Nebraska
‘We are not his slaves’: Lawmakers demand respect before a property tax special session • Nebraska Examiner
LINCOLN — Nebraska lawmakers blasted Gov. Jim Pillen on Tuesday night for his “blatant disrespect” to the Legislature in not yet formally calling a special session to address what many have called the state’s property tax “crisis.”
Pillen has said for a month that he intends to call senators back to Lincoln this Thursday to iron out property tax relief ideas. Most recently, he has said the “Nebraska Plan” he’s worked on throughout the summer would result in major savings to taxpayers, with up to 50% savings in property taxes for the average Nebraskan. Many senators have questioned whether that would be the case or if property tax savings would be undercut by a broadened sales tax base.
Lawmakers were unsuccessful in passing a previous Pillen-backed property tax plan during the regular legislative session, which ended April 18, so Pillen immediately pivoted to a special session for the summer. However, he hasn’t yet issued a proclamation to do so, as he is required to do under the Nebraska Constitution.
That document must specify when lawmakers are to return to Lincoln and for which topics legislation can be introduced.
‘We are not his slaves’
State Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha wrote in an email to all 48 of his colleagues shortly after 7 p.m. Tuesday that state government is composed of three independent branches, which should respect each other’s roles.
But with fewer than 48 hours until a special session, Wayne said, lawmakers didn’t have the necessary information to do their jobs.
“I am compelled to express my profound disappointment and frustration with the Governor’s blatant disrespect in failing to call a special session in a timely and responsible manner,” Wayne wrote.
“We are not his slaves to be summoned at his whim,” Wayne continued. “We have families and lives, and this lack of consideration is unacceptable.”
Wayne said that to solve the problem of rising property taxes, lawmakers must ensure they can collaborate effectively. He and other lawmakers, such as State Sen. Julie Slama of Dunbar, have voiced concern that Pillen’s proclamation could exclude ideas they’re working on to overhaul the state’s tax system.
Among those are ideas to legalize and tax online sports betting or marijuana sales, which Wayne said he is considering bringing.
Slama has said she’s working on legislation but declined to share details.
Multiple senators have confirmed to the Nebraska Examiner that dozens of bills — more than 80 — are being prepped by legislative staff ahead of the special session.
Special session schedule
Pillen first issued a “save-the-date” on June 17 for the special session, to be held between July 26 and Aug. 15. A week later, he landed on July 25 as the starting date, and Speaker John Arch of La Vista offered a suggested schedule for the special session.
Under that schedule, lawmakers would introduce bills within the scope of Pillen’s call for three straight days this week, Thursday through Saturday. No bills could be introduced after that, per legislative rules.
Full-day hearings would start next Monday on the bills introduced.
“This issue of property tax has been something we’ve been working on for a long time, and not this session of the Legislature, but for a long time,” Arch said.
Wayne, chair of the Legislature’s Judiciary Committee, said that during regular legislative sessions, committee chairs provide a “basic level of respect” by working with other lawmakers to schedule hearings. Wayne said Arch also helps in providing advanced notice of daily agendas.
Regardless of if or when Pillen formally calls a special session, Wayne said, lawmakers should demand a week’s notice before a special session begins and otherwise should adjourn “sine die.” Such a vote requires a simple majority of those present to pass. If successful, it would send lawmakers home unless the governor chose to issue another call for a special session at a later date.
It’s unclear how many lawmakers will attend the first day of the session. Arch has been contacting lawmakers to ensure that at least 25 of the 49 senators show up to meet quorum.
Previous special sessions
Since 1940, considering 36 special sessions for the Unicameral, Nebraska governors have, on average, given at least seven days’ notice between when a proclamation is issued and the time senators are called to meet in Lincoln, according to the Legislature’s records.
Previous governors called lawmakers back just one day after issuing the proclamation three times: Gov. Bob Kerrey, in 1988, and Gov. Val Peterson, for two special sessions in 1952. Gov. Kay Orr gave the longest notice in 1988, at 37 days.
