From: Ron Withem, Director of Governmental Relations for the University of Nebraska

 

Friday, January 5, 2007

 

University Supporters:

 

I hope things went well for you over the holiday season.

 

With the beginning of the year inevitably comes the convening of the Nebraska Legislature. This year 22 newly elected or appointed senators took the oath of office on January 3 and joined the 27 returning members of the 100th Legislature.

 

The first day of the session was spent electing legislative leaders and committee chairs. Leadership positions impacting the University most directly are:

 

  • Senator Mike Flood from Norfolk was elected Speaker of the Legislature
  • Senator Lavon Heidemann from Elk Creek was elected Chair of the Appropriations Committee
  • Senator Ray Janssen from Nickerson was elected Chair of the Revenue Committee
  • Senator Ron Raikes from Lincoln was re-elected Chair of the Education Committee

 

The last few days of this week have been consumed with senators introducing new legislation. There appear to be fewer new bills introduced this year, with 107 bills and five constitutional amendments submitted for consideration by the legislature to date.

 

Governor Heineman's State of the State address will be broadcast live from the State Capitol at 10 a.m. on Thursday, January 11, 2007.  We are all anxiously awaiting the Governor's address to learn his budget recommendations for the University of Nebraska.

 

This is the first of our weekly updates from those of us working with the Legislature on behalf of the University. We hope to keep you up to date on legislative happenings so that you will feel better prepared to help us with legislative advocacy down the road.

 

Please note our new address for our advocacy and legislative bill tracking website: www.ciclt.net/ungr.

 

If you have any comments, questions or suggestions concerning events transpiring during this session, please get in touch.

 

Ron Withem

Associate Vice President for University Affairs

and Director of Governmental Relations

P.O. Box 830745

3835 Holdrege Street

Lincoln, Ne 68583-0745

402-472-7132

rwithem@nebraska.edu