LINCOLN, NE –&nbsp;Today, Governor Jim Pillen testified before the Nebraska State Legislature’s Education Committee on LB140 which proposes banning the use of cell phones by students at school. Senator Rita Sanders introduced the bill at the request of the Governor.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“There are two reasons for this bill. First, it addresses what has become one of the most frequent and difficult to manage distractions in the classroom – students’ cell phones,” said Gov. Pillen. “The second reason for this legislation is the serious impact that constant cell phone use has on our kids.”&nbsp;

LB140 requires the school boards of each public school district to adopt a policy establishing the rules and standards for cell usage. The bill also spells out certain exceptions like when the cell phone is authorized by a teacher for educational purposes, in the case of an emergency, and for monitoring and management of a student’s health care situation.&nbsp;&nbsp;

During his testimony, Gov. Pillen referenced findings from Jonathan Haidt’s book, The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness.&nbsp;Haidt noted that young people receive 192 alerts from top social apps each day, equating to 11 notifications per waking hour, or one notification every five minutes.&nbsp;

Sen. Sanders said that for students to have the best chance of success in school, creating an educational environment free from digital distraction is key. “I am committed to supporting policies that prioritize the well-being and academic growth of every student. By removing electronic communication devices from the classroom, we can create that environment, allowing both teachers and students to fully succeed."&nbsp;

“Our teachers need to be focused on helping their students learn, not policing cell phone use. LB140 provides a commonsense approach to this issue, so that all our schools are on a level playing field,” said Gov. Pillen.&nbsp;&nbsp;

After the Governor addressed the committee, Attorney General Mike Hilgers and Department of Education Commissioner Dr. Brian Maher also testified in support of the bill.

Office of Governor Jim PillenLINCOLN, NE –&nbsp;Today, Governor Jim Pillen testified before the Nebraska State Legislature’s Education Committee on LB140 which proposes banning the use of cell phones by students at school. Senator Rita Sanders introduced the bill at the request of the Governor.&nbsp;&nbsp;“There are two reasons for this bill. First, it addresses what has become one of the most frequent and difficult to manage distractions in the classroom – students’ cell phones,” said Gov. Pillen. “The second reason for this legislation is the serious impact that constant cell phone use has on our kids.”&nbsp;LB140 requires the school boards of each public school district to adopt a policy establishing the rules and standards for cell usage. The bill also spells out certain exceptions like when the cell phone is authorized by a teacher for educational purposes, in the case of an emergency, and for monitoring and management of a student’s health care situation.&nbsp;&nbsp;During his testimony, Gov. Pillen referenced findings from Jonathan Haidt’s book, The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness.&nbsp;Haidt noted that young people receive 192 alerts from top social apps each day, equating to 11 notifications per waking hour, or one notification every five minutes.&nbsp;Sen. Sanders said that for students to have the best chance of success in school, creating an educational environment free from digital distraction is key. “I am committed to supporting policies that prioritize the well-being and academic growth of every student. By removing electronic communication devices from the classroom, we can create that environment, allowing both teachers and students to fully succeed."&nbsp;“Our teachers need to be focused on helping their students learn, not policing cell phone use. LB140 provides a commonsense approach to this issue, so that all our schools are on a level playing field,” said Gov. Pillen.&nbsp;&nbsp;After the Governor addressed the committee, Attorney General Mike Hilgers and Department of Education Commissioner Dr. Brian Maher also testified in support of the bill.

   Gov. Pillen Testifies on Legislation to Ban Cell Phones in Schools 

During Black History Month, the Alzheimer’s Association Nebraska Chapter emphasizes the urgent need for advocacy and awareness in Black communities, which continue to be disproportionately affected by Alzheimer’s and other dementias.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association 2024 Facts and Figures report, older Black Americans are almost twice as likely as older white individuals to be living with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia—yet they are less likely to receive a diagnosis. This disparity highlights systemic barriers in healthcare access, research participation, and support services for underrepresented and underserved communities.

“Alzheimer’s is a public health crisis that significantly affects Black communities, yet access to timely diagnoses, high-quality care, and vital support remains uneven,” said Sadie Hinkel, Programming Director of the Alzheimer’s Association Nebraska Chapter. “During Black History Month and beyond, we are committed to amplifying Black voices, addressing health disparities, and working toward a future where every individual impacted by Alzheimer’s has access to the care and support they deserve.”

Key findings from the Alzheimer’s Association report these challenges:

To continue this vital conversation, the Alzheimer’s Association Nebraska Chapter invites the community to join an informative webinar:

Navigating Brain Health Beyond Black History MonthHosted by the Black/African American Community Impact GroupDate:&nbsp;Friday, February 28, 2025Time:&nbsp;12 p.m. CTWho Should Attend:&nbsp;Open to the publicRegister Here:&nbsp;<a href="https://alz-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_sAwdDMTFQoysIG7Qlq2ExQ#/registration" target="_blank">https://alz-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_sAwdDMTFQoysIG7Qlq2ExQ#/registration</a>

This webinar will explore brain health, care navigation, and community engagement while providing actionable steps and resources to support well-being in Black communities.

Jenna Hynek&nbsp;Alzheimer’s Association&nbsp;During Black History Month, the Alzheimer’s Association Nebraska Chapter emphasizes the urgent need for advocacy and awareness in Black communities, which continue to be disproportionately affected by Alzheimer’s and other dementias.According to the Alzheimer’s Association 2024 Facts and Figures report, older Black Americans are almost twice as likely as older white individuals to be living with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia—yet they are less likely to receive a diagnosis. This disparity highlights systemic barriers in healthcare access, research participation, and support services for underrepresented and underserved communities.“Alzheimer’s is a public health crisis that significantly affects Black communities, yet access to timely diagnoses, high-quality care, and vital support remains uneven,” said Sadie Hinkel, Programming Director of the Alzheimer’s Association Nebraska Chapter. “During Black History Month and beyond, we are committed to amplifying Black voices, addressing health disparities, and working toward a future where every individual impacted by Alzheimer’s has access to the care and support they deserve.”Key findings from the Alzheimer’s Association report these challenges:<ul>
 <li>Only 20% of Black Americans report facing no barriers to excellent healthcare and support for Alzheimer’s or other dementias.</li><li>65% of Black Americans say they personally know someone with Alzheimer’s or another dementia.</li><li>Only 53% of Black Americans believe a cure for Alzheimer’s will be distributed fairly across all racial and ethnic groups.</li>
 </ul>To continue this vital conversation, the Alzheimer’s Association Nebraska Chapter invites the community to join an informative webinar:Navigating Brain Health Beyond Black History MonthHosted by the Black/African American Community Impact GroupDate:&nbsp;Friday, February 28, 2025Time:&nbsp;12 p.m. CTWho Should Attend:&nbsp;Open to the publicRegister Here:&nbsp;<a href="https://alz-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_sAwdDMTFQoysIG7Qlq2ExQ#/registration" target="_blank">https://alz-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_sAwdDMTFQoysIG7Qlq2ExQ#/registration</a>This webinar will explore brain health, care navigation, and community engagement while providing actionable steps and resources to support well-being in Black communities.

Alzheimer’s Association Nebraska Chapter Calls for Greater Awareness and Advocacy in Black Communities During Black History Month

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/ashley-murray/">ASHLEY MURRAY</a>&nbsp;

WASHINGTON — Two large unions and an alliance that together represent millions of government and retired workers are suing Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent for allowing a “massive and unprecedented” intrusion into Americans’ personal data, beginning last week when the newly confirmed secretary handed over the department’s payment system to billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk.

The American Federation of Government Employees, Service Employees International Union and Alliance for Retired Americans filed suit Monday arguing that members of Musk’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency broke federal privacy laws by infiltrating the system that handles trillions in payments — including income taxes, Social Security benefits and veterans pay.

“Millions of people cannot avoid engaging in financial transactions with the federal government and, therefore, cannot avoid having their sensitive personal and financial information maintained in government records,” according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.citizen.org/wp-content/uploads/1-Complaint-7.pdf" target="_blank">complaint</a>&nbsp;filed in the U.S. District Court in the District of Columbia.

The plaintiffs are represented by two legal aid groups, the Public Citizen Litigation Group and the State Democracy Defenders Fund.

“Secretary Bessent’s action granting DOGE-affiliated individuals full, continuous, and ongoing access to that information for an unspecified period of time means that retirees, taxpayers, federal employees, companies, and other individuals from all walks of life have no assurance that their information will receive the protection that federal law affords,” the complaint continued.

A rally was also scheduled for late Tuesday afternoon at the Treasury Department to protest Musk’s moves.

DOGE, an acronym for the Department of Government Efficiency, is not a government department. Agencies within the executive branch can only be created&nbsp;<a href="https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/LSB/LSB10158#:~:text=These%20orders%20and%20proposals%20have,various%20statutory%20functions%20and%20duties." target="_blank">by Congress</a>.

Trump convened DOGE, following a campaign promise to major campaign donor Musk, via an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/establishing-and-implementing-the-presidents-department-of-government-efficiency/" target="_blank">executive order</a>&nbsp;signed on his first day in office. The order renamed the U.S. Digital Service — the information technology arm of the federal government — to the U.S. DOGE Service.

