Nebraska special session: Sen. Wayne votes to adjourn; gaming bills introduced

LINCOLN, Neb. (WOWT) – An attempt was made to end the second day of the Nebraska Legislature’s special session before senators got down to work.

Early in the session, Omaha Senator Justin Wayne introduced a motion to adjourn — something he had urged his senators to consider doing en masse immediately on Day 1 in a sharply worded letter to the body earlier this week.

Speaker of the Nebraska Legislature John Arch addressed the senators before the vote was taken into motion.

“This is ours now to do; only we can pass legislation. The governor cannot pass Legislation. So, it is now our work that we have to do; citizens are watching,” Arch said. “I don’t know about you, but I know in my district, there is a lot of interest with what’s happening here in this session.”

The motion to adjourn failed on a 34-4 vote. The senators went back to work, discussing bills and amendments that have been made over the first two days of the special session.

State Sen. Tom Brant of Plymouth introduced legislation that would redefine terms related to Nebraska’s brand new sports betting, under the Nebraska Racetrack Gaming Act.

Right now, Husker fans can’t bet on their team when they play at home, and there is no mobile betting in Nebraska.

Critics believe fans will take their betting dollars across the bridge to bet on the Huskers, and make other bets from their phones without walking into the casino.

Officials from Omaha’s Warhorse Casino say that once again, Nebraska will be missing out on millions of dollars every year.

“That’s another $32 million towards property tax relief; we’re very focused on that. Nebraskans have supported gaming lately because they wanted to reduce some of their property taxes,” Warhorse Casino spokesman Lance Morgan said.

Lawmakers will take Saturday off to give the bill drafters time to catch up on dozens of bills that have been introduced. They will reconvene at 9 a.m. Monday.

Speaker Arch says the third day of the session will be the last day to drop bills.

DAY 2 BILLS SUMMARY

Among the other 15 bills submitted on Friday:

State Sen. Carol Blood of Bellevue put foward a bill on retail delivery fees.

Omaha senators Machaela Cavanaugh and Jen Day introduced bills on homestead exemptions.

State Sen. Kathleen Kauth of Omaha introduced a bill to change how state constitution amendments are proposed to the Legislature.

State Sen. Terrell McKinney of Omaha submitted a bill focused on reducing the prison population by allowing early release from parole and commutation recommendations for certain sentences.

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Digital Director Gina Dvorak contributed to this report.

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