BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/darrell-ehrlick/">DARRELL EHRLICK</a>

Nine states, including Kansas, are challenging an executive order by President Joe Biden that would enlist federal agencies to help register residents to vote, and those states say the order undermines their power to control elections, calling it a federally subsidized program aimed at boosting Democratic and left-leaning blocs.

Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach and Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen filed the federal lawsuit in court in Wichita. The nine states are Montana, Kansas, Iowa, South Dakota, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Carolina.

The heart of the lawsuit is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/03/07/executive-order-on-promoting-access-to-voting/" target="_blank">Executive Order 14019</a>, which was issued on March 10, 2021, and directs federal agencies to “consider ways to expand citizens’ opportunities to register to vote and to obtain information about, and participate in, the electoral process.”

The states challenging the executive order say that Biden converts various federal agencies, turning them in part into “a voter registration organization” illegally. The attorneys general say that elections, including voter registration, are solely the province of states, guaranteed by the Tenth Amendment of the United States Constitution.

Moreover, the states said that it’s an example of the federal government trying to usurp the sovereignty of the states, and giving the states no other choice than to resort to federal court. The lawsuit said the states were never invited into the process, never allowed to comment, and they accuse the Biden administration of hiding the plans.

“In response to requests under the Freedom of Information Act, the Biden-Harris Administration has asserted the plans are subject to privilege and may be withheld from public scrutiny,” the lawsuit claims.

The lawsuit lists a number of federal agencies as defendants, including the U.S. Treasury, the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Department of The Interior, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Department of Labor, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the U.S. Department of Education.

The lawsuit also claims that the National Voter Registration Act means that federal agencies cannot stand in the way of citizens voting, but it also said that voter registration activity is left to the states, and Biden’s order oversteps its authority.

The 41-page lawsuit outlines a number of ways the executive order commands the federal agencies to help bolster the efforts to register voters, for example:

“There is little detail about how agencies determine whether a third-party organization is ‘approved,’ ‘non-partisan,’ or what third-party organizations an agency can work with to promote voter registration,” the lawsuit said. “A rule that permits federal agencies to engage in voter registration activities trenches on States’ constitutionally protected sovereign rights.”

From a practical standpoint, the states claim that the federal government’s executive order doesn’t just exceed the constitution, but could threaten efforts in the individual states.

“The vast resources of the federal government render it unique among all possible entities engaged in voter registration. Because of the resources it can bring to bear, the federal government can engage in voter registration activities on a scale that will, as a practical matter, swamp any state’s attempt to regulate the government’s actions,” the lawsuit said.

Knudsen, Montana’s Attorney General, echoed that sentiment when he announced the lawsuit from Helena on Tuesday.

“Fair elections are an essential part of our country’s republic. Congress gave the states the power to oversee elections years ago,”&nbsp;Knudsen said.&nbsp;“I will not stand by while the Biden-Harris administration attempts to shamelessly garner votes by employing its own agencies to register voters and disregard states’ own voter registration systems, putting the integrity of our elections at risk.”

The states also said that encouraging a variety of different agencies without proper training put the elections at risk of fraud.

“They failed to consider the risk of fraud or to implement actions to prevent fraud, which threatens the integrity of state administration of elections,” the states said. “This includes, at a minimum, ensuring that illegal aliens do not register to vote through the plans the agency defendants put in place.”

It is already against federal law for noncitizens to vote in elections.

The states conclude the lawsuit by saying that the plans in the executive order weren’t motivated to help resident register to vote, rather they are part of a Democrat plan.

“(The executive order) was motivated by a partisan desire to unfairly increase the Democrat vote as shown by the fact that the order came from left-wing, progressive groups,” the lawsuit claims. “The purpose is to promote left-wing politicians and policies at elections.”

<a href="https://dailymontanan.com/2024/08/15/nine-gop-led-attorneys-general-sue-biden-administration-over-voter-registration-efforts/" target="_blank">This story</a>&nbsp;was produced by Daily Montanan, a States Newsroom affiliate.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723829601184.png" alt="Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach joined eight other states in filing a lawsuit over President Joe Biden's 2021 executive order that directs federal agencies to look for ways to expand opportunities to register to vote. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach joined eight other states in filing a lawsuit over President Joe Biden's 2021 executive order that directs federal agencies to look for ways to expand opportunities to register to vote. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/darrell-ehrlick/">DARRELL EHRLICK</a>Nine states, including Kansas, are challenging an executive order by President Joe Biden that would enlist federal agencies to help register residents to vote, and those states say the order undermines their power to control elections, calling it a federally subsidized program aimed at boosting Democratic and left-leaning blocs.Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach and Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen filed the federal lawsuit in court in Wichita. The nine states are Montana, Kansas, Iowa, South Dakota, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Carolina.The heart of the lawsuit is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/03/07/executive-order-on-promoting-access-to-voting/" target="_blank">Executive Order 14019</a>, which was issued on March 10, 2021, and directs federal agencies to “consider ways to expand citizens’ opportunities to register to vote and to obtain information about, and participate in, the electoral process.”The states challenging the executive order say that Biden converts various federal agencies, turning them in part into “a voter registration organization” illegally. The attorneys general say that elections, including voter registration, are solely the province of states, guaranteed by the Tenth Amendment of the United States Constitution.Moreover, the states said that it’s an example of the federal government trying to usurp the sovereignty of the states, and giving the states no other choice than to resort to federal court. The lawsuit said the states were never invited into the process, never allowed to comment, and they accuse the Biden administration of hiding the plans.“In response to requests under the Freedom of Information Act, the Biden-Harris Administration has asserted the plans are subject to privilege and may be withheld from public scrutiny,” the lawsuit claims.The lawsuit lists a number of federal agencies as defendants, including the U.S. Treasury, the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Department of The Interior, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Department of Labor, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the U.S. Department of Education.The lawsuit also claims that the National Voter Registration Act means that federal agencies cannot stand in the way of citizens voting, but it also said that voter registration activity is left to the states, and Biden’s order oversteps its authority.The 41-page lawsuit outlines a number of ways the executive order commands the federal agencies to help bolster the efforts to register voters, for example:<ul>
 <li>The lawsuit accuses the Department of Justice of providing information to those who remain eligible to vote while in federal custody, as well as preparing prisoners about voting laws and rights before reentry.</li><li>It says that the Department of the Interior will disseminate information about registering and voting at schools operated by the Bureau of Indian Education and tribal colleges and universities.</li><li>The order also encourages the Department of Agriculture to provide nonpartisan voter information through its borrowers and lenders about registration and voting.</li><li>Designating 2,400 American Job Centers, which provide employment guidance, training and career services, to become voter registration agencies under the National Voter Registration Act.</li><li>Allowing public housing community areas space for certain election-related activities, including voter registration or voter drop boxes for early voting.</li><li>The lawsuit said that the order allows the Department of Education to allow federal work study funds to “support voter registration” activities.</li>
 </ul>“There is little detail about how agencies determine whether a third-party organization is ‘approved,’ ‘non-partisan,’ or what third-party organizations an agency can work with to promote voter registration,” the lawsuit said. “A rule that permits federal agencies to engage in voter registration activities trenches on States’ constitutionally protected sovereign rights.”From a practical standpoint, the states claim that the federal government’s executive order doesn’t just exceed the constitution, but could threaten efforts in the individual states.“The vast resources of the federal government render it unique among all possible entities engaged in voter registration. Because of the resources it can bring to bear, the federal government can engage in voter registration activities on a scale that will, as a practical matter, swamp any state’s attempt to regulate the government’s actions,” the lawsuit said.Knudsen, Montana’s Attorney General, echoed that sentiment when he announced the lawsuit from Helena on Tuesday.“Fair elections are an essential part of our country’s republic. Congress gave the states the power to oversee elections years ago,”&nbsp;Knudsen said.&nbsp;“I will not stand by while the Biden-Harris administration attempts to shamelessly garner votes by employing its own agencies to register voters and disregard states’ own voter registration systems, putting the integrity of our elections at risk.”The states also said that encouraging a variety of different agencies without proper training put the elections at risk of fraud.“They failed to consider the risk of fraud or to implement actions to prevent fraud, which threatens the integrity of state administration of elections,” the states said. “This includes, at a minimum, ensuring that illegal aliens do not register to vote through the plans the agency defendants put in place.”It is already against federal law for noncitizens to vote in elections.The states conclude the lawsuit by saying that the plans in the executive order weren’t motivated to help resident register to vote, rather they are part of a Democrat plan.“(The executive order) was motivated by a partisan desire to unfairly increase the Democrat vote as shown by the fact that the order came from left-wing, progressive groups,” the lawsuit claims. “The purpose is to promote left-wing politicians and policies at elections.”<a href="https://dailymontanan.com/2024/08/15/nine-gop-led-attorneys-general-sue-biden-administration-over-voter-registration-efforts/" target="_blank">This story</a>&nbsp;was produced by Daily Montanan, a States Newsroom affiliate.

