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For Immediate Release: My Personal Bills for 2009

March 13, 2009, Lincoln— Last month I reported that I introduced 15 bills this year. Nine of the 15 are my personal bills. Six of my personal bills were introduced at the request of a District 2 constituent or on behalf of an organization that serves the District.

In 2008 I introduced a bill to amend the Securities Act of Nebraska. The proposed changes resulted from a situation that started in District 2 and spread to other parts of southeast Nebraska, western Iowa and throughout the country. Many individuals lost millions of dollars collectively as victims of misleading investment advice and probably outright fraud. As the legislative representative for District 2, I contacted the Nebraska Department of Banking and Finance to discuss its investigation of this matter. I asked the Department to suggest statutory changes that would improve its ability to respond to any similar situation in the future. The bill was not advanced by the Banking, Commerce and Insurance Committee last year.

My strong belief in the need to protect Nebraska investors caused me to work on this issue over the interim last year. I collaborated again with the Department of Banking to prepare and introduce LB 113. This bill would make two key changes to the Securities Act. LB 113 would make it unlawful to tamper with evidence, or to obstruct an investigation or other proceeding under the Act. It would also authorize the Department to petition a court for equitable action against a person, not just a firm, who violates the Act. Such action could include, but not be limited to, restitution and a freezing of assets. Generally, I am not an advocate for more government regulation and expanded powers, but, when Nebraskans suffer significant or total loss of their invested money, I think that laws should exist to enable the state to protect its citizens. The Banking, Commerce and Insurance Committee added an emergency clause to LB 113 and advanced it for floor debate. The emergency clause will require more votes to pass the bill in the final round of debate, but it will allow the proposed changes to become law as soon as the bill is signed by the governor.

A constituent called my office last year to express his desire to expand his service to education in his community and report that our laws do not support his plan. The individual in question works as a substitute teacher and would like to serve on his local school board. Current law allows each school district to set its own policy regarding this issue. In one district a non-contracted substitute teacher would be allowed to serve on his or her school board, but in a neighboring district a non-contracted substitute teacher would be denied the opportunity to serve. The potential for a conflict of interest may be the justification used by some districts to prevent the substitute from being a school board member. The current law is somewhat inconsistent, because it allows the spouse of a contracted teacher or school administrator to serve on their school board, even though they have might have an even greater potential for a conflict of interest than does a non-contracted substitute teacher. I introduced LB 163 to allow non-contracted teachers to serve on their local school board. The constituent who brought this issue to me testified at the public hearing on LB 163, and the Legislature’s Education Committee advanced the bill for debate by the Legislature.

I am fortunate to have two Heritage Nebraska Main Street communities in my legislative district, so I have been able to see the all-encompassing approach that the Main Street Program uses to inspire and guide local residents to strengthen, enhance and promote their community. The Program receives state funds and matches them with grants and donations. Last year and again this year, I was honored to be asked by the Program to introduce its appropriations request. Shortly after LB 182 was introduced, the Program learned that its state funding was included in the biennial budget proposal from the Department of Economic Development and in the Appropriations Committee’s Preliminary Budget. This week the Committee held its hearing on LB 182. The bill served to emphasize the importance of maintaining the funding for Heritage Nebraska Main Street in the Committee’s final budget that will be presented in April.

I appreciate the opportunity you have given me to represent District 2 in the Nebraska Legislature.
We welcome your contacts by mail, phone or email.

Senator Dave Pankonin
    State Capitol
    PO Box 94604
    Lincoln, NE 68509
    (402) 471-2613
    This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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Relay For Life brings more than 3.5 million people from across the country together each year to celebrate the lives of those who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against a disease that affects so many.

