill 645</a>, which was introduced by State Sen. Beau Ballard of Lincoln at Gov. Jim Pillen’s request.&nbsp;

The bill would create stepped-down contribution levels from the state to the school retirement plan, depending on its actuarial funding level. As of July 1, the plan was 99.9% funded.&nbsp;

If passed, LB 645 would drop the state’s annual contributions toward the retirement plan based on statewide school employee payroll. Once the plan reaches 100% funding, the state would no longer automatically contribute year over year.

A&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/109/PDF/AM/AM248.pdf" target="_blank">Feb. 13 amendment from Ballard</a>&nbsp;proposes similar changes to teacher and other employee contributions depending on actuarial funding, which could save teachers money each month, helping lead to the changed NSEA position.&nbsp;

“I think this is a win-win,” Ballard said of the amendment. “In my opinion, this is the teachers’ money. It’s a real-world take-home pay increase for teachers.”

The amendment would also limit the modified state contribution levels to three tiers, instead of six as in the original LB 645.

The teachers union had originally said the bill would “raid” teacher pensions, which director Kenny Zoeller of the governor’s Policy Research Office said was a “flat-out lie” because LB 645 wouldn’t touch “hard-working dollars.”

NSEA President Tim Royers, in a Feb. 20 emailed video to NSEA members addressing the Ballard amendment, credited his members for the change.&nbsp;

“We would not be here delivering this good news without you using your voice the way that you did, to help those lawmakers see that we need to build a better version of this bill that puts the educators of the state at the forefront of what it intends to do,” Royers said at the time.

He described the amendment as “version 2.0 of the bill.”

The state currently contributes 2% of school employee payroll statewide to the pension plan, while employees contribute 9.77% of their salaries and school districts contribute 9.88% of their employees’ salaries.

This means that for the current fiscal year, with an&nbsp;<a href="https://npers.ne.gov/SelfService/public/howto/publications/ActuarialReports/ActuarySchool2024.pdf" target="_blank">estimated $2.5 billion payroll for school employees statewide</a>, the required contributions would be:

Zoeller said that the changes for the state would free up funds for education investments and are not designed to help plug a&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/decrease-in-federal-share-of-nebraska-medicaid-costs-increases-state-budget-shortfall/">projected budget shortfall of $457 million</a>&nbsp;prior to any&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/02/18/preliminary-appropriations-committee-budget-unveiled-includes-pillen-cuts-to-nu/">legislative action</a>.

Royers has said it was OK for the state to reduce its contributions but that school employees and the teachers he represents should also be part of the conversation.

Under Ballard’s amendment, the plan would require different contributions at three levels of funding: less than 96% actuarially funded, between 96% and once the plan is 100% actuarially funded.

When the plan is 96% or more funded, but not 100%, school employee contributions would fall to 7.28% of their salaries, and the state would contribute 0.7% of school employees’ payroll.

Once the plan reaches 100% funded, the state would pull out of funding. Lawmakers would continue to need to add funding in volatile years in which legally set contribution levels aren’t enough to keep the plan afloat.

Contribution levels would revert to current levels if the plan drops below 96% funded.

Laura Strimple, a spokesperson for Pillen, repeated Pillen’s firm stance that efficiencies can be found “in all aspects of state government,” which she said includes the school retirement plan.

“With a nearly fully funded plan, the Legislature should decide how we can save taxpayer money and directly increase teacher pay,” Strimple said.

Actuaries: LB 645 adds volatility and risk

Such changes to state retirement plans&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/Current/PDF/Rules/RuleBook.pdf" target="_blank">require an actuarial study</a>&nbsp;on possible impacts.&nbsp;

The&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/LB645-school-retirement-audit.pdf">study for LB 645 and its amendment</a>&nbsp;was completed late last week, with actuaries writing that the changes would create more volatility and risk. The study does not specify a “yes” or “no” to whether the state could afford the changes.

The full actuarial study on Legislative Bill 645 and its amendment is&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/LB645-school-retirement-audit.pdf">available here</a>.

Actuaries predicted the school retirement plan, if Ballard’s amended bill became law, would be fully funded about 68% of the time, and at least 96% funded nearly three-fourths of the time.

However, the actuaries also gave a 43% chance that the retirement plan could drop below 96% funding before 2035, and a 52% chance before 2045. This would return the 2.5% payroll fee to teachers in a given year, which the actuaries wrote could catch some employees off guard.

“Given the probability of such an event, it might be prudent to ensure members are fully aware of the likelihood of such an adjustment occurring to avoid a surprise on the members’ behalf,” the study states.

Royers said the study didn’t provide all the information his union wanted about the proposal’s viability and that a new review methodology left him and his team “not quite sure, candidly, how to parse the data.”

“That’s honestly one of the main reasons why we’re coming in neutral,” Royers said Wednesday. “We want to make sure that what we’re doing is going to keep the plan sound for the next 10, 20 years, and we just don’t feel that what that study said tells us one way or another.”

Royers described the study as asking “how much oil is in the car,” yet the response was about “how the brakes are doing.”

Ballard’s bill and amendment would not decrease contribution levels for school districts, but Royers said there is some “wiggle room” to bring districts to the table while benefiting the state and teachers.

Doing so could lead to property tax relief, repurposing those payroll obligations toward teacher salaries or both, Royers said, and could be a win for communities on tax relief or educators on pay increases.

Asked whether the bill could pair with a separate NSEA priority, LB 440, to cover 6 weeks of paid family and medical leave for all teachers during or after significant life events, Royers said it’s possible.

LB 440, the 2025 priority bill of State Sen. Ashlei Spivey of Omaha, would impose a&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/03/10/teachers-praise-bill-for-6-weeks-paid-family-medical-leave-for-all-nebraska-educators/">0.35% payroll fee on teachers</a>, which school districts would also match, to cover the group benefit.&nbsp;

The current estimated payroll this fiscal year for all school employees (not just teachers as under LB 440) would mean the state’s 245 school districts, mostly funded through property taxes or state dollars, would need to cover about $8.8 million. This would be less if limited to teachers.

“Synergy is great when you have multiple bills, but we also recognize a bill could fail,” Royers said of the Spivey and Ballard bills. “We don’t want to build our plan around both bills passing.”

Royers said he’s confident that the NSEA, Ballard and Pillen can find a path forward on school retirement.

“We think ultimately we’ll land on a good bill,” Royers said. “We’re just not quite there yet.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741880863754.jpeg" alt="Tim Royers, president of the Nebraska State Education Association, leads a news conference highlighting 2025 priorities for teachers statewide. Jan. 28, 2025. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>Tim Royers, president of the Nebraska State Education Association, leads a news conference highlighting 2025 priorities for teachers statewide. Jan. 28, 2025. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>LINCOLN — Nebraska’s teachers union will no longer oppose a governor-backed bill to tweak the state’s school retirement plan, partly due to an amendment that could also benefit teachers.The Nebraska State Education Association formally shifted its stance this week, two months after&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/02/03/school-retirement-changes-to-play-role-in-nebraska-school-funding-budget-conversations/">urging caution and encouraging teachers statewide</a>&nbsp;to speak out against&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=59645&amp;docnum=LB645&amp;leg=109" target="_blank">Legislative Bill 645</a>, which was introduced by State Sen. Beau Ballard of Lincoln at Gov. Jim Pillen’s request.&nbsp;The bill would create stepped-down contribution levels from the state to the school retirement plan, depending on its actuarial funding level. As of July 1, the plan was 99.9% funded.&nbsp;If passed, LB 645 would drop the state’s annual contributions toward the retirement plan based on statewide school employee payroll. Once the plan reaches 100% funding, the state would no longer automatically contribute year over year.A&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/109/PDF/AM/AM248.pdf" target="_blank">Feb. 13 amendment from Ballard</a>&nbsp;proposes similar changes to teacher and other employee contributions depending on actuarial funding, which could save teachers money each month, helping lead to the changed NSEA position.&nbsp;“I think this is a win-win,” Ballard said of the amendment. “In my opinion, this is the teachers’ money. It’s a real-world take-home pay increase for teachers.”The amendment would also limit the modified state contribution levels to three tiers, instead of six as in the original LB 645.The teachers union had originally said the bill would “raid” teacher pensions, which director Kenny Zoeller of the governor’s Policy Research Office said was a “flat-out lie” because LB 645 wouldn’t touch “hard-working dollars.”NSEA President Tim Royers, in a Feb. 20 emailed video to NSEA members addressing the Ballard amendment, credited his members for the change.&nbsp;“We would not be here delivering this good news without you using your voice the way that you did, to help those lawmakers see that we need to build a better version of this bill that puts the educators of the state at the forefront of what it intends to do,” Royers said at the time.He described the amendment as “version 2.0 of the bill.”<h2>‘Version 2.0’ amendment specifics</h2>The state currently contributes 2% of school employee payroll statewide to the pension plan, while employees contribute 9.77% of their salaries and school districts contribute 9.88% of their employees’ salaries.This means that for the current fiscal year, with an&nbsp;<a href="https://npers.ne.gov/SelfService/public/howto/publications/ActuarialReports/ActuarySchool2024.pdf" target="_blank">estimated $2.5 billion payroll for school employees statewide</a>, the required contributions would be:<ul>
 <li>State of Nebraska (2%): $50.1 million.</li><li>School employees (9.77%): $244.8 million.</li><li>School districts (9.88%): $247.6 million.</li>
 </ul>Zoeller said that the changes for the state would free up funds for education investments and are not designed to help plug a&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/decrease-in-federal-share-of-nebraska-medicaid-costs-increases-state-budget-shortfall/">projected budget shortfall of $457 million</a>&nbsp;prior to any&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/02/18/preliminary-appropriations-committee-budget-unveiled-includes-pillen-cuts-to-nu/">legislative action</a>.Royers has said it was OK for the state to reduce its contributions but that school employees and the teachers he represents should also be part of the conversation.Under Ballard’s amendment, the plan would require different contributions at three levels of funding: less than 96% actuarially funded, between 96% and once the plan is 100% actuarially funded.When the plan is 96% or more funded, but not 100%, school employee contributions would fall to 7.28% of their salaries, and the state would contribute 0.7% of school employees’ payroll.Once the plan reaches 100% funded, the state would pull out of funding. Lawmakers would continue to need to add funding in volatile years in which legally set contribution levels aren’t enough to keep the plan afloat.Contribution levels would revert to current levels if the plan drops below 96% funded.Laura Strimple, a spokesperson for Pillen, repeated Pillen’s firm stance that efficiencies can be found “in all aspects of state government,” which she said includes the school retirement plan.“With a nearly fully funded plan, the Legislature should decide how we can save taxpayer money and directly increase teacher pay,” Strimple said.<h2>Actuaries: LB 645 adds volatility and risk</h2>Such changes to state retirement plans&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/Current/PDF/Rules/RuleBook.pdf" target="_blank">require an actuarial study</a>&nbsp;on possible impacts.&nbsp;The&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/LB645-school-retirement-audit.pdf">study for LB 645 and its amendment</a>&nbsp;was completed late last week, with actuaries writing that the changes would create more volatility and risk. The study does not specify a “yes” or “no” to whether the state could afford the changes.<h2>The full LB 645 actuarial study</h2>The full actuarial study on Legislative Bill 645 and its amendment is&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/LB645-school-retirement-audit.pdf">available here</a>.Actuaries predicted the school retirement plan, if Ballard’s amended bill became law, would be fully funded about 68% of the time, and at least 96% funded nearly three-fourths of the time.However, the actuaries also gave a 43% chance that the retirement plan could drop below 96% funding before 2035, and a 52% chance before 2045. This would return the 2.5% payroll fee to teachers in a given year, which the actuaries wrote could catch some employees off guard.“Given the probability of such an event, it might be prudent to ensure members are fully aware of the likelihood of such an adjustment occurring to avoid a surprise on the members’ behalf,” the study states.Royers said the study didn’t provide all the information his union wanted about the proposal’s viability and that a new review methodology left him and his team “not quite sure, candidly, how to parse the data.”“That’s honestly one of the main reasons why we’re coming in neutral,” Royers said Wednesday. “We want to make sure that what we’re doing is going to keep the plan sound for the next 10, 20 years, and we just don’t feel that what that study said tells us one way or another.”Royers described the study as asking “how much oil is in the car,” yet the response was about “how the brakes are doing.”<h2>‘Not quite there yet’</h2>Ballard’s bill and amendment would not decrease contribution levels for school districts, but Royers said there is some “wiggle room” to bring districts to the table while benefiting the state and teachers.Doing so could lead to property tax relief, repurposing those payroll obligations toward teacher salaries or both, Royers said, and could be a win for communities on tax relief or educators on pay increases.Asked whether the bill could pair with a separate NSEA priority, LB 440, to cover 6 weeks of paid family and medical leave for all teachers during or after significant life events, Royers said it’s possible.LB 440, the 2025 priority bill of State Sen. Ashlei Spivey of Omaha, would impose a&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/03/10/teachers-praise-bill-for-6-weeks-paid-family-medical-leave-for-all-nebraska-educators/">0.35% payroll fee on teachers</a>, which school districts would also match, to cover the group benefit.&nbsp;The current estimated payroll this fiscal year for all school employees (not just teachers as under LB 440) would mean the state’s 245 school districts, mostly funded through property taxes or state dollars, would need to cover about $8.8 million. This would be less if limited to teachers.“Synergy is great when you have multiple bills, but we also recognize a bill could fail,” Royers said of the Spivey and Ballard bills. “We don’t want to build our plan around both bills passing.”Royers said he’s confident that the NSEA, Ballard and Pillen can find a path forward on school retirement.“We think ultimately we’ll land on a good bill,” Royers said. “We’re just not quite there yet.”