Nine GOP-led attorneys general sue Biden administration over voter registration efforts

LINCOLN, NE&nbsp;– Today, Governor Jim Pillen issued the following statement regarding efforts by some senators to water down the local government spending caps in the property tax relief package currently moving through the Legislature:

“I will veto any bill that comes to my desk with local government property tax collection caps that are weaker than those included in LB34 when it passed general file consideration on Tuesday, August 13. That bill allowed for property tax collection growth of zero percent or inflation,&nbsp;whichever is greater, and included commonsense exceptions for law enforcement and public safety investments necessary to keep our communities secure.

While the current state of the property tax relief plan will deliver real relief to real, hardworking Nebraskans, any further compromises would fall short of Nebraskans’ minimum expectations of the Legislature for this special session. Nebraskans know that unchecked government spending is a major driver of our spiraling property tax crisis. I will therefore veto any watered-down caps.”

Office of Governor Jim PillenLINCOLN, NE&nbsp;– Today, Governor Jim Pillen issued the following statement regarding efforts by some senators to water down the local government spending caps in the property tax relief package currently moving through the Legislature:“I will veto any bill that comes to my desk with local government property tax collection caps that are weaker than those included in LB34 when it passed general file consideration on Tuesday, August 13. That bill allowed for property tax collection growth of zero percent or inflation,&nbsp;whichever is greater, and included commonsense exceptions for law enforcement and public safety investments necessary to keep our communities secure.While the current state of the property tax relief plan will deliver real relief to real, hardworking Nebraskans, any further compromises would fall short of Nebraskans’ minimum expectations of the Legislature for this special session. Nebraskans know that unchecked government spending is a major driver of our spiraling property tax crisis. I will therefore veto any watered-down caps.”

Gov. Pillen Issues Statement on Efforts to Weaken Government Spending Caps in Property Tax Relief Plan

Buffalo County -&nbsp;The Buffalo County Sheriff's Office is investigating the circumstances surrounding a two vehicle head-on crash just west of Amherst, NE on Highway 40.&nbsp; The crash occurred at approximately 7:24 AM on Friday August 16, 2024.&nbsp; At the time of this news media press release, public safety first responders remain at the scene.&nbsp; A portion of Highway 40 at this location remains closed at this time.&nbsp;

According to preliminary investigation, two vehicles traveling in opposite directions collided on Highway 40. &nbsp;Both drivers were transported from the scene to CHI – GSH hospital in Kearney, NE.&nbsp; No passengers were in either vehicle.&nbsp; At the time of this media release, the identity of the drivers has not been confirmed, and authorities are actively investigating at the crash scene.&nbsp; A portion of Highway 40 remains closed.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Deputies were assisted at the scene by members of the Kearney Police Department, Kearney / Buffalo County Fatality Accident Investigation (FAIT) team, Amherst &nbsp;Volunteer Fire Department, CHI GSH Paramedics, Nebraska State Department of Roads and Buffalo County Attorney’s Office.

Buffalo County Sheriff's OfficeBuffalo County -&nbsp;The Buffalo County Sheriff's Office is investigating the circumstances surrounding a two vehicle head-on crash just west of Amherst, NE on Highway 40.&nbsp; The crash occurred at approximately 7:24 AM on Friday August 16, 2024.&nbsp; At the time of this news media press release, public safety first responders remain at the scene.&nbsp; A portion of Highway 40 at this location remains closed at this time.&nbsp;According to preliminary investigation, two vehicles traveling in opposite directions collided on Highway 40. &nbsp;Both drivers were transported from the scene to CHI – GSH hospital in Kearney, NE.&nbsp; No passengers were in either vehicle.&nbsp; At the time of this media release, the identity of the drivers has not been confirmed, and authorities are actively investigating at the crash scene.&nbsp; A portion of Highway 40 remains closed.&nbsp; &nbsp;Deputies were assisted at the scene by members of the Kearney Police Department, Kearney / Buffalo County Fatality Accident Investigation (FAIT) team, Amherst &nbsp;Volunteer Fire Department, CHI GSH Paramedics, Nebraska State Department of Roads and Buffalo County Attorney’s Office.Investigation is ongoing at this time.

Central Nebraska law enforcement investigating a head-on collision 

Office of U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts

WASHINGTON, D.C.&nbsp;– U.S. Senators Pete Ricketts (R-NE) and Deb Fischer (R-NE) joined a bipartisan effort urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to modernize and improve the accuracy of its foreign land ownership disclosure process. In the letter, the senators note alleged inaccuracies in information publicly posted by the Farm Service Agency (FSA) and the problems that arise when this information is inaccurate.

“The current practice of manual data entry, including the re-typing of paper-filed reports into FSA systems, can lead to the publication of problematic and inaccurate information,”&nbsp;wrote the senators.&nbsp;“We’re told there have been instances where energy developers have been incorrectly identified as having ownership interests from sanctioned nations, when in reality the investment originates from U.S. allies. If true, such errors not only create confusion but also undermine the credibility of the data published by the FSA.”

In addition to Ricketts&nbsp;and Fischer,&nbsp;other signatories include Senators John Fetterman (D-PA),&nbsp;Joni Ernst (R-IA),&nbsp;Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), John Barrasso (R-WY), Mike Braun (R-IN), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI).

Read the full letter&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/2024.08.12-Senate-Oversight-Letter-to-USDA-on-AFIDA-Reporting-Errors.pdf">here</a>.

Office of U.S. Senator Pete RickettsWASHINGTON, D.C.&nbsp;– U.S. Senators Pete Ricketts (R-NE) and Deb Fischer (R-NE) joined a bipartisan effort urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to modernize and improve the accuracy of its foreign land ownership disclosure process. In the letter, the senators note alleged inaccuracies in information publicly posted by the Farm Service Agency (FSA) and the problems that arise when this information is inaccurate.“The current practice of manual data entry, including the re-typing of paper-filed reports into FSA systems, can lead to the publication of problematic and inaccurate information,”&nbsp;wrote the senators.&nbsp;“We’re told there have been instances where energy developers have been incorrectly identified as having ownership interests from sanctioned nations, when in reality the investment originates from U.S. allies. If true, such errors not only create confusion but also undermine the credibility of the data published by the FSA.”In addition to Ricketts&nbsp;and Fischer,&nbsp;other signatories include Senators John Fetterman (D-PA),&nbsp;Joni Ernst (R-IA),&nbsp;Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), John Barrasso (R-WY), Mike Braun (R-IN), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI).Read the full letter&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/2024.08.12-Senate-Oversight-Letter-to-USDA-on-AFIDA-Reporting-Errors.pdf">here</a>.

Ricketts & Fischer Join Bipartisan Effort to Modernize Process for Disclosing Foreign-Owned Land

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/second-budget-bill-advances-after-another-filibuster/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — The Nebraska Legislature on Thursday advanced the second of two budget bills of the special session intended to offset the costs of a slimmed-down property tax relief plan.

But state senators spent most of the day getting there, venting about what they wish they had included in a property tax package and hunting for a last-minute path toward more substantive relief.

Essentially, senators seeking different options than provided by Speaker John Arch’s special session processes watched Wednesday’s failed filibuster of the first budget bill and said: “Samesies.”

The Appropriations Committee rewrote&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=58118" target="_blank">Legislative Bill 3</a>&nbsp;to shift $22 million in fees and interest gathered by state agencies to the general fund to cover some costs of Legislative Bill 34, the property tax relief package championed by Gov. Jim Pillen and his allies.

The bill advanced in a 35-11 vote after eight hours of debate. LB 3 followed passage of LB 2 on Wednesday, which contained $117 million in spending cuts. Combined, the two would cover most of the $185 million cost of the new relief.

State Sen. Rob Clements, chair of the Appropriations Committee, said the state would use $46 million from its cash reserves to cover the rest, but LB 3 helps cover part of the cost.

Clements repeatedly defended the committee’s decision to sweep or use interest earned from state fees for license plates and other items produced by state prisoners.

He eventually acquiesced to an amendment from State Sen. Terrell McKinney of Omaha that restored the $250,000. He did so saying conflict over that issue wasn’t worth losing the other $22 million-23 million in funds.

“We don’t need to move this money, because we have issues currently that need to be solved,” McKinney said.

Clements apologized “for the great turmoil this has caused” and said no one had raised issues about the corrections money during hearings the committee held on LB 3.