Samantha Wessels, a 2008 graduate of Weeping Water High School, recently contacted me about spreading awareness about Nebraska Wesleyan’s upcoming “Relay for Life” event to be held on April 17th.  She is on the Survivorship committee and is contacting area towns looking for cancer survivors who might like to participate and be honored during the festivities.  Survivors will get a free t-shirt and goodie bag and will be honored during the Survivorship Ceremony.
“Relay for Life” is an all-night event, with the teams walking around the track all night, taking turns in a relay.  However, the Survivorship Ceremony will be held earlier in the evening.
Those who are cancer survivors and would like to participate in the relay and meet with other cancer survivors can call Samantha Wessels at 402-297-1643 or email her at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .  She will then mail/email them a Survivor’s packet with all the information needed for the event.
Even if you aren’t a cancer survivor, you can still make a donation.  Wesleyan has almost 40 teams signed up to compete for donations this year.  Samantha’s team is called the “Plainswomen”.  There are ten girls on her team and their goal for donations is $1,000.  If you would like to make a donation, you can write a check to the American Cancer Society and mail it to Samantha at: 
Samantha Wessels
5000 St Paul Ave SMB 9029
Lincoln, NE  68504
You can also donate online with a credit card by going to the Wesleyan website at http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?pg=entry&fr_id=16948 .  Make sure you specify that you want your donation to be credited to the “Plainswomen” team.

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During the first two months of 2009 and in light of the ongoing recession, 5 businesses have applied for the Nebraska Advantage business incentives and are planning to grow their operations in Nebraska.

Dayton Phoenix Group, Gothenburg, Jacobson Land & Cattle Co., Lincoln, Midwest Laboratories Inc., Omaha, Mutual of Omaha in Omaha, and Pramac America LLC of Kearney are all planning to grow their businesses in Nebraska.

Forty-eight businesses applied for incentives during 2008, while 52 businesses applied in 2007. Since inception on January 1, 2006, Nebraska has received 191 applications, with those businesses potentially investing $5.44 billion and creating 15,653 jobs in Nebraska.
http://www.nebraskaadvantage.biz/
 
 

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Nebraska still has one of the lowest unemployment rates, third-lowest in the nation at 4.3% for January 2009.  The state’s unemployment rate rose from 3 to 4.3% from January 2008 to January 2009, while the national unemployment rate jumped from 4.9 to 7.6%.

Five Nebraska Communities Earned Economic Development Certification in 2008

Hastings, Kearney, McCook, Wahoo and Wayne joined the growing list of Nebraska communities earning economic development certification. The Nebraska Economic Development Certified Communities certification better positions a community for economic development opportunities, shows a community is economic development ready, and exemplifies a community capable of marketing itself for business and industry development.

Ord, the first Nebraska Economic Development Certified Community, also achieved recertification in 2008.  

Other Nebraska communities earning economic development certification include: Auburn, Cozad, Fremont, Geneva, Gothenburg, Grand Island, Holdrege, Lexington, Nebraska City, Norfolk, North Platte, Ogallala, Scottsbluff, Sidney and South Sioux City.
www.neded.org/content/view/380/669/

DED Briefings Focus on Widespread Economic Issues

DED is hosting two briefings in 2009, to provide timely information about key issues affecting the state’s development and economy.

The first briefing will be held Wednesday, April 1, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. CST in North Platte at the Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) offices, 402 E. State Farm Road, rooms 142 and 145.

The second is scheduled for Thursday, October 22 in Lincoln. More information to follow.

Briefings are geared to new economic developers and those interested in economic development programs and services. DED staff will talk about key components involved in the state’s economic growth and development, including business and tourism attraction, existing business retention and expansion, housing, community development, and entrepreneurship.

The briefing is free for all interested participants. Lunch will be provided by NPPD.

To reserve your place at the North Platte briefing and lunch, please register no later than March 23 by contacting Michelle Millsap toll-free at 800-426-6505, 402-471-3746, or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
THE NEBRASKA DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
www.neded.org | 800-426-6505 | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

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2009 SOUTHERN GOSPEL

 

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FOR YOUR INFORMATION

• The Weeping Water Public Library now has wireless internet service for community use.  Please stop in and check out this new service.

CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS

Wednesday, March 18:

• Steak Dinner at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Weeping Water  5-8 p.m.

Friday, March 13:

• American Legion Fish Fry @ 5:30 p.m.

• PTO Carnival & Silent Auction 5:00-8:00 p.m.