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Omaha World-Herald Editorial
Monday, Nov 24, 2008

It’s a long-established pattern: When they arrive at the State Capitol, freshmen in the Nebraska Legislature understandably look to work with friends.

Early in a legislative session, those friends usually are the fellow Republicans or Democrats in the Legislature. Other friends are activists in partisan circles. For many members, their friends include particular special-interest groups. And some freshmen look to the governor — who may have campaigned for them — as a special and powerful friend.

But experience at the Capitol teaches something quite important that the 16 freshmen (roughly one-third of the 49 members) need to take to heart: A lawmaker’s most important friends are his or her fellow members of the Legislature — across the boundaries of party and philosophy.

If they cocoon themselves by associating only with their partisan or ideological associates, members of the Legislature will find themselves regarded as narrowly focused political hacks — and above all, ineffective.

BY JoANNE YOUNG / Lincoln Journal Star
Monday, Nov 17, 2008

Parents and guardians who brought their children to three Alegent hospitals in the past nine weeks to use the state’s safe haven law were in serious crisis, the leader of the Alegent Health hospitals said Monday.

“They were in absolute meltdown. Their lives were out of control,” said Wayne Sensor, Alegent Health chief executive officer. “They had tried everything.”

Alegent hospitals, including Immanuel Medical Center, Bergan Mercy Medical Center and Midlands Hospital, received 14 of the safe haven dropoffs. Seven more parents or guardians brought children to the hospitals to use the law, but after discussions with hospital social workers or nurses decided to take their children home and seek other help, Sensor said.
Immanuel Administrator Ann Schumacher will testify for the Alegent hospitals at Monday’s hearing on two safe haven bills that were introduced Friday. One (LB1) would change the age limit on safe haven dropoffs to 3 days, the other (LB3) would change it to 1 year, but also includes other provisions for older children.

BY JoANNE YOUNG / Lincoln Journal Star
Monday, Nov 17, 2008

The Legislature will begin first-round debate Tuesday morning on amending the safe haven law, but with a 30-day age limit instead of the original 3-day limit.

The Legislature’s Judiciary Committee on Monday afternoon heard nearly four hours of testimony —from child welfare experts, hospital officials, parents, a former foster child and a Department of Health and Human Services official — on two bills that would amend the law. Afterward, the committee voted 7-1 to advance the amended version of LB1, introduced by Speaker Mike Flood on behalf of Gov. Dave Heineman.

Omaha Sen. Ernie Chambers argued on behalf of sending the original bill to the floor for debate, even though he doesn’t believe in safe haven bills, and doesn’t believe services are attainable for older children.
“The die is cast, the skids are greased,” he said. “You can get in the way of the train if you want to, but you’re not going to stop it. The only train that’s going to make it to the station is LB1.”

The committee expects the bill will be subjected to a number of amendments once it gets to the floor. Lincoln Sen. Bill Avery has already filed an amendment to change the age limit of the safe haven bill to 1 year.

By JoANNE YOUNG / Lincoln Journal Star
Sunday, Nov 16, 2008

One important thing needs to be said at Monday’s safe haven public hearing, the chairman of the Legislature’s Judiciary Committee said Saturday.

Omaha Sen. Brad Ashford wants to hear officials of the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services — an integral agency in the protection of children of all ages in the state — acknowledge the state has a “huge gap” in mental health and behavioral services for children and youth.

“Then we can all start to work together,” Ashford said.
It doesn’t have a lot to do with what Gov. Dave Heineman called the Legislature into special session to do: lower the age limit on the state’s safe haven bill.

But at the same time, it has everything to do with it.

By NATE JENKINS / The Associated Press
Saturday, Nov 15, 2008

A Nebraska lawmaker with an important role in changing the state’s safe-haven statute says it’s possible the Legislature will be asked to do more than put an age limit in the open-ended law that has led to the abandonment of nearly three dozen children.

Sen. Brad Ashford of Omaha said Saturday that the Judiciary Committee, which he chairs, could ask that the scope of the special legislative session now under way be expanded. Instead of just adding an age limit to the law, lawmakers could be asked to act to improve access to mental health services.

“The concern is real about these services not being available to older children,’’ Ashford said after the Legislature met briefly during special session.
The rare special session was called by Gov. Dave Heineman, who ordered lawmakers to only consider putting an age limit in the law.

BY JoANNE YOUNG / Lincoln Journal Star
Thursday, Nov 13, 2008

As state senators go into special session Friday to amend the state’s safe haven law, advocates are asking them to think hard about any changes.

Is the proposed 72-hour age limit the right one? Many states have broader age limits.

Should Nebraska follow other states with requirements for publicity of the law? For anonymity of parents?

What about fathers’ rights?

Omaha World-Herald Editorial
Sunday Sept. 21, 2008

Here is a question that Nebraska voters should ask the candidates running for the state Legislature: “Are you going to Lincoln to be a leader? Or do you just intend to be a follower?”

That is, does the candidate intend to exercise the independent judgment crucial for effective service in the Legislature? Or does he or she intend to be a mere foot soldier whose main focus will be promotion of either the Republican or the Democratic Party?

BY DEENA WINTER / Lincoln Journal Star
Wednesday, Sep 03, 2008 - 08:55:27 pm CDT

Tom Osborne said the University of Nebraska-Lincoln has reached a tentative agreement with city officials on having its basketball teams be tenants if the city builds a new arena.

The agreement “would be beneficial to both,” Osborne said Wednesday at an arena open house at Memorial Stadium. “Unless things have changed, we’re OK with what they’ve offered us. ... We think we can work it out.”

He would not elaborate on the terms of the proposed agreement.

The Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Interim Study Task Force had its first meeting Wednesday, August 27. The Task Force was created by Senator Bill Avery to examine the military installations, missions, and assets in Nebraska and determine what, if anything, should be done to ensure Nebraska has an important and valuable future role in the United States military.

By The Associated Press
Wednesday, Jul 30, 2008

The sales tax holiday in Iowa scheduled for this weekend is renewing pleas to have one in Nebraska.

State Sen. Bill Avery of Lincoln says the state needs a holiday from sales taxes during the back-to-school shopping season to compete with Iowa. Missouri also gives shoppers a short reprieve from taxes, and a total of about 15 states do so.