Former Gov. Pete Ricketts gave 17 days’ notice before the 2021 special session on redistricting; Gov. Dave Heinemann gave one week’s notice before a 2011 special session on oil pipelines.
“If that is too daunting for some,” Wayne continued, he suggested lawmakers should meet Thursday but at least recess until Aug. 1, giving senators one week to draft bills within the scope of the session.
“It is time we assert our independence and demand the respect we deserve,” Wayne said.
Speaker leaves scheduling door open
Arch agreed that any special session is a “serious sacrifice” for many senators who must earn a living outside of their elected duties as “citizen legislators” with annual salaries of $12,000.
Wayne, an attorney, noted that his trials and court hearings can’t proceed until an official “call” has been sent.
“He has points in what he brings out,” Arch said of Wayne.
Arch said lawmakers will “wait and see” for the proclamation, though they shouldn’t anticipate that the topics they’re working on related to property taxes will be excluded. Senators will police themselves in determining what is within the scope of the session, Arch previously told the Examiner.
Asked about Wayne’s suggested schedule, Arch left the door open. He wants to see what Pillen’s proclamation contains and what bills are introduced. He also wants to consider how any schedule change could further disrupt lawmakers’ lives.
“The further you push this out, the more weeks are impacted. We’ll have to make that call,” he said.
Arch described Pillen’s outlined property tax proposal as a “framework” that doesn’t have all the details and said that will certainly be part of the discussion in solving “the property tax crisis.”
The speaker said many Legislatures have come up to the plate to address that crisis but backed away because reforms always involve “very politically difficult decisions.”
“Decisions that affect a large number of people that, unless you see the big picture, and if you’re only focusing on one piece of the plan and not the whole picture, it’s just very different,” Arch said. “It’s just very easy to just say, ‘No. No, that’s a bad idea.’”
But put together, Arch said, the ideas could provide a way forward.
“Maybe we can come together and have some significant impact,” he continued.
Lawmakers echo criticisms
State Sen. Steve Erdman of Bayard was among a handful of lawmakers to voice support for Wayne’s suggestions, adding that “perhaps after Labor Day” would work to reconvene.
State Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh of Omaha thanked Wayne “for expressing so clearly what many are feeling.” She led a group of lawmakers in hosting public listening sessions in Omaha and Lincoln last Sunday and Monday after Pillen hosted town halls in 26 smaller cities across the state.
“I would welcome the opportunity to adjourn after the first day until such time that our deliberative body had appropriate notice for undertaking a special session,” Cavanaugh wrote.
Slama said she “entirely” agreed with Wayne and said the “lack of transparency and timeliness” had “compromised the integrity of the Legislature as a co-equal branch of government.”
“It is incumbent upon Speaker Arch, as the leader of this branch of government, to demand the minimal level of respect of having enough time to draft bills to properly conduct the special session,” Slama wrote back. “The integrity of the institution depends on it.”
State Sen. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln, who has served in three special sessions during her tenure, said the governor is “well within his legal right” to delay calling the session until the last possible moment, though it might not be a “recipe for success.”
She cautioned that now is not the time for “creative procedural distractions” that, while important, could reflect poorly on the institution.
Conrad said procedural options should remain on the table for the future but told her colleagues they shouldn’t back away from a plan that she believes “will collapse naturally under its own weight when subjected to public analysis and engagement.”
“I look forward to the opportunity to demonstrate that indeed our Founders were right to be skeptical of an all powerful Executive and democracy should remain inconvenient to bad ideas.”
Pillen’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the emails.
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OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – In a couple weeks, a statewide volunteer group will begin a media blitz to get the word out on how senior citizens in Nebraska can save money on their property taxes.
Officials with Volunteers Assisting Seniors say they’ve planned an awareness campaign, using billboards, radio, and newspapers, alerting senior citizens to the possibility of tax savings if they apply for the state’s homestead exemption program.
The Minne Lusa Neighborhood is an historic part of Omaha, and like other neighborhoods in the metro, property taxes are on the rise.
Barb Peters and her husband have applied for the homestead exemption for a few years now, and it’s saving them money.