The order also established an 18-month “U.S. DOGE Service Temporary Organization” for the purposes of “modernizing Federal technology and software to maximize governmental efficiency and productivity.”

Trump and Musk — and former presidential hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy, who is no longer part of the temporary endeavor — touted on the campaign trail the creation of an entity that would cut $2 trillion in government spending.

Trump has since named Musk a temporary “special government employee,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt&nbsp;<a href="https://www.c-span.org/program/public-affairs-event/white-house-press-secretary-karoline-leavitt-speaks-to-reporters/655306" target="_blank">told</a>&nbsp;reporters Monday, adding that she was “not sure” which security clearances Musk has.

The Washington Post first&nbsp;<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/01/31/elon-musk-treasury-department-payment-systems/" target="_blank">reported</a>&nbsp;Friday that a top Treasury official was placed on administrative leave by the Trump White House for refusing to allow personnel from so-called DOGE to access the federal payment system.

WIRED reported that Musk’s DOGE team is largely made up of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wired.com/story/elon-musk-government-young-engineers/" target="_blank">engineers ages 19 to 24</a>&nbsp;who have ties to Musk’s other companies.

WIRED further&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wired.com/story/elon-musk-associate-bfs-federal-payment-system/" target="_blank">uncovered</a>&nbsp;that one 25-year-old engineer, Marko Elez, now reportedly has the ability to read and write code for two of Treasury’s most sensitive systems — the Payment Automation Manager and the Secure Payment System, both managed by the Bureau of the Fiscal Service.

States Newsroom reached out to the White House, the Department of the Treasury, and to representatives of DOGE for comment but did not receive responses.

Representatives from the U.S. DOGE Service continued accessing sensitive government files over the weekend when personnel demanded entry into computer systems at the U.S. Agency for International Development’s Washington, D.C., headquarters.

At least two USAID security officials were put on administrative leave after initially refusing to grant access, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/03/politics/usaid-washington-workers/index.html" target="_blank">CNN</a>.

Democratic lawmakers&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/members-congress-refused-entry-usaid-agency-shuttered-trump-administration" target="_blank">protested</a>&nbsp;outside the agency’s main office on Monday and vowed a legal fight. States Newsroom witnessed the lawmakers being denied entry into the USAID offices.

USAID employees who work in the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center were told in emails and text blasts not to report to the office Monday.

The agency’s website,&nbsp;<a href="http://usaid.gov/" target="_blank">USAID.gov</a>, and its X social media&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/USAID" target="_blank">account</a>&nbsp;went dark Saturday. Musk owns X.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738775286116.png" alt="Elon Musk at an inauguration event - File photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Elon Musk at an inauguration event - File photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/ashley-murray/">ASHLEY MURRAY</a>&nbsp;WASHINGTON — Two large unions and an alliance that together represent millions of government and retired workers are suing Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent for allowing a “massive and unprecedented” intrusion into Americans’ personal data, beginning last week when the newly confirmed secretary handed over the department’s payment system to billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738777717486.png" alt="U.S. Senator from Connecticut Chris Murphy during a rally against Musk on Tuessday-image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>U.S. Senator from Connecticut Chris Murphy during a rally against Musk on Tuessday-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>The American Federation of Government Employees, Service Employees International Union and Alliance for Retired Americans filed suit Monday arguing that members of Musk’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency broke federal privacy laws by infiltrating the system that handles trillions in payments — including income taxes, Social Security benefits and veterans pay.“Millions of people cannot avoid engaging in financial transactions with the federal government and, therefore, cannot avoid having their sensitive personal and financial information maintained in government records,” according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.citizen.org/wp-content/uploads/1-Complaint-7.pdf" target="_blank">complaint</a>&nbsp;filed in the U.S. District Court in the District of Columbia.The plaintiffs are represented by two legal aid groups, the Public Citizen Litigation Group and the State Democracy Defenders Fund.“Secretary Bessent’s action granting DOGE-affiliated individuals full, continuous, and ongoing access to that information for an unspecified period of time means that retirees, taxpayers, federal employees, companies, and other individuals from all walks of life have no assurance that their information will receive the protection that federal law affords,” the complaint continued.A rally was also scheduled for late Tuesday afternoon at the Treasury Department to protest Musk’s moves.<h2>What is DOGE?</h2>DOGE, an acronym for the Department of Government Efficiency, is not a government department. Agencies within the executive branch can only be created&nbsp;<a href="https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/LSB/LSB10158#:~:text=These%20orders%20and%20proposals%20have,various%20statutory%20functions%20and%20duties." target="_blank">by Congress</a>.Trump convened DOGE, following a campaign promise to major campaign donor Musk, via an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/establishing-and-implementing-the-presidents-department-of-government-efficiency/" target="_blank">executive order</a>&nbsp;signed on his first day in office. The order renamed the U.S. Digital Service — the information technology arm of the federal government — to the U.S. DOGE Service.The order also established an 18-month “U.S. DOGE Service Temporary Organization” for the purposes of “modernizing Federal technology and software to maximize governmental efficiency and productivity.”Trump and Musk — and former presidential hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy, who is no longer part of the temporary endeavor — touted on the campaign trail the creation of an entity that would cut $2 trillion in government spending.Trump has since named Musk a temporary “special government employee,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt&nbsp;<a href="https://www.c-span.org/program/public-affairs-event/white-house-press-secretary-karoline-leavitt-speaks-to-reporters/655306" target="_blank">told</a>&nbsp;reporters Monday, adding that she was “not sure” which security clearances Musk has.<h2>Youthful engineers</h2>The Washington Post first&nbsp;<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/01/31/elon-musk-treasury-department-payment-systems/" target="_blank">reported</a>&nbsp;Friday that a top Treasury official was placed on administrative leave by the Trump White House for refusing to allow personnel from so-called DOGE to access the federal payment system.WIRED reported that Musk’s DOGE team is largely made up of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wired.com/story/elon-musk-government-young-engineers/" target="_blank">engineers ages 19 to 24</a>&nbsp;who have ties to Musk’s other companies.WIRED further&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wired.com/story/elon-musk-associate-bfs-federal-payment-system/" target="_blank">uncovered</a>&nbsp;that one 25-year-old engineer, Marko Elez, now reportedly has the ability to read and write code for two of Treasury’s most sensitive systems — the Payment Automation Manager and the Secure Payment System, both managed by the Bureau of the Fiscal Service.States Newsroom reached out to the White House, the Department of the Treasury, and to representatives of DOGE for comment but did not receive responses.<h2>DOGE in USAID</h2>Representatives from the U.S. DOGE Service continued accessing sensitive government files over the weekend when personnel demanded entry into computer systems at the U.S. Agency for International Development’s Washington, D.C., headquarters.At least two USAID security officials were put on administrative leave after initially refusing to grant access, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/03/politics/usaid-washington-workers/index.html" target="_blank">CNN</a>.Democratic lawmakers&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/members-congress-refused-entry-usaid-agency-shuttered-trump-administration" target="_blank">protested</a>&nbsp;outside the agency’s main office on Monday and vowed a legal fight. States Newsroom witnessed the lawmakers being denied entry into the USAID offices.USAID employees who work in the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center were told in emails and text blasts not to report to the office Monday.The agency’s website,&nbsp;<a href="http://usaid.gov/" target="_blank">USAID.gov</a>, and its X social media&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/USAID" target="_blank">account</a>&nbsp;went dark Saturday. Musk owns X.

Lawsuit Filed Over Attempts by Elon Musk’s DOGE to take Over U.S. Benefit Payment System

Alliance, Neb. - On February 1 st, 2025, at approximately 8:30 a.m., officers were dispatched to the Rainbow Motel for a complaint of a physical disturbance. The reporting party advised that a male, who appeared to be under the influence of drugs, was kicking on his door attempting to get in. 

Officers arrived on the scene and identified the male as George L Boyd III (I/M 04/13/1992). Boyd appeared to be under the influence of a controlled substance, as he was making unusual gestures and statements, at one point claiming to be a “Federal Agent”. Officers also observed what appeared to be a marijuana blunt in the male’s hand.

Officers advised Boyd that he was going to be taken into custody, and Boyd resisted, eventually fleeing&nbsp;down an alley. Officers engaged in a foot pursuit to the 400 block of Toluca where an officer deployed a Bolawrap. After the deployment, the officer attempted to affect an arrest when Boyd swung at the officer with an object in his hand. Additional officers and troopers arrived on scene, and a second Bolawrap was deployed, which allowed officers to subdue Boyd.

The Bolawrap is a handheld restraint tool that fires a Kevlar tether around a subjects arms or legs. This tool allows officers to manage non- compliant individuals without pain or injury and reduces the need to use higher levels of force.

