Lynne Walz

The Nebraska Legislature did not reach a consensus on the proposed committee memberships for the new session, with several Democrats protesting partisan bias in the lineup. 

The Nebraska Legislature avoided a partisan fight Wednesday over how to elect committee chairs but couldn't get away from partisanship in their selections. 

It doesn't include the state Education Committee chair or teacher representatives. A spokesman said the members represent "a cross section of experienced educators, policymakers, and stakeholders."

Two state lawmakers Wednesday suggested there may be legislative opportunities to help Nebraska recover from the academic COVID slide that set back proficiency scores.

Nebraska's Education Committee launched a study Friday examining the possible creation of a statewide process to award college credit for military education and training. 

Nebraska state education leaders plan to create a task force to review school safety in light of the shooting in Uvalde, Texas.

Lawmakers used filibusters to kill controversial proposals, including bills on abortion, concealed carry and criminal justice reform. But was the frequent filibustering a departure from the norm? 

One bill would require education about "the Holocaust and other acts of genocide." The other would provide financial incentives for new teachers and ease testing requirements for teachers in training.

Nebraska lawmakers advanced a bill Monday that would require school districts to establish a behavioral health point of contact for students. 

As part of the effort to combat Nebraska's teacher shortage, a program proposed in the Legislature would provide first-year educators up to $5,000 a year for as many as five years.

The bill was put on hold in the face of stiff opposition from senators who argued it would disproportionately benefit large schools and amount to a property tax increase for rural property owners.

Omaha Public Schools joined leading agricultural groups in questioning a plan aimed at delivering $728 million worth of property tax relief by boosting state support of public schools.

Nebraska lawmakers will consider letting employees across the state refuse vaccinations because of a "strong moral, ethical, or philosophical belief or conviction," under a bill introduced Friday.

Nebraska lawmakers will launch a session Wednesday that some predict could be transformative for the state, but others suspect it could devolve into a forum for grandstanding and political theater.

In the upcoming legislative session, issues that have commanded national political conversations and highlighted party divisions this past year are likely to surface at Nebraska’s Capitol.

The plan would require an infusion of state dollars, amounting to a 68% boost in state support for K-12 education.

The need to diversify the state's teaching workforce is clear, Sen. Lynne Walz of Fremont, who chairs the committee, said. 

State Sen. Carol Blood of Bellevue on Monday formally launched a bid for the Democratic nomination for governor in 2022.

Nebraska's expressway program was projected to be completed in 15 years, but about 178 miles remain undone. Some northeast Nebraska communities say they shouldn't have to wait much longer.

The bill fell victim to a battle over an amendment that would protect Nebraska teachers who use physical intervention with violent and disruptive students. 

A bill that would have allowed permitless concealed carry in nearly every Nebraska county was amended to focus on three, less controversial gun rights measures.