Humanities Desk

Lawmakers began their second day debating how best to make up for a significant shortfall in the state budget. In recent years, the state has been flush with cash, thanks to post-pandemic revenue growth and an influx of federal dollars, but this year’s budgeting process has looked a little different. Sen. Myron Dorn, a member of the Legislature’s Appropriations Committee serving his seventh year in the Unicameral, said most of the body lacks the institutional knowledge and experience that would be valuable.

State auditor Mike Foley says Nebraska is spending too much on leasing commercial office space. In a letter he sent to the Legislature’s Performance Audit Committee Monday, Foley highlighted the 37% increase in the amount the state paid for commercially leased space over the last five years. He said the state should consider buying or building new properties to save money long term, since the cost per square foot is significantly cheaper at state-owned buildings.

Law professors at the University of Nebraska sent a letter to Nebraska’s congressional delegation this week, citing concerns over what they say is the Trump administration’s lack of respect for the rule of law. The letter reads in part, “We are concerned that the rule of law is in peril, and we urge you to be vigilant in its defense.” The letter cites the administration’s revocation of student visas, the lack of due process for immigrants prior to deportation and the failure to comply with federal court rulings as evidence of its disregard for judicial authority.

Five of the six candidates for Lincoln City Council are people of color, one is an immigrant, and two identify as LGTBQ. Incumbent Sandra Washington says she can't remember a time the candidate pool was this diverse.

In November, Nebraska voters approved initiatives legalizing possession of up to 5 ounces of medical marijuana. Thursday afternoon, a bill to regulate it advanced from the Legislature’s General Affairs Committee.

In February, a U.S. Department of Agriculture report projected a $49 billion-dollar agricultural trade deficit for fiscal year 2025. That represents an all-time high. Trump announced a 90-day pause on most tariffs after a market decline in early April, but Chinese imports are subject to a 145% tariff, while other countries still have a 10% tariff. Fischer said she met with the Jamieson Greer, the U.S. Trade Representative, earlier this week and learned that trade negotiations are taking place with a number of countries.

LB649, known as the Defense Efforts Workforce Act, would offer a 5% wage credit to defense contractors capped at $4 million dollars each year across all employers. To qualify for the credit, companies must have at least 10 full-time employees dedicated to the mission of Offutt Air Force Base. That would include employees working on intercontinental ballistic missile projects in the Nebraska panhandle and other businesses that report to the United States Strategic Command.

Nebraska is one of five states that still levy an inheritance tax after Iowa ended its tax earlier this year. Getting rid of the tax has long been a goal for Sen. Rob Clements. His priority bill for this session, which was debated on the floor throughout the morning and afternoon, would reduce the two highest inheritance tax rates to 3%, while increasing the amount exempted for all three classes.

How does the arrest of a Nebraskan for teaching German to students in the 1920s set a precedent for the U.S. Supreme Court? Fascinating historical events become relevant in a new podcast on Nebraska Public Media, hosted by Bill Kelly. “Once Again” premiers May 1.

Last month, weather balloon launches at National Weather Service offices near Omaha, North Platte and Rapid City, South Dakota were scaled back or stopped entirely due to low staffing levels. Meteorologists say that without the weather balloons, forecasting becomes less accurate. The Omaha office has been down five of its 13 forecasters for the past three years.