A search of Boyd was conducted which revealed several items including methamphetamine, marijuana paraphernalia and marijuana. Boyd was transported to the Box Butte County Jail where he is currently facing charges of:

• Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance

• Possession or use of Drug Paraphernalia

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738598762391.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>Alliance Police DepartmentAlliance, Neb. - On February 1 st, 2025, at approximately 8:30 a.m., officers were dispatched to the Rainbow Motel for a complaint of a physical disturbance. The reporting party advised that a male, who appeared to be under the influence of drugs, was kicking on his door attempting to get in. Officers arrived on the scene and identified the male as George L Boyd III (I/M 04/13/1992). Boyd appeared to be under the influence of a controlled substance, as he was making unusual gestures and statements, at one point claiming to be a “Federal Agent”. Officers also observed what appeared to be a marijuana blunt in the male’s hand.Officers advised Boyd that he was going to be taken into custody, and Boyd resisted, eventually fleeing&nbsp;down an alley. Officers engaged in a foot pursuit to the 400 block of Toluca where an officer deployed a Bolawrap. After the deployment, the officer attempted to affect an arrest when Boyd swung at the officer with an object in his hand. Additional officers and troopers arrived on scene, and a second Bolawrap was deployed, which allowed officers to subdue Boyd.The Bolawrap is a handheld restraint tool that fires a Kevlar tether around a subjects arms or legs. This tool allows officers to manage non- compliant individuals without pain or injury and reduces the need to use higher levels of force.A search of Boyd was conducted which revealed several items including methamphetamine, marijuana paraphernalia and marijuana. Boyd was transported to the Box Butte County Jail where he is currently facing charges of:• Disturbing the Peace• Obstructing a Peace Officer• Resisting Arrest• Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance• Possession of Marijuana 1 oz or Less• Possession or use of Drug Paraphernalia

One arrested following weekend altercation at a Panhandle hotel

WASHINGTON — Two employees of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority have been charged after authorities say they leaked a video of the&nbsp;American Airlines Flight 5342 crash with an Army Black Hawk helicopter&nbsp;to CNN, according to a statement from the Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority.

The employees made an "unauthorized copy" of the video and gave it to the media outlet.

Mohamed Lamine Mbengue, 21, was charged with computer trespass. He was booked into the Arlington County Adult Detention Center and later released on his own recognizance. &nbsp;&nbsp;

 Jonathan Savoy, 45,&nbsp; Upper Marlboro, was also charged with computer trespass. He was released on a summons by a magistrate.

No one survived the Wednesday night collision. Crews are still searching for remains.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738667971605.png" alt="Mbengue photo Arlington County Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Mbengue photo Arlington County Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON — Two employees of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority have been charged after authorities say they leaked a video of the&nbsp;American Airlines Flight 5342 crash with an Army Black Hawk helicopter&nbsp;to CNN, according to a statement from the Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority.The employees made an "unauthorized copy" of the video and gave it to the media outlet.Mohamed Lamine Mbengue, 21, was charged with computer trespass. He was booked into the Arlington County Adult Detention Center and later released on his own recognizance. &nbsp;&nbsp; Jonathan Savoy, 45,&nbsp; Upper Marlboro, was also charged with computer trespass. He was released on a summons by a magistrate.No one survived the Wednesday night collision. Crews are still searching for remains.

Airport workers arrested for leaking mid-air plane crash video to media

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">JENNIFER SHUTT</a>&nbsp;

WASHINGTON — Robert F. Kennedy Jr. moved one step closer to becoming Health and Human Services secretary on Tuesday after a Senate committee favorably reported his nomination to the floor.

The Finance Committee’s 14-13 party-line vote doesn’t necessarily guarantee Kennedy will receive Senate confirmation, though it signals he does have the chance despite decades of spreading false information about vaccine safety.

Louisiana Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy, who backed Kennedy in committee, said during a floor speech later Tuesday he had received hundreds of messages personally and thousands into his office expressing strong support from some and dismay from others about the prospect of Kennedy gaining Senate confirmation.

“The most notable opponents of Mr. Kennedy were pediatricians on the front lines of our children’s health, who regularly have to combat misinformation,” Cassidy said. “They are aware that children are now contracting diseases that they would not have contracted if the child was vaccinated.”

Cassidy, who worked as a physician for decades before becoming a senator, said Kennedy and the Trump administration have assured him they will protect “the public health benefit of vaccination.”

“Mr. Kennedy and the administration committed that he and I would have an unprecedentedly close, collaborative, working relationship if he is confirmed,” Cassidy said. “We will meet or speak multiple times a month.”

Cassidy said Kennedy and the Trump administration committed that if confirmed, Kennedy would:&nbsp;

“If Mr. Kennedy is confirmed, I will use my authority of the Senate committee with oversight of HHS to rebuff any attempt to remove the public’s access to life-saving vaccines without ironclad causational scientific evidence that can be accepted and defended before the mainstream scientific community and before Congress,” Cassidy said. “I will watch carefully for any effort to wrongly sow public fear about vaccines between confusing references of coincidence and anecdote.”

Cassidy said that if Kennedy is confirmed as HHS secretary by the full Senate, he expects Kennedy would support overhauls Cassidy has planned for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the National Institutes of Health.

“We also need to reform institutions, like FDA and NIH, and those, as has already been indicated, are my priorities as chairman of the HELP Committee. I look forward to his support in accomplishing this,” Cassidy said.

Democrats raised their concerns about how Kennedy’s confirmation would impact the country’s public health system, just before the committee voted.

Georgia Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock said that Kennedy is “manifestly unqualified for the job he seeks.”

“We need a serious person at the helm of the HHS, an agency responsible for the health of about half of all Americans,” Warnock said. “Mr. Kennedy appears more obsessed in chasing conspiracy theories than chasing solutions to lower health care costs for working families in Georgia and to make sure that we are protected.

“The last thing we need is a dilettante dabbling in conspiracy theories at HHS.”

North Carolina Republican Sen. Thom Tillis said that he believes Kennedy will “go wild” as HHS Secretary.

“I hope he goes wild and actually finds a way to reduce the cost of health care,” Tillis said. “I hope he goes wild and instead of having the discussions that we have had for the 10 years that I’ve been in the Senate of making Medicaid work and making people on Medicaid healthier, I hope he goes wild and figures out how to do it because the status quo has not achieved much in the way of gain.

“I hope he goes wild on food safety discussions so that we can actually approve our food safety supply.”&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1734473282160.png" alt="Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall and Kennedy during a meeting in December- courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall and Kennedy during a meeting in December- courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">JENNIFER SHUTT</a>&nbsp;WASHINGTON — Robert F. Kennedy Jr. moved one step closer to becoming Health and Human Services secretary on Tuesday after a Senate committee favorably reported his nomination to the floor.The Finance Committee’s 14-13 party-line vote doesn’t necessarily guarantee Kennedy will receive Senate confirmation, though it signals he does have the chance despite decades of spreading false information about vaccine safety.Louisiana Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy, who backed Kennedy in committee, said during a floor speech later Tuesday he had received hundreds of messages personally and thousands into his office expressing strong support from some and dismay from others about the prospect of Kennedy gaining Senate confirmation.“The most notable opponents of Mr. Kennedy were pediatricians on the front lines of our children’s health, who regularly have to combat misinformation,” Cassidy said. “They are aware that children are now contracting diseases that they would not have contracted if the child was vaccinated.”Cassidy, who worked as a physician for decades before becoming a senator, said Kennedy and the Trump administration have assured him they will protect “the public health benefit of vaccination.”“Mr. Kennedy and the administration committed that he and I would have an unprecedentedly close, collaborative, working relationship if he is confirmed,” Cassidy said. “We will meet or speak multiple times a month.”<h2>Pledges by Kennedy</h2>Cassidy said Kennedy and the Trump administration committed that if confirmed, Kennedy would:&nbsp;<ul>
 <li>Work within the current vaccine approval and safety monitoring systems and not establish parallel systems;</li><li>Maintain the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advisory committee on immunization practices recommendations without changes;</li><li>Keep statements on the CDC’s website that state vaccines do not cause autism;</li><li>Provide at least 30 days notice to the HELP Committee if HHS wants to make changes to any of the federal vaccine safety monitoring programs;</li><li>Allow the HELP Committee chairman to choose a representative on any board or commission formed to review vaccine safety; and</li><li>Appear before the HELP Committee on a quarterly basis if requested.</li>
 </ul>“If Mr. Kennedy is confirmed, I will use my authority of the Senate committee with oversight of HHS to rebuff any attempt to remove the public’s access to life-saving vaccines without ironclad causational scientific evidence that can be accepted and defended before the mainstream scientific community and before Congress,” Cassidy said. “I will watch carefully for any effort to wrongly sow public fear about vaccines between confusing references of coincidence and anecdote.”Cassidy said that if Kennedy is confirmed as HHS secretary by the full Senate, he expects Kennedy would support overhauls Cassidy has planned for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the National Institutes of Health.“We also need to reform institutions, like FDA and NIH, and those, as has already been indicated, are my priorities as chairman of the HELP Committee. I look forward to his support in accomplishing this,” Cassidy said.<h2>‘Manifestly unqualified’</h2>Democrats raised their concerns about how Kennedy’s confirmation would impact the country’s public health system, just before the committee voted.Georgia Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock said that Kennedy is “manifestly unqualified for the job he seeks.”“We need a serious person at the helm of the HHS, an agency responsible for the health of about half of all Americans,” Warnock said. “Mr. Kennedy appears more obsessed in chasing conspiracy theories than chasing solutions to lower health care costs for working families in Georgia and to make sure that we are protected.“The last thing we need is a dilettante dabbling in conspiracy theories at HHS.”<h2>‘Go wild’</h2>North Carolina Republican Sen. Thom Tillis said that he believes Kennedy will “go wild” as HHS Secretary.“I hope he goes wild and actually finds a way to reduce the cost of health care,” Tillis said. “I hope he goes wild and instead of having the discussions that we have had for the 10 years that I’ve been in the Senate of making Medicaid work and making people on Medicaid healthier, I hope he goes wild and figures out how to do it because the status quo has not achieved much in the way of gain.“I hope he goes wild on food safety discussions so that we can actually approve our food safety supply.”&nbsp;

RFK Jr. Nomination as Health Secretary Approved by Key U.S. Senate Panel

The young figure skaters whose&nbsp;lives were cut tragically short Wednesday night when an&nbsp;American Airlines flight collided with an Army helicopter&nbsp;and crashed into the Potomac River were just beginning their journeys to stardom.