‘Not quite there yet’: Nebraska teachers union now ‘neutral’ on proposed retirement tweaks

Acting United States Attorney Matthew R. Molsen announced that Luis Perez, 37, of Rosenburg, Texas, was sentenced on March 12, 2025, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for conspiracy to distribute cocaine. United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Perez to 87 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Perez’s release from prison, he will begin a three-year term of supervised release. Perez was also ordered to pay a $10,000 fine.

Law enforcement became aware of co-defendant Gary Pope as a dealer of cocaine in the Omaha area. This led to a three-month wiretap of Pope’s cell phone in 2022. The wiretap intercepts and resulting investigation confirmed that Pope would receive cocaine deliveries from Perez. Perez would send kilogram quantities of cocaine from Texas using a courier, co-defendant Joseph Reyes. Reyes was arrested on May 23, 2022, in Kansas with two kilograms of cocaine destined for Omaha.

After Reyes’s arrest, Pope began receiving cocaine from a different Texas supplier. Co-defendant Lonnie Embers was arrested on July 15, 2022, in Oklahoma with two kilograms of cocaine destined for Omaha from the Texas supplier that was not Perez.

Perez was the last of the four defendants to be sentenced. Pope, 43, was sentenced to 87 months in prison for the Nebraska case and was sentenced to an additional 66 months in prison for a case prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa for charges of possession with intent to distribute marijuana and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Reyes, 34, of Houston, Texas, and Embers, 53, of San Marcos, Texas, were each sentenced to 46 months in prison.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration. This effort was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven,

multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF" target="_blank">https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF</a>.

United States Attorney's OfficeActing United States Attorney Matthew R. Molsen announced that Luis Perez, 37, of Rosenburg, Texas, was sentenced on March 12, 2025, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for conspiracy to distribute cocaine. United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Perez to 87 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Perez’s release from prison, he will begin a three-year term of supervised release. Perez was also ordered to pay a $10,000 fine.Law enforcement became aware of co-defendant Gary Pope as a dealer of cocaine in the Omaha area. This led to a three-month wiretap of Pope’s cell phone in 2022. The wiretap intercepts and resulting investigation confirmed that Pope would receive cocaine deliveries from Perez. Perez would send kilogram quantities of cocaine from Texas using a courier, co-defendant Joseph Reyes. Reyes was arrested on May 23, 2022, in Kansas with two kilograms of cocaine destined for Omaha.After Reyes’s arrest, Pope began receiving cocaine from a different Texas supplier. Co-defendant Lonnie Embers was arrested on July 15, 2022, in Oklahoma with two kilograms of cocaine destined for Omaha from the Texas supplier that was not Perez.Perez was the last of the four defendants to be sentenced. Pope, 43, was sentenced to 87 months in prison for the Nebraska case and was sentenced to an additional 66 months in prison for a case prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa for charges of possession with intent to distribute marijuana and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Reyes, 34, of Houston, Texas, and Embers, 53, of San Marcos, Texas, were each sentenced to 46 months in prison.This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration. This effort was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven,multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF" target="_blank">https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF</a>.

Texas Man Sentenced for Supplying Cocaine to Omaha Dealer   

OMAHA, NE&nbsp;(March 13, 2025) — AAA is&nbsp;activating ‘Tow to Go’ in select states for the upcoming St. Patrick’s Day weekend, in hopes that partygoers do not press their luck by driving impaired.

What is Tow to Go?&nbsp;Tow to Go operates on most major holidays and offers a free ride to impaired drivers and their vehicles who do not have a safe alternative. AAA has provided the Tow to Go program for more than 25 years. Since its inception, The Auto Club Group has successfully removed nearly 30,000 impaired drivers from the roadway.

How does it work?&nbsp;When someone calls Tow to Go,&nbsp;AAA dispatches a tow truck to transport the would-be impaired driver and their vehicle to a safe location within a 10-mile radius. While the service is free for anyone,&nbsp;AAA asks that it be treated as a last resort.

“We’re proud to be that last line of defense, keeping people from driving impaired,” said Brian Ortner, spokesman, AAA Nebraska and Iowa. “We also remain committed to educating the public that it’s important to find a safe ride before drinking alcohol or taking drugs. This is critical so motorists are not in the position of having to decide if they’re sober enough to drive.”

Sobering Statistics:&nbsp;According to&nbsp;the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), St. Patrick’s Day is one of the deadliest holidays on U.S. roadways. In 2020, more than 11,000 people died in drunk-driving crashes. Those deaths could have been avoided if the impaired drivers found a safe ride home instead of driving drunk.&nbsp;(<a target="_blank" href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.gqh-2BaxUzlo7XKIuSly0rC-2BhoQDpgB3-2FVyXgVxsyMXa-2FpRpcTdvuvFlQ5hLwUqRxJdzutPRZikmBjIAWri8vKHg6seg6q9CIjUiSgv1scZf0M4RAePbZc071B-2FQrz2u1KF08u4js3OXTknLdWveoOHObjEU-2BomEXnwVMm17etoLSxoBY0MU-2BBNRMYJ-2BXBFi1tgon5o2JtgaVR9AMQ8-2BXko4zsRMLjPxC597vGmis-2BfJefn-2FnND6cXaULy4aS9q6-2F-2FRXQwDE-2BH-2BbrK0NjeYLGgthYcHobtsJG6q3-2FUPTG4zT1Pdys6NYju7A0yU6rZy8PPybyfiY-2F-2BR9u-2BOxSyKwM3xA-3D-3DLDdh_zEOLHw6mHPpUboszb4lxzn-2FWfgiGZZljUWwyilPPfcrXXfmVBzHnavjtNkTOYjqEu9ForkbU2BMNTBWH3XP7OdT44Bbe46bKr8Wrm-2FRs-2FzyNpAOGWBtNKBasrXMt86ANxnNXCkJr8-2Bx4NktaOFUqhStQK1J2UXP6h0P0pMqRclXrOWC6laquyQBax5DJgV1BgiTSHVW07iyHOlkv4XBc8TfHMZDcPWN3ajHKkfbaPzl2IZM5GNzQ9wd6Vihv-2BBCGu0M2QpWTszO62-2FJIxm76UK8y7DVWq86xdamamWI3M3UhzSwB42gKvt4tgb-2ByU8nulXy-2FvCw9FYdm6x5FyK4-2FIuda5AITSW1k7xoPt9QiiKc-3D">NHTSA</a>)

Florida, Georgia,&nbsp;Iowa,&nbsp;Michigan, North Dakota,&nbsp;Nebraska,&nbsp;Tennessee, Wisconsin, Colorado (Denver), North Carolina (Charlotte), and Indiana (Fort Wayne/South Bend)