“This time, when I paid my taxes, I probably paid $1,700 less than I would have if I paid the full amount,” said Barb. “Even in our Minne Lusa neighborhood, the taxes have started going up because real estate values are going up, so that increases taxes and when you’re retired, it’s hard to budget that. The budget only goes so far.”
But there are many senior homeowners who are unaware of the homestead exemption, or they know about it and don’t apply because they don’t think they’d qualify.
“A couple making $62,000 might still qualify for up to 10 percent of property tax relief,” said Toni Roberts, the Executive Director of Volunteers Assisting Seniors.
Toni says the program works, and they have helped many older homeowners save money.
“Through that program, last year we were able to help over 900 people,” Toni said. “900 people made appointments and 800 people were submitted an application for assistance. We helped primarily senior homeowners in Douglas County save approximately $1.75 million in property tax relief.”
Toni says it only takes a few minutes for seniors to find out if they qualify. Barb thinks the time investment is well worth it.
“There could be people who would get a bigger discount than I did because again, it’s income driven,” said Barb.
Volunteers Assisting Seniors will even help homeowners fill out the paperwork. The organization plans a series of community meetings across the Omaha metro to explain the homestead exemption. Those meetings begin April 15.
For more information, visit their website or call 402-444-6671.
Copyright 2025 WOWT. All rights reserved.
LINCOLN, Neb. — Possessions in the final minutes of the fourth quarter or overtime decided seven games last season for Nebraska. The Huskers lost five. They beat Rutgers with defense and gained three first downs to run out the clock in the Pinstripe Bowl against Boston College.
Eighteen Nebraska drives began after the end of the third quarter with a margin on the scoreboard of eight points or less. It got positive outcomes on three. Eight possessions ended in punts, four with turnovers and one apiece on a missed field goal, on downs and the end of regulation.
“It’s been an emphasis,” said quarterback Dylan Raiola, who started every game for the Huskers in 2024. “We’re not going to lose any more of those.”
Raiola holds the key to bettering Nebraska’s late-game and third-down missteps. His maturation as a QB in this second offseason of his collegiate career looms large.
Three months in, Raiola’s progress is evident.
He’s slimmed down, an objective stated by Matt Rhule in each of the coach’s media sessions since the calendar turned to 2025. According to his teammates and coaches, Raiola has advanced in his leadership. And he’s working, at the outset of spring practice this week, to correct subtle deficiencies in his game and around him on offense that kept Nebraska from winning the moments that mattered most last year.
“He’s 19 years old,” Rhule said. “He’s a very, very focused young man. So he’s working at it. And I think he’ll be really good.”
Raiola, the former five-star signee out of Buford, Ga., was chosen last year as the starter in August. However, an expectation of greatness arrived with him at Nebraska in January of his first year on campus.
He threw for 2,819 yards on 67.1 percent passing. Both marks set freshman records at Nebraska and led true freshmen nationally. Raiola tossed 13 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
When Dana Holgorsen took over in November as offensive coordinator for the Huskers’ final four games, he said he noticed that Raiola seemed to spend time “in the shadows.”
Holgorsen, a head coach in the Big 12 for eight seasons (and 13 overall), said Raiola didn’t embrace the added responsibility of a leader because the young QB already faced so much pressure.
“He’s working on that right now,” Holgorsen said. “And I see a tremendous amount of growth with him, with his leadership skills. He’s a great teammate and he understands the importance of leading. And that’s rubbing off on a lot of the guys.”
Rhule emphasized leadership as a Raiola priority from the start of this year.
Dylan Raiola threw 13 TD passes and 11 interceptions in 2024. (Sean M. Haffey / Getty Images)
“Before he can make it his team, he has to make it his offense,” Rhule said last month. “And before he can make it his offense, he has to make it his receiving corps.”
Rhule watched Raiola keep a quiet voice in the team setting last year in his bid to earn respect.
“Now he has to step up and lead,” Rhule said.
That means demanding that the receivers show up for offseason workouts arranged by Raiola.