They were learning how to perfect toe loops and axels, sit spins and step sequences. They had just been to a development camp in Wichita after the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, where they had been learning how to skate with grace and flair.

On Monday, U.S. Figure skating released a video honoring the lives lost.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738593013304.png" alt="Image from the U.S. Figure Skating video" />
 <figcaption>Image from the U.S. Figure Skating video</figcaption>
 </figure>The young figure skaters whose&nbsp;lives were cut tragically short Wednesday night when an&nbsp;American Airlines flight collided with an Army helicopter&nbsp;and crashed into the Potomac River were just beginning their journeys to stardom.They were learning how to perfect toe loops and axels, sit spins and step sequences. They had just been to a development camp in Wichita after the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, where they had been learning how to skate with grace and flair.On Monday, U.S. Figure skating released a video honoring the lives lost.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Honoring those we tragically lost. See below for tributes to our beloved club members. 🖤 ION FSC: <a href="https://t.co/UzVviMzAfJ">https://t.co/UzVviMzAfJ</a> The SC of Boston: <a href="https://t.co/S1rDUZ0QLa">https://t.co/S1rDUZ0QLa</a> SC of Northern Virginia: <a href="https://t.co/6bZ5htFQ0Y">https://t.co/6bZ5htFQ0Y</a> University of Delaware FSC: <a href="https://t.co/XfgjLlwHnP">https://t.co/XfgjLlwHnP</a> Washington… <a href="https://t.co/NtZgm3ImMB">pic.twitter.com/NtZgm3ImMB</a>&mdash; U.S. Figure Skating (@USFigureSkating) <a href="https://twitter.com/USFigureSkating/status/1886384339136491684?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 3, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The AP contributed to this report.

🎥U.S. Figure Skating video honors those lost in mid-air crash

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

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Monday punted for one month his plans to impose sweeping tariffs against Mexico and Canada after both countries agreed to act on his demands to curb drug trafficking and illegal immigration into the United States.

The pauses came as Trump signed a trio of executive orders over the weekend that would kick-start a 25%&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/02/imposing-duties-to-address-the-situation-at-our-southern-border/" target="_blank">tariff on Mexico</a>, a 25% tariff on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/02/imposing-duties-to-address-the-flow-of-illicit-drugs-across-our-national-border/" target="_blank">most goods from Canada</a>&nbsp;and a 10% tariff on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/02/imposing-duties-to-address-the-synthetic-opioid-supply-chain-in-the-peoples-republic-of-china/" target="_blank">imports from China</a>, beginning early Tuesday. The tariff against China remained in place Monday night.

Many economists have&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/01/31/how-tariffs-on-canada-china-and-mexico-may-impact-us-consumers.html" target="_blank">warned</a>&nbsp;about the negative effects such broad tariffs could have on consumers.

Trump imposed the tariffs — a tax on goods that come into the country — in an effort to hold the three countries “accountable to their promises of halting illegal immigration and stopping poisonous fentanyl and other drugs from flowing into our country,” according to a White House&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/02/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-imposes-tariffs-on-imports-from-canada-mexico-and-china/" target="_blank">fact sheet</a>.

Mexico, Canada and China are the United States’ top trading partners. The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/02/02/us/trump-tariffs" target="_blank">three countries</a>&nbsp;had responded to Trump’s plans with their own retaliatory measures.

In a&nbsp;<a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/113942189236610107" target="_blank">post on social media</a>, Trump said “Canada has agreed to ensure we have a secure Northern Border, and to finally end the deadly scourge of drugs like Fentanyl that have been pouring into our Country, killing hundreds of thousands of Americans, while destroying their families and communities all across our Country.”

Trump held two calls Monday with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

After his second call with Trump,&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/JustinTrudeau/status/1886529228193022429" target="_blank">Trudeau said</a>&nbsp;in a social media post that “Canada is implementing our $1.3 billion border plan — reinforcing the border with new choppers, technology and personnel, enhanced coordination with our American partners, and increased resources to stop the flow of fentanyl.”

He said nearly “10,000 frontline personnel are and will be working on protecting the border” and that the country would make new commitments to appoint a “Fentanyl Czar.”

Canada will also “list cartels as terrorists, ensure 24/7 eyes on the border” and “launch a Canada- U.S. Joint Strike Force to combat organized crime, fentanyl and money laundering,” Trudeau said.

“I have also signed a new intelligence directive on organized crime and fentanyl and we will be backing it with $200 million,” he said.&nbsp;

In a&nbsp;<a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/113940711907400754" target="_blank">social media post</a>&nbsp;on Monday, Trump said he had a “very friendly conversation” with Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum and that the two agreed to “immediately pause the anticipated tariffs for a one month period.”

Negotiations led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary nominee Howard Lutnick and “high-level” Mexico representatives would take place during that time, Trump said.

Sheinbaum also agreed to “immediately supply” 10,000 troops to the U.S.-Mexico border in an effort to curb illegal immigration to the United States, in addition to fentanyl smuggling.

Meanwhile, Senate Democrats — including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York; Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota; Ron Wyden of Oregon; Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire; and Angela Alsobrooks of Maryland — underscored how Trump’s tariff plans could hit Americans’ pocketbooks.

“Trump is yet again rigging the same game for his billionaire friends while doing nothing to lower costs for American families,” Schumer said.

“These nonsense tariffs equate to a tax increase on the American people, and the president isn’t just randomly slapping on tariffs — he’s slapping consumers right where it hurts: their wallets,” he added.

Asked about any legislation the Senate Democrats were contemplating, Wyden said “everything is on the table at this point.”

“No president has ever used this particular statute to impose a tariff, and we’ve already got legislation from several Democrats to make sure that it can’t be used as a blank check for the president,” the Oregon Democrat said.

The senators also brought in Ernie Tedeschi, director of economics at the Budget Lab at Yale, which has&nbsp;<a href="https://budgetlab.yale.edu/research/economic-and-fiscal-effects-trump-administrations-proposed-tariffs" target="_blank">conducted its own analysis</a>&nbsp;on the economic and fiscal effects of Trump’s tariff plans regarding Mexico, Canada and China.

“We found that the average price increase was the equivalent of about $1,250 per household in America,” Tedeschi said.