The Auto Club Group (ACG) is the second largest AAA club in North America with more than 13 million members across 14 U.S. states and two U.S. territories.&nbsp;ACG and its affiliates provide members with roadside assistance, insurance products, banking and financial services, travel offerings and more. ACG belongs to the national AAA federation with more than 65 million members in the United States and Canada. AAA’s mission is to protect and advance freedom of mobility and improve traffic safety. For more information, get the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.gqh-2BaxUzlo7XKIuSly0rC4lWODUrRSzebG68HWXiL-2BDVs0rqq6X6o4WMfNsJ8-2FQY25dDUTq2dfz2XYae1hRg8GIsjR-2Fe69aENjYl40rUvEgOs-2FQusvot6nO-2FnbzZV0yXT2-2BnWkco3mhICoKSaD-2FlNbmJs0ojOGEsKd9SnnNFppPgboO2RI8guVeevsBc9LeGliwl8wkvMGL9NxFs7DM5lPgc3P7LeQhL9WBjpe17MN-2FY-2Fbfqxo-2FkNSgpunTuMfCcpHcSA0wfwDPuMcbRj0m5QmfS6rEa-2FU-2B1jjjRh-2F0KoAwSRaeVtG0Hs7cddQhgFeRCkrTPOg-2FACyd696-2FS-2FCnueFufCFzyXhr9bRzVKwpoRwkO-2BUHrFXcJRwYC8X0khdJnQxfsLF0lJ5RL-2B8NvbB8tCaVHOVFXRM2HQJOYvQtWJabog0-2BxnzYJWz364YoTqrQa6gT2pkTW9fjVEjHaHzldWOcIjSUAkRtOHjrzWjeW4XAnbsZEz945gg3KXIlMCOkgePHzc8RJ1T9dixBfJSC6qxSaHL7vZih-2ByDpIsm4JBBiKQ3lqVxj7MjNUCrxEeClWco7QtsILKqk8jl7wJjCTRvwDwxXE2Acjri-2B-2BuaPr3PqlVPVxL7oEaNrrO23mg7XWYMvJAIPwDj6KE-2FDdzQWFQ5UTNRkaR-2FhqATYLO0-2BpP8OWv-2Bil7OHUOmSMyereG83XhN2JOO4TL1W4m5QgMvWK28ALrDqKTu0zLGXCIG6LwE6ye5ZJbUdK5dBBiAaVG5H6kBtK71oIFR-2B1q-2FbPl1x8cW6-2FGXiOPoSgM6o6xWY3XL1NHlAR8QvCi8i4iEuqcUOebnhndIKWIBAeNJgzL42mHzZ6gJkyPlajhKwhnFjO1REPgdkmx-2FZIzsoLl4CswE1MYV79kfhU9taW82C2WJn0iDyB2SS1iCPuwzZAixmEzVBZmC76aUw2RbycR1cvXCNn00MgqnAZpPfJ85dT-2BVkxCnOW9vnulEJMKx6FcYsW2E2nS6-2BpkF96wAEpAwhGQ39gZEfXEKmdNTdtqDYaAZOXKxACRNsqvwhWKRc2C-2B5t-2F-2Fso7MxDt7CSJuaiQFMjNnvu08XJl3qcgPZqujZKwGeINg0a7BCAzznAyNNCazCcAYHMhVOzyTjGZGPT7dWY0opzC0DyXkOlLMOHjYxUxPZWdT8Rx2DlJrtIcI7Pc2raf0lJoGik6gog3UojJg0mIpZP4hZpuJcJYFoXNt4NOGpnxFxdbyp30GXwKonxkGmQ1wA-3DYkgZ_zEOLHw6mHPpUboszb4lxzn-2FWfgiGZZljUWwyilPPfcrXXfmVBzHnavjtNkTOYjqEu9ForkbU2BMNTBWH3XP7OdT44Bbe46bKr8Wrm-2FRs-2FzyNpAOGWBtNKBasrXMt86ANxnNXCkJr8-2Bx4NktaOFUqhStQK1J2UXP6h0P0pMqRclXrOWC6laquyQBax5DJgV1BgiTSHVW07iyHOlkv4XBc8UbsDafgb8mK7UYh5vp-2B2lKJQ-2BlKIF7q-2FOCJkPpSfPVg-2BeNzaH0IdL0yvdGMpmmlnuNcF8bkfpdQ5nJlSutshRhEjFZdPHM-2FlkuxZYoCk0sYu0Rbt4cecThVpXLOaTTtoliLqhrHlqAqB-2FsIgEVngqY-3D">AAA Mobile app</a>, visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.gqh-2BaxUzlo7XKIuSly0rC4lWODUrRSzebG68HWXiL-2BDVs0rqq6X6o4WMfNsJ8-2FQY25dDUTq2dfz2XYae1hRg8GIsjR-2Fe69aENjYl40rUvEgOs-2FQusvot6nO-2FnbzZV0yXT2-2BnWkco3mhICoKSaD-2FlNbmJs0ojOGEsKd9SnnNFppPx-2F7v2pPqEGuJWKPzYEYtHw9XZ6eDbEPjXwyWuxn64Z9szjPhIQheIoh1umJpUOzQmY3iOgdhfwEaRbos0GytTu5f2CoSo7BMNluqp15y1H1hziOSwDmBrPfF1Uk2Todu0uOtBY-2BgqGaOmNgmiNjYhvQbPAxxMmJ2dfk3OoXwiSyJkbq5VsoDUw-2BRrSJYMwdnhoX2p7weDt1I3CB895xr3MIr1CjrHXHJCkBESOyEabTzI5q4H4-2FqLDQ26ZJsyC3wjlwXAgV-2BCQa1JcYx-2Fqg6c9-2Ff6H-2FZdtXCEx-2FMrQ6E1qWV15aWm0wCy13MuLB14iwj9T92jhg8lYO-2Bd4WA9XOShuMzPRE2NxEqqzICjlwWpdWoEmzmmfYy8dImYzOH8buOyoANEntkHcjTtTCbUZOOpkvMLqhRWwIguANTFYmiXCwwjNEKzZwCie5p8UMM-2Fba4Whmfz06Ujn1LwBm0-2FmdXNrlJS14JanpZVuJifxw4-2FaqpaDgg30OZo5s4861jBxhhkyMwrg7HYccMq8fQ0BDO77m6ojCLN9SezKb9YCh0G3cmFdicbOKi8P8lfjSPi4FkmT-2B4uhU7eOGyra-2B4e4XaW0lUhodXEnK4GiMDOMk-2FfU5bLN4KIS7kJ4AUqICaS3YHbS4Koc4bCQCbSymPCAV0lqEGpwzD3AyBDizOd9R0qVEhxowCB1XlGact-2F5QbmSr9askY5YzRhAmaiq-2BWoTiemr-2FuOD69biZfD2TpkEU-2FikB32ScarB6GW-2BUdfoDfYJfTsNU041YbmAias-2BT-2FiHdECDNIuI8QkQlwTKpb7IidglA6E3iNDv72YYk3sKIbRbr-2FGpmGg3SC3ljHqb2bR6yx8taYDnEJbr-2Br9W9t9KDYo40piBjmQQXAGzWg0ZKB75ihwtJEYrCCrdn5Zk7cR2NI-2FfarkFWjxlP7Py9X7WeoBXRypCzTaibtR2HNxOqEwoNUmp2hsFdPTdGiGvuE4zCz47K8juiD0sOLWnfLy0AMBPKtxoCPIrmc20QvKF-2FvRwO5tINgsaaqsZ-2F3v6EswE4zF6CC-2FIsbyAuq1GpV7d-2FiV-2FCPJh9RJUDTV2mWJ4ll6N-2FikKkDkHiOUXIaoz7UdQlQ-2BsblCN-2F506u7bX4HR8-2F68PJTD5tr3bTpk1fq5JtU-2B5kpFMSZRnAjK9KYaIIEhqIXRTim0UQ-2BtScGtJoZ2LodGxHLViDrGpSBFNWjIkNwhpOcnJBhWQZwGwdgF-2F-2FZt0nN0hT2DsVpZ3d6z1ktUNMepkeC4UTLFt0lD91bWYYHHXJKVoaMBI0oxFlSn0AJYzGyFtUxMrxqmDhHvQslGl45wtx3UtPLpWO33hPs-2Fx-2FGSlnMhJ01YlCLz4-2B5llRuii5Z7hHJQ7N9YRu1L5FmLC1lQo5PEKIICNInKfcAEFeSHIe3AuHzRuHqoD5wbvl2-2FixSayCJ-2FbE-2BW-2BYsAG7k90IBUWSqA-2Fmpgb-2F66FzqJnDEIFV7NKPPm2I7lDYM5MmxHCVbWOOdnX1MdJzRZtYBVdXShjnbCAWMlr-2FFJ6CMMoa8ixEwUwVEkA4jA-2Bh3MJinL5o-2Fj8sZK8A4K70fGvlv8t6DUj5phidGq55BG56DOOGA-2FP9aTNPRqqZiIPuLUj34U8x5QR0w9McL96Rf1jnUR3fxDJ2Fg6yd-2BzDetiuJhamA-2Fu2rN43kU7wQ-2BXuSDg9k6Pm9T7IW4dZBpmkDbzHiNO9G1va-2FTh4yyaHcjJ0u892diQxQGdQTBbZoUEWVe95FSh4NKynFfFwd-2BW-2BhOzPn8-2FKgPuZlh-2Bd-2BpZV1Cvljfj6KmasgpEnHZyzvTXlBOMNtiO31-2Ft4oei0UixkCLL-2Bb8Cb94DI9phk2PLSKptmlwJY4atqoeArDmQ3YVj2TEWCp674yZd11shNRPKCNSAKFBJ3Uqh4aMdDUudOlk3nIUouc6z8eVGeb-2FJZNdFe-2FOe9Y6tD3a63j5qi79ItqODaZt9f4UXayFos4ZzrWBJ6EfO34UqycCNevS7bq5LyNE0oRRax6pSgva8pHdWWMPETpLB1lflJgp-2BbMbPRDIT4APY5Xrcv5u1Fg-2B5c2DL10bStWRBtveCiQ9worv4BYRdDfwWrcbm9S5UYm80As-2FNRwo-2BPRrFzWnJhIu6lrBdVZEbaGMXaDy4r1100Xwq5hExDNoIa-2FygptUse5i4BX70rMMfqBEz3VkNy0FbgM5IGW7zEF7ucC-2BG5vJRq3oevF3nF5uMbnoFPWGp4J468UOJxWF9NmRPx33USYIOeP6spKdTPe81kh-2Fkg22-2FrqbeymHnMJuzT1AHA-3D-3D60wf_zEOLHw6mHPpUboszb4lxzn-2FWfgiGZZljUWwyilPPfcrXXfmVBzHnavjtNkTOYjqEu9ForkbU2BMNTBWH3XP7OdT44Bbe46bKr8Wrm-2FRs-2FzyNpAOGWBtNKBasrXMt86ANxnNXCkJr8-2Bx4NktaOFUqhStQK1J2UXP6h0P0pMqRclXrOWC6laquyQBax5DJgV1BgiTSHVW07iyHOlkv4XBc8fpxtCKritgLPn566MQAEqZMl1V8i-2FH2KYiNi0sv0r5bMArN0UKLq32OWxLKgZ03XcBhV7OJ4wkM2hnpxTodTlJ1lORDMrlT7fZleSPDvSaVqE3CWAzvXbJk7mRkG35ehfSXa5lu-2BKpQYY04szBjb58-3D">AAA.com</a>, and follow us on social media.

