Nebraska lawmakers have ended a legislative session that includes child welfare reforms, tax cuts and the restoration of prenatal care for illegal immigrants.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Lawmakers adjourned Wednesday evening after overriding Gov. Dave Heineman's veto of a bill to restore prenatal care for illegal immigrants and other low-income women. Senators also overrode a veto of a measure giving cities the right to seek voter approval of higher sales taxes.
The session was marked by uncertainty about the state's financial future and conflicts over the governor's plan to cut taxes. But it also included new investments for University of Nebraska medical facilities, and efforts to reduce truancy in schools.
Lawmakers also gave voters the option of approving legislative salary increases, expanding term limits, and placing hunting rights in the state constitution.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Opposition from Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman has killed a bill that would allow machine bets on previously run horse races.
Lawmakers narrowly failed to override Heineman's veto Wednesday, and they defeated an attempt by the bill's sponsor to reconsider their vote.
The first vote was 28-20, two votes short of the minimum lawmakers need to override. Omaha Sen. Scott Lautenbaugh filed a motion to reconsider the vote, but the request fell one vote short of the 30 it needed.
Bill supporters say the bill would preserve jobs in the flailing horse racing industry. Heineman and other opponents in the Legislature insist that the bill would create a new form of gambling. Heineman says the bill contradicts the spirit of live horse racing, which has been approved by Nebraska voters.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Nebraska lawmakers have failed to override Gov. Dave Heineman's veto of a proposed grant program to help build school health centers.
Lawmakers voted 27-22 Wednesday to override the veto - three votes short of the 30 required.
Heineman said in a letter to lawmakers that the measure would have improperly used state lottery proceeds, which can only be spent for education purposes. He also says such school health facilities already exist at the community level, and should remain a local responsibility.
The bill would have allocated $200,000 a year for competitive school district grants to create the health clinics.
Omaha Sen. Brenda Council filed a motion to reconsider the vote, but the effort was defeated.
The bill is LB 1020
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