“That’s why we bring bills to the floor and debate them,” he said.

Clements thwarted a similar effort to restore $2 million being culled from Universal Service Fund dollars, parts of which are used to improve rural broadband and cell phone service.

“We have come up with funding that will help the property tax bill be funded but not hurt any individual agency that has a cash fund,” Clements said.

For the second straight day, State Sens. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln and Machaela Cavanaugh of Omaha argued there was no need to find funding for property tax relief during a special session.

But members of the Appropriations Committee, including State Sen. Steve Erdman of Bayard, pushed back against efforts to filibuster the cuts, saying that appropriators took their work seriously.

Much of the debate,&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/08/15/term-limited-nebraska-lawmakers-mount-what-could-be-last-push-for-more-property-tax-relief/">as the Examiner reported earlier Thursday</a>, was hijacked by efforts to push for more property tax relief than provided by Legislative Bill 34, as advanced this week.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723819194005.jpeg" alt="State Sens. Justin Wayne of Omaha, speaking, with State Sen. Rob Clements of Elmwood. Aug. 14, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>State Sens. Justin Wayne of Omaha, speaking, with State Sen. Rob Clements of Elmwood. Aug. 14, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Aaron Sanderford<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/second-budget-bill-advances-after-another-filibuster/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — The Nebraska Legislature on Thursday advanced the second of two budget bills of the special session intended to offset the costs of a slimmed-down property tax relief plan.But state senators spent most of the day getting there, venting about what they wish they had included in a property tax package and hunting for a last-minute path toward more substantive relief.Essentially, senators seeking different options than provided by Speaker John Arch’s special session processes watched Wednesday’s failed filibuster of the first budget bill and said: “Samesies.”The Appropriations Committee rewrote&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=58118" target="_blank">Legislative Bill 3</a>&nbsp;to shift $22 million in fees and interest gathered by state agencies to the general fund to cover some costs of Legislative Bill 34, the property tax relief package championed by Gov. Jim Pillen and his allies.The bill advanced in a 35-11 vote after eight hours of debate. LB 3 followed passage of LB 2 on Wednesday, which contained $117 million in spending cuts. Combined, the two would cover most of the $185 million cost of the new relief.State Sen. Rob Clements, chair of the Appropriations Committee, said the state would use $46 million from its cash reserves to cover the rest, but LB 3 helps cover part of the cost.Clements repeatedly defended the committee’s decision to sweep or use interest earned from state fees for license plates and other items produced by state prisoners.He eventually acquiesced to an amendment from State Sen. Terrell McKinney of Omaha that restored the $250,000. He did so saying conflict over that issue wasn’t worth losing the other $22 million-23 million in funds.“We don’t need to move this money, because we have issues currently that need to be solved,” McKinney said.Clements apologized “for the great turmoil this has caused” and said no one had raised issues about the corrections money during hearings the committee held on LB 3.“That’s why we bring bills to the floor and debate them,” he said.Clements thwarted a similar effort to restore $2 million being culled from Universal Service Fund dollars, parts of which are used to improve rural broadband and cell phone service.“We have come up with funding that will help the property tax bill be funded but not hurt any individual agency that has a cash fund,” Clements said.For the second straight day, State Sens. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln and Machaela Cavanaugh of Omaha argued there was no need to find funding for property tax relief during a special session.But members of the Appropriations Committee, including State Sen. Steve Erdman of Bayard, pushed back against efforts to filibuster the cuts, saying that appropriators took their work seriously.Much of the debate,&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/08/15/term-limited-nebraska-lawmakers-mount-what-could-be-last-push-for-more-property-tax-relief/">as the Examiner reported earlier Thursday</a>, was hijacked by efforts to push for more property tax relief than provided by Legislative Bill 34, as advanced this week.

Second budget bill advances after another filibuster 

WASHINGTON —On Monday night, a rare public conversation between former President Donald Trump and X owner Elon Musk spanned more than two hours and was overwhelmingly friendly and reached a billion combined views, according to Musk.

On Thursday, the Kamala Harris campaign decided to release a video conversation with her running mate Tim Walz.

The Vice President and Minnesota governor talk taco recipes, hot peppers, their childhoods, careers, and the rights and freedoms they want to protect.&nbsp;

WASHINGTON —On Monday night, a rare public conversation between former President Donald Trump and X owner Elon Musk spanned more than two hours and was overwhelmingly friendly and reached a billion combined views, according to Musk.On Thursday, the Kamala Harris campaign decided to release a video conversation with her running mate Tim Walz.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WkwZ_A49hb8?si=Temq-pRH4tZ_Ysrw&amp;start=1" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>The Vice President and Minnesota governor talk taco recipes, hot peppers, their childhoods, careers, and the rights and freedoms they want to protect.&nbsp;

🎥Harris, running mate Walz release a conversation

LOUDON COUNTY, Virginia —Law enforcement have identified a suspect and a warrant has been issued for the burglary at Trump Campaign Headquarters, according to the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office.

&nbsp;Deputies also secured a warrant for the arrest of Toby Shane Kessler, 39, on the charge of Burglary; Entering dwelling house, etc., with intent to commit larceny, assault and battery or other felony) in connection with the break in at the local office of Trump for President 2024 campaign in Ashburn, VA, Sunday.

 The office, in the 20000 block of Ashbrook Place, is being leased by the Trump campaign and also serves as the headquarters of the Virginia 10th District Republican Committee.

Just after 9p.m. Sunday, the sheriff's office was contacted about the burglary and deputies responded. Investigators have video surveillance of the suspect. He is a white adult male, wearing dark clothing, a dark cap, and a backpack when he entered the location.

“It is rare to have the office of any political campaign or party broken into,” said Sheriff Mike Chapman. “We are determined to identify the suspect, investigate why it happened, and determine what may have been taken as well as what may have been left behind.”

Anyone who believes they know the suspect, witnessed the burglary, or has any other information is asked to contact Detective Franks at 571-918-1869.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723644144685.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>LOUDON COUNTY, Virginia —Law enforcement have identified a suspect and a warrant has been issued for the burglary at Trump Campaign Headquarters, according to the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723718627492.png" alt="Kessler-photo Loudon Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Kessler-photo Loudon Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;Deputies also secured a warrant for the arrest of Toby Shane Kessler, 39, on the charge of Burglary; Entering dwelling house, etc., with intent to commit larceny, assault and battery or other felony) in connection with the break in at the local office of Trump for President 2024 campaign in Ashburn, VA, Sunday. The office, in the 20000 block of Ashbrook Place, is being leased by the Trump campaign and also serves as the headquarters of the Virginia 10th District Republican Committee.Just after 9p.m. Sunday, the sheriff's office was contacted about the burglary and deputies responded. Investigators have video surveillance of the suspect. He is a white adult male, wearing dark clothing, a dark cap, and a backpack when he entered the location.“It is rare to have the office of any political campaign or party broken into,” said Sheriff Mike Chapman. “We are determined to identify the suspect, investigate why it happened, and determine what may have been taken as well as what may have been left behind.”Anyone who believes they know the suspect, witnessed the burglary, or has any other information is asked to contact Detective Franks at 571-918-1869.&nbsp;------

Sheriff IDs suspect in burglary at Trump campaign office 

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/08/14/nebraska-legislature-sidesteps-filibuster-on-cuts-to-hhs-legislative-council/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — A day after state lawmakers pared down Gov. Jim Pillen’s latest property tax relief proposal, a small group of senators tried to punish him for stepping into budget discussions.

State Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh of Omaha and State Sen. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln hammered a special session budget bill for including more than $28 million in Pillen-suggested cuts to various state agencies and the Legislature. The overall bill trims about $117 million.

Several other senators joined them in stalling Legislative Bill 2 over the course of the day, trying to restore $25 million to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services and $3.5 million to the Legislative Council.

Conrad argued that the Legislature should protect its authority to set spending rates in a stable, predictable budgeting process that takes place during the regular legislative session and not let the administration dictate adjustments midstream.

Cavanaugh and others said lawmakers should not approve budget cuts to such a major state agency when HHS leaders and the governor wouldn’t explain what the cuts would affect.&nbsp;

“My issue is not the cuts themselves,” Cavanaugh said. “I just want to know what they are. It’s the process that this was not transparent and it was not done with our own … processes.”

State Sen. Anna Wishart of Lincoln said she needed to know more about the cuts to be able to make mid-year adjustments. She backed a failed effort by State Sen. George Dungan to amend LB 2 by restoring the HHS funding.

Many in the Legislature’s conservative majority became perturbed on the second straight long day of debate and swatted down two amendments that would have restored some of the funds to ease passage.

State Sen. Rob Clements of Elmwood defended the willingness of the Appropriations Committee he chairs to work with Pillen’s budget officials and agencies to cut unspent funds and fees.