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 </figure>AAAOMAHA, NE&nbsp;(March 13, 2025) — AAA is&nbsp;activating ‘Tow to Go’ in select states for the upcoming St. Patrick’s Day weekend, in hopes that partygoers do not press their luck by driving impaired.<ul>
 <li>Tow to Go is active from&nbsp;6 p.m. Friday, March 14th&nbsp;to 6 a.m. Tuesday, March 18th.</li>
 </ul>What is Tow to Go?&nbsp;Tow to Go operates on most major holidays and offers a free ride to impaired drivers and their vehicles who do not have a safe alternative. AAA has provided the Tow to Go program for more than 25 years. Since its inception, The Auto Club Group has successfully removed nearly 30,000 impaired drivers from the roadway.How does it work?&nbsp;When someone calls Tow to Go,&nbsp;AAA dispatches a tow truck to transport the would-be impaired driver and their vehicle to a safe location within a 10-mile radius. While the service is free for anyone,&nbsp;AAA asks that it be treated as a last resort.“We’re proud to be that last line of defense, keeping people from driving impaired,” said Brian Ortner, spokesman, AAA Nebraska and Iowa. “We also remain committed to educating the public that it’s important to find a safe ride before drinking alcohol or taking drugs. This is critical so motorists are not in the position of having to decide if they’re sober enough to drive.”Sobering Statistics:&nbsp;According to&nbsp;the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), St. Patrick’s Day is one of the deadliest holidays on U.S. roadways. In 2020, more than 11,000 people died in drunk-driving crashes. Those deaths could have been avoided if the impaired drivers found a safe ride home instead of driving drunk.&nbsp;(<a target="_blank" href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.gqh-2BaxUzlo7XKIuSly0rC-2BhoQDpgB3-2FVyXgVxsyMXa-2FpRpcTdvuvFlQ5hLwUqRxJdzutPRZikmBjIAWri8vKHg6seg6q9CIjUiSgv1scZf0M4RAePbZc071B-2FQrz2u1KF08u4js3OXTknLdWveoOHObjEU-2BomEXnwVMm17etoLSxoBY0MU-2BBNRMYJ-2BXBFi1tgon5o2JtgaVR9AMQ8-2BXko4zsRMLjPxC597vGmis-2BfJefn-2FnND6cXaULy4aS9q6-2F-2FRXQwDE-2BH-2BbrK0NjeYLGgthYcHobtsJG6q3-2FUPTG4zT1Pdys6NYju7A0yU6rZy8PPybyfiY-2F-2BR9u-2BOxSyKwM3xA-3D-3DLDdh_zEOLHw6mHPpUboszb4lxzn-2FWfgiGZZljUWwyilPPfcrXXfmVBzHnavjtNkTOYjqEu9ForkbU2BMNTBWH3XP7OdT44Bbe46bKr8Wrm-2FRs-2FzyNpAOGWBtNKBasrXMt86ANxnNXCkJr8-2Bx4NktaOFUqhStQK1J2UXP6h0P0pMqRclXrOWC6laquyQBax5DJgV1BgiTSHVW07iyHOlkv4XBc8TfHMZDcPWN3ajHKkfbaPzl2IZM5GNzQ9wd6Vihv-2BBCGu0M2QpWTszO62-2FJIxm76UK8y7DVWq86xdamamWI3M3UhzSwB42gKvt4tgb-2ByU8nulXy-2FvCw9FYdm6x5FyK4-2FIuda5AITSW1k7xoPt9QiiKc-3D">NHTSA</a>)Service AreaFlorida, Georgia,&nbsp;Iowa,&nbsp;Michigan, North Dakota,&nbsp;Nebraska,&nbsp;Tennessee, Wisconsin, Colorado (Denver), North Carolina (Charlotte), and Indiana (Fort Wayne/South Bend)Phone Number(855) 2-TOW-2-GO or (855) 286-9246Guidelines<ul>
 <li>Tow to Go is active from&nbsp;6 p.m. Friday, March 14th&nbsp;to 6 a.m. Tuesday, March 18th.</li><li>Free and available to AAA members and non-members.</li><li>Confidential local ride for one person and their vehicle to a safe location&nbsp;within a 10-mile radius.</li><li>Appointments&nbsp;cannot&nbsp;be scheduled in advance to use Tow to Go. It is designed as a safety net for those that did not plan ahead. Always choose a designated driver before celebrating.</li><li>In some situations,&nbsp;AAA&nbsp;may need to make other arrangements to get an impaired individual a safe ride home.</li><li>Tow to Go may not be available in rural areas or during severe weather conditions.</li>
 </ul>About AAA - The Auto Club GroupThe Auto Club Group (ACG) is the second largest AAA club in North America with more than 13 million members across 14 U.S. states and two U.S. territories.&nbsp;ACG and its affiliates provide members with roadside assistance, insurance products, banking and financial services, travel offerings and more. ACG belongs to the national AAA federation with more than 65 million members in the United States and Canada. AAA’s mission is to protect and advance freedom of mobility and improve traffic safety. For more information, get the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.gqh-2BaxUzlo7XKIuSly0rC4lWODUrRSzebG68HWXiL-2BDVs0rqq6X6o4WMfNsJ8-2FQY25dDUTq2dfz2XYae1hRg8GIsjR-2Fe69aENjYl40rUvEgOs-2FQusvot6nO-2FnbzZV0yXT2-2BnWkco3mhICoKSaD-2FlNbmJs0ojOGEsKd9SnnNFppPgboO2RI8guVeevsBc9LeGliwl8wkvMGL9NxFs7DM5lPgc3P7LeQhL9WBjpe17MN-2FY-2Fbfqxo-2FkNSgpunTuMfCcpHcSA0wfwDPuMcbRj0m5QmfS6rEa-2FU-2B1jjjRh-2F0KoAwSRaeVtG0Hs7cddQhgFeRCkrTPOg-2FACyd696-2FS-2FCnueFufCFzyXhr9bRzVKwpoRwkO-2BUHrFXcJRwYC8X0khdJnQxfsLF0lJ5RL-2B8NvbB8tCaVHOVFXRM2HQJOYvQtWJabog0-2BxnzYJWz364YoTqrQa6gT2pkTW9fjVEjHaHzldWOcIjSUAkRtOHjrzWjeW4XAnbsZEz945gg3KXIlMCOkgePHzc8RJ1T9dixBfJSC6qxSaHL7vZih-2ByDpIsm4JBBiKQ3lqVxj7MjNUCrxEeClWco7QtsILKqk8jl7wJjCTRvwDwxXE2Acjri-2B-2BuaPr3PqlVPVxL7oEaNrrO23mg7XWYMvJAIPwDj6KE-2FDdzQWFQ5UTNRkaR-2FhqATYLO0-2BpP8OWv-2Bil7OHUOmSMyereG83XhN2JOO4TL1W4m5QgMvWK28ALrDqKTu0zLGXCIG6LwE6ye5ZJbUdK5dBBiAaVG5H6kBtK71oIFR-2B1q-2FbPl1x8cW6-2FGXiOPoSgM6o6xWY3XL1NHlAR8QvCi8i4iEuqcUOebnhndIKWIBAeNJgzL42mHzZ6gJkyPlajhKwhnFjO1REPgdkmx-2FZIzsoLl4CswE1MYV79kfhU9taW82C2WJn0iDyB2SS1iCPuwzZAixmEzVBZmC76aUw2RbycR1cvXCNn00MgqnAZpPfJ85dT-2BVkxCnOW9vnulEJMKx6FcYsW2E2nS6-2BpkF96wAEpAwhGQ39gZEfXEKmdNTdtqDYaAZOXKxACRNsqvwhWKRc2C-2B5t-2F-2Fso7MxDt7CSJuaiQFMjNnvu08XJl3qcgPZqujZKwGeINg0a7BCAzznAyNNCazCcAYHMhVOzyTjGZGPT7dWY0opzC0DyXkOlLMOHjYxUxPZWdT8Rx2DlJrtIcI7Pc2raf0lJoGik6gog3UojJg0mIpZP4hZpuJcJYFoXNt4NOGpnxFxdbyp30GXwKonxkGmQ1wA-3DYkgZ_zEOLHw6mHPpUboszb4lxzn-2FWfgiGZZljUWwyilPPfcrXXfmVBzHnavjtNkTOYjqEu9ForkbU2BMNTBWH3XP7OdT44Bbe46bKr8Wrm-2FRs-2FzyNpAOGWBtNKBasrXMt86ANxnNXCkJr8-2Bx4NktaOFUqhStQK1J2UXP6h0P0pMqRclXrOWC6laquyQBax5DJgV1BgiTSHVW07iyHOlkv4XBc8UbsDafgb8mK7UYh5vp-2B2lKJQ-2BlKIF7q-2FOCJkPpSfPVg-2BeNzaH0IdL0yvdGMpmmlnuNcF8bkfpdQ5nJlSutshRhEjFZdPHM-2FlkuxZYoCk0sYu0Rbt4cecThVpXLOaTTtoliLqhrHlqAqB-2FsIgEVngqY-3D">AAA Mobile app</a>, visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.gqh-2BaxUzlo7XKIuSly0rC4lWODUrRSzebG68HWXiL-2BDVs0rqq6X6o4WMfNsJ8-2FQY25dDUTq2dfz2XYae1hRg8GIsjR-2Fe69aENjYl40rUvEgOs-2FQusvot6nO-2FnbzZV0yXT2-2BnWkco3mhICoKSaD-2FlNbmJs0ojOGEsKd9SnnNFppPx-2F7v2pPqEGuJWKPzYEYtHw9XZ6eDbEPjXwyWuxn64Z9szjPhIQheIoh1umJpUOzQmY3iOgdhfwEaRbos0GytTu5f2CoSo7BMNluqp15y1H1hziOSwDmBrPfF1Uk2Todu0uOtBY-2BgqGaOmNgmiNjYhvQbPAxxMmJ2dfk3OoXwiSyJkbq5VsoDUw-2BRrSJYMwdnhoX2p7weDt1I3CB895xr3MIr1CjrHXHJCkBESOyEabTzI5q4H4-2FqLDQ26ZJsyC3wjlwXAgV-2BCQa1JcYx-2Fqg6c9-2Ff6H-2FZdtXCEx-2FMrQ6E1qWV15aWm0wCy13MuLB14iwj9T92jhg8lYO-2Bd4WA9XOShuMzPRE2NxEqqzICjlwWpdWoEmzmmfYy8dImYzOH8buOyoANEntkHcjTtTCbUZOOpkvMLqhRWwIguANTFYmiXCwwjNEKzZwCie5p8UMM-2Fba4Whmfz06Ujn1LwBm0-2FmdXNrlJS14JanpZVuJifxw4-2FaqpaDgg30OZo5s4861jBxhhkyMwrg7HYccMq8fQ0BDO77m6ojCLN9SezKb9YCh0G3cmFdicbOKi8P8lfjSPi4FkmT-2B4uhU7eOGyra-2B4e4XaW0lUhodXEnK4GiMDOMk-2FfU5bLN4KIS7kJ4AUqICaS3YHbS4Koc4bCQCbSymPCAV0lqEGpwzD3AyBDizOd9R0qVEhxowCB1XlGact-2F5QbmSr9askY5YzRhAmaiq-2BWoTiemr-2FuOD69biZfD2TpkEU-2FikB32ScarB6GW-2BUdfoDfYJfTsNU041YbmAias-2BT-2FiHdECDNIuI8QkQlwTKpb7IidglA6E3iNDv72YYk3sKIbRbr-2FGpmGg3SC3ljHqb2bR6yx8taYDnEJbr-2Br9W9t9KDYo40piBjmQQXAGzWg0ZKB75ihwtJEYrCCrdn5Zk7cR2NI-2FfarkFWjxlP7Py9X7WeoBXRypCzTaibtR2HNxOqEwoNUmp2hsFdPTdGiGvuE4zCz47K8juiD0sOLWnfLy0AMBPKtxoCPIrmc20QvKF-2FvRwO5tINgsaaqsZ-2F3v6EswE4zF6CC-2FIsbyAuq1GpV7d-2FiV-2FCPJh9RJUDTV2mWJ4ll6N-2FikKkDkHiOUXIaoz7UdQlQ-2BsblCN-2F506u7bX4HR8-2F68PJTD5tr3bTpk1fq5JtU-2B5kpFMSZRnAjK9KYaIIEhqIXRTim0UQ-2BtScGtJoZ2LodGxHLViDrGpSBFNWjIkNwhpOcnJBhWQZwGwdgF-2F-2FZt0nN0hT2DsVpZ3d6z1ktUNMepkeC4UTLFt0lD91bWYYHHXJKVoaMBI0oxFlSn0AJYzGyFtUxMrxqmDhHvQslGl45wtx3UtPLpWO33hPs-2Fx-2FGSlnMhJ01YlCLz4-2B5llRuii5Z7hHJQ7N9YRu1L5FmLC1lQo5PEKIICNInKfcAEFeSHIe3AuHzRuHqoD5wbvl2-2FixSayCJ-2FbE-2BW-2BYsAG7k90IBUWSqA-2Fmpgb-2F66FzqJnDEIFV7NKPPm2I7lDYM5MmxHCVbWOOdnX1MdJzRZtYBVdXShjnbCAWMlr-2FFJ6CMMoa8ixEwUwVEkA4jA-2Bh3MJinL5o-2Fj8sZK8A4K70fGvlv8t6DUj5phidGq55BG56DOOGA-2FP9aTNPRqqZiIPuLUj34U8x5QR0w9McL96Rf1jnUR3fxDJ2Fg6yd-2BzDetiuJhamA-2Fu2rN43kU7wQ-2BXuSDg9k6Pm9T7IW4dZBpmkDbzHiNO9G1va-2FTh4yyaHcjJ0u892diQxQGdQTBbZoUEWVe95FSh4NKynFfFwd-2BW-2BhOzPn8-2FKgPuZlh-2Bd-2BpZV1Cvljfj6KmasgpEnHZyzvTXlBOMNtiO31-2Ft4oei0UixkCLL-2Bb8Cb94DI9phk2PLSKptmlwJY4atqoeArDmQ3YVj2TEWCp674yZd11shNRPKCNSAKFBJ3Uqh4aMdDUudOlk3nIUouc6z8eVGeb-2FJZNdFe-2FOe9Y6tD3a63j5qi79ItqODaZt9f4UXayFos4ZzrWBJ6EfO34UqycCNevS7bq5LyNE0oRRax6pSgva8pHdWWMPETpLB1lflJgp-2BbMbPRDIT4APY5Xrcv5u1Fg-2B5c2DL10bStWRBtveCiQ9worv4BYRdDfwWrcbm9S5UYm80As-2FNRwo-2BPRrFzWnJhIu6lrBdVZEbaGMXaDy4r1100Xwq5hExDNoIa-2FygptUse5i4BX70rMMfqBEz3VkNy0FbgM5IGW7zEF7ucC-2BG5vJRq3oevF3nF5uMbnoFPWGp4J468UOJxWF9NmRPx33USYIOeP6spKdTPe81kh-2Fkg22-2FrqbeymHnMJuzT1AHA-3D-3D60wf_zEOLHw6mHPpUboszb4lxzn-2FWfgiGZZljUWwyilPPfcrXXfmVBzHnavjtNkTOYjqEu9ForkbU2BMNTBWH3XP7OdT44Bbe46bKr8Wrm-2FRs-2FzyNpAOGWBtNKBasrXMt86ANxnNXCkJr8-2Bx4NktaOFUqhStQK1J2UXP6h0P0pMqRclXrOWC6laquyQBax5DJgV1BgiTSHVW07iyHOlkv4XBc8fpxtCKritgLPn566MQAEqZMl1V8i-2FH2KYiNi0sv0r5bMArN0UKLq32OWxLKgZ03XcBhV7OJ4wkM2hnpxTodTlJ1lORDMrlT7fZleSPDvSaVqE3CWAzvXbJk7mRkG35ehfSXa5lu-2BKpQYY04szBjb58-3D">AAA.com</a>, and follow us on social media.

AAA Activates 'Tow to Go' for St. Patrick’s Day

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/capitol-gift-shop-to-be-resurrected-by-nebraska-state-historical-society/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — A Capitol gift shop run by the Nebraska State Historical Society is set to make a comeback in June, following a pandemic-era shutdown.

Director Daryl Bohac told the Legislature’s Appropriations Committee last week that salaries of two full-time staffers devoted to the store will be absorbed in the agency’s general fund budget, which he said would remain flat under Gov. Jim Pillen’s recommended biennial financial package.

Bohac, in response to a question by a committee member, said the Capitol Commission would help with startup costs, including merchandise to stock up the first-floor gift shop.

A spokesman for the historical society said the shop likely would sell Nebraska-centric items similar to that of the gift shop in the society’s main museum.

While many other agencies expect to see reduced funding over the next two years, Bohac said the historical society’s unchanged general fund budget should allow the agency time to explore and expand other revenue streams.&nbsp;

The society — immersed in controversy for the past couple of years — operates with a mix of funds including from the state, federal government and donors.

“It also provides time for us to build donor confidence in the activities of the historical society,” said Bohac, who was&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/11/21/gov-pillen-recruits-retired-ne-national-guard-boss-to-take-over-embattled-state-historical-society/">appointed to his position</a>&nbsp;by Pillen in November and confirmed in February.&nbsp;

Among his goals, Bohac said, is to return permanent exhibits to the Nebraska History Museum in Lincoln, an effort he hopes will increase donations. The agency, overall, collects and preserves state history, is the official state archives, publishes a quarterly magazine and operates a half-dozen other historic sites across the state.

Bohac’s remarks came during a public hearing last week at which he presented highlights of the 147-year-old historical society’s budget. No one else spoke either in favor or in opposition.

Pillen tapped Bohac to direct the historical society after Bohac already had been retired 18 months from leading the Nebraska National Guard. The governor said at the time that he needed someone to steer the historical society that he said had veered “off the tracks.”

The historical society has been scrutinized and restructured, and recently became part of the governor’s cabinet following a state audit and criminal charges filed against a former executive director.

In December, a Lancaster County district judge dismissed the felony theft by deception charged against former director, Trevor Jones. The judge ruled that prosecutors with the Nebraska Attorney General’s office had violated Jones’ right to a speedy trial.

The AG’s Office in February appealed the dismissal of its case alleging that Jones had illegally transferred funds donated to the agency’s private foundation. The appeal was accepted by the Nebraska Court of Appeals.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741795915015.jpeg" alt="A Capitol gift shop is set to reopen June 2 on the first floor of the building where Nebraska laws are made. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>A Capitol gift shop is set to reopen June 2 on the first floor of the building where Nebraska laws are made. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Cindy Gonzalez<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/capitol-gift-shop-to-be-resurrected-by-nebraska-state-historical-society/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — A Capitol gift shop run by the Nebraska State Historical Society is set to make a comeback in June, following a pandemic-era shutdown.Director Daryl Bohac told the Legislature’s Appropriations Committee last week that salaries of two full-time staffers devoted to the store will be absorbed in the agency’s general fund budget, which he said would remain flat under Gov. Jim Pillen’s recommended biennial financial package.Bohac, in response to a question by a committee member, said the Capitol Commission would help with startup costs, including merchandise to stock up the first-floor gift shop.A spokesman for the historical society said the shop likely would sell Nebraska-centric items similar to that of the gift shop in the society’s main museum.While many other agencies expect to see reduced funding over the next two years, Bohac said the historical society’s unchanged general fund budget should allow the agency time to explore and expand other revenue streams.&nbsp;The society — immersed in controversy for the past couple of years — operates with a mix of funds including from the state, federal government and donors.“It also provides time for us to build donor confidence in the activities of the historical society,” said Bohac, who was&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/11/21/gov-pillen-recruits-retired-ne-national-guard-boss-to-take-over-embattled-state-historical-society/">appointed to his position</a>&nbsp;by Pillen in November and confirmed in February.&nbsp;Among his goals, Bohac said, is to return permanent exhibits to the Nebraska History Museum in Lincoln, an effort he hopes will increase donations. The agency, overall, collects and preserves state history, is the official state archives, publishes a quarterly magazine and operates a half-dozen other historic sites across the state.Bohac’s remarks came during a public hearing last week at which he presented highlights of the 147-year-old historical society’s budget. No one else spoke either in favor or in opposition.Pillen tapped Bohac to direct the historical society after Bohac already had been retired 18 months from leading the Nebraska National Guard. The governor said at the time that he needed someone to steer the historical society that he said had veered “off the tracks.”The historical society has been scrutinized and restructured, and recently became part of the governor’s cabinet following a state audit and criminal charges filed against a former executive director.In December, a Lancaster County district judge dismissed the felony theft by deception charged against former director, Trevor Jones. The judge ruled that prosecutors with the Nebraska Attorney General’s office had violated Jones’ right to a speedy trial.The AG’s Office in February appealed the dismissal of its case alleging that Jones had illegally transferred funds donated to the agency’s private foundation. The appeal was accepted by the Nebraska Court of Appeals.