“Year 1, it’s like, ‘I asked them. Five guys showed up.’” Rhule said. “Well, that’s not leadership. That’s trying to be a leader. Leadership is when you get everybody there.”
And this year?
“He’s been real serious about what he’s doing,” wide receiver Jacory Barney said.
Receiver Dane Key, a transfer from Kentucky vying for the WR1 spot, visited Raiola at the quarterback’s home in Georgia during the decision process.
“He’s growing up really quick,” running back Emmett Johnson said. “He’s learned a lot from last season. He’s seen what it takes to play in the Big Ten.”
Raiola’s completion rate in the fourth quarter dropped from 68.1 percent to 61.8. His yards per attempt fell from 7.7 in the first three quarters to 4.6 in the fourth.
On third down, Raiola completed 56.8 percent (54 of 95) of his throws, 14 points lower than on first and second down.
There’s room to improve.
Raiola started the process by watching film of the Huskers’ close defeats last year. Five losses came by a combined 29 points in a 7-6 season.
“As much as it hurts watching, you have to,” Raiola said.
He’d prefer to avoid tight outcomes. It’s not a reality in the Big Ten, though.
“That’s when you win games,” Raiola said. “That’s when you make money.”
Holgorsen is already deep into a process to revamp Nebraska’s two-minute offense. If up to Raiola, Holgorsen said, the Huskers would operate up-tempo at all times.
“But he also understands who his dad is and who his uncle is,” Holgorsen said, “and the importance of being physical and tough and being able to run the football.”
Raiola’s father, Dominic, of course, earned All-America honors as a center at Nebraska and played 14 years in the NFL. Dominic’s brother, Donovan Raiola, coaches the Huskers’ offensive line.
Dylan’s got the football DNA of an offensive lineman. He’s savvy like an O-lineman, too, Holgorsen said he’s learned since November. When the coach corners Raiola to discuss the nuance of a new play in the Huskers’ repertoire, the sophomore often cuts Holgorsen off to explain the play himself.
“I’ve never been with a quarterback,” Holgorsen said, “that is comfortable in the gun and can sit in the pocket and be a dropback passer — but also get under center and make run-game checks. He’s exceptional at it. And so we’re going to do it.
“He’s smart. He understands football.”
This offseason, Raiola also understands the importance of getting in the best shape of his playing career. Rhule introduced the topic publicly in February. On March 11, the coach said that Raiola knows he “won’t be a great quarterback at 240 pounds.”
Raiola, who is listed at 6-foot-3 and 230 pounds, went to work this winter. He added a boxing workout to his morning regimen. He ran a mile after lifting sessions and added more cardio sessions.
“If I’m being honest, it sucks,” Raiola said Thursday. “It’s a constant grind every day. You don’t see change right away. It doesn’t change in a day. It doesn’t change in a week.”
His dad played a big role in the change, the QB said. Raiola credited Nebraska’s strength and nutrition staff. Over spring break, Raiola said, his weight loss efforts broke through. He returned to Lincoln last weekend nine or 10 pounds lighter than when he left.
“I feel amazing right now,” he said.
His outlook for 2025 is on the rise.
(Photo: Mitch Sherman / The Athletic)
Nebraska
Central Nebraska authorities investigate possible drowning at Mormon Island State Recreation Area
HALL COUNTY, Neb. (KSNB) – The Hall County Sheriff’s Office confirmed one person possibly drowned at the Mormon Island State Recreation Area on Thursday.
The Doniphan Fire and Quick Response Team responded to the area near Interstate 80 and Highway 34 for a water rescue around 5:15 p.m.
Sgt. Jeremy Jones said a group of individuals unloading a boat into the water lost sight of one of the males assisting and were unable to locate him for some time. Authorities arrived on scene and found the deceased male in the water.
The Hall County Sheriff’s Office, Grand Island Rural Fire, Dive Rescue Team, Nebraska State Patrol and Nebraska Game and Parks are also on scene assisting in the investigation.
Stick with Local4 for updates on this developing story.
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