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DEVELOPING: XGR–STATE BUDGET, XGR–CAMPAIGN RULES, CENSUS-NEBRASKA,
XGR–STATE BUDGET
LINCOLN—The Nebraska budget has been sent to Gov. Dave Heineman. Nebraska lawmakers on Wednesday gave final-round approval to a two-year, nearly $7 billion spending plan that would keep the state out of a budget hole but could set up a fall once federal stimulus dollars dry up. By Nate Jenkins.
XGR–CAMPAIGN RULES
LINCOLN—Saying it leads to gutter-style politics, some Nebraska lawmakers are trying to dismantle state campaign-finance rules. The current law, they say, has driven money underground to faceless groups that distribute attack ads. But others say eliminating the state campaign law won’t fix the problem. By Nate Jenkins.
With:
— XGR–DNA SAMPLES—Anyone convicted of a felony in Nebraska would have to submit a DNA sample to the state, under a bill advanced to the final round by lawmakers.
— XGR–SCHOOL MONEY—A significant increase in state funding for local schools has been approved by Nebraska lawmakers.
— XGR–CONCEALED CARRY—Nebraska cities will likely have no choice but to allow concealed handguns.
— XGR–CIGARETTE BURNS—Nebraska lawmakers have given final-round approval to a bill that would require all cigarettes sold in the state be “fire safe.”
CENSUS-NEBRASKA, HFR
OMAHA—New estimates set for release Thursday by the U.S. Census Bureau offer insight into how Nebraska’s population is growing. The data looks at July 2008 population estimates and changes that have occurred over the last decade. By Jean Ortiz. Eds: HOLD FOR RELEASE UNTIL 11:01 P.M. CDT WEDNESDAY. THIS STORY MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST OR POSTED ONLINE BEFORE 11:01 P.M. CDT.
BUSINESS:
— NELSON-CAR DEALERS—U.S. Sen. Ben Nelson says he worries that Nebraska could lose about 2,000 jobs if General Motors and Chrysler move ahead with all their planned dealership closings. Eds: Moved on state news and financial lines.
— GUARD-EMPLOYER SUPPORT—Three Nebraska employers have been named semifinalists for the 2009 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award. Eds: Moved on state news and financial lines.
ALSO GETTING ATTENTION:
— SANDHILLS TWISTER—A tornado spotted in the Sandhills area of western Nebraska ripped off some roofs and knocked down a radio tower.
— TODDLER LEFT ALONE—An Omaha woman faces felony child-abuse charges next month, accused of leaving a little girl alone in a Grand Island motel room.
— CRASH ARREST—A pickup driver involved in a crash that injured a mother and three children has been arrested on suspicion of driving with a suspended license.
— OVERRIDE ELECTION—Voters in the Elkhorn Valley School District have approved a property-tax override.
— MISSING CARS—A Nebraska auto dealership executive accused in the disappearance of more than 80 vehicles from a Scottsbluff car lot is facing fewer charges heading into his arraignment.
— ROADS WORKERS MEMORIAL—A memorial honoring Nebraska Department of Roads employees who died while working on road projects will be on display this week at a AAA Nebraska office in Lincoln.
— CORRECTIONS GRADUATION—Eighteen students are set to receive their high school diplomas in Omaha in a ceremony described as a first of its kind.
— TREE SURVEY—Crews later this month will resume checking land across the state as part of the Great Plains Tree and Forest Invasives Initiative.
— SCIENCE CAFE—The University of Nebraska Medical Center will co-host its first Science Café in Lincoln this week.
— HOG FARM LAWSUITS—Three American Indian tribe members from South Dakota have appealed a federal judge’s dismissal of their civil lawsuit over a large-scale hog farm owned by 11 Iowa farmers. Eds: Note Nebraska mention.
The AP, Omaha.