“Now bear in mind that that’s just an average — tariffs are not an equitable tax — they pinch the middle class more than they pinch upper-income households.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738613859631.png" alt="White House photo" />
 <figcaption>White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/shauneen-miranda/">SHAUNEEN MIRANDA</a>WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Monday punted for one month his plans to impose sweeping tariffs against Mexico and Canada after both countries agreed to act on his demands to curb drug trafficking and illegal immigration into the United States.The pauses came as Trump signed a trio of executive orders over the weekend that would kick-start a 25%&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/02/imposing-duties-to-address-the-situation-at-our-southern-border/" target="_blank">tariff on Mexico</a>, a 25% tariff on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/02/imposing-duties-to-address-the-flow-of-illicit-drugs-across-our-national-border/" target="_blank">most goods from Canada</a>&nbsp;and a 10% tariff on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/02/imposing-duties-to-address-the-synthetic-opioid-supply-chain-in-the-peoples-republic-of-china/" target="_blank">imports from China</a>, beginning early Tuesday. The tariff against China remained in place Monday night.Many economists have&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/01/31/how-tariffs-on-canada-china-and-mexico-may-impact-us-consumers.html" target="_blank">warned</a>&nbsp;about the negative effects such broad tariffs could have on consumers.Trump imposed the tariffs — a tax on goods that come into the country — in an effort to hold the three countries “accountable to their promises of halting illegal immigration and stopping poisonous fentanyl and other drugs from flowing into our country,” according to a White House&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/02/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-imposes-tariffs-on-imports-from-canada-mexico-and-china/" target="_blank">fact sheet</a>.Mexico, Canada and China are the United States’ top trading partners. The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/02/02/us/trump-tariffs" target="_blank">three countries</a>&nbsp;had responded to Trump’s plans with their own retaliatory measures.<h2>Two calls with Trudeau</h2>In a&nbsp;<a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/113942189236610107" target="_blank">post on social media</a>, Trump said “Canada has agreed to ensure we have a secure Northern Border, and to finally end the deadly scourge of drugs like Fentanyl that have been pouring into our Country, killing hundreds of thousands of Americans, while destroying their families and communities all across our Country.”Trump held two calls Monday with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.After his second call with Trump,&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/JustinTrudeau/status/1886529228193022429" target="_blank">Trudeau said</a>&nbsp;in a social media post that “Canada is implementing our $1.3 billion border plan — reinforcing the border with new choppers, technology and personnel, enhanced coordination with our American partners, and increased resources to stop the flow of fentanyl.”He said nearly “10,000 frontline personnel are and will be working on protecting the border” and that the country would make new commitments to appoint a “Fentanyl Czar.”Canada will also “list cartels as terrorists, ensure 24/7 eyes on the border” and “launch a Canada- U.S. Joint Strike Force to combat organized crime, fentanyl and money laundering,” Trudeau said.“I have also signed a new intelligence directive on organized crime and fentanyl and we will be backing it with $200 million,” he said.&nbsp;<h2>Negotiations with Mexico</h2>In a&nbsp;<a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/113940711907400754" target="_blank">social media post</a>&nbsp;on Monday, Trump said he had a “very friendly conversation” with Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum and that the two agreed to “immediately pause the anticipated tariffs for a one month period.”Negotiations led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary nominee Howard Lutnick and “high-level” Mexico representatives would take place during that time, Trump said.Sheinbaum also agreed to “immediately supply” 10,000 troops to the U.S.-Mexico border in an effort to curb illegal immigration to the United States, in addition to fentanyl smuggling.<h2>Senate Dems on tariff impacts</h2>Meanwhile, Senate Democrats — including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York; Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota; Ron Wyden of Oregon; Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire; and Angela Alsobrooks of Maryland — underscored how Trump’s tariff plans could hit Americans’ pocketbooks.“Trump is yet again rigging the same game for his billionaire friends while doing nothing to lower costs for American families,” Schumer said.“These nonsense tariffs equate to a tax increase on the American people, and the president isn’t just randomly slapping on tariffs — he’s slapping consumers right where it hurts: their wallets,” he added.Asked about any legislation the Senate Democrats were contemplating, Wyden said “everything is on the table at this point.”“No president has ever used this particular statute to impose a tariff, and we’ve already got legislation from several Democrats to make sure that it can’t be used as a blank check for the president,” the Oregon Democrat said.The senators also brought in Ernie Tedeschi, director of economics at the Budget Lab at Yale, which has&nbsp;<a href="https://budgetlab.yale.edu/research/economic-and-fiscal-effects-trump-administrations-proposed-tariffs" target="_blank">conducted its own analysis</a>&nbsp;on the economic and fiscal effects of Trump’s tariff plans regarding Mexico, Canada and China.“We found that the average price increase was the equivalent of about $1,250 per household in America,” Tedeschi said.“Now bear in mind that that’s just an average — tariffs are not an equitable tax — they pinch the middle class more than they pinch upper-income households.”

Donald Trump Punts on Big Tariffs Against Canada and Mexico

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/02/03/bill-would-create-new-fund-using-private-donations-for-nebraska-individuals-with-disabilities/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — Nebraskans with disabilities would be able to apply for expanded savings accounts propelled by tax breaks for private donations to a new state fund aimed at boosting them, under a new legislative proposal.

<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=59009" target="_blank">Legislative Bill 391</a>, from State Sen. Dave Murman of Glenvil, would adopt the Give to Enable Scholarship Act. It would expand the current&nbsp;<a href="https://treasurer.nebraska.gov/able/" target="_blank">Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Program</a>, federally enacted in 2014 and authorized in Nebraska the following year, by&nbsp;creating a new fund to supplement the private donations already made to individual savings accounts used to pay for disability-related expenses.

Individual savings accounts for those expenses can already be created today, and donations to those accounts are tax-deductible, up to $5,000 a year per donor. Murman’s bill seeks to draw more donations from donors who could choose to support the broader pool of account holders, rather than an individual.

Individuals with disabilities are limited in assets or savings they can have in their name before eligibility for benefits like Medicaid or Social Security Income is impacted —&nbsp;$2,000 —&nbsp;under federal law.

Up to $100,000 can be included in Enable Savings Accounts before benefits are impacted.&nbsp;

“The Enable Savings Plan has been life-changing for many Nebraskans with disabilities, having a place to save money, no longer having to needlessly spend money to keep under resource limits, encouraging independence and building confidence,” Murman told the Revenue Committee at a public hearing Thursday.

Eligible individuals can open an ABLE account at any time if the person’s disability exists when the account is opened and the onset of the disability happened prior to the individual’s 26th birthday (or 46th birthday, come Jan. 1, 2026).

<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=77-1401" target="_blank">Qualified disability expenses</a>&nbsp;include:

Murman pointed to service dogs or handicapped-accessible vehicles as examples of costs people might use the expanded accounts for, which are expensive but might not be covered by insurance.

Edison McDonald, executive director of the Arc of Nebraska, the largest statewide organization supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, said the bill would strengthen financial stability for individuals with disabilities.

He said it would also increase opportunity and reinforce Nebraska’s place in disability inclusion.

“The Enable Savings Plan has been an essential tool for promoting self-sufficiency, and LB 391 is a natural extension of that success,” McDonald said.

Because the bill included “scholarship” in its title, it&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/01/28/nebraska-school-choice-supporters-opponents-ready-for-another-rematch/">concerned some opponents of private school vouchers</a>.&nbsp;

McDonald said that while the accounts can be used for education expenses, it is “not a back-door attempt” to vouchers, which the Arc of Nebraska opposes.

He said the law offers a “fiscally responsible, community-driven solution that expands opportunities without additional government spending programs.”

Stacy Pfeifer, who manages the Nebraska ABLE Program in the State Treasurer’s Office, said her agency is currently managing nearly 4,000 accounts with more than $49 million in assets.

About 68% of those accounts, and 66% of assets, belong to Nebraska residents.&nbsp;

That’s because when the state first enacted the federal law in 2015, it was among the first in the nation, and people around the country utilized and have continued to utilize the Nebraska benefits.

“The Nebraska Treasurer’s Office is honored and humbled to be able to help individuals in this way, and we look forward to helping them more,” Pfeifer said.

Preifer said one-fifth of Nebraskans with disabilities, ages 18 to 64, live in poverty. At the same time, it costs about 28% more for individuals with a disability to live in Nebraska.

The legislation would be a next step for the Treasurer’s Office in expanding the ABLE Program, after launching an&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/08/14/nebraska-treasurer-launches-crowdfunding-website-as-savings-program-for-people-with-disabilities/">online crowdfunding program</a>&nbsp;in August, allowing donations to similar savings accounts&nbsp;for specific high-dollar expenses, such as service dog training.

Pfeifer said some individuals in poverty don’t have the means to participate in that program but that the application process for the pooled program could help the Treasurer’s Office reach more people.

If enacted, LB 391 would take effect Jan. 1, 2026. Individuals could apply for an account in the first five months of each year, and the state treasurer could approve as many applications for the program as funds allow.&nbsp;

