Senator Ibach tours PC Canal with Governor Pillen, officials

After taking a tour with other state officials of water resource sites in western Nebraska on last Friday, District 44 State Senator Teresa Ibach says she has a better understanding of how water flows into and through the state.
She updated her constituents from District 44 about the trip and other legislative news during her Tuesday call-in show.
Ibach, Governor Jim Pillen, Lieutenant Governor Joe Kelly, Nebraska Department of Natural Resources Director Tom Riley and State Senators Bob Dover, Loren Lippincott, Steve Erdman, Brian Hardin and Mike Jacobson toured Lake McConaughy, NPPD Water Systems in Paxton, the Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District Diversion Dam in North Platte, along with existing Perkins County Canal and land around it that could potentially be used to finish the canal, she said.
Potential canal sites are currently in the engineering phase, she said.
“I learned a lot during the day,” Ibach said.
Ibach was especially impressed to see where water flows into Nebraska from Colorado, and how the water is measured.
“I was absolutely fascinated with how the water is measured, collected and then where the water in the South Platte River travels throughout the state,” Ibach said.
 “I knew we use water efficiently and effectively, but seeing it first hand was amazing.”
In a press release, Pillen also said the day was a success.
“Successfully managing our water resources is key to help propel the economic engine of our state,” Pillen said.  
About the Perkins County Canal, Pillen said the structure serves as the only means for Nebraska to control its future South Platte River water supplies. “The project has my full support,” he said.
Other News
In other legislative news, Ibach reported the following:
• LB 626, dubbed Heartbeat Abortion Bill, did not pass last week, losing approval by one vote, she said.
• LB 562, which intends to increase consumer access to E-15 in Nebraska,was given first round approval April 25.
“This makes me happy,” Ibach said, noting that Nebraska is the second largest ethanol producer in the country, but near last in consumption.
“Ethanol is cleaner, cheaper less expensive for those on a budget,” she said.
.• LB 254, sponsored by State Sen. Tom Brewer, moved to final reading last week. The bill would add archived video of Unicameral floor debate and committee hearings to the documents and resources on its website. “This bill had really good support,” Ibach said.
• The Legislature began debate on the state’s two-year budget. According to Ibach,  the Nebraska Economic Forecasting Advisory Board voted April 26 to lower revenue projections in the near term.
According to the Unicameral Update, revenue projections for the current fiscal year were lowered by $80 million to $6.36 billion.
The Unicameral Update noted that the adjustment was based on anticipated decreases of $200 million in individual income and sales and use tax receipts, offset in part by projected increases of $120 million in corporate and miscellaneous tax receipts.
Total projected revenue receipts for FY2023-24, however, were raised by $25 million and the FY2024-25 projections were raised by $55 million.
• Ibach also reported that a health services proposal was expanded to include several other bills, including a SNAP food benefit extension, before advancing on April 25. Ibach was supportive of the bill extending SNAP food benefits for Nebraska.
• Ibach reported on Voter ID legislation going through the Unicameral.
“Senators Slama and Brewer are set on their different proposals,” she said. “They need to come to common ground.”
According to the Nebraska Examiner, Slama and Brewer have made progress toward a compromise bill in recent days, but talks must still settle on the following three questions:
—What forms of ID will the state accept as proof of a voter’s identification?
—How and when will the state verify the IDs of voters who use mail-in ballots?
 —Should the state’s voter ID bill include additional checks of voter citizenship?
• LB 683, which would establish the Nebraska Broadband Office to provide broadband services to all state residents by the start of 2028, was set to be discussed this Tuesday.
Ibach said she is watching the bill closely. She also commented on her concern that listening sessions concerning broadband availability across that state, which have been set up by the Nebraska Public Service Commission in cooperation with the Nebraska Broadband Office, do not include any locations in southwest Nebraska.
“I am baffled there is nothing in my district,” she said, commenting that she will be working to correct that.
Listening sessions are currently scheduled for the following communities:
• O’Neill, May 3, noon;
• Columbus, May 3, 5:30 p.m.;
• Sidney, May 8, 5  p.m.;
• Scottsbluff, May 9, noon;
• Chadron, May 9, 5 p.m.;
• Alliance, May 10, 5 p.m.;
• Ord, May 11, 5 p.m.
Contact Information
As always, Ibach encouraged people to connect with her if they have any concerns or comments about activity in the Legislature.
Ibach’s phone number is 402-471-2805 or email her at tibach@leg.ne.gov.