“We reviewed 22 state agencies with millions of dollars in unspent funds,” Clements said. “The key was not taking away 100 percent of the unused dollars of each agency.”&nbsp;

During the meandering debate, lawmakers on the left and right complained about wanting to do more about high property taxes than simply pulling forward income tax credits for property taxes paid and capping local spending.

That was the measure senators passed Tuesday as Legislative Bill 34. Originally a bill offered by north-central Nebraska State Sen. Tom Brewer, the bill that was replaced by the Revenue Committee’s fallback position.

The Revenue Committee chairwoman, State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Omaha, said she and others who support LB 2 and its companion funding bill, LB 3, to help fund LB 34 wouldn’t budge.

“I’ll stay here as long as it takes,” Linehan said.&nbsp;

State Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha and State Sen. Steve Erdman of Bayard said they were willing to stay and talk and do more during the special session –&nbsp;which will hit its 13th day on Thursday — if lawmakers were willing to have serious discussions about resolving the property tax situation.

Erdman said he keeps trying to suggest potential structural property tax relief, pointing to his EPIC Option Consumption Tax proposal as something lawmakers could have considered.

“What we’ve done this special session will be a decrease in your increase,” Erdman said. “That’s exactly what this bill will do and what this special session will accomplish.”&nbsp;

Wayne suggested lawmakers consider Legislative Resolution 2CA, a constitutional amendment proposed by State Sen. Tom Brandt of Plymouth that would give senators more flexibility in handling valuations of owner-occupied residential properties.

LR 2CA would let lawmakers value residential properties differently depending on whether they were owner-occupied. The measure would have to be considered by voters at the ballot box. Wayne said if voters approved it, lawmakers could tax those residential properties at a lower percentage, like agricultural land.

Brandt said he modeled his proposed amendment off how Nebraska values ag land at 75% of market value. He said having the flexibility to do that for residential properties would help.

”What this says is somebody who owns the property has the opportunity to be treated differently by the Legislature,” Brandt said.

Wayne and Linehan called out colleagues who filibustered broader efforts to reform property taxes but then voted for what remained. Wayne said lawmakers were “settling” and doing “the bare minimum.”

“Senator Erdman is right,” Wayne said. “The solution is you’ve got to change everything. We’ve got time and opportunity right now to fix it.”

Committee cut less than governor proposed

Erdman, who often calls for the vote to end filibusters he disagrees with, said he disagreed with senators on Wednesday who were simply trying to take “a pound of flesh.”

He said the Appropriations Committee took its work seriously and proposed cutting unspent funds from agencies. He said the committee worked to ensure the plan would not take money that might be needed.

The committee bill proposed cutting less than the governor and his staffers and agency directors recommended, Clements said. He said they did so “to keep from cutting agencies too close to the bone.”&nbsp;

Christy Armendariz of Omaha defended the committee’s process. The committee member said lawmakers needed to take emotion out of their arguments and look at the numbers.

“I think it’s fair for a new governor to come in and say this is the way we will budget moving forward,” Armendariz said.

State Sen. Tony Vargas of Omaha, who sits on the Appropriations Committee, said that he did not believe the HHS cuts were transparent and that lawmakers needed more specifics about what was being cut than just being told HHS found “efficiencies.”

Conrad called the suggested cuts “truly unnecessary and primarily performative.” Both she and Cavanaugh criticized the value of the consultant Pillen hired to help find trims, called Epiphany.

“There’s absolutely no reason to move forward with the measures in LB 2 or 3,” Conrad said, arguing that the Legislature should consider them during the regular 2025 session.&nbsp;

Speaker John Arch tried multiple times to move debate along, urging calm during the dog days of a special session some lawmakers resented because of when it was called and why.

“We have been following a process,” he said. “At the conclusion of that … the body can decide to stay in session and consider other bills.”

Once it became clear that LB 2 would have enough votes for passage, Cavanaugh criticized colleagues for not thinking for themselves.

The cloture vote was 34-10. The bill advanced to the second round of voting 33-11.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723751746316.jpeg" alt=" State Sen. Rob Clements of Elmwood, right, talks with Speaker John Arch of La Vista. July 26, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption> State Sen. Rob Clements of Elmwood, right, talks with Speaker John Arch of La Vista. July 26, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Aaron Sanderford<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/08/14/nebraska-legislature-sidesteps-filibuster-on-cuts-to-hhs-legislative-council/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — A day after state lawmakers pared down Gov. Jim Pillen’s latest property tax relief proposal, a small group of senators tried to punish him for stepping into budget discussions.State Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh of Omaha and State Sen. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln hammered a special session budget bill for including more than $28 million in Pillen-suggested cuts to various state agencies and the Legislature. The overall bill trims about $117 million.Several other senators joined them in stalling Legislative Bill 2 over the course of the day, trying to restore $25 million to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services and $3.5 million to the Legislative Council.<h2>Protecting legislative autonomy</h2>Conrad argued that the Legislature should protect its authority to set spending rates in a stable, predictable budgeting process that takes place during the regular legislative session and not let the administration dictate adjustments midstream.Cavanaugh and others said lawmakers should not approve budget cuts to such a major state agency when HHS leaders and the governor wouldn’t explain what the cuts would affect.&nbsp;“My issue is not the cuts themselves,” Cavanaugh said. “I just want to know what they are. It’s the process that this was not transparent and it was not done with our own … processes.”State Sen. Anna Wishart of Lincoln said she needed to know more about the cuts to be able to make mid-year adjustments. She backed a failed effort by State Sen. George Dungan to amend LB 2 by restoring the HHS funding.<h2>Filibuster fatigue</h2>Many in the Legislature’s conservative majority became perturbed on the second straight long day of debate and swatted down two amendments that would have restored some of the funds to ease passage.State Sen. Rob Clements of Elmwood defended the willingness of the Appropriations Committee he chairs to work with Pillen’s budget officials and agencies to cut unspent funds and fees.“We reviewed 22 state agencies with millions of dollars in unspent funds,” Clements said. “The key was not taking away 100 percent of the unused dollars of each agency.”&nbsp;During the meandering debate, lawmakers on the left and right complained about wanting to do more about high property taxes than simply pulling forward income tax credits for property taxes paid and capping local spending.That was the measure senators passed Tuesday as Legislative Bill 34. Originally a bill offered by north-central Nebraska State Sen. Tom Brewer, the bill that was replaced by the Revenue Committee’s fallback position.The Revenue Committee chairwoman, State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Omaha, said she and others who support LB 2 and its companion funding bill, LB 3, to help fund LB 34 wouldn’t budge.“I’ll stay here as long as it takes,” Linehan said.&nbsp;<h2>Wanting more from relief package</h2>State Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha and State Sen. Steve Erdman of Bayard said they were willing to stay and talk and do more during the special session –&nbsp;which will hit its 13th day on Thursday — if lawmakers were willing to have serious discussions about resolving the property tax situation.Erdman said he keeps trying to suggest potential structural property tax relief, pointing to his EPIC Option Consumption Tax proposal as something lawmakers could have considered.“What we’ve done this special session will be a decrease in your increase,” Erdman said. “That’s exactly what this bill will do and what this special session will accomplish.”&nbsp;Wayne suggested lawmakers consider Legislative Resolution 2CA, a constitutional amendment proposed by State Sen. Tom Brandt of Plymouth that would give senators more flexibility in handling valuations of owner-occupied residential properties.LR 2CA would let lawmakers value residential properties differently depending on whether they were owner-occupied. The measure would have to be considered by voters at the ballot box. Wayne said if voters approved it, lawmakers could tax those residential properties at a lower percentage, like agricultural land.Brandt said he modeled his proposed amendment off how Nebraska values ag land at 75% of market value. He said having the flexibility to do that for residential properties would help.”What this says is somebody who owns the property has the opportunity to be treated differently by the Legislature,” Brandt said.Wayne and Linehan called out colleagues who filibustered broader efforts to reform property taxes but then voted for what remained. Wayne said lawmakers were “settling” and doing “the bare minimum.”“Senator Erdman is right,” Wayne said. “The solution is you’ve got to change everything. We’ve got time and opportunity right now to fix it.”<h2>Committee cut less than governor proposed</h2>Erdman, who often calls for the vote to end filibusters he disagrees with, said he disagreed with senators on Wednesday who were simply trying to take “a pound of flesh.”He said the Appropriations Committee took its work seriously and proposed cutting unspent funds from agencies. He said the committee worked to ensure the plan would not take money that might be needed.The committee bill proposed cutting less than the governor and his staffers and agency directors recommended, Clements said. He said they did so “to keep from cutting agencies too close to the bone.”&nbsp;Christy Armendariz of Omaha defended the committee’s process. The committee member said lawmakers needed to take emotion out of their arguments and look at the numbers.“I think it’s fair for a new governor to come in and say this is the way we will budget moving forward,” Armendariz said.<h2>Senators wanted more info</h2>State Sen. Tony Vargas of Omaha, who sits on the Appropriations Committee, said that he did not believe the HHS cuts were transparent and that lawmakers needed more specifics about what was being cut than just being told HHS found “efficiencies.”Conrad called the suggested cuts “truly unnecessary and primarily performative.” Both she and Cavanaugh criticized the value of the consultant Pillen hired to help find trims, called Epiphany.“There’s absolutely no reason to move forward with the measures in LB 2 or 3,” Conrad said, arguing that the Legislature should consider them during the regular 2025 session.&nbsp;<h2>Bill moving forward</h2>Speaker John Arch tried multiple times to move debate along, urging calm during the dog days of a special session some lawmakers resented because of when it was called and why.“We have been following a process,” he said. “At the conclusion of that … the body can decide to stay in session and consider other bills.”Once it became clear that LB 2 would have enough votes for passage, Cavanaugh criticized colleagues for not thinking for themselves.The cloture vote was 34-10. The bill advanced to the second round of voting 33-11.