“The Enable Program is, for some Nebraska families, not just another benefit but an economic lifeline, and, as the name implies, a way to empower Nebraskans to achieve a better life experience,” Murman said. “This bill is just one of the ways I hope we can strengthen it.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738597431473.jpeg" alt=" Nebraska's version of a federal savings plan for people with disabilities is the "Enable Savings Plan." It was expanded to include a state-sponsored crowdfunding website and could soon include a dedicated state fund for broader tax-deductible donations. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption> Nebraska's version of a federal savings plan for people with disabilities is the "Enable Savings Plan." It was expanded to include a state-sponsored crowdfunding website and could soon include a dedicated state fund for broader tax-deductible donations. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Zach Wendling<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/02/03/bill-would-create-new-fund-using-private-donations-for-nebraska-individuals-with-disabilities/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — Nebraskans with disabilities would be able to apply for expanded savings accounts propelled by tax breaks for private donations to a new state fund aimed at boosting them, under a new legislative proposal.<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=59009" target="_blank">Legislative Bill 391</a>, from State Sen. Dave Murman of Glenvil, would adopt the Give to Enable Scholarship Act. It would expand the current&nbsp;<a href="https://treasurer.nebraska.gov/able/" target="_blank">Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Program</a>, federally enacted in 2014 and authorized in Nebraska the following year, by&nbsp;creating a new fund to supplement the private donations already made to individual savings accounts used to pay for disability-related expenses.Individual savings accounts for those expenses can already be created today, and donations to those accounts are tax-deductible, up to $5,000 a year per donor. Murman’s bill seeks to draw more donations from donors who could choose to support the broader pool of account holders, rather than an individual.Individuals with disabilities are limited in assets or savings they can have in their name before eligibility for benefits like Medicaid or Social Security Income is impacted —&nbsp;$2,000 —&nbsp;under federal law.Up to $100,000 can be included in Enable Savings Accounts before benefits are impacted.&nbsp;“The Enable Savings Plan has been life-changing for many Nebraskans with disabilities, having a place to save money, no longer having to needlessly spend money to keep under resource limits, encouraging independence and building confidence,” Murman told the Revenue Committee at a public hearing Thursday.Eligible individuals can open an ABLE account at any time if the person’s disability exists when the account is opened and the onset of the disability happened prior to the individual’s 26th birthday (or 46th birthday, come Jan. 1, 2026).<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=77-1401" target="_blank">Qualified disability expenses</a>&nbsp;include:<ul>
 <li>Education.</li><li>Housing.</li><li>Transportation.</li><li>Employment training and support.</li><li>Assistive technology and personal support services.</li><li>Health, prevention and wellness.</li><li>Financial management and administrative services.</li><li>Legal fees.</li><li>Expenses for oversight and monitoring</li><li>Funeral and burial services.</li>
 </ul>Murman pointed to service dogs or handicapped-accessible vehicles as examples of costs people might use the expanded accounts for, which are expensive but might not be covered by insurance.Edison McDonald, executive director of the Arc of Nebraska, the largest statewide organization supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, said the bill would strengthen financial stability for individuals with disabilities.He said it would also increase opportunity and reinforce Nebraska’s place in disability inclusion.“The Enable Savings Plan has been an essential tool for promoting self-sufficiency, and LB 391 is a natural extension of that success,” McDonald said.Because the bill included “scholarship” in its title, it&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/01/28/nebraska-school-choice-supporters-opponents-ready-for-another-rematch/">concerned some opponents of private school vouchers</a>.&nbsp;McDonald said that while the accounts can be used for education expenses, it is “not a back-door attempt” to vouchers, which the Arc of Nebraska opposes.He said the law offers a “fiscally responsible, community-driven solution that expands opportunities without additional government spending programs.”Stacy Pfeifer, who manages the Nebraska ABLE Program in the State Treasurer’s Office, said her agency is currently managing nearly 4,000 accounts with more than $49 million in assets.About 68% of those accounts, and 66% of assets, belong to Nebraska residents.&nbsp;That’s because when the state first enacted the federal law in 2015, it was among the first in the nation, and people around the country utilized and have continued to utilize the Nebraska benefits.“The Nebraska Treasurer’s Office is honored and humbled to be able to help individuals in this way, and we look forward to helping them more,” Pfeifer said.Preifer said one-fifth of Nebraskans with disabilities, ages 18 to 64, live in poverty. At the same time, it costs about 28% more for individuals with a disability to live in Nebraska.The legislation would be a next step for the Treasurer’s Office in expanding the ABLE Program, after launching an&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/08/14/nebraska-treasurer-launches-crowdfunding-website-as-savings-program-for-people-with-disabilities/">online crowdfunding program</a>&nbsp;in August, allowing donations to similar savings accounts&nbsp;for specific high-dollar expenses, such as service dog training.Pfeifer said some individuals in poverty don’t have the means to participate in that program but that the application process for the pooled program could help the Treasurer’s Office reach more people.If enacted, LB 391 would take effect Jan. 1, 2026. Individuals could apply for an account in the first five months of each year, and the state treasurer could approve as many applications for the program as funds allow.&nbsp;“The Enable Program is, for some Nebraska families, not just another benefit but an economic lifeline, and, as the name implies, a way to empower Nebraskans to achieve a better life experience,” Murman said. “This bill is just one of the ways I hope we can strengthen it.”

Bill Would Create New Donation Fund for Nebraskans with Disabilities

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/applications-sought-for-next-nebraska-hall-of-fame-inductee/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — State officials have begun the process of choosing the next member of the Nebraska Hall of Fame.

The commission that makes the selection called Friday for nominations to begin for the next inductee, who would join the hall in 2029.

Sara Crook, who chairs the Nebraska Hall of Fame Commission, said that the process of choosing a new member for the hall is intended to be “slow and deliberative,” thus the process is starting now.

The Hall of Fame, located in the State Capitol, is designed to “bring to public attention and to recognize officially those people who, in their lives, have achieved prominence and who were outstanding Nebraskans,” according to a release from the Nebraska State Historical Society.

To be inducted, a person must have either been born in Nebraska, gained prominence while living in the state, or have lived in Nebraska, and that was an important influence on their lives and their greatness.

Currently, there are 27 members of the Nebraska Hall of Fame, whose busts are displayed in the Capitol. The last inductee was civil rights leader Malcolm X, whose bust was installed last year.

In 1998, the State Legislature amended the requirements to be inducted, limiting it to one person every five years and requiring that an inductee be deceased for a minimum of 35 years. Nominations will be accepted until Dec. 31, 2026.

For more information, or to get an application form, visit the website:&nbsp;<a href="https://history.nebraska.gov/nebraska-hall-of-fame/" target="_blank">https://history.nebraska.gov/nebraska-hall-of-fame/</a>. Applications and required references can be returned to the Nebraska State Historical Society,1500 R St., Lincoln, NE 68508.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738597335455.jpeg" alt="A bust sculpture of Malcolm X was unveiled at his May 2024 induction into the Nebraska Hall of Fame. The art was designed by Lincoln artist Nathan Murray, who is shown here with Malcolm X’s daughter Ilyasah Shabazz (right of the bust) and JoAnna LeFlore-Ejike, executive director of the Malcolm X Memorial Foundation. The bust’s permanent spot is in a hallway of the State Capitol, with other Hall of Fame busts. (Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>A bust sculpture of Malcolm X was unveiled at his May 2024 induction into the Nebraska Hall of Fame. The art was designed by Lincoln artist Nathan Murray, who is shown here with Malcolm X’s daughter Ilyasah Shabazz (right of the bust) and JoAnna LeFlore-Ejike, executive director of the Malcolm X Memorial Foundation. The bust’s permanent spot is in a hallway of the State Capitol, with other Hall of Fame busts. (Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Nebraska Examiner Staff<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/applications-sought-for-next-nebraska-hall-of-fame-inductee/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — State officials have begun the process of choosing the next member of the Nebraska Hall of Fame.The commission that makes the selection called Friday for nominations to begin for the next inductee, who would join the hall in 2029.Sara Crook, who chairs the Nebraska Hall of Fame Commission, said that the process of choosing a new member for the hall is intended to be “slow and deliberative,” thus the process is starting now.The Hall of Fame, located in the State Capitol, is designed to “bring to public attention and to recognize officially those people who, in their lives, have achieved prominence and who were outstanding Nebraskans,” according to a release from the Nebraska State Historical Society.To be inducted, a person must have either been born in Nebraska, gained prominence while living in the state, or have lived in Nebraska, and that was an important influence on their lives and their greatness.Currently, there are 27 members of the Nebraska Hall of Fame, whose busts are displayed in the Capitol. The last inductee was civil rights leader Malcolm X, whose bust was installed last year.In 1998, the State Legislature amended the requirements to be inducted, limiting it to one person every five years and requiring that an inductee be deceased for a minimum of 35 years. Nominations will be accepted until Dec. 31, 2026.For more information, or to get an application form, visit the website:&nbsp;<a href="https://history.nebraska.gov/nebraska-hall-of-fame/" target="_blank">https://history.nebraska.gov/nebraska-hall-of-fame/</a>. Applications and required references can be returned to the Nebraska State Historical Society,1500 R St., Lincoln, NE 68508.

Applications Sought for Next Nebraska Hall of Fame Inductee

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/02/03/school-retirement-changes-to-play-role-in-nebraska-school-funding-budget-conversations/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN —&nbsp;Public school teachers statewide say they are alarmed at a legislative proposal led by Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen to change how much the state annually puts into its school retirement plan.

<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=59645" target="_blank">Legislative Bill 645</a>, introduced by State Sen. Beau Ballard of Lincoln at Pillen’s request, would create stepped-down contribution levels from the state to the&nbsp;<a href="https://npers.ne.gov/SelfService/public/planInformation/school/schoolPlanInfo.jsp" target="_blank">school retirement plan</a>, depending on the actuarial funding level of the pension plan. The state currently gives 2% of the payroll for school employees statewide each year — about $50 million.

Ballard’s bill would maintain that funding level if the plan drops below 92% funded. It is currently 99.9% funded and growing, funded at about $16.3 billion as of July of last year. The goal is to divert the contribution amount to other education-related investments, including school finance reform.

If the pension plan is fully funded, the state would not contribute to the plan unless it drops below 100%, which would adjust depending on the level of funding.

The following ratios would determine the state’s contribution, under Legislative Bill 645:

The pension plan includes all eligible public K-12 school employees except those from Omaha Public Schools, the state’s largest public school district, who are&nbsp;<a href="https://npers.ne.gov/SelfService/public/planInformation/omahaSchool/omahaSchoolPlanInfo.jsp" target="_blank">covered under a different plan</a>.

School employees give 9.78% of their salaries toward the pension fund, and local school districts match 9.88% of their employee salaries.

The Nebraska State Education Association, which represents more than 26,000 public school teachers, raised alarm about the legislation shortly after it was introduced, stating in a call to action to members that it could “raid” pensions and undermine the plan’s financial health.

“The 2% state contribution is more than a budgetary item,” the NSEA wrote. “It is a cornerstone of the secure retirement that Nebraska’s educators have worked so hard to protect.”

The estimated payroll for teachers in Nebraska, as of July 1, 2024, was $2.5 billion annually. That means the plan took in $543 million in direct contributions — about $50 million from the state, $245 million from employees and $248 million from school districts in the most recent year.&nbsp;

Tim Royers, president of the union, said a chief concern is that the state and teacher contribution levels today were negotiated&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=18547" target="_blank">12 years ago</a>, when the plan was about 75% funded and the plan faced a $108 million shortfall that, under law, the state had to fill.

