Work permits for undocumented immigrants, penny-rounding rules proposed

Ideas ranging from allowing work permits for people in the country illegally to regulating how merchants handle a shortage of pennies were among proposals introduced in the Nebraska Legislature Thursday.

Sen. Dunixi Guereca introduced a bill (LB879) which would allow undocumented people to get work permits. They would have to pay $2,500 if they entered the country illegally, would have to show that they have a job, and could not have been convicted of a serious offense.

Guereca said the measure would help workers and the state’s economy.

“The reality is, here in Nebraska is we need workers, period, full stop, right? It is limiting our ability to grow the economy, to grow businesses, to grow our tax base. Let's give people the right, people pathways to be able to work here legally and contribute to our great Nebraska economy. And that's what I mean. I'm providing options, pathways, so folks that are already here can be here legally and continue to contribute, continue to help us grow Nebraska,” he said.

The bill would require the governor to help get necessary waivers from the federal government. Gov. Jim Pillen has taken a hard line against illegal immigration, sending National Guard troops to the border and supporting an ICE immigration raid last year in Omaha.

Meanwhile, Sen. Mike Jacobson introduced a bill (LB837) specifying how retailers should handle a shortage of pennies if people pay in cash. Jacobson gave an example.

“If it's, say, $1.07 you'll round down to $1.05. If we're three cents over -- if it's $1.08, you round up to $1.10,” he said.

Since some businesses are already doing that, and Jacobson was asked why a law is needed.

“Because you need to be uniform. If I go into a store and they round up from a penny, you took advantage of me for four cents. And I think really, retailers want to know, ‘What should I do?’” he said.

Jacobson said he hopes the federal government will take similar action, but if not, the state should have something in place.

Other bills introduced Thursday would prohibit law enforcement officials from wearing masks, and require them to show identification including their name, badge number and the agency they work for. Sen. Megan Hunt, who introduced one version of the bill (LB854), explained the idea.

“The intention is for it to apply to ICE officers or any law enforcement officer that's operating in the state of Nebraska. We don't allow anonymous judges. We don't allow anonymous legislators, and I don't think that law enforcement should be anonymous either,” she said.

Several amendments to the state constitution have also been proposed. One of them (LR292CA), by Sen. Bob Andersen, would limit annual increases in taxes on individual properties to the rate of inflation, as measured by the consumer price index. Anderson gave the example of a $200,000 house whose owner currently pays $4,000 in property taxes, assuming an inflation rate of 2%.

“So that means your tax obligation of $4,000 this year, next year will be $4,080, the year after $4,160, and you can really walk the dog or do the math all the way out, five years, 10 years, 15 years, and figure out what can you expect to be paying in property taxes, as opposed to right now, where the valuations are out of control, the levies are unchecked, and the taxpayers are bearing the brunt of it,” he said.

And Sen. Terrell McKinney has proposed a constitutional amendment(LR284CA) to lower the minimum voting age from 18 to 16. McKinney, who coaches wrestling coach at Omaha’s North High School, says that would increase young people’s involvement in civic life, and he thinks they would be thoughtful about voting.

“Those are our leaders of tomorrow. They also have great minds," he said. "I work with a lot of youth, and they ask some great questions, and they are smart enough to pick and decide who to vote for. They just won't be led down a road and just voting blindly. I've talked to kids all the time because I work in a high school, so I understand where they're at, and I think they're ready, and I think they would be great at deciding who our leaders are."

Also Thursday, senators voted to suspend the rules and allow a public hearing Monday on a motion to expel Sen. Dan McKeon, who’s been accused of groping a legislative staffer – an accusation he denies. Sen. Ben Hansen, chair of the Legislature’s internal governing Executive Board, said usually, the rules require a week’s notice before a public hearing.

“This requirement serves an important purpose. It ensures that Nebraskans have sufficient time to learn about proposed legislation that may affect them directly, to prepare testimony and to participate as a second house in our unique unicameral process," he said. "However, LR282 (to expel McKeon) is not a typical legislative measure that would impact policy for all Nebraskans or invite broad public input on matters of general law. This is a personnel matter involving serious allegations of misconduct by a sitting senator, conduct that occurred while serving in this body."

Sen. Wendy DeBoer said she understood Hansen’s reasoning, but expressed caution.

“I do think, though, that we need to be very clear with future legislatures that the rule suspension in this sort of case is only in this particular, very fact-specific case, and not something that I think carries as a precedent,” she said.

Senators then voted 43-0 to suspend the rules, with DeBoer among the six who did not vote. The hearing will be open to the public, but testimony will be restricted to McKeon or his attorney and an attorney who was hired by the Legislature to investigate. It will be streamed live by Nebraska Public Media beginning at 9 CT on Monday.

More from the Unicameral:

Bill to permanently expand eligibility for child care subsidies sees bipartisan support in Nebraska legislature

Legislature begins session, sets hearing on expelling McKeon