Nebraska Legislature sidesteps filibuster on cuts to HHS, Legislative Council 

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/committee-advances-proposal-to-value-ne-owner-occupied-housing-differently-similar-to-ag-land/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN —&nbsp;A legislative committee advanced a proposal Thursday that would let voters determine whether owner-occupied housing should be valued at a different market value, similar to agricultural land.

The Revenue Committee voted unanimously Thursday to advance&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=58068" target="_blank">Legislative Resolution 2CA</a>, a constitutional amendment that would let the Legislature use a different process to&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/08/05/property-valuations-freeze-could-be-backup-plan-during-nebraskas-tax-focused-special-session/">assess the value</a>&nbsp;of owner-occupied housing than it uses for other residential property. If the measure is successfully added to the November ballot and is approved by voters, lawmakers could define “owner-occupied housing” next year and determine that valuation rate.

In 1984, voters approved&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/88/PDF/Slip/LR7_S1.pdf" target="_blank">carving out the way agricultural land</a>&nbsp;is valued. It is currently valued at 75% of actual market value. Most other property is valued at 100%, in line with the&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/articles.php?article=VIII-1" target="_blank">Nebraska Constitution</a>.

“All this does is unlock that, if the people approve it,” State Sen. Tom Brandt of Plymouth, who introduced LR 2CA, told reporters after the committee vote. “… This is written simply to give the Legislature another tool.”

Various states value owner-occupied housing differently from other property, including Minnesota, which has numerous rates for different types of property.

Brandt acknowledged that Revenue Committee members expressed some concerns that if LR 2CA became law, it might not help renters. He said that it will take a while to create a different formula to help renters but that LR 2CA would create more parity with ag land.

State Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha, who has advocated for LR 2CA, said it could be one of the most impactful steps lawmakers could take for future lawmakers to provide more tax relief. He said Wednesday during floor debate it could also let lawmakers go out into their communities and talk about property taxes ahead of the 2024 election.

Speaker John Arch of La Vista, who sets the Legislature’s daily schedule, has said he intends to prioritize bills from the Revenue and Appropriations Committee this special session.

Arch announced he would schedule LR 2CA for debate because State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn, chair of the Revenue Committee, has indicated it is part of the committee’s package.

Two other constitutional amendments have made it to the floor from other committees but have not been scheduled for debate:&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/108/PDF/CS/LR1CA_S1.pdf" target="_blank">LR 1CA</a>, from State Sen. Carol Blood, to prohibit future state-created mandates on local governments without funding; and&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=58077" target="_blank">LR 3CA</a>, from State Sen. Eliot Bostar of Lincoln, which could legalize online sports betting.

State Sen. Kathleen Kauth of Omaha ran a vote count Thursday morning, which she said showed at least 22 lawmakers in full support of Brandt’s LR 2CA, six leaning in support, a handful undecided and about three against it. She said there were multiple senators she didn’t get to talk to.

At least 30 lawmakers would need to approve the constitutional amendment, instead of a simple majority.&nbsp;

If passed, LR 2CA would require companion legislation to appear on the November 2024 ballot. That’s because the current deadline for the Legislature to submit constitutional amendments is four months before the election.&nbsp;Six proposals were introduced that would shorten the window to 60 days.

The Legislature’s Executive Board voted Thursday to&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/search_by_referred.php?Committee=21" target="_blank">indefinitely postpone five of those bills</a>. The sixth proposal,&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=58107" target="_blank">LB 13</a>&nbsp;from Bostar, remains in the General Affairs Committee but is unlikely to reach the floor.&nbsp;

State Sen. John Lowe of Kearney, vice chair of the Executive Board and chair of the General Affairs Committee, also already tried to defeat LB 13 and joined the effort against the other bills.

If LR 2CA passed without that change, it would go to voters in 2026.&nbsp;Brandt said he will reintroduce the measure in 2025 if it’s not approved this session.

“There’s no smoke and mirrors here,” Brandt said. “It simply is something the Legislature can do.”

Nebraska Examiner Political Reporter Aaron Sanderford contributed to this report.

Zach Wendling<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/committee-advances-proposal-to-value-ne-owner-occupied-housing-differently-similar-to-ag-land/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN —&nbsp;A legislative committee advanced a proposal Thursday that would let voters determine whether owner-occupied housing should be valued at a different market value, similar to agricultural land.The Revenue Committee voted unanimously Thursday to advance&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=58068" target="_blank">Legislative Resolution 2CA</a>, a constitutional amendment that would let the Legislature use a different process to&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/08/05/property-valuations-freeze-could-be-backup-plan-during-nebraskas-tax-focused-special-session/">assess the value</a>&nbsp;of owner-occupied housing than it uses for other residential property. If the measure is successfully added to the November ballot and is approved by voters, lawmakers could define “owner-occupied housing” next year and determine that valuation rate.In 1984, voters approved&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/88/PDF/Slip/LR7_S1.pdf" target="_blank">carving out the way agricultural land</a>&nbsp;is valued. It is currently valued at 75% of actual market value. Most other property is valued at 100%, in line with the&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/articles.php?article=VIII-1" target="_blank">Nebraska Constitution</a>.“All this does is unlock that, if the people approve it,” State Sen. Tom Brandt of Plymouth, who introduced LR 2CA, told reporters after the committee vote. “… This is written simply to give the Legislature another tool.”Various states value owner-occupied housing differently from other property, including Minnesota, which has numerous rates for different types of property.Brandt acknowledged that Revenue Committee members expressed some concerns that if LR 2CA became law, it might not help renters. He said that it will take a while to create a different formula to help renters but that LR 2CA would create more parity with ag land.State Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha, who has advocated for LR 2CA, said it could be one of the most impactful steps lawmakers could take for future lawmakers to provide more tax relief. He said Wednesday during floor debate it could also let lawmakers go out into their communities and talk about property taxes ahead of the 2024 election.Speaker John Arch of La Vista, who sets the Legislature’s daily schedule, has said he intends to prioritize bills from the Revenue and Appropriations Committee this special session.Arch announced he would schedule LR 2CA for debate because State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn, chair of the Revenue Committee, has indicated it is part of the committee’s package.Two other constitutional amendments have made it to the floor from other committees but have not been scheduled for debate:&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/108/PDF/CS/LR1CA_S1.pdf" target="_blank">LR 1CA</a>, from State Sen. Carol Blood, to prohibit future state-created mandates on local governments without funding; and&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=58077" target="_blank">LR 3CA</a>, from State Sen. Eliot Bostar of Lincoln, which could legalize online sports betting.State Sen. Kathleen Kauth of Omaha ran a vote count Thursday morning, which she said showed at least 22 lawmakers in full support of Brandt’s LR 2CA, six leaning in support, a handful undecided and about three against it. She said there were multiple senators she didn’t get to talk to.At least 30 lawmakers would need to approve the constitutional amendment, instead of a simple majority.&nbsp;If passed, LR 2CA would require companion legislation to appear on the November 2024 ballot. That’s because the current deadline for the Legislature to submit constitutional amendments is four months before the election.&nbsp;Six proposals were introduced that would shorten the window to 60 days.The Legislature’s Executive Board voted Thursday to&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/search_by_referred.php?Committee=21" target="_blank">indefinitely postpone five of those bills</a>. The sixth proposal,&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=58107" target="_blank">LB 13</a>&nbsp;from Bostar, remains in the General Affairs Committee but is unlikely to reach the floor.&nbsp;State Sen. John Lowe of Kearney, vice chair of the Executive Board and chair of the General Affairs Committee, also already tried to defeat LB 13 and joined the effort against the other bills.If LR 2CA passed without that change, it would go to voters in 2026.&nbsp;Brandt said he will reintroduce the measure in 2025 if it’s not approved this session.“There’s no smoke and mirrors here,” Brandt said. “It simply is something the Legislature can do.”Nebraska Examiner Political Reporter Aaron Sanderford contributed to this report.