Instead, school employees stepped in to fill more than 80% of the hole, which was part of negotiations with lawmakers, including the Nebraska Retirement Systems Committee that Ballard now chairs and representatives from the&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/?attachment_id=27774">NSEA, Nebraska Council of School Administrators, Nebraska Association of School Boards and Nebraska Rural Community Schools Association</a>.

The end result, which passed over a governor’s veto, included maintaining employee contributions near 10% and increasing the state contribution level from 1% to 2% of employee payroll.&nbsp;Employee, employer and state contributions were previously set to come down to lower levels in 2017.

The requirement for weekly hours worked to qualify for the plan also increased from at least 15 hours to 20, and new employees received reduced benefits, such as smaller cost-of-living adjustments.

John Heineman,&nbsp;the president of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nsea.org/retired" target="_blank">NSEA-Retired</a>&nbsp;who has 38 years&nbsp;of teaching experience in speech, theater and physical education,&nbsp;nearly all with Lincoln Public Schools,&nbsp;said members are “up in arms” because of the success of the 2013 deal.

“My pension is going to be very secure, but those entering in the state of Nebraska are put at risk by this lack of support for our teachers across the state,” Heineman, the 2000 Nebraska Teacher of the Year, said.

“It’s not broken — don’t fix it,” he said of the retirement plan. “Keep it strong. Keep it attractive to teachers.”

Bailey Smith, who is in her ninth year of teaching, and second year at Eustis-Farnam Public Schools teaching second grade, echoed Heineman that as a teacher near the start of her career, she doesn’t think too much about retiring, other than it being a goal for the future.

“Then this all comes out and it’s like, ‘Wait a minute, I do want to retire,’” Smith said of the legislation. “All of a sudden it seems like this is in jeopardy.”

The governor wants to move the annual $50 million the state puts into the school pensions plan toward stabilizing year-over-year state funding to K-12 school districts, which could, in turn, increase teacher pay and support school districts that have lost state aid funding as property valuations increase.

Kenny Zoeller, director of the governor’s Policy Research Office, said that to call the proposal a “raid” is “disingenuous and, frankly, a flat-out lie.” He stressed that the funds would go toward education investments and not to the state’s $432 million projected budget shortfall.

Ballard and Zoeller said there was never an intention to dip into the retirement fund. Instead, Ballard, Pillen and Zoeller said the bill was about starting a conversation about the future of its needs as the plan nears 100% funding.

“This was meant to show, ‘Hey, this is what we’re paying now, can we stair step down?’” Ballard said.

“We’re not going in and clawing out money they have contributed to the fund,” Ballard added. “I don’t want teachers to lose any retirement funding.”

The state will give 2% of employee pay this year, no matter if Ballard’s bill passes.

Ballard said he is reading and listening to the concerns of hundreds of educators who are reaching out to him and said his chief goal is “keeping teachers whole.”

“This is not touching the hard-working dollars that our men and women who educate Nebraskans put into their retirement fund,” Zoeller said. “We are talking about future dollars, prospective dollars, that the state puts in, not what the employee puts in, not what the employer puts in.”

The stair-stepped formula — by kicking in more state investment when it is needed — would also help ensure the plan is healthy, Zoeller said, “so that way our teachers can enjoy this enhanced public benefit.”

State Sen. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln, the longest current tenured member of the Legislature in her 11th year, said she also has heard from hundreds of teachers —&nbsp;rural, urban, progressive, conservative, nonpolitical, retired and active —&nbsp;who are “shocked” at the policy suggestion.

“There was no need to rush forward with any sort of major changes to our teacher retirement plan,” Conrad said.

Conrad and Ballard&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/01/07/breaking-down-contested-committee-chair-races-in-the-nebraska-legislature/">competed for chair of the Retirement Committee last month</a>, a committee she had served on during the final years of her first stint in the Legislature, in 2013 and 2014. This is Ballard’s first year on the committee. She said lawmakers can have robust conversations and prepare for proposals but said that didn’t happen this time.

“That’s just caused so much unnecessary heartache and anguish and angst for those who are committed to public service and who are on the front lines of our great public schools,” Conrad said.

Paul Schulte, vice president of NSEA and a fourth grade teacher at Bryan Elementary in Millard Public Schools in his 26th year of teaching said the state should negotiate such changes.

He said the legislation feels like retribution for the NSEA and other public school advocates fighting laws that diverted public dollars to help cover the cost of attendance at private schools.

“It feels like we are being attacked for being diligent and putting almost two years into working within our rights as Nebraska citizens — we have the right to repeal a bill, and we did it successfully,” Schulte said.

Conrad said it’s important that pension plan progress made since 2013 isn’t undone in a “willy nilly fashion,” adding she hopes Pillen and Ballard “fully retreat from this misguided proposal” that she has already pledged to filibuster if needed. She urged teachers to continue speaking up.

“I think it’s wrong to play political games and settle political scores with promises that we’ve made to Nebraska teachers,” Conrad said.

The governor’s office and Ballard have said the only focus of their push is the funding level, not politics.

Royers and other teachers said the state could instead — or also — work to reduce teachers’ contribution levels, which are also set in law, or increase benefits for teachers who have started since 2013 to match those of more experienced K-12 employees.

“This is an opportunity to increase take-home pay without actually having to raise [property tax] levies or do anything else,” Royers said.

Ballard and Zoeller said they’re open to possibly reducing the contribution levels for teachers. Zoeller said the governor’s “North Star” is how the state keeps the plan healthy in a way that is an efficient use of taxpayer funds.

Pillen said during his monthly radio call-in show last week that it isn’t fiscally responsible to continue contributing money to a plan when it’s at or above 100% funded. He said the plan is “very, very safe.”

Besides the Omaha school retirement plan, which is now managed by the state but funded by the school district, lawmakers annually make mandatory state contributions to judges’ retirement funds. Those pensions are mostly paid by court fees.

The judges’ retirement plan has sat at more than 100% funded for multiple years but still receives $1.4 million from the state at a level set by law.

According to the&nbsp;<a href="https://npers.ne.gov/SelfService/public/howto/publications/ActuarialReports/ActuarySchool2024.pdf" target="_blank">most recent actuarial study of the school retirement plan</a>, completed in November, the retirement plan is taking in about 6.61% more in contributions than the minimum level needed under state law, before the state must kick in additional funds.

However, the study cautions that the additional funds might be needed and “should not be viewed as an unnecessary or excess contribution” because future contributions or investments could dip below projections.

Before Ballard’s bill could take effect, a new actuarial study would need to be completed to assess the impacts of any changed contribution levels.

Conrad said it would be “foolish” to rush ahead without clearly understanding the possible impacts of the new presidential administration on market returns or volatility.

Smith said public schools are about giving every student the opportunity to learn regardless of learning abilities, background or demographics. She said being a safe person for some children who might need that support most “is just probably the privilege of a lifetime.”

“I don’t take lightly that you play, especially in elementary school, that you play such a very vital role in these children’s education and their childhood,” Smith said.

Retirement is supposed to honor that dedication, she said, and help teachers “move on with your second step of life.” She said the legislation feels like it’s cutting into that agreement.

Royers said he and others tried to negotiate behind closed doors before drawing public attention to the proposal, but they still hope to find a path forward.

Ballard said he’s willing to work with the NSEA on the work-in-progress legislation, too.

