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Sen. Steve Lathrop
The content of these pages is developed and maintained by, and is the sole responsibility of, the individual senator's office and may not reflect the views of the Nebraska Legislature. Questions and comments about the content should be directed to the senator's office at slathrop@leg.ne.gov
Preparing for 2020
The next legislative session is just around the corner, and my office is hard at work preparing bills for me to introduce in the opening days. The Legislature has significant unfinished business when it comes to tax reform, school funding, economic development, and the alarming conditions in our prisons and other state institutions. I anticipate that each of these issues will be debated at length in the coming months.
Senator Lathrop speaks with constituents Oct. 1 during a town hall meeting at Ralston City Hall.
Senator Lathrop speaks with constituents Nov. 5 during a town hall meeting at CRCC in Millard.
Here are some highlights from 2019:
* 198 bills heard in committees: I sit on the Business and Labor Committee and the Agriculture Committee, and have the honor of serving as chairman of the Judiciary Committee.
* 10 bills passed: Of the 16 bills I personally introduced this past session, 10 were signed into law. Topics ranged from protecting victims of theft to addressing critical issues in the Department of Corrections.
* Meetings with constituents: Throughout the year, I met with constituents from District 12 to discuss a range of subjects, including health care, public safety and education.
I am here to represent you in Lincoln. Should you ever wish to express your opinion on an issue or request assistance from my office, do not hesitate to contact me.
Staffing our correctional facilities
Our inspector general for corrections and local media continue to document critical staffing shortages in our state prisons. The situation at the Nebraska State Penitentiary in Lincoln is particularly concerning. I am paying close attention to this issue, as adequate staffing is necessary in order to keep these facilities under control. The implications for public safety are real and cannot be ignored.
The Judiciary Committee will hold a public hearing on matters related to the correctional system Oct. 25. I also encourage people to read these recent news articles on the subject:
State watchdog calls conditions at State Penitentiary 'alarming' and 'disturbing' (OWH, Aug. 21)
Report cites staffing and overtime concerns at State Penitentiary (KETV, Aug. 20)
Summer in the Legislature
Greetings! Hopefully everyone reading this had a safe and festive Fourth of July, and that you are enjoying the summer.
My office is hard at work. Much of that involves wrapping up tasks from this past session and researching potential bills for next year. We also spend a significant amount of time providing direct assistance to constituents of District 12 and their neighbors across the state. I want to thank everyone who has reached out with questions about recent legislation, seeking help navigating state agencies, or offering ideas for how we can better serve Nebraskans in the future.
For those of you who wish to contact us but don't know how:
– You may visit my office in Room 1202 in the Capitol
– Write me at P.O. Box 94604, Lincoln, NE 68509
– Call the office, 402-471-2623, during regular business hours
– Email me at slathrop@leg.ne.gov
– Follow/message me on Facebook at facebook.com/SenSteveLathrop
Over the next few months, various committees in the Legislature will begin to hold interim hearings on a variety of subjects. These are not hearings on specific bills, although they may generate or help refine ideas for future legislation. Hearings are generally open to public comment, unless otherwise noted. You can find a calendar of those hearings at nebraskalegislature.gov/calendar/calendar.php
Posted in District Info
Enforcing our Consitution
My personal priority bill this session is LB538, which establishes a process for the Revenue Department to vet cash-dispensing video games at bars and gas stations across Nebraska, and to remove those which violate the state's constitutional ban on gambling. You can read more about the issue in this article, which appeared in the Omaha World-Herald last spring.
Many of these machines are almost certainly illegal, but the state lacks an effective way to enforce the law. LB538 would fix that. Furthermore, these machines aren't held to the same standards as the state lottery or keno, which are required contribute large sums to our state and local communities.
LB538 is a bill with a simple purpose — to ensure that Nebraska's Constitution and anti-gambling laws are being followed. I am thankful to my colleagues for voting last week to advance the bill to a second round of debate before the full Legislature.
From the Desk of Senator Steve Lathrop, March Newsletter
From the Desk of Senator Steve Lathrop, District 12
Hello! This is the first edition of my newsletter, giving constituents and others the latest updates on legislative activity related to District 12. You're receiving this email because of previous correspondence with my office.
I am honored to be back in Lincoln representing the people of our district. I am also honored to have been elected chairman of the Judiciary Committee by my fellow senators.
The first three months of the legislative session have been exhilarating. The Judiciary Committee held hearings on 143 bills, the most of any committee. Those hearings ended last week, and this week we switch to all-day debates by the full Legislature.
Judiciary Committee members and staff pose for a group portrait in the Warner Chamber on Thursday, March 28, the last day of hearings.
Protecting Victims' Rights
On March 15, the Legislature passed LB125, a bill I introduced that extends protections to people who fall victim to serious financial crimes at the hands of their intimate partners. This bill will ensure that such victims have the right to be notified and informed at each step of criminal proceedings.
Focus on Corrections
Our state prison system is experiencing an overcrowding crisis. The Judiciary Committee has designated one of my bills, LB686, as a Judiciary Committee priority for this legislative session. Using this bill as a vehicle, I hope to work with other members of the committee to offer solutions that will ease overcrowding within the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services while keeping our communities safe.
Other Bills
Some of the other bills I introduced this session include: LB538, which clearly distinguishes games of chance from games of skill to prohibit gambling devices in Nebraska; LB576, which ensures that firefighters are compensated when they are diagnosed with cancer or heart disease as a result of their heroic work; and LB309, which provides funding for an additional judge in Douglas County's overburdened District Court.
Meet My Staff and Find More Updates
For the latest updates from the Capitol, and to meet members of my legislative staff, follow me on Facebook at facebook.com/SenSteveLathrop
Senator Steve Lathrop
Judiciary Committee Hearings
Public hearings for bills referred to the Judiciary Committee are scheduled for Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at 1:30pm unless it is a Recess or Holiday. Judiciary Committee hearings are located in the Warner Chamber on the 2nd floor of the Nebraska State Capitol.
All are welcome to attend. If you are interested in testifying, you will need to fill out a yellow form when you enter the Chamber. When the time comes, you will have three minutes to testify and will need to provide 12 copies of your testimony for the committee and staff.
Please be advised that some bills are of strong interest to the public so if there are many testifiers, the hearing may run long. You can call our office at (402)471-2623 to confirm the order of the bills the day before a bill is scheduled. You can reach our office with any other questions.
Email: slathrop@leg.ne.gov
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