Committee advances proposal to value NE owner-occupied housing differently, similar to ag land

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/08/15/ne-advocates-for-the-homeless-special-needs-groups-launch-effort-to-build-10000-dwellings/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — From North Platte to Omaha, advocates representing towns across Nebraska converged in the Capital City this week to launch the Herculean task of building thousands of new residential units for the state’s hardest-to-house populations.

Teams from 10 nonprofits were selected by state officials largely for their expertise in serving the chronically homeless, including those who are mentally ill, have been formerly incarcerated or have struggled with domestic violence.

Over the next several months, the group will gather to hear about funding sources and best practices nationally for developing permanent housing for those populations in need of supportive services.

In the end, each participating community is to have developed their own detailed housing proposal that offers tenants access to support such as counselors, a food pantry and rent assistance — components seen as key to keeping people off the streets and away from a lifestyle that in the long run can be more costly to the public.

The workshops, to continue into next year, are perhaps the most visible effort so far to grow out of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nifa.org/housing-framework?utm_campaign=NE%20Strategic%20Housing%20Framework&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;_hsenc=p2ANqtz--FYSgxyyG0uw1e5d1ZhEA0PWei8pGz0bzj5ukUlWhadbkvpzS71vresdqyl8lfDelHDtS-qw91F1-zj3npIkCD1Q75_A&amp;_hsmi=316488670&amp;utm_content=316488670&amp;utm_source=hs_email" target="_blank">Nebraska Strategic Housing Council</a>, which was formed in early 2023 to, in part, produce 35,000 new and affordable housing units by the end of 2028. That goal was outlined in an<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/01/06/nebraska-housing-council-launches-with-plan-for-35000-new-affordable-dwellings/">&nbsp;unprecedented housing study</a>&nbsp;and report compiled by various state voices and spearheaded by the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nifa.org/about" target="_blank">Nebraska Investment Finance Authority.&nbsp;</a>

The NIFA-led coalition remarked then that Nebraska’s economic future hinges on solving its “housing crisis.” Another overarching goal was to cut the state’s share of low- to- moderate-income households paying more than 30% of their earnings for rent from about 44% to 33%.

Of the 35,000 affordable units to be added, about 10,000 are to target households earning less than $22,000. That subset includes elderly residents and others on limited incomes, as well as the chronically homeless population that otherwise likely would be sleeping in cars, under bridges and in tent camps while bouncing between temporary homeless shelters.

The difficulty of creating the right formula and financial package to reach such special populations is what brought the group of about 60 people to the kickoff, two-day workshop sessions led by a NIFA-funded contractor,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.beauxsimone.com/" target="_blank">BeauxSimone Consulting.</a>&nbsp;

The consultant, which was awarded a $100,000 contract to provide two years of technical assistance, has crafted a “toolkit” that is the basis for the workshops and that has led to successful supportive housing projects elsewhere in the country.

“This is a huge inflection point — the identification of multiple groups, in multiple geographic areas across the state, stepping up to take concrete action,” said NIFA executive director Shannon Harner.&nbsp;

She said the seminars will not be a “one and done.”

The expectation is that the group will pilot the toolkit practices in Nebraska and pass lessons on to other communities that can multiply the number of dwellings across the state.

Participating nonprofits will have access to technical assistance beyond the workshops, said John Turner of NIFA. They’ll learn more about and have opportunities to apply for the NIFA-administered low-income housing tax credit program and other funding sources.

“We recognized that if we were going to accomplish such a heavy lift … we needed a more intensive strategic approach,” he said.

Some participants in the workshops are ahead of the pack in planning housing developments. At the end of the workshop series, each is to present a comprehensive plan to peers and possible funding sources.

Turner said that for several participants, momentum began with the announcement a couple of years ago that federal American Rescue Plan Act funding would be available for projects focused on the chronically homeless. Lincoln recently announced an award. Yet to come, Turner said, are awards for Omaha and rural communities.

In North Platte, for example, leaders of The Connection homeless shelter already have a blueprint for a $13.7 million, 40-unit rental complex they hope to finance largely with NIFA low-income housing tax credits.

Judy Pederson, a Connection board member who was at this week’s workshop, said the proposed&nbsp; complex marks the first permanent supportive housing project in the city.

She and colleagues wanted to participate in the pilot program to learn more about successful practices.

“To make sure we do it right,” she said.

Currently referred to as Connection Apartments, the proposal comes as North Platte officials have been preoccupied with providing workforce housing to support a multimillion-dollar processing plant, Sustainable Beef, projected to open next year and employ 875 workers.

Meanwhile, Pederson said, many lament the lack of rental housing aimed at people whose needs don’t fit a traditional shelter but still require a level of extra onsite support.

“So we’re building our own,” she said.

While the project’s proposed duplexes and multi-level apartments will be separate and apart from the organization’s homeless shelter, residents would have access to similar support services aimed at boosting them into independence.&nbsp;

The proposed housing project is to feature a garden, a playground and proximity to a hospital and the local Walmart’s retail jobs.

In Grand Island, leaders of the Hope Harbor shelter already have acquired land for their proposed affordable housing project.

Liz Mayfield, executive director, said the corner of the city block occupied by the homeless shelter became available, and Hope Harbor bought it.

The organization envisions a three-story apartment building that would offer some market-rate apartments as well as subsidized housing for residents in need of supportive services.

“This is new for us,” Mayfield said, adding that the nonprofit to date has only operated the homeless shelter.

The number of units, she said, will depend on the financing the group can assemble.

From the workshops, Mayfield expects her team to gain unique technical assistance and insight from like-minded organizations from across the state.

“The hope is that we all get really good at what we do and share with others,” said Mayfield.

BeauxSimone’s Katie Symons led the workshops, which Tuesday and Wednesday were held at a conference center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Center on Children, Families and the Law. The sessions included visits from officials of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Nebraska Homeless Assistance Program and the Nebraska Department of Economic Development.

Local real estate developers also spoke to the group about supportive housing projects, as did experts that have carried out such projects.

Linda Twomey, executive director of the Siena Francis House, and developers from Arch Icon, for example, spoke about&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/04/08/omaha-tiny-house-village-aims-to-be-final-step-out-of-homelessness/">the Cottages,</a>&nbsp;a tiny-house village project built in the north downtown area of Omaha.

The 50 stand-alone homes, each about 250 square feet and equipped with a kitchen, bedroom-living area and covered porch, are one example of a permanent supportive housing project.

Financing came primarily from the federal low-income housing tax credit program administered by NIFA. The tiny houses were designated for formerly homeless people who have thrived in other shelter programs and were ready to take the next step toward independence.

The $8.2 million project is only a half-block from the Siena Francis House campus, and therefore close to transportation, counseling and other shelter services. An onsite case manager is available to help connect residents to community or support services, including job and rental assistance.&nbsp;

Residents are responsible for rent and likely qualify for government subsidies or vouchers where they pay 30% of their income for rent.

Next up for the pilot group is another two-day session in September that focuses on various funding streams available for low- to moderate-income rental projects.

“It gets more and more fine-tuned until, at the end, each team has a really clean ask and fully realized housing plan,” said Turner. “It’ll be nice to watch it all come together.”

No tally yet on new units, but housing council makes strides, NIFA director says

A coalition of Nebraska government and community organizations began meeting in early 2023 to address housing challenges they said threatened the state’s economic future and competitiveness.

Armed with a housing assessment, the so-called Nebraska Strategic Housing Council, led by the Nebraska Investment Finance Authority,&nbsp;<a href="https://www-nifa-org-files.s3.amazonaws.com/358e-89879967-NE2022StrategicHousingFramework-ExecutiveSummary.pdf?pfvId=19ubyi.lsf4kjy3" target="_blank">identified priorities</a>&nbsp;to tackle by the end of 2028.

“If we don’t ensure enough affordable and attainable housing, Nebraska will not only lose out on billions of dollars economically, it will also lose the people that call it home,” said the council.

Among key problems noted by the council: 44% of Nebraska households who earn $75,000 a year or less are housing-cost burdened, meaning they spend more than 30% of their gross income on housing, reducing funds for necessities and contributing to the economy.