Capitol gift shop to be resurrected by Nebraska State Historical Society

LINCOLN, NE&nbsp;— Governor Jim Pillen has signed LB609 into law. This bipartisan, law-enforcement-supported legislation establishes the&nbsp;Controllable Electronic Record Fraud Prevention Act&nbsp;to help combat fraud and protect users of cryptocurrency kiosks/ATMs.

“Cryptocurrency is an important, emerging industry — and we’ve been working hard to build Nebraska into a cryptocurrency leader,”&nbsp;said Gov. Pillen.&nbsp;“An important part of these efforts is to make sure that we have guardrails to prevent criminals from taking advantage of Nebraskans. We look forward to continuing to lay the groundwork for a safe and robust crypto industry in our state. This is good news for consumers."

“Nebraska is open for business in the cryptocurrency space,”&nbsp;said Nebraska Department of Banking Director Kelly Lammers.&nbsp;"That also means we need to increase transparency to assure those doing legal business in the State of Nebraska that you are absolutely welcome. Of course, those that target our citizens, that look to exploit Nebraskans and their financial resources, using Crypto ATMs as part of their transfer method, we will soon have a team that will be watching even more closely."

Office of Governor Jim PillenLINCOLN, NE&nbsp;— Governor Jim Pillen has signed LB609 into law. This bipartisan, law-enforcement-supported legislation establishes the&nbsp;Controllable Electronic Record Fraud Prevention Act&nbsp;to help combat fraud and protect users of cryptocurrency kiosks/ATMs.“Cryptocurrency is an important, emerging industry — and we’ve been working hard to build Nebraska into a cryptocurrency leader,”&nbsp;said Gov. Pillen.&nbsp;“An important part of these efforts is to make sure that we have guardrails to prevent criminals from taking advantage of Nebraskans. We look forward to continuing to lay the groundwork for a safe and robust crypto industry in our state. This is good news for consumers."“Nebraska is open for business in the cryptocurrency space,”&nbsp;said Nebraska Department of Banking Director Kelly Lammers.&nbsp;"That also means we need to increase transparency to assure those doing legal business in the State of Nebraska that you are absolutely welcome. Of course, those that target our citizens, that look to exploit Nebraskans and their financial resources, using Crypto ATMs as part of their transfer method, we will soon have a team that will be watching even more closely."

Gov. Pillen Signs Bill Creating Protections from Cryptocurrency Fraud

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/a-proposed-school-book-database-law-moves-forward-in-nebraska-statehouse/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN —&nbsp; A bill requiring all public school districts to adopt a policy so parents can see what materials are in school libraries advanced with a vote Tuesday after a roughly 90-minute debate.&nbsp;

State Sen. Dave Murman of Glenvil, who filed&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=59626" target="_blank">Legislative Bill 390</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/02/06/nebraska-bills-to-catalog-school-mass-surveillance-tools-library-books-advance-from-ed-committee/">said during its hearing</a>&nbsp;that the bill is an important next step after the Legislature updated parental access to curriculum content and training last year. The proposed law would require creating a public online or hard-copy catalog of all books in the district’s libraries, categorized by school building.

Under the bill, parents also could opt in for automatic email notification or another form of electronic notification when their student checks out a book. The book title, author and due date to return the book would be included in the notice.&nbsp;

“This is important so parents can be fully informed and make knowledgeable and family-specific decisions on the content their children are reading,” Murman said on the floor Tuesday.&nbsp;

Murman said different families have different values and should have oversight over what their children read. The Republican is&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/03/10/some-nebraska-republicans-join-national-quest-to-infuse-more-religion-in-schools/">one of three lawmakers</a>&nbsp;who proposed bills that could infuse more religion into public schools and test the legal limits of the separation of church and state.

State Sen. Megan Hunt of Omaha called the bill a “watered down book ban” and said it doesn’t solve any actual issue. Hunt&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/05/05/prominent-progressive-nebraska-lawmaker-leaves-democratic-party/">left the Nebraska Democratic Party in 2023</a>&nbsp;and is currently registered as a nonpartisan but typically votes with the Democrats in the Legislature.

“Instead of focusing on teacher shortages, on cuts to funding, on whatever nonsense is happening at the federal level that is freaking teachers out right now in Nebraska,” Hunt said. “Schools will now have to waste resources on redundant bureaucracy.”&nbsp;

State Sen. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln defended the bill, though she agreed it might be unnecessary. Conrad is a registered Democrat and a former executive director of ACLU Nebraska.

“It is not a book ban. It is not the weaponization of the criminal law against libraries,” Conrad said. “It restates and reaffirms parental rights that already exist.”

Hunt was the only vote against moving Murman’s bill out of the Education Committee. Last year, the Nebraska State Board of Education rejected a push to&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/03/08/state-ed-board-rejects-measure-defining-and-banning-sexually-explicit-materials-in-school-libraries/">define and ban sexually explicit books and materials from school libraries.</a>&nbsp;Much of the floor debate alluded to that failed book ban.

Book bans have&nbsp;<a href="https://www.npr.org/2024/04/16/1245037718/book-bans-2023-pen-america" target="_blank">drastically increased in recent years</a>&nbsp;from school boards and local and state governments nationally.&nbsp;<a href="https://stateline.org/2025/01/07/librarians-gain-protections-in-some-states-as-book-bans-soar/" target="_blank">Six states have enacted some type of book ban laws</a>.&nbsp;

LB 390 moved forward with a 25-2 vote. Hunt said giving “conservative Republicans what they want” won’t make them willing to work with more liberal lawmakers.&nbsp;

“I got a ‘fell for it again award’ for you,” Hunt said.

Juan Salinas II<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/a-proposed-school-book-database-law-moves-forward-in-nebraska-statehouse/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN —&nbsp; A bill requiring all public school districts to adopt a policy so parents can see what materials are in school libraries advanced with a vote Tuesday after a roughly 90-minute debate.&nbsp;State Sen. Dave Murman of Glenvil, who filed&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=59626" target="_blank">Legislative Bill 390</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/02/06/nebraska-bills-to-catalog-school-mass-surveillance-tools-library-books-advance-from-ed-committee/">said during its hearing</a>&nbsp;that the bill is an important next step after the Legislature updated parental access to curriculum content and training last year. The proposed law would require creating a public online or hard-copy catalog of all books in the district’s libraries, categorized by school building.Under the bill, parents also could opt in for automatic email notification or another form of electronic notification when their student checks out a book. The book title, author and due date to return the book would be included in the notice.&nbsp;“This is important so parents can be fully informed and make knowledgeable and family-specific decisions on the content their children are reading,” Murman said on the floor Tuesday.&nbsp;Murman said different families have different values and should have oversight over what their children read. The Republican is&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/03/10/some-nebraska-republicans-join-national-quest-to-infuse-more-religion-in-schools/">one of three lawmakers</a>&nbsp;who proposed bills that could infuse more religion into public schools and test the legal limits of the separation of church and state.State Sen. Megan Hunt of Omaha called the bill a “watered down book ban” and said it doesn’t solve any actual issue. Hunt&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/05/05/prominent-progressive-nebraska-lawmaker-leaves-democratic-party/">left the Nebraska Democratic Party in 2023</a>&nbsp;and is currently registered as a nonpartisan but typically votes with the Democrats in the Legislature.“Instead of focusing on teacher shortages, on cuts to funding, on whatever nonsense is happening at the federal level that is freaking teachers out right now in Nebraska,” Hunt said. “Schools will now have to waste resources on redundant bureaucracy.”&nbsp;State Sen. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln defended the bill, though she agreed it might be unnecessary. Conrad is a registered Democrat and a former executive director of ACLU Nebraska.“It is not a book ban. It is not the weaponization of the criminal law against libraries,” Conrad said. “It restates and reaffirms parental rights that already exist.”Hunt was the only vote against moving Murman’s bill out of the Education Committee. Last year, the Nebraska State Board of Education rejected a push to&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/03/08/state-ed-board-rejects-measure-defining-and-banning-sexually-explicit-materials-in-school-libraries/">define and ban sexually explicit books and materials from school libraries.</a>&nbsp;Much of the floor debate alluded to that failed book ban.Book bans have&nbsp;<a href="https://www.npr.org/2024/04/16/1245037718/book-bans-2023-pen-america" target="_blank">drastically increased in recent years</a>&nbsp;from school boards and local and state governments nationally.&nbsp;<a href="https://stateline.org/2025/01/07/librarians-gain-protections-in-some-states-as-book-bans-soar/" target="_blank">Six states have enacted some type of book ban laws</a>.&nbsp;LB 390 moved forward with a 25-2 vote. Hunt said giving “conservative Republicans what they want” won’t make them willing to work with more liberal lawmakers.&nbsp;“I got a ‘fell for it again award’ for you,” Hunt said.

A Proposed School Book Database Law Moves Forward in Nebraska Unicameral

&nbsp;(Lincoln, NEB.)&nbsp;&nbsp;—&nbsp; Nebraska State Troopers removed 12 impaired drivers from the road during the first weekend of this year’s NSAA State Basketball tournaments, thanks in part to a special enforcement focused on traffic safety across the state.

From Wednesday, March 5, through Saturday, March 8, troopers arrested 12 people for driving under the influence. Troopers also stopped 18 drivers for speeding at 100 miles per hour or more.

“Last week’s winter storm provided an additional challenge to those traveling across the state for this year’s state basketball tournaments,” said Colonel John Bolduc, Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol. “As teams continue to work hard for state titles, our troopers and dispatchers will continue to keep fans safe as they travel to cheer on their teams.”

In addition to the 12 people arrested for driving under the influence, troopers issued citations for speeding (307), open alcohol container (8), driving under suspension (19), no seat belt (12), improper child restraint (3), and minor in possession (8). Troopers also assisted 358 motorists in need of assistance on the road.

Troopers will continue the special enforcement operation through NSAA Boys State Basketball tournament this week, which starts Wednesday, March 12, and runs through Saturday, March 15. This effort will be made possible thanks in part to grant funding from the Nebraska Department of Transportation – Highway Safety Office.

Cody ThomasNebraska State Patrol&nbsp;(Lincoln, NEB.)&nbsp;&nbsp;—&nbsp; Nebraska State Troopers removed 12 impaired drivers from the road during the first weekend of this year’s NSAA State Basketball tournaments, thanks in part to a special enforcement focused on traffic safety across the state.From Wednesday, March 5, through Saturday, March 8, troopers arrested 12 people for driving under the influence. Troopers also stopped 18 drivers for speeding at 100 miles per hour or more.“Last week’s winter storm provided an additional challenge to those traveling across the state for this year’s state basketball tournaments,” said Colonel John Bolduc, Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol. “As teams continue to work hard for state titles, our troopers and dispatchers will continue to keep fans safe as they travel to cheer on their teams.”In addition to the 12 people arrested for driving under the influence, troopers issued citations for speeding (307), open alcohol container (8), driving under suspension (19), no seat belt (12), improper child restraint (3), and minor in possession (8). Troopers also assisted 358 motorists in need of assistance on the road.Troopers will continue the special enforcement operation through NSAA Boys State Basketball tournament this week, which starts Wednesday, March 12, and runs through Saturday, March 15. This effort will be made possible thanks in part to grant funding from the Nebraska Department of Transportation – Highway Safety Office.

Troopers Arrest 12 Impaired Drivers During Girls State Basketball

LINCOLN, NE&nbsp;– Governor Jim Pillen announced the retirement of Colonel John Bolduc, superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol (NSP), following a 38-year career in law enforcement. Col. Bolduc’s retirement is effective May 4, when he reaches the NSP mandatory retirement age of 60.

“His dedication to the agency and those who work at NSP is evident. Col. Bolduc has been a steady leader, and I appreciate that he chose to devote nearly a decade of public service to Nebraska,” said Gov. Pillen.

“It has been my great honor to serve the people of Nebraska, alongside the dedicated men and women of the Nebraska State Patrol,” said Col. Bolduc. “I am proud of our shared mission and confident that this team will continue its exemplary work to keep Nebraska safe.”