“This is an important opportunity, given the health of our retirement system, I don’t want to squander that opportunity with infighting and bickering and people holding their grounds,” Royers said. “We will continue to be an open door to compromise and working with them.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738597216368.jpeg" alt=" The Nebraska State Education Association, along with other public schools advocates, rally at the Nebraska State Capitol. April 20, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption> The Nebraska State Education Association, along with other public schools advocates, rally at the Nebraska State Capitol. April 20, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Zach Wendling<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/02/03/school-retirement-changes-to-play-role-in-nebraska-school-funding-budget-conversations/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN —&nbsp;Public school teachers statewide say they are alarmed at a legislative proposal led by Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen to change how much the state annually puts into its school retirement plan.<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=59645" target="_blank">Legislative Bill 645</a>, introduced by State Sen. Beau Ballard of Lincoln at Pillen’s request, would create stepped-down contribution levels from the state to the&nbsp;<a href="https://npers.ne.gov/SelfService/public/planInformation/school/schoolPlanInfo.jsp" target="_blank">school retirement plan</a>, depending on the actuarial funding level of the pension plan. The state currently gives 2% of the payroll for school employees statewide each year — about $50 million.Ballard’s bill would maintain that funding level if the plan drops below 92% funded. It is currently 99.9% funded and growing, funded at about $16.3 billion as of July of last year. The goal is to divert the contribution amount to other education-related investments, including school finance reform.If the pension plan is fully funded, the state would not contribute to the plan unless it drops below 100%, which would adjust depending on the level of funding.<h2>Proposed stair-step contribution levels</h2>The following ratios would determine the state’s contribution, under Legislative Bill 645:<ul>
 <li>Less than 92% funded: 2% state contribution.</li><li>Between 92% and less than 94%: 1.6% state contribution.</li><li>Between 94% and less than 96%: 1.2% state contribution.</li><li>Between 96% and less than 98%: 0.8% state contribution.</li><li>Between 98% and less than 100%: 0.4% state contribution.</li><li>Fully funded: no state contribution.</li>
 </ul>The pension plan includes all eligible public K-12 school employees except those from Omaha Public Schools, the state’s largest public school district, who are&nbsp;<a href="https://npers.ne.gov/SelfService/public/planInformation/omahaSchool/omahaSchoolPlanInfo.jsp" target="_blank">covered under a different plan</a>.School employees give 9.78% of their salaries toward the pension fund, and local school districts match 9.88% of their employee salaries.The Nebraska State Education Association, which represents more than 26,000 public school teachers, raised alarm about the legislation shortly after it was introduced, stating in a call to action to members that it could “raid” pensions and undermine the plan’s financial health.“The 2% state contribution is more than a budgetary item,” the NSEA wrote. “It is a cornerstone of the secure retirement that Nebraska’s educators have worked so hard to protect.”The estimated payroll for teachers in Nebraska, as of July 1, 2024, was $2.5 billion annually. That means the plan took in $543 million in direct contributions — about $50 million from the state, $245 million from employees and $248 million from school districts in the most recent year.&nbsp;<h2>A plan in ‘jeopardy’</h2>Tim Royers, president of the union, said a chief concern is that the state and teacher contribution levels today were negotiated&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=18547" target="_blank">12 years ago</a>, when the plan was about 75% funded and the plan faced a $108 million shortfall that, under law, the state had to fill.Instead, school employees stepped in to fill more than 80% of the hole, which was part of negotiations with lawmakers, including the Nebraska Retirement Systems Committee that Ballard now chairs and representatives from the&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/?attachment_id=27774">NSEA, Nebraska Council of School Administrators, Nebraska Association of School Boards and Nebraska Rural Community Schools Association</a>.The end result, which passed over a governor’s veto, included maintaining employee contributions near 10% and increasing the state contribution level from 1% to 2% of employee payroll.&nbsp;Employee, employer and state contributions were previously set to come down to lower levels in 2017.The requirement for weekly hours worked to qualify for the plan also increased from at least 15 hours to 20, and new employees received reduced benefits, such as smaller cost-of-living adjustments.John Heineman,&nbsp;the president of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nsea.org/retired" target="_blank">NSEA-Retired</a>&nbsp;who has 38 years&nbsp;of teaching experience in speech, theater and physical education,&nbsp;nearly all with Lincoln Public Schools,&nbsp;said members are “up in arms” because of the success of the 2013 deal.“My pension is going to be very secure, but those entering in the state of Nebraska are put at risk by this lack of support for our teachers across the state,” Heineman, the 2000 Nebraska Teacher of the Year, said.“It’s not broken — don’t fix it,” he said of the retirement plan. “Keep it strong. Keep it attractive to teachers.”Bailey Smith, who is in her ninth year of teaching, and second year at Eustis-Farnam Public Schools teaching second grade, echoed Heineman that as a teacher near the start of her career, she doesn’t think too much about retiring, other than it being a goal for the future.“Then this all comes out and it’s like, ‘Wait a minute, I do want to retire,’” Smith said of the legislation. “All of a sudden it seems like this is in jeopardy.”<h2>Intent of the legislation</h2>The governor wants to move the annual $50 million the state puts into the school pensions plan toward stabilizing year-over-year state funding to K-12 school districts, which could, in turn, increase teacher pay and support school districts that have lost state aid funding as property valuations increase.Kenny Zoeller, director of the governor’s Policy Research Office, said that to call the proposal a “raid” is “disingenuous and, frankly, a flat-out lie.” He stressed that the funds would go toward education investments and not to the state’s $432 million projected budget shortfall.Ballard and Zoeller said there was never an intention to dip into the retirement fund. Instead, Ballard, Pillen and Zoeller said the bill was about starting a conversation about the future of its needs as the plan nears 100% funding.“This was meant to show, ‘Hey, this is what we’re paying now, can we stair step down?’” Ballard said.“We’re not going in and clawing out money they have contributed to the fund,” Ballard added. “I don’t want teachers to lose any retirement funding.”The state will give 2% of employee pay this year, no matter if Ballard’s bill passes.Ballard said he is reading and listening to the concerns of hundreds of educators who are reaching out to him and said his chief goal is “keeping teachers whole.”“This is not touching the hard-working dollars that our men and women who educate Nebraskans put into their retirement fund,” Zoeller said. “We are talking about future dollars, prospective dollars, that the state puts in, not what the employee puts in, not what the employer puts in.”The stair-stepped formula — by kicking in more state investment when it is needed — would also help ensure the plan is healthy, Zoeller said, “so that way our teachers can enjoy this enhanced public benefit.”<h2>‘No need to rush forward’</h2>State Sen. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln, the longest current tenured member of the Legislature in her 11th year, said she also has heard from hundreds of teachers —&nbsp;rural, urban, progressive, conservative, nonpolitical, retired and active —&nbsp;who are “shocked” at the policy suggestion.“There was no need to rush forward with any sort of major changes to our teacher retirement plan,” Conrad said.Conrad and Ballard&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/01/07/breaking-down-contested-committee-chair-races-in-the-nebraska-legislature/">competed for chair of the Retirement Committee last month</a>, a committee she had served on during the final years of her first stint in the Legislature, in 2013 and 2014. This is Ballard’s first year on the committee. She said lawmakers can have robust conversations and prepare for proposals but said that didn’t happen this time.“That’s just caused so much unnecessary heartache and anguish and angst for those who are committed to public service and who are on the front lines of our great public schools,” Conrad said.Paul Schulte, vice president of NSEA and a fourth grade teacher at Bryan Elementary in Millard Public Schools in his 26th year of teaching said the state should negotiate such changes.He said the legislation feels like retribution for the NSEA and other public school advocates fighting laws that diverted public dollars to help cover the cost of attendance at private schools.“It feels like we are being attacked for being diligent and putting almost two years into working within our rights as Nebraska citizens — we have the right to repeal a bill, and we did it successfully,” Schulte said.Conrad said it’s important that pension plan progress made since 2013 isn’t undone in a “willy nilly fashion,” adding she hopes Pillen and Ballard “fully retreat from this misguided proposal” that she has already pledged to filibuster if needed. She urged teachers to continue speaking up.“I think it’s wrong to play political games and settle political scores with promises that we’ve made to Nebraska teachers,” Conrad said.The governor’s office and Ballard have said the only focus of their push is the funding level, not politics.<h2>A recent actuarial study</h2>Royers and other teachers said the state could instead — or also — work to reduce teachers’ contribution levels, which are also set in law, or increase benefits for teachers who have started since 2013 to match those of more experienced K-12 employees.“This is an opportunity to increase take-home pay without actually having to raise [property tax] levies or do anything else,” Royers said.Ballard and Zoeller said they’re open to possibly reducing the contribution levels for teachers. Zoeller said the governor’s “North Star” is how the state keeps the plan healthy in a way that is an efficient use of taxpayer funds.Pillen said during his monthly radio call-in show last week that it isn’t fiscally responsible to continue contributing money to a plan when it’s at or above 100% funded. He said the plan is “very, very safe.”Besides the Omaha school retirement plan, which is now managed by the state but funded by the school district, lawmakers annually make mandatory state contributions to judges’ retirement funds. Those pensions are mostly paid by court fees.The judges’ retirement plan has sat at more than 100% funded for multiple years but still receives $1.4 million from the state at a level set by law.According to the&nbsp;<a href="https://npers.ne.gov/SelfService/public/howto/publications/ActuarialReports/ActuarySchool2024.pdf" target="_blank">most recent actuarial study of the school retirement plan</a>, completed in November, the retirement plan is taking in about 6.61% more in contributions than the minimum level needed under state law, before the state must kick in additional funds.However, the study cautions that the additional funds might be needed and “should not be viewed as an unnecessary or excess contribution” because future contributions or investments could dip below projections.Before Ballard’s bill could take effect, a new actuarial study would need to be completed to assess the impacts of any changed contribution levels.Conrad said it would be “foolish” to rush ahead without clearly understanding the possible impacts of the new presidential administration on market returns or volatility.<h2>‘Open door to compromise’</h2>Smith said public schools are about giving every student the opportunity to learn regardless of learning abilities, background or demographics. She said being a safe person for some children who might need that support most “is just probably the privilege of a lifetime.”“I don’t take lightly that you play, especially in elementary school, that you play such a very vital role in these children’s education and their childhood,” Smith said.Retirement is supposed to honor that dedication, she said, and help teachers “move on with your second step of life.” She said the legislation feels like it’s cutting into that agreement.Royers said he and others tried to negotiate behind closed doors before drawing public attention to the proposal, but they still hope to find a path forward.Ballard said he’s willing to work with the NSEA on the work-in-progress legislation, too.“This is an important opportunity, given the health of our retirement system, I don’t want to squander that opportunity with infighting and bickering and people holding their grounds,” Royers said. “We will continue to be an open door to compromise and working with them.”