Two top priorities it identified: reduce the 44% of housing cost-burdened households to 33% or less; and produce 35,000 housing units affordable to low- to middle-income tenants.

Committees were named to work on four pillars, or areas of concentration. Those focus areas: expanding financial support and incentives for housing; education and policy; expanding workforce housing; and developing 10,000 affordable dwellings for those earning $22,000 or less, with special concern for elderly, disabled, chronically homeless and other populations with special needs.

Shannon Harner, executive director of NIFA, said the council did not yet have an accurate account of how many of the 35,000 affordable units have been produced.

She said the committee was reviewing various data sources and had yet to settle on a single “source of truth.”&nbsp;

However, the council has developed the first phase of a public&nbsp;<a href="https://app.powerbi.com/view?r=eyJrIjoiZmY1NTU4ZDktYWMyMS00YjBhLWJhNTUtYjQ5YzViZWU2ZjdhIiwidCI6IjVhNWI5ZTYxLTIwYjItNDU3OC04ZjM3LTI0Njg4MWZhMGQ2MSIsImMiOjN9" target="_blank">“dashboard”</a>&nbsp;intended to show the growth of housing units overall in cities and counties in the state. She said the council plans to build upon that as a way to track progress.

“Lots of work has been done on the ground,” Harner said.

For example, the first of four two-day sessions were held this week to help nonprofits develop rental housing for populations with special needs. That is part of the pillar aiming to develop 10,000 units for households with incomes under $22,000.

In addition, she said, the policy committee has pushed for legislation tweaks that expand and make better use of state funds for rural and workforce housing.

A “toolkit,” or guide, has been created by yet another pillar of the council to help communities increase housing supply.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723745910655.jpeg" alt=" Seven of the structures in the Omaha tiny house village for former homeless people were built by budding construction workers at Metropolitan Community College. The Cottages project, managed and owned by the Siena Francis House, was among projects showcased during a two-day workshop for groups that aim to build affordable housing dwellings for populations with special needs across the state. (Courtesy of Arch Icon Development)" />
 <figcaption> Seven of the structures in the Omaha tiny house village for former homeless people were built by budding construction workers at Metropolitan Community College. The Cottages project, managed and owned by the Siena Francis House, was among projects showcased during a two-day workshop for groups that aim to build affordable housing dwellings for populations with special needs across the state. (Courtesy of Arch Icon Development)</figcaption>
 </figure>Cindy Gonzalez<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/08/15/ne-advocates-for-the-homeless-special-needs-groups-launch-effort-to-build-10000-dwellings/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — From North Platte to Omaha, advocates representing towns across Nebraska converged in the Capital City this week to launch the Herculean task of building thousands of new residential units for the state’s hardest-to-house populations.Teams from 10 nonprofits were selected by state officials largely for their expertise in serving the chronically homeless, including those who are mentally ill, have been formerly incarcerated or have struggled with domestic violence.Over the next several months, the group will gather to hear about funding sources and best practices nationally for developing permanent housing for those populations in need of supportive services.In the end, each participating community is to have developed their own detailed housing proposal that offers tenants access to support such as counselors, a food pantry and rent assistance — components seen as key to keeping people off the streets and away from a lifestyle that in the long run can be more costly to the public.The workshops, to continue into next year, are perhaps the most visible effort so far to grow out of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nifa.org/housing-framework?utm_campaign=NE%20Strategic%20Housing%20Framework&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;_hsenc=p2ANqtz--FYSgxyyG0uw1e5d1ZhEA0PWei8pGz0bzj5ukUlWhadbkvpzS71vresdqyl8lfDelHDtS-qw91F1-zj3npIkCD1Q75_A&amp;_hsmi=316488670&amp;utm_content=316488670&amp;utm_source=hs_email" target="_blank">Nebraska Strategic Housing Council</a>, which was formed in early 2023 to, in part, produce 35,000 new and affordable housing units by the end of 2028. That goal was outlined in an<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/01/06/nebraska-housing-council-launches-with-plan-for-35000-new-affordable-dwellings/">&nbsp;unprecedented housing study</a>&nbsp;and report compiled by various state voices and spearheaded by the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nifa.org/about" target="_blank">Nebraska Investment Finance Authority.&nbsp;</a><h2>NE’s economic future depends on it</h2>The NIFA-led coalition remarked then that Nebraska’s economic future hinges on solving its “housing crisis.” Another overarching goal was to cut the state’s share of low- to- moderate-income households paying more than 30% of their earnings for rent from about 44% to 33%.Of the 35,000 affordable units to be added, about 10,000 are to target households earning less than $22,000. That subset includes elderly residents and others on limited incomes, as well as the chronically homeless population that otherwise likely would be sleeping in cars, under bridges and in tent camps while bouncing between temporary homeless shelters.The difficulty of creating the right formula and financial package to reach such special populations is what brought the group of about 60 people to the kickoff, two-day workshop sessions led by a NIFA-funded contractor,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.beauxsimone.com/" target="_blank">BeauxSimone Consulting.</a>&nbsp;The consultant, which was awarded a $100,000 contract to provide two years of technical assistance, has crafted a “toolkit” that is the basis for the workshops and that has led to successful supportive housing projects elsewhere in the country.“This is a huge inflection point — the identification of multiple groups, in multiple geographic areas across the state, stepping up to take concrete action,” said NIFA executive director Shannon Harner.&nbsp;She said the seminars will not be a “one and done.”The expectation is that the group will pilot the toolkit practices in Nebraska and pass lessons on to other communities that can multiply the number of dwellings across the state.Participating nonprofits will have access to technical assistance beyond the workshops, said John Turner of NIFA. They’ll learn more about and have opportunities to apply for the NIFA-administered low-income housing tax credit program and other funding sources.“We recognized that if we were going to accomplish such a heavy lift … we needed a more intensive strategic approach,” he said.<h2>Some cities have started plans</h2>Some participants in the workshops are ahead of the pack in planning housing developments. At the end of the workshop series, each is to present a comprehensive plan to peers and possible funding sources.Turner said that for several participants, momentum began with the announcement a couple of years ago that federal American Rescue Plan Act funding would be available for projects focused on the chronically homeless. Lincoln recently announced an award. Yet to come, Turner said, are awards for Omaha and rural communities.In North Platte, for example, leaders of The Connection homeless shelter already have a blueprint for a $13.7 million, 40-unit rental complex they hope to finance largely with NIFA low-income housing tax credits.Judy Pederson, a Connection board member who was at this week’s workshop, said the proposed&nbsp; complex marks the first permanent supportive housing project in the city.She and colleagues wanted to participate in the pilot program to learn more about successful practices.“To make sure we do it right,” she said.Currently referred to as Connection Apartments, the proposal comes as North Platte officials have been preoccupied with providing workforce housing to support a multimillion-dollar processing plant, Sustainable Beef, projected to open next year and employ 875 workers.Meanwhile, Pederson said, many lament the lack of rental housing aimed at people whose needs don’t fit a traditional shelter but still require a level of extra onsite support.“So we’re building our own,” she said.While the project’s proposed duplexes and multi-level apartments will be separate and apart from the organization’s homeless shelter, residents would have access to similar support services aimed at boosting them into independence.&nbsp;The proposed housing project is to feature a garden, a playground and proximity to a hospital and the local Walmart’s retail jobs.<h2>Unique technical assistance</h2>In Grand Island, leaders of the Hope Harbor shelter already have acquired land for their proposed affordable housing project.Liz Mayfield, executive director, said the corner of the city block occupied by the homeless shelter became available, and Hope Harbor bought it.The organization envisions a three-story apartment building that would offer some market-rate apartments as well as subsidized housing for residents in need of supportive services.“This is new for us,” Mayfield said, adding that the nonprofit to date has only operated the homeless shelter.The number of units, she said, will depend on the financing the group can assemble.From the workshops, Mayfield expects her team to gain unique technical assistance and insight from like-minded organizations from across the state.“The hope is that we all get really good at what we do and share with others,” said Mayfield.BeauxSimone’s Katie Symons led the workshops, which Tuesday and Wednesday were held at a conference center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Center on Children, Families and the Law. The sessions included visits from officials of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Nebraska Homeless Assistance Program and the Nebraska Department of Economic Development.Local real estate developers also spoke to the group about supportive housing projects, as did experts that have carried out such projects.<h2>Tiny house village</h2>Linda Twomey, executive director of the Siena Francis House, and developers from Arch Icon, for example, spoke about&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/04/08/omaha-tiny-house-village-aims-to-be-final-step-out-of-homelessness/">the Cottages,</a>&nbsp;a tiny-house village project built in the north downtown area of Omaha.The 50 stand-alone homes, each about 250 square feet and equipped with a kitchen, bedroom-living area and covered porch, are one example of a permanent supportive housing project.Financing came primarily from the federal low-income housing tax credit program administered by NIFA. The tiny houses were designated for formerly homeless people who have thrived in other shelter programs and were ready to take the next step toward independence.The $8.2 million project is only a half-block from the Siena Francis House campus, and therefore close to transportation, counseling and other shelter services. An onsite case manager is available to help connect residents to community or support services, including job and rental assistance.&nbsp;Residents are responsible for rent and likely qualify for government subsidies or vouchers where they pay 30% of their income for rent.Next up for the pilot group is another two-day session in September that focuses on various funding streams available for low- to moderate-income rental projects.“It gets more and more fine-tuned until, at the end, each team has a really clean ask and fully realized housing plan,” said Turner. “It’ll be nice to watch it all come together.”<h2>No tally yet on new units, but housing council makes strides, NIFA director says</h2>A coalition of Nebraska government and community organizations began meeting in early 2023 to address housing challenges they said threatened the state’s economic future and competitiveness.Armed with a housing assessment, the so-called Nebraska Strategic Housing Council, led by the Nebraska Investment Finance Authority,&nbsp;<a href="https://www-nifa-org-files.s3.amazonaws.com/358e-89879967-NE2022StrategicHousingFramework-ExecutiveSummary.pdf?pfvId=19ubyi.lsf4kjy3" target="_blank">identified priorities</a>&nbsp;to tackle by the end of 2028.“If we don’t ensure enough affordable and attainable housing, Nebraska will not only lose out on billions of dollars economically, it will also lose the people that call it home,” said the council.Among key problems noted by the council: 44% of Nebraska households who earn $75,000 a year or less are housing-cost burdened, meaning they spend more than 30% of their gross income on housing, reducing funds for necessities and contributing to the economy.Two top priorities it identified: reduce the 44% of housing cost-burdened households to 33% or less; and produce 35,000 housing units affordable to low- to middle-income tenants.Committees were named to work on four pillars, or areas of concentration. Those focus areas: expanding financial support and incentives for housing; education and policy; expanding workforce housing; and developing 10,000 affordable dwellings for those earning $22,000 or less, with special concern for elderly, disabled, chronically homeless and other populations with special needs.Shannon Harner, executive director of NIFA, said the council did not yet have an accurate account of how many of the 35,000 affordable units have been produced.She said the committee was reviewing various data sources and had yet to settle on a single “source of truth.”&nbsp;However, the council has developed the first phase of a public&nbsp;<a href="https://app.powerbi.com/view?r=eyJrIjoiZmY1NTU4ZDktYWMyMS00YjBhLWJhNTUtYjQ5YzViZWU2ZjdhIiwidCI6IjVhNWI5ZTYxLTIwYjItNDU3OC04ZjM3LTI0Njg4MWZhMGQ2MSIsImMiOjN9" target="_blank">“dashboard”</a>&nbsp;intended to show the growth of housing units overall in cities and counties in the state. She said the council plans to build upon that as a way to track progress.“Lots of work has been done on the ground,” Harner said.For example, the first of four two-day sessions were held this week to help nonprofits develop rental housing for populations with special needs. That is part of the pillar aiming to develop 10,000 units for households with incomes under $22,000.In addition, she said, the policy committee has pushed for legislation tweaks that expand and make better use of state funds for rural and workforce housing.A “toolkit,” or guide, has been created by yet another pillar of the council to help communities increase housing supply.