Col. Bolduc has served as Nebraska’s Superintendent of Law Enforcement and Public Safety since 2017. Prior to his service in Nebraska, Col. Bolduc served as police chief for the Port of San Diego, as well as chief of police for the departments of Brainerd and Mora, Minnesota. He began his law enforcement career in 1986.&nbsp;

The Governor’s office will receive applications from all candidates interested in serving as Superintendent of Law Enforcement and Public Safety for the State of Nebraska. Applicants are instructed to submit their applications through the Governor’s executive appointments portal at&nbsp;<a href="https://governor.nebraska.gov/boards-commissions-open-positions">https://governor.nebraska.gov/boards-commissions-open-positions</a>.&nbsp;The deadline for applications is April 1, 2025.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741785653541.jpeg" alt="(Courtesy of Governor Pillen's Office)" />
 <figcaption>(Courtesy of Governor Pillen's Office)</figcaption>
 </figure>Office of Governor Jim PillenLINCOLN, NE&nbsp;– Governor Jim Pillen announced the retirement of Colonel John Bolduc, superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol (NSP), following a 38-year career in law enforcement. Col. Bolduc’s retirement is effective May 4, when he reaches the NSP mandatory retirement age of 60.“His dedication to the agency and those who work at NSP is evident. Col. Bolduc has been a steady leader, and I appreciate that he chose to devote nearly a decade of public service to Nebraska,” said Gov. Pillen.“It has been my great honor to serve the people of Nebraska, alongside the dedicated men and women of the Nebraska State Patrol,” said Col. Bolduc. “I am proud of our shared mission and confident that this team will continue its exemplary work to keep Nebraska safe.”Col. Bolduc has served as Nebraska’s Superintendent of Law Enforcement and Public Safety since 2017. Prior to his service in Nebraska, Col. Bolduc served as police chief for the Port of San Diego, as well as chief of police for the departments of Brainerd and Mora, Minnesota. He began his law enforcement career in 1986.&nbsp;The Governor’s office will receive applications from all candidates interested in serving as Superintendent of Law Enforcement and Public Safety for the State of Nebraska. Applicants are instructed to submit their applications through the Governor’s executive appointments portal at&nbsp;<a href="https://governor.nebraska.gov/boards-commissions-open-positions">https://governor.nebraska.gov/boards-commissions-open-positions</a>.&nbsp;The deadline for applications is April 1, 2025.

Gov. Pillen Announces Retirement of NSP Superintendent Bolduc

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/shauneen-miranda/">SHAUNEEN MIRANDA</a>

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Education on Tuesday said it’s cutting a substantial number of the agency’s staff through a “<a href="https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/reductions-in-force-rif/" target="_blank">reduction in force</a>” process, bringing the department’s workforce to roughly half the number in place when President Donald Trump took office.

According to senior department officials speaking on background to reporters Tuesday evening, roughly 1,315 employees are subject to the initiative. The officials said the employees will get, starting Tuesday, 90 days full pay and benefits and will telework from Wednesday until March 21, when they are placed on administrative leave. &nbsp;

The sweeping cuts are part of a government-wide effort by Trump and billionaire White House adviser Elon Musk to reduce the federal workforce in an effort to slash government spending and reduce what they see as waste.

When Trump took office, the department had 4,133 employees. Following Tuesday’s announcement, the agency said it will have roughly 2,183 workers remaining. In the past several weeks, nearly 600 workers took voluntary resignation opportunities or retirement, according to a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ed.gov/about/news/press-release/us-department-of-education-initiates-reduction-force" target="_blank">Tuesday evening press release</a>.

The department also terminated 63 probationary employees in February, according to senior department officials.

The senior officials clarified that this staffing reduction will not impact the department’s ability to deliver on civil rights investigations, the rollout of the federal student aid application, Title I funding for low-income school districts and other statutorily mandated functions Congress has given the agency.

The senior officials confirmed earlier reporting that the department’s Washington-area office buildings would close Tuesday evening for safety reasons and would reopen Thursday.

“Today’s reduction in force reflects the Department of Education’s commitment to efficiency, accountability, and ensuring that resources are directed where they matter most: to students, parents, and teachers,” Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said in a statement Tuesday.

“I appreciate the work of the dedicated public servants and their contributions to the Department. This is a significant step toward restoring the greatness of the United States education system.”

Congressional Democrats and labor union leaders blasted the cuts Tuesday.

“Today’s staff eliminations are illegal, and they are a slap in the face to the dedicated public servants who work to make sure American children have access to a quality education,” Connecticut U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, the top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, said. “No president or member of the executive branch has the authority to end public education, violate the law, and unilaterally steal dollars promised to students.”

Sen. Patty Murray, a Washington state Democrat who is the vice chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said the cuts were meant to sidestep the legislative difficulty of eliminating the department itself.

“Donald Trump and Linda McMahon know they can’t abolish the Department of Education on their own but they understand that if you gut it to its very core and fire all the people who run programs that help students, families, and teachers, you might end up with a similar, ruinous result,” she said.

“Ultimately, what they want to do is clear: fire the people who help our kids and gut funding for our students, teachers, and schools. This is about breaking government for working families — and enriching billionaires like themselves in the process.”

Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, said “denuding an agency so it cannot function effectively is the most cowardly way of dismantling it.”&nbsp;

“The massive reduction in force at the Education Department is an attack on opportunity that will gut the agency and its ability to support students, throwing federal education programs into chaos across the country,” said Weingarten, who leads one of the largest teachers unions in the country.

Trump has targeted the Education Department specifically in the spending cuts initiative, repeatedly pledging to shutter the 45-year-old agency in his quest to move education “back to the states.”

The department had already seen dramatic shifts in the weeks since Trump took office — from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/elon-musks-doge-targets-us-department-education-millions-funding-cuts" target="_blank">major contract cuts</a>, to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2025/02/28/education-department-quit-00206765" target="_blank">staff buyouts</a>.

Other departments and agencies,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/vets-worry-trump-cuts-va-workforce-will-interrupt-benefits&amp;sa=D&amp;source=docs&amp;ust=1741740543665052&amp;usg=AOvVaw2OZuQ95exTw4F_s_yKUi7E" target="_blank">including the Department of Veterans Affairs</a>, have also seen broad staffing decreases under Trump.

Last week, McMahon&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/new-secretary-linda-mcmahon-unveils-final-mission-us-department-education" target="_blank">sent an email to department employees</a>&nbsp;regarding the agency’s “final mission,” where she detailed her plans to “overhaul” the federal agency.

The former World Wrestling Entertainment executive told employees that the department’s “role in this new era of accountability is to restore the rightful role of state oversight in education and to end the overreach from Washington.”

McMahon said “this restoration will profoundly impact staff, budgets, and agency operations here at the Department.”

Even if Trump were to sign an executive order on dismantling the department, only Congress has the authority to shut it down. Any bill to close down the agency would face extreme difficulties getting through the narrowly GOP-controlled Senate, with at least 60 senators needed to advance past the filibuster.

In her statement, DeLauro dared Republican lawmakers to try to eliminate the department through legislation.

“To my Republican colleagues: if you want to eliminate the Department of Education, then put your name on a bill to do that,” she said. “Let your constituents see it. Let us debate it. Let us and the American people deliberate. Do not yield our authority, and the rule of law, to unchecked billionaires.”

Trump’s push to move education “back to the states” also comes as much of the funding and oversight of schools already occurs at the state and local levels. Legally, the department cannot control the curriculum of schools across the country.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741729690736.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/shauneen-miranda/">SHAUNEEN MIRANDA</a>WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Education on Tuesday said it’s cutting a substantial number of the agency’s staff through a “<a href="https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/reductions-in-force-rif/" target="_blank">reduction in force</a>” process, bringing the department’s workforce to roughly half the number in place when President Donald Trump took office.According to senior department officials speaking on background to reporters Tuesday evening, roughly 1,315 employees are subject to the initiative. The officials said the employees will get, starting Tuesday, 90 days full pay and benefits and will telework from Wednesday until March 21, when they are placed on administrative leave. &nbsp;The sweeping cuts are part of a government-wide effort by Trump and billionaire White House adviser Elon Musk to reduce the federal workforce in an effort to slash government spending and reduce what they see as waste.When Trump took office, the department had 4,133 employees. Following Tuesday’s announcement, the agency said it will have roughly 2,183 workers remaining. In the past several weeks, nearly 600 workers took voluntary resignation opportunities or retirement, according to a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ed.gov/about/news/press-release/us-department-of-education-initiates-reduction-force" target="_blank">Tuesday evening press release</a>.The department also terminated 63 probationary employees in February, according to senior department officials.The senior officials clarified that this staffing reduction will not impact the department’s ability to deliver on civil rights investigations, the rollout of the federal student aid application, Title I funding for low-income school districts and other statutorily mandated functions Congress has given the agency.The senior officials confirmed earlier reporting that the department’s Washington-area office buildings would close Tuesday evening for safety reasons and would reopen Thursday.“Today’s reduction in force reflects the Department of Education’s commitment to efficiency, accountability, and ensuring that resources are directed where they matter most: to students, parents, and teachers,” Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said in a statement Tuesday.“I appreciate the work of the dedicated public servants and their contributions to the Department. This is a significant step toward restoring the greatness of the United States education system.”<h2>Layoffs gut department, Dems say</h2>Congressional Democrats and labor union leaders blasted the cuts Tuesday.“Today’s staff eliminations are illegal, and they are a slap in the face to the dedicated public servants who work to make sure American children have access to a quality education,” Connecticut U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, the top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, said. “No president or member of the executive branch has the authority to end public education, violate the law, and unilaterally steal dollars promised to students.”Sen. Patty Murray, a Washington state Democrat who is the vice chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said the cuts were meant to sidestep the legislative difficulty of eliminating the department itself.“Donald Trump and Linda McMahon know they can’t abolish the Department of Education on their own but they understand that if you gut it to its very core and fire all the people who run programs that help students, families, and teachers, you might end up with a similar, ruinous result,” she said.“Ultimately, what they want to do is clear: fire the people who help our kids and gut funding for our students, teachers, and schools. This is about breaking government for working families — and enriching billionaires like themselves in the process.”Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, said “denuding an agency so it cannot function effectively is the most cowardly way of dismantling it.”&nbsp;“The massive reduction in force at the Education Department is an attack on opportunity that will gut the agency and its ability to support students, throwing federal education programs into chaos across the country,” said Weingarten, who leads one of the largest teachers unions in the country.<h2>Department overhaul</h2>Trump has targeted the Education Department specifically in the spending cuts initiative, repeatedly pledging to shutter the 45-year-old agency in his quest to move education “back to the states.”The department had already seen dramatic shifts in the weeks since Trump took office — from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/elon-musks-doge-targets-us-department-education-millions-funding-cuts" target="_blank">major contract cuts</a>, to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2025/02/28/education-department-quit-00206765" target="_blank">staff buyouts</a>.Other departments and agencies,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/vets-worry-trump-cuts-va-workforce-will-interrupt-benefits&amp;sa=D&amp;source=docs&amp;ust=1741740543665052&amp;usg=AOvVaw2OZuQ95exTw4F_s_yKUi7E" target="_blank">including the Department of Veterans Affairs</a>, have also seen broad staffing decreases under Trump.Last week, McMahon&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/new-secretary-linda-mcmahon-unveils-final-mission-us-department-education" target="_blank">sent an email to department employees</a>&nbsp;regarding the agency’s “final mission,” where she detailed her plans to “overhaul” the federal agency.The former World Wrestling Entertainment executive told employees that the department’s “role in this new era of accountability is to restore the rightful role of state oversight in education and to end the overreach from Washington.”McMahon said “this restoration will profoundly impact staff, budgets, and agency operations here at the Department.”<h2>Congressional action would be tough</h2>Even if Trump were to sign an executive order on dismantling the department, only Congress has the authority to shut it down. Any bill to close down the agency would face extreme difficulties getting through the narrowly GOP-controlled Senate, with at least 60 senators needed to advance past the filibuster.In her statement, DeLauro dared Republican lawmakers to try to eliminate the department through legislation.“To my Republican colleagues: if you want to eliminate the Department of Education, then put your name on a bill to do that,” she said. “Let your constituents see it. Let us debate it. Let us and the American people deliberate. Do not yield our authority, and the rule of law, to unchecked billionaires.”Trump’s push to move education “back to the states” also comes as much of the funding and oversight of schools already occurs at the state and local levels. Legally, the department cannot control the curriculum of schools across the country.

U.S. Education Department to Cut Hundreds of Staff Members

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/nebraska-lawmakers-could-ask-voters-to-expand-gambling-with-online-sports-betting/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN —&nbsp; Nebraska lawmakers heard from gambling lobbyists that they should expand state gambling to include&nbsp;mobile sports betting, while opponents called out an “industry driven by greed.”

<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=58877" target="_blank">Legislative Resolution 20CA</a>, a&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=58877" target="_blank">proposed constitutional amendment</a>&nbsp;filed by State Sen. Eliot Bostar of Lincoln, would allow voters to approve online betting in the state. Currently, state law allows casino style gambling at the state’s six existing horse racetracks — so-called “racinos.” Nebraskans approved the change in 2020.&nbsp;

“Nebraska is currently missing out on a $1.6 billion state online industry and $32 million in annual tax revenue,” Bostar said, “which instead goes to neighboring states like Iowa, Colorado, Kansas.”

Bostar said the proposal would be “an opportunity to create a new source of tax revenue for property tax relief.” Before the hearing, Stop Predatory Gambling, Gambling with the Good Life and the Nebraska Family Alliance expressed concerns, saying LR20CA and other similar proposals represent a “direct threat” to families in the state.&nbsp;

Pat Loontjer, executive director of Gambling with the Good Life, said before the hearing that it’s “false” that expanding gambling would reduce property taxes.&nbsp;

“It’s been five years, and I don’t know how many of you have had your property taxes reduced, but no one that I’ve ever met,” Loontjer said. “It’s a lie.”

The Legislature’s&nbsp;General Affairs Committee&nbsp;heard other bills related to state gambling law, including one that would remove a restriction on betting on Nebraska college games when the Cornhuskers are playing at home and others that would make slight revisions to current state gambling law that expands where the taxes collected can go.&nbsp;

“If they want this on the ballot,” said&nbsp;Nate Grasz, the Nebraska Family Alliance executive director.&nbsp;“They should go out and do the work themselves, rather than expect the senators to do it for them.”&nbsp;

Several gambling lobbyists spoke to support the amendment,&nbsp;<a href="https://journalstar.com/news/state-regional/government-politics/nebraska-november-ballot-legalize-online-sports-gambling/article_bf9de872-c5e6-11ee-988f-6b1f2a3a879a.html" target="_blank">pointing to public polling showing support for online sports gambling</a>.“Five years ago, your constituents overwhelmingly passed in-person sports betting when they cast their vote yes on the 2020 ballot legalizing it with the state,”&nbsp;Sarah Meuli, DraftKings Government Affairs Manager, said.&nbsp;“That enthusiasm has only grown.”

Testifiers against the gambling proposals spoke to the moral costs of gambling, saying that expanding gambling to online sports betting would target vulnerable populations and worsen the “epidemic” of teen gambling.

“The house always wins,” said Grasz of the Family Alliance. “For the house to win, the people of Nebraska and our own children … have to lose.”&nbsp;

Bostar said he feels “6-out-of-10” confident that the bill advances out of committee. The other bills have similar arguments. The&nbsp;General Affairs Committee&nbsp;took no immediate action on the gambling proposals.

Examiner reporter Zach Wendling contributed to this report.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741717788232.jpeg" alt="Les Bernal, national director of Stop Predatory Gambling, right, speaks to reporters before a Nebraska hearing to expand gambling, such as to online sports betting. Pat Loontjer, executive director of Gambling with the Good Life watches in the back. March 10, 2025. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>Les Bernal, national director of Stop Predatory Gambling, right, speaks to reporters before a Nebraska hearing to expand gambling, such as to online sports betting. Pat Loontjer, executive director of Gambling with the Good Life watches in the back. March 10, 2025. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Juan Salinas II<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/nebraska-lawmakers-could-ask-voters-to-expand-gambling-with-online-sports-betting/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN —&nbsp; Nebraska lawmakers heard from gambling lobbyists that they should expand state gambling to include&nbsp;mobile sports betting, while opponents called out an “industry driven by greed.”<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=58877" target="_blank">Legislative Resolution 20CA</a>, a&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=58877" target="_blank">proposed constitutional amendment</a>&nbsp;filed by State Sen. Eliot Bostar of Lincoln, would allow voters to approve online betting in the state. Currently, state law allows casino style gambling at the state’s six existing horse racetracks — so-called “racinos.” Nebraskans approved the change in 2020.&nbsp;“Nebraska is currently missing out on a $1.6 billion state online industry and $32 million in annual tax revenue,” Bostar said, “which instead goes to neighboring states like Iowa, Colorado, Kansas.”<h2>New opportunity</h2>Bostar said the proposal would be “an opportunity to create a new source of tax revenue for property tax relief.” Before the hearing, Stop Predatory Gambling, Gambling with the Good Life and the Nebraska Family Alliance expressed concerns, saying LR20CA and other similar proposals represent a “direct threat” to families in the state.&nbsp;Pat Loontjer, executive director of Gambling with the Good Life, said before the hearing that it’s “false” that expanding gambling would reduce property taxes.&nbsp;“It’s been five years, and I don’t know how many of you have had your property taxes reduced, but no one that I’ve ever met,” Loontjer said. “It’s a lie.”The Legislature’s&nbsp;General Affairs Committee&nbsp;heard other bills related to state gambling law, including one that would remove a restriction on betting on Nebraska college games when the Cornhuskers are playing at home and others that would make slight revisions to current state gambling law that expands where the taxes collected can go.&nbsp;“If they want this on the ballot,” said&nbsp;Nate Grasz, the Nebraska Family Alliance executive director.&nbsp;“They should go out and do the work themselves, rather than expect the senators to do it for them.”&nbsp;<h2>Testimony mixed</h2>Several gambling lobbyists spoke to support the amendment,&nbsp;<a href="https://journalstar.com/news/state-regional/government-politics/nebraska-november-ballot-legalize-online-sports-gambling/article_bf9de872-c5e6-11ee-988f-6b1f2a3a879a.html" target="_blank">pointing to public polling showing support for online sports gambling</a>.“Five years ago, your constituents overwhelmingly passed in-person sports betting when they cast their vote yes on the 2020 ballot legalizing it with the state,”&nbsp;Sarah Meuli, DraftKings Government Affairs Manager, said.&nbsp;“That enthusiasm has only grown.”Testifiers against the gambling proposals spoke to the moral costs of gambling, saying that expanding gambling to online sports betting would target vulnerable populations and worsen the “epidemic” of teen gambling.“The house always wins,” said Grasz of the Family Alliance. “For the house to win, the people of Nebraska and our own children … have to lose.”&nbsp;Bostar said he feels “6-out-of-10” confident that the bill advances out of committee. The other bills have similar arguments. The&nbsp;General Affairs Committee&nbsp;took no immediate action on the gambling proposals.Examiner reporter Zach Wendling contributed to this report.

Nebraska Lawmakers Could Ask Voters to Expand Gambling with Online Sports Betting

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/03/10/teachers-praise-bill-for-6-weeks-paid-family-medical-leave-for-all-nebraska-educators/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — Sydney Jensen had scarcely taken a single day off of teaching in eight years before having her first child in 2020, often coming in sick to teach Nebraska students.

She had saved eight weeks of paid leave, but as she faced postpartum depression, she felt returning would be devastating for her mental health, and the eight weeks weren’t enough.

“In truth, I felt like I would not survive it,” Jensen said Monday.

The federal&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/fact-sheets/28f-fmla-qualifying-reasons" target="_blank">Family and Medical Leave Act</a>&nbsp;allowed Jensen to extend her leave to a maximum of 12 allowable weeks for significant life events, but the final four weeks came without pay, leading to financial strain, worsening her postpartum depression and creating hardships for her growing family.

“I thought I had done everything right,” Jensen said. “But it still wasn’t enough.”Jensen, a ninth grade English teacher, in Lincoln was one of many supporters to speak in favor of&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=59667&amp;docnum=LB440&amp;leg=109" target="_blank">Legislative Bill 440</a>&nbsp;on Monday, seeking to establish an additional 0.35% payroll fee on Nebraska teachers, matched by local school districts, to cover long-term substitute costs for the first 6 weeks of teachers’ leave under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act.

For a teacher making $60,000, that’s a monthly fee of about $17.50, according to the Nebraska State Education Association, advocating on behalf of more than 26,000 public school teachers.

Federal law protects workers for up to&nbsp;12 work weeks of unpaid leave&nbsp;in a year, such as for birth and bonding, adoption or foster care placement and serious personal or family health conditions.&nbsp;Teachers’ salaries and benefits are already budgeted for each year, so LB 440 would protect 6 weeks of that federal leave before other accrued paid leave would need to be used.

“For less than $20 a month, we’re gonna give teachers the peace of mind that if they need to take this leave, they won’t have to worry about the financial hardship that accompanies it,” NSEA President Tim Royers told the Education Committee.

State Sen. Ashlei Spivey of Omaha, LB 440’s sponsor, said she suffered severe postpartum depression but was lucky to have an employer who covered paid leave for three months. But she and many teachers said that isn’t the same for frontline teachers who are helping to shape the next generation of students.

An&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/LB-440-amendment.pdf">amendment</a>&nbsp;Spivey offered to the committee would clarify that school districts would still need to pay teachers their full salary and benefits during the covered 6-week leave. Payroll contributions would also be used to cover the&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/109/PDF/FN/LB440_20250307-121348.pdf" target="_blank">operating and administrative costs</a>&nbsp;of the program.

Thirteen states and Washington, D.C., have mandatory paid family medical leave laws, Spivey said. She modeled her bill off of similar teacher payroll contributions toward state insurance and retirement funds.

Spivey noted that the union for most state employees also has negotiated 6 weeks of paid maternity leave, which takes effect July 1.

She said her bill would promote long-term savings by reducing turnover costs through a sustainable, teacher-led funding model, with no state appropriations needed for the program.

“I would always argue that teachers are some of our most important industry and frontline workers,” Spivey said. “They need competitive benefits, they need this … in order to be able to stay in the workforce [and] keep educating our future leaders and workforce.”

Any surplus in the new leave fund exceeding 20% of projected annual needs would be transferred to a separate fund to focus on teacher retention and professional development.

State Sen. Dave Murman of Glenvil, a former central Nebraska school board member and committee chair, asked Spivey if the bill was still needed after voters approved a&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/03/06/labor-groups-ring-alarms-over-proposed-changes-to-nebraska-minimum-wage-paid-sick-leave/">minimum level of annual paid sick leave for all employees</a>:&nbsp;at least 40 hours of paid leave, or 56 hours for larger businesses.

State Sen. Jana Hughes of Seward, a substitute teacher and committee vice chair, said she appreciated the program being separate from state dollars. She asked what would happen if contributions weren’t enough to cover the required substitute costs in a given year.

Hughes noted LB 440 would increase costs on districts, which Spivey described as an investment that would supplement, not replace, local “sick banks” to pool leave time.

Spivey said the bill was drafted with past leave requests in mind to create the 0.35% payroll but said she would confirm what would happen in the scenario Hughes had described.

Royers, as he did in January, said the legislation is the result of a&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/01/28/nsea-lawmakers-outline-2025-priorities-after-survey-of-nearly-10000-nebraska-teachers/">fall survey of nearly 10,000 Nebraska teachers</a>. The issue encompassed all types of leave,&nbsp;he said,&nbsp;not just maternity or paternity.

“We have a crisis of faith right now for teachers in Nebraska,” Royers said of the survey. “Just 8% of our educators feel that this body takes them into account when it crafts education policy.”

Nora Lenz, a Lincoln teacher with more than 30 years experience, said her parents were placed in a nursing home in the summer of 2019, and Lenz was with her mother Friday through Sunday so she wouldn’t be alone, 150 miles away from Lincoln.

In January 2020, Lenz’s father fell ill, and Lenz said it was clear he was losing his will to live, and his condition got even more fragile in the face of the “looming threat” of COVID-19.

Early retirement wasn’t an option for Lenz, and she couldn’t afford to go without a salary, needing to support her children in high school and college.

Her father was hospitalized, and Lenz’s heart ached to be by his side and by her mother’s side.

“To this day, I regret not being there with them sooner, before he was hospitalized,” Lenz said.

Lenz said she held her father’s hand when he took his last breath and was with him in the final days of his life, but told the committee she believes that had she been with him sooner, he might have lived just a little longer. Lenz’s mother died 17 days later.

Sheila Janssen said that she had a stroke in her brainstem on June 6, 2022, at 43 years old, and was in the hospital for nine days. She spent about five weeks in the hospital but, without enough sick leave, returned to school on the first day, on Aug. 10, 2022.

“I probably had no business being there,” Janssen said. “But I was because I couldn’t do it financially.”

Jake Bogus of Lincoln, an eighth grade U.S. history teacher, said some families are facing scenarios “almost like a Margaret Atwood novel,” trying to time pregnancies to use as little paid time off as possible or asking for donated time to care for their newborn children.&nbsp;

Other testifiers said they were stuck with a choice: family or financial stability as they or loved ones faced cancer, hip replacements, foster care obligations or loved ones in hospice care. Many current and retired teachers said they felt guilty over the choice they made.

Now at 32 weeks pregnant with her second child, Jensen has about 30 days of leave saved up from the past few years. However, she noted that one in seven new mothers will face postpartum depression, and her experience increases her future risk.

Jensen said LB 440 would help address a system that is forcing “impossible choices” and disproportionately impacting younger teachers and women, contributing to burnout and turnover.

“Teachers shouldn’t have to choose between their families or financial stability,” Jensen said. “LB 440 aligns Nebraska’s education system with modern workforce needs and demonstrates that we value the well being of those who&nbsp;shape&nbsp;our children’s futures.”

The committee took no immediate action on LB 440.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741717666884.jpeg" alt="Tim Royers, president of the Nebraska State Education Association, center, talks about 2025 priorities for the teachers union. Jan. 28, 2025. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>Tim Royers, president of the Nebraska State Education Association, center, talks about 2025 priorities for the teachers union. Jan. 28, 2025. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Zach Wendling<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/03/10/teachers-praise-bill-for-6-weeks-paid-family-medical-leave-for-all-nebraska-educators/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — Sydney Jensen had scarcely taken a single day off of teaching in eight years before having her first child in 2020, often coming in sick to teach Nebraska students.She had saved eight weeks of paid leave, but as she faced postpartum depression, she felt returning would be devastating for her mental health, and the eight weeks weren’t enough.“In truth, I felt like I would not survive it,” Jensen said Monday.The federal&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/fact-sheets/28f-fmla-qualifying-reasons" target="_blank">Family and Medical Leave Act</a>&nbsp;allowed Jensen to extend her leave to a maximum of 12 allowable weeks for significant life events, but the final four weeks came without pay, leading to financial strain, worsening her postpartum depression and creating hardships for her growing family.“I thought I had done everything right,” Jensen said. “But it still wasn’t enough.”Jensen, a ninth grade English teacher, in Lincoln was one of many supporters to speak in favor of&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=59667&amp;docnum=LB440&amp;leg=109" target="_blank">Legislative Bill 440</a>&nbsp;on Monday, seeking to establish an additional 0.35% payroll fee on Nebraska teachers, matched by local school districts, to cover long-term substitute costs for the first 6 weeks of teachers’ leave under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act.For a teacher making $60,000, that’s a monthly fee of about $17.50, according to the Nebraska State Education Association, advocating on behalf of more than 26,000 public school teachers.Federal law protects workers for up to&nbsp;12 work weeks of unpaid leave&nbsp;in a year, such as for birth and bonding, adoption or foster care placement and serious personal or family health conditions.&nbsp;Teachers’ salaries and benefits are already budgeted for each year, so LB 440 would protect 6 weeks of that federal leave before other accrued paid leave would need to be used.“For less than $20 a month, we’re gonna give teachers the peace of mind that if they need to take this leave, they won’t have to worry about the financial hardship that accompanies it,” NSEA President Tim Royers told the Education Committee.No one testified against the bill.<h2>‘Most important industry’</h2>State Sen. Ashlei Spivey of Omaha, LB 440’s sponsor, said she suffered severe postpartum depression but was lucky to have an employer who covered paid leave for three months. But she and many teachers said that isn’t the same for frontline teachers who are helping to shape the next generation of students.An&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/LB-440-amendment.pdf">amendment</a>&nbsp;Spivey offered to the committee would clarify that school districts would still need to pay teachers their full salary and benefits during the covered 6-week leave. Payroll contributions would also be used to cover the&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/109/PDF/FN/LB440_20250307-121348.pdf" target="_blank">operating and administrative costs</a>&nbsp;of the program.Thirteen states and Washington, D.C., have mandatory paid family medical leave laws, Spivey said. She modeled her bill off of similar teacher payroll contributions toward state insurance and retirement funds.Spivey noted that the union for most state employees also has negotiated 6 weeks of paid maternity leave, which takes effect July 1.She said her bill would promote long-term savings by reducing turnover costs through a sustainable, teacher-led funding model, with no state appropriations needed for the program.“I would always argue that teachers are some of our most important industry and frontline workers,” Spivey said. “They need competitive benefits, they need this … in order to be able to stay in the workforce [and] keep educating our future leaders and workforce.”Any surplus in the new leave fund exceeding 20% of projected annual needs would be transferred to a separate fund to focus on teacher retention and professional development.<h2>Committee leaders weigh in</h2>State Sen. Dave Murman of Glenvil, a former central Nebraska school board member and committee chair, asked Spivey if the bill was still needed after voters approved a&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/03/06/labor-groups-ring-alarms-over-proposed-changes-to-nebraska-minimum-wage-paid-sick-leave/">minimum level of annual paid sick leave for all employees</a>:&nbsp;at least 40 hours of paid leave, or 56 hours for larger businesses.State Sen. Jana Hughes of Seward, a substitute teacher and committee vice chair, said she appreciated the program being separate from state dollars. She asked what would happen if contributions weren’t enough to cover the required substitute costs in a given year.Hughes noted LB 440 would increase costs on districts, which Spivey described as an investment that would supplement, not replace, local “sick banks” to pool leave time.Spivey said the bill was drafted with past leave requests in mind to create the 0.35% payroll but said she would confirm what would happen in the scenario Hughes had described.Royers, as he did in January, said the legislation is the result of a&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/01/28/nsea-lawmakers-outline-2025-priorities-after-survey-of-nearly-10000-nebraska-teachers/">fall survey of nearly 10,000 Nebraska teachers</a>. The issue encompassed all types of leave,&nbsp;he said,&nbsp;not just maternity or paternity.“We have a crisis of faith right now for teachers in Nebraska,” Royers said of the survey. “Just 8% of our educators feel that this body takes them into account when it crafts education policy.”<h2>Teachers face guilt, regret</h2>Nora Lenz, a Lincoln teacher with more than 30 years experience, said her parents were placed in a nursing home in the summer of 2019, and Lenz was with her mother Friday through Sunday so she wouldn’t be alone, 150 miles away from Lincoln.In January 2020, Lenz’s father fell ill, and Lenz said it was clear he was losing his will to live, and his condition got even more fragile in the face of the “looming threat” of COVID-19.Early retirement wasn’t an option for Lenz, and she couldn’t afford to go without a salary, needing to support her children in high school and college.Her father was hospitalized, and Lenz’s heart ached to be by his side and by her mother’s side.“To this day, I regret not being there with them sooner, before he was hospitalized,” Lenz said.Lenz said she held her father’s hand when he took his last breath and was with him in the final days of his life, but told the committee she believes that had she been with him sooner, he might have lived just a little longer. Lenz’s mother died 17 days later.Sheila Janssen said that she had a stroke in her brainstem on June 6, 2022, at 43 years old, and was in the hospital for nine days. She spent about five weeks in the hospital but, without enough sick leave, returned to school on the first day, on Aug. 10, 2022.“I probably had no business being there,” Janssen said. “But I was because I couldn’t do it financially.”Jake Bogus of Lincoln, an eighth grade U.S. history teacher, said some families are facing scenarios “almost like a Margaret Atwood novel,” trying to time pregnancies to use as little paid time off as possible or asking for donated time to care for their newborn children.&nbsp;Other testifiers said they were stuck with a choice: family or financial stability as they or loved ones faced cancer, hip replacements, foster care obligations or loved ones in hospice care. Many current and retired teachers said they felt guilty over the choice they made.<h2>Balancing ‘impossible choices’</h2>Now at 32 weeks pregnant with her second child, Jensen has about 30 days of leave saved up from the past few years. However, she noted that one in seven new mothers will face postpartum depression, and her experience increases her future risk.Jensen said LB 440 would help address a system that is forcing “impossible choices” and disproportionately impacting younger teachers and women, contributing to burnout and turnover.“Teachers shouldn’t have to choose between their families or financial stability,” Jensen said. “LB 440 aligns Nebraska’s education system with modern workforce needs and demonstrates that we value the well being of those who&nbsp;shape&nbsp;our children’s futures.”The committee took no immediate action on LB 440.

Teachers praise bill for 6 weeks paid family, medical leave for all Nebraska educators

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/03/10/bill-to-prevent-local-rent-controls-in-nebraska-moves-a-step-forward-with-certain-exceptions/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN —&nbsp;A measure that would prevent local governments from imposing rent controls on private property, with some exceptions, took a step forward in the Nebraska Legislature on Monday.

<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/109/PDF/Intro/LB266.pdf" target="_blank">Legislative Bill 266,</a>&nbsp;introduced by State Sen. Rob Dover of Norfolk, moved ahead on a 32-5 vote despite objections from a handful of Democratic lawmakers.

Under LB 266, cities and counties generally would be prohibited from enacting local laws that have the effect of placing rent controls on private property.&nbsp;

The bill outlines exemptions for ordinances aimed at increasing the affordable housing supply “through land use or inclusionary housing requirements” or for programs in which the landlord voluntarily and contractually agrees to rent restrictions.

Dover told fellow lawmakers that 37 other states had enacted similar legislation prohibiting rent controls, and he believes it is better to “look at what is going on in the country and get in front of it.”

State Sen. John Cavanaugh of Omaha was among several lawmakers who said they’ve not heard of any city in Nebraska proposing rent controls and who saw the bill as unnecessary trampling on local control.

“It solves no problem and has the potential to cause other problems,” Cavanaugh said. “We are inadvertently going to stifle any innovation of solving the problem of affordable housing.”

State Sen. Ashlei Spivey of Omaha agreed, saying the law would preempt local governments from exploring policies that might make sense in their respective communities.&nbsp;

Cindy Gonzalez<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/03/10/bill-to-prevent-local-rent-controls-in-nebraska-moves-a-step-forward-with-certain-exceptions/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN —&nbsp;A measure that would prevent local governments from imposing rent controls on private property, with some exceptions, took a step forward in the Nebraska Legislature on Monday.<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/109/PDF/Intro/LB266.pdf" target="_blank">Legislative Bill 266,</a>&nbsp;introduced by State Sen. Rob Dover of Norfolk, moved ahead on a 32-5 vote despite objections from a handful of Democratic lawmakers.Under LB 266, cities and counties generally would be prohibited from enacting local laws that have the effect of placing rent controls on private property.&nbsp;The bill outlines exemptions for ordinances aimed at increasing the affordable housing supply “through land use or inclusionary housing requirements” or for programs in which the landlord voluntarily and contractually agrees to rent restrictions.Dover told fellow lawmakers that 37 other states had enacted similar legislation prohibiting rent controls, and he believes it is better to “look at what is going on in the country and get in front of it.”<h2>Stifling innovation</h2>State Sen. John Cavanaugh of Omaha was among several lawmakers who said they’ve not heard of any city in Nebraska proposing rent controls and who saw the bill as unnecessary trampling on local control.“It solves no problem and has the potential to cause other problems,” Cavanaugh said. “We are inadvertently going to stifle any innovation of solving the problem of affordable housing.”State Sen. Ashlei Spivey of Omaha agreed, saying the law would preempt local governments from exploring policies that might make sense in their respective communities.&nbsp;State Sen. Terrell McKinney of Omaha said the conversation should be more focused on how to create more affordable housing, which lawmakers regardless of party affiliation continue to say is one of the most pressing issues facing the state.North Platte State Sen. Mike Jacobson, who supported the prohibition and the bill, said supply and demand should rule. He said private landlords should have the ability to set higher rents to make their own payments.“The more things we could do preemptively to assure people who want to invest in properties or build new properties that they’re not going to be faced with this, the more they’re going to be encouraged to build more housing,” said Jacobson.“If you want cheaper rent, you’re either gonna drop down in the quality of the home or apartment you live in, or we’re gonna have to get a handle on increased property taxes, increased insurance costs and lower interest rates.”<h2>Potential conflict</h2>State Sen. Rita Sanders of Bellevue, the chair of the committee that earlier advanced LB 266 to the full Legislature, had filed a potential conflict of interest statement with the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission. She said that her husband’s business owns commercial and residential retirement real estate properties and she is a contingent beneficiary.She said some might believe the retirement communities could benefit from the prevention of rent control. Sanders said that while that was “highly unlikely,” her disclosure was done out of “abundance of caution.”Sanders did not recuse herself from chairing her committee when LB 266 surfaced, because she said any potential benefit is “extremely remote.” The form stated that if the senator had a conflict with LB 266, “it would seem that every senator who owns or has an interest in residential rental property in Nebraska is subject to a potential conflict of interest.”Dover, whose business manages real estate properties and who has rental properties, said he did not see a potential for personal enrichment from LB 266 and did not file a potential conflict of interest form.He said he views affordable housing as a personal priority during his legislative term and has at least two pending bills. His&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=59802&amp;docnum=LB626&amp;leg=109" target="_blank">LB 626</a>&nbsp;would make it easier to use tax-increment financing in the production of workforce housing.His&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=59803&amp;docnum=LB622&amp;leg=109" target="_blank">LB 622</a>&nbsp;would&nbsp;create the Statewide Housing Assistance Program, administered by a nonprofit under a contract by the state, to provide downpayment assistance loans toward the purchase of a new home. The bill would raise the documentary stamp tax to help fund the program.&nbsp;Counties collect a documentary stamp tax on the transfer of real estate, a portion of which is remitted to the state and currently used for funds related to such things as affordable housing and homeless shelter assistance.