NE advocates for the homeless, special needs groups launch effort to build 10,000 dwellings

<a>(Lincoln, NEB.)&nbsp;&nbsp;</a>—&nbsp; The Nebraska State Patrol launched an enforcement campaign to close-out the summer travel season.&nbsp;The campaign will run from August 14 through September 2.

“In the coming weeks, events like the State Fair, Husker Football, and Labor Day Weekend will have many traveling across the state,” said Colonel John Bolduc, Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol. “We want Nebraska to close out the summer safely.”

Troopers, deputies, and officers from agencies across the state are partnering for the&nbsp;Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over&nbsp;effort. Troopers will be performing high-visibility patrols across the state, monitoring for impaired driving.

So far in 2024, troopers have made 821 arrests for driving under the influence – a 23 percent increase from this time last year. Additionally, traffic fatalities have increased by 26 percent over last year.

“Every traffic fatality is a tragedy, and we know many of them could be prevented if everyone drives sober,” said Colonel John Bolduc. “We encourage you to do your part in keeping everyone on the road safe by making the choice to drive sober.”

The campaign is made possible thanks in part to a grant for $36,720 from the Nebraska Department of Transportation – Highway Safety Office.&nbsp;Any motorist who observes a dangerous driver can report it to the NSP Highway Helpline by calling *55 to reach an NSP dispatcher.

Mikayla HallNebraska State Patrol<a>(Lincoln, NEB.)&nbsp;&nbsp;</a>—&nbsp; The Nebraska State Patrol launched an enforcement campaign to close-out the summer travel season.&nbsp;The campaign will run from August 14 through September 2.“In the coming weeks, events like the State Fair, Husker Football, and Labor Day Weekend will have many traveling across the state,” said Colonel John Bolduc, Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol. “We want Nebraska to close out the summer safely.”Troopers, deputies, and officers from agencies across the state are partnering for the&nbsp;Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over&nbsp;effort. Troopers will be performing high-visibility patrols across the state, monitoring for impaired driving.So far in 2024, troopers have made 821 arrests for driving under the influence – a 23 percent increase from this time last year. Additionally, traffic fatalities have increased by 26 percent over last year.“Every traffic fatality is a tragedy, and we know many of them could be prevented if everyone drives sober,” said Colonel John Bolduc. “We encourage you to do your part in keeping everyone on the road safe by making the choice to drive sober.”The campaign is made possible thanks in part to a grant for $36,720 from the Nebraska Department of Transportation – Highway Safety Office.&nbsp;Any motorist who observes a dangerous driver can report it to the NSP Highway Helpline by calling *55 to reach an NSP dispatcher.

NSP Launches Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Campaign

For far too long, Americans have paid more for their prescription drugs than any developed nation. Today, the Biden-Harris Administration is delivering on its promise to lower out-of-pocket drug costs for seniors and save money for Americans.

That’s because Medicare has the power to negotiate prescription drug prices for the first time in history thanks&nbsp;to the Inflation Reduction Act, which was signed into law by President Biden with Vice President Harris casting the tie-breaking vote. Because Medicare is now able to negotiate lower prescription drug prices for seniors and people with disabilities, American taxpayers are expected to save $6 billion on prescription drug costs, and people enrolled in Medicare are expected to save $1.5 billion in out-of-pocket costs in 2026 alone.

 President Biden took on Big Pharma and won, and now millions of seniors and others on Medicare will soon see their drug costs go down on some of the most common and expensive prescription drugs that treat heart disease, cancer, diabetes, blood clots, and more. 

WHITE HOUSEFor far too long, Americans have paid more for their prescription drugs than any developed nation. Today, the Biden-Harris Administration is delivering on its promise to lower out-of-pocket drug costs for seniors and save money for Americans.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Right now, Americans pay two to three times more for prescription drugs than they would anywhere else. But the Biden-Harris Administration beat Big Pharma. And after months of negotiations, Medicare has reached agreements to lower the price for 10 of the highest-cost drugs. <a href="https://t.co/eGVtAtJsVO">pic.twitter.com/eGVtAtJsVO</a>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1824057502389968965?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 15, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>That’s because Medicare has the power to negotiate prescription drug prices for the first time in history thanks&nbsp;to the Inflation Reduction Act, which was signed into law by President Biden with Vice President Harris casting the tie-breaking vote. Because Medicare is now able to negotiate lower prescription drug prices for seniors and people with disabilities, American taxpayers are expected to save $6 billion on prescription drug costs, and people enrolled in Medicare are expected to save $1.5 billion in out-of-pocket costs in 2026 alone. President Biden took on Big Pharma and won, and now millions of seniors and others on Medicare will soon see their drug costs go down on some of the most common and expensive prescription drugs that treat heart disease, cancer, diabetes, blood clots, and more. HHS Announces Negotiated Prices for Medicare Drugs HHS has reached agreements with all participating manufacturers on new negotiated, lower drug prices for the first 10 drugs selected for the Medicare drug price negotiation program. After manufacturers have&nbsp;<a href="https://aspe.hhs.gov/reports/medicare-drug-price-negotiation-program-comparing-drug-price">steadily increased the list prices</a>&nbsp;of all 10 of these drugs since they went on the market, these new prices will cut the list price of these drugs between 38 and 79 percent. The new prices will go into effect for people with Